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The 49th International Speleological Photography Contest, also known as the Premio Espeleólogo de Barro 2026, returns with a long-running focus on one of photography’s most demanding settings: the underground world. Organized by Grupo Espeleológico Ribereño in Aranda de Duero, Spain, the contest is dedicated to photography connected with speleology and its environment, bringing cave spaces, subterranean formations, exploration scenes, and hidden geological landscapes into public view.
For photographers looking through current photo contests, this call stands out for its specific theme and its established history. The 2026 edition accepts digital submissions until June 8, 2026. Prizes include €800 for the first prize, €400 for the second prize, €300 for the third prize, and two mentions of €100 each. A selection of submitted works will also be shown online, while 30 photographs will be exhibited at the Casa de Cultura in Aranda de Duero during October and November 2026, as part of the GER Speleology Days.
The International Speleological Photography Contest keeps a clear thematic line: speleology and its environment. That makes it especially relevant for photographers working with caves, underground exploration, geological spaces, and visual stories that require both technical control and a strong sense of place. Participation is free, making it a relevant free photography contest for authors with suitable work.
Prizes
The 49th International Speleological Photography Contest combines monetary prizes with public presentation opportunities. Each participant may receive only one prize.
- 1st Prize: €800 and the Premio Espeleólogo de Barro 2026 distinction.
- 2nd Prize: €400.
- 3rd Prize: €300.
- Two Mentions: €100 each.
- Selected Works: A selection of submitted photographs may be displayed on the contest website.
- Exhibition: A group exhibition of 30 photographs will be presented at the Casa de Cultura in Aranda de Duero in October and November 2026, within the Jornadas de Espeleología del GER. The exhibition may later travel to other locations if requested.
The organizer manages the printing and presentation of the selected photographs for the exhibition, covering the related costs. For photographers seeking calls with a public display component, the exhibition aspect places this contest within the broader field of photography contests with exhibition opportunities.
Other Free Contests
Categories or Themes
The International Speleological Photography Contest does not use separate categories. All entries revolve around one central theme: speleology and its environment.
This theme may include underground landscapes, cave formations, exploration scenes, scientific or documentary views of subterranean spaces, and visual interpretations of the caving world. Because the subject often combines field experience with complex lighting and difficult working conditions, the contest naturally connects with photographers interested in the terrain between documentary photography and nature-based image making, although its official focus remains specifically speleological.
Dates and Entry Fees
The 49th International Speleological Photography Contest 2026 edition has a clearly defined submission period and announcement schedule. Entrants should prepare their files and registration information before the closing date.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Call announced | April 16, 2026 |
| Submission deadline | June 8, 2026 |
| Decision communicated to authors | July 1, 2026 |
| Public exhibition | October / November 2026 |
Entry fee: Free.
How to Enter
Each author may submit a maximum of five photographs. Entries must be sent digitally, preferably using WeTransfer, by email. The registration data must be included in a text document with the author’s name, email address, phone number, country, number of photographs submitted, and the title of each work.
Photographs must be submitted as JPEG or TIFF files, converted to RGB color space with the color profile embedded. The minimum resolution is 300 ppi, and the shortest side must measure at least 2,000 pixels. File names must follow this order: title, author’s name and surname, and country.
About the Jury
The jury for the 2026 edition is composed of three people linked to photography, speleology, and the history of the award. The panel includes Lucía Ibáñez Torres, a professional photographer with a strong interest in mountains and speleology; Kasia Biernacka, speleologist, photographer, speaker, and winner of the Premio Espeleólogo de Barro 2025; and Felix Villaverde, a member of the founding committee of the Spanish Federation of Speleology and of the Premio Espeleólogo de Barro.
The jury will evaluate the technical and artistic quality of the photographs, as well as the inspiration conveyed by the submitted works. Its decision is final and unappealable.
Why Enter 49th International Speleological Photography Contest?
The International Speleological Photography Contest has a precise identity. It is not a general open call, but a specialist photography competition built around caves, underground exploration, and the visual culture of speleology. That gives submitted work a context where the subject is not peripheral; it is the core of the selection.
The exhibition in Aranda de Duero adds another layer of value, especially for photographers whose images benefit from being viewed in a curated public setting. The possibility of online display and a physical exhibition of 30 selected photographs gives the contest a reach beyond the prize list itself. For photographers browsing photo contests online, this call is also notable because it is a free to enter photo awards opportunity with a clearly defined photographic field.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the 49th International Speleological Photography Contest has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Rules
The contest is open to anyone who wishes to participate, except members of the organizing association, collaborators, and sponsors. Each author may submit up to five digital photographs. Works previously submitted to earlier editions of this contest, or works already awarded in any other competition organized by third parties, are not accepted.
The technique is free. Multiple exposures, stitching, stacking, panoramic photography, HDR, and standard development adjustments are allowed. However, alterations that change the photographed reality are not permitted. The jury may request the original file for verification.
Copyright and Image Usage
Participants declare that they are the authors of each submitted image and that they hold all rights to their work. They are also responsible for any image rights claims that may arise.
The first-prize winning photograph becomes the exclusive property of G. E. Ribereño and may not be submitted to other contests or sold to third parties. The author may still reproduce it in books, magazines, personal exhibitions, or other media, provided it is presented as the winning photograph of the Premio Espeleólogo de Barro 2026.
Awarded works and photographs selected for exhibition may be reproduced in books, catalogs, magazines, posters, or other materials used to promote and disseminate speleology. The organizer states that authors will always be credited, and that these reproduction rights are granted for that purpose without commercial profit for the organizers or third parties.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
