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The Nandagang International Wetland Photo Contest 2026 brings together photographers from around the world to explore the beauty, biodiversity, and importance of wetland ecosystems. Under the theme “Together for Wetlands”, the competition offers cash prizes of up to $1,500 for images documenting natural landscapes, migratory birds, conservation efforts, and the relationship between people and their environment. The contest is free to enter, with a submission deadline of November 28, 2026.
Inspired by the Nandagang Wetland in China’s Hebei Province, a major stopover for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, the contest extends its reach to wetlands worldwide. Its six categories cover a variety of photographic approaches, from landscape photography and wildlife documentation to visual stories about communities living alongside these ecosystems. A dedicated youth category welcomes creators under 28, while a separate video category focuses on wetland conservation stories.
The competition follows an earlier edition that attracted more than 200 photographers from 28 countries. For photographers exploring international photography competitions, the 2026 edition combines a clear environmental focus with several opportunities for recognition. Participants can enter multiple categories, submitting up to six works in each, and selected photographs will be evaluated by an international panel of photographers working across nature, wildlife, landscape, and documentary photography.
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Prizes
The Nandagang International Wetland Photo Contest 2026 offers cash awards across several prize levels, together with special distinctions recognizing creativity, human-centered storytelling, and emerging photographers.
- Grand Prize (1 winner): $1,500, awarded to the entry achieving the highest overall score.
- First Prize (6 winners): $500 each, recognizing outstanding work within the competition categories.
- Second Prize (12 winners): $200 each.
- Third Prize (18 winners): $50 each.
Three additional distinctions recognize specific qualities and approaches:
- Special Award for Creativity (6 winners): Recognizes originality, inventive perspectives, and creative visual approaches.
- Special Award for Humanistic Spirit (6 winners): Highlights documentary work about communities, environmental guardians, and traditional livelihoods connected with wetlands.
- Special Award for Youth (6 winners): Recognizes the perspectives and creative potential of photographers under 28.
The combination of monetary awards and thematic distinctions gives photographers several ways to have their work recognized, whether their focus is natural scenery, animal behavior, or the human dimension of environmental protection.
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Categories or Themes
Six submission categories address different aspects of wetlands and their conservation:
- Global Wetlands.
- People and Wetlands.
- Nandagang Wetland.
- Youth Imaging (Under 28).
- Wetlands and Migratory Birds.
- Wetland Conservation Stories (Video).
The categories accommodate different photographic interests. Aerial views can reveal the patterns and geography of wetland landscapes, while wildlife photography can document the lives of migratory birds and other species. Photographers interested in conservation may also explore the work of people protecting these environments.
Dates and Entry Fees
The Nandagang International Wetland Photo Contest 2026 follows this schedule:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Submissions open | September 28, 2026 |
| Submission deadline | November 28, 2026 |
| Winner announcement | December 30, 2026 |
Entry Fees:
- Entry fee: Free.
- Submission limit: Up to six works per category.
- Multiple categories: Participants may enter more than one category.
- Accepted entries: Individual photographs and photo series.
As one of the free photography competitions featured on Deartline, the contest allows photographers to submit work across several categories without entry fees.
How to Enter
Photographers can submit their work through the official submission platform, selecting the appropriate category for each entry.
Photographic submissions should follow these technical specifications:
- Accepted formats: JPG, JPEG, PNG, DNG, HEIC, and HEIF.
- Recommended resolution: At least 3,000 pixels on the longest side.
- Maximum file size: 10 MB per image.
- Recommended color space: sRGB.
- Images must be submitted without watermarks, borders, signatures, or other identifying information.
Entrants should preserve the original image files and complete EXIF metadata, as shortlisted and provisionally awarded works may undergo authenticity verification. Contact information is also required for communication and prize delivery.
About the Jury
The jury panel of this Nandagang International Wetland Photo Contest 2026 includes Albert Dros, Mario Suárez Porras, Georgina Goodwin, Marlondag, Song Ye, Ritu Ahluwalia, Chris Laracy, Khaichuin Sim, Yunkuan Zhu, and Chuanyun Gao. Their backgrounds encompass nature and conservation photography as well as professional photographic education and association leadership.
Entries will undergo an initial selection by the organizing committee and preliminary judging panel, followed by the competition’s award selection process. The Grand Prize recognizes the highest-scoring entry across the judging criteria.
Why Enter the Nandagang International Wetland Photo Contest 2026?
Wetlands offer photographers an extraordinary range of subjects, from migratory birds and changing landscapes to communities whose lives are closely connected to these ecosystems. The Nandagang International Wetland Photo Contest brings these perspectives together, recognizing images that capture both the natural beauty of wetlands and the human stories behind their conservation.
Although inspired by a wetland in China, the competition welcomes photographs from around the world. Its international jury, cash prizes, and special awards for creativity, human-centered storytelling, and young photographers offer several opportunities for recognition. The previous edition attracted participants from 28 countries, reflecting the contest’s international reach.
For photographers exploring Deartline’s best photo contests, this free competition offers an opportunity to share work that combines photographic expression with environmental awareness, reaching an audience interested in the beauty and preservation of wetland ecosystems.
Rules and Copyright
We reviewed the official rules of the Nandagang International Wetland Photo Contest 2026 to summarize the key participation requirements, copyright terms and image usage conditions. Before entering, we recommend checking the complete rules published by the organizer.
Rules
The competition is open worldwide, with a dedicated category for creators under 28. Participants may submit up to six works per category and enter multiple categories. Photographs must be original, with files no larger than 10 MB and a recommended resolution of at least 3,000 pixels on the longest side. Original files and EXIF metadata must be retained for verification.
Basic photographic adjustments are permitted if they preserve the original scene. AI-generated images, generative expansion, compositing, and substantial content alterations are prohibited. Entries must not contain watermarks, signatures, or identifying marks.
Wildlife must not be disturbed or manipulated. Baiting, staged wildlife photography, photographing from bird hides, and photographing birds during nesting or chick-rearing periods are prohibited. Entrants must hold the necessary rights and permissions for their submissions.
Copyright and Image Usage
Photographers retain copyright and attribution rights to their work. However, submitting an entry grants the organizer permission to use and modify images without additional payment for public-interest and promotional purposes, including conservation campaigns, publications, exhibitions, and online media. These permissions also extend to affiliated entities and partners.
For awarded works, photographers grant an additional irrevocable, worldwide, non-exclusive authorization covering reproduction, distribution, adaptation, display, and derivative works for non-commercial purposes. The organizer may also incorporate branding and promotional elements into these images. The terms do not specify an expiration date for these permissions.
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For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
