Nature and Humans Photography Competition – Fourth Edition (2026)

The Nature and Humans Photography Competition, now in its fourth edition (2026), is organised by the DESEA Foundation and is open to amateur and professional photographers of any nationality. The competition celebrates nature photography as a tool for conservation, environmental education, and awareness — inspired by Jacques Cousteau's belief that people protect what they love, and love what they know.

The competition offers 15 award categories with a total prize pool of over €17,000 EUR, including €10,000 EUR in cash prizes:

Conservation Categories (4):

• Conservation Photography – Thematic Series (series of 6 images)
• Conservation Photography – Single Image
• Conservation Photography – Spain
• Conservation, Told by Women (series of 6 images; female photographers only)

Each conservation category offers €1,500 EUR to the winner and €500 EUR to the runner-up. As a new feature in 2026, an Overall Conservation Winner will be selected from these four categories, receiving an additional €500 EUR.

Special Categories (2): Sponsored by WildWatchingSpain, these categories — 'The Beauty of the Planet' and 'The Beauty of Spain' — are open only to images taken on WildWatchingSpain-organised trips or hide sessions after 1 January 2022.

Thematic Categories (6): Mammals, Birds, Oceans, Other Animals, Landscape, and Creative — sponsored by OM SYSTEM, SONY, Fotografiarte, FotoRuano, and the Foundation. An Overall Thematic Winner will also be selected, receiving an additional €500 EUR.

Additional Awards (3): Young Photographer (under 18 by 1 June 2026), Child Photographer (under 15 by 1 June 2026), and People's Choice Award.

All submitted images must convey an appreciation for or connection to the natural world. The competition upholds a strong ethical code: images must not have been obtained through live bait, must not compromise animal welfare, and moderate editing is permitted (with more freedom in the Creative category). The conservation categories uniquely accept images of non-wild animals in situations of exploitation or recovery, and images of dead animals with a denunciatory purpose.

Participants are encouraged to provide detailed descriptions of the conservation message behind their images. The jury is composed of internationally recognised photographers.

For full rules, categories, and to enter, visit: www.natureandhumans.com