Golden Turtle International Wildlife Art & Photography Contest

Golden Turtle is international cultural and ecological event, dedicated to celebrating the beauty of the wildlife.

Categories

• Photo
  • Animals in the Environment
    • In this nomination, photos shall reflect the unity of the animal and its environment in the artistic and biological aspects. The photos shall be evaluated as an integral composition created by the nature and captured by the photographer.
  • The Portrait of the Animal
    • Photos of any wild animals in close-up. In this nomination, the basic criteria shall be successful imaging of the animal’s character and “soul” through its emotions, eyes expression, pose, pace.
  • Animal behaviour
    • Photos of wild animals (beasts, birds, amphibians, etc.) in their natural freedom. In this nomination, the uniqueness of photo is a priority. The photograph shall show a point of interest in the animal’s life. Dynamic, emotional, eye-catching and original frames are welcome.
  • Microcosm
    • Photos of representatives of the micro world (insects, spiders, invertebrates, small underwater animals) in their natural living environments. Images of subjects at any time of their life, interaction with other animals, species and the environment are welcome. In this nomination, the harmony and the artistic merit of the entire composition is a priority.
  • The Underwater Art and Nature’s World
    • In this nomination, images taken underwater shall be accepted. A competition work shall show the freshness of the composition, the complexity of obtaining the frame, the drama. Photographs illustrating the uniqueness and the immensity of underwater ecosystems are welcome.
  • Art and Nature’s Image
    • In this nomination, the principal value shall be the light, structural and graphic solution of the entire composition as a whole. Photos showing animals, plants and mushrooms are welcome.
  • Landscape
    • The nomination includes landscape photographs showing the beauty and the harmony of wildlife. Photographs shall not show any noticeable man made interference. Works shall be evaluated by the degree of their artistic merit and compositional perfection. The geographical position of the shooting point and the landscape type are not considered.
  • Magic Of Plants
    • The nomination implies a reflection of beauty in the world of plants, in their wild environment and diversity. The emphasis is on a sophisticated, thoughtful composition, noticed in the wild world of plants, which includes mosses, ferns, lichens, trees, mushrooms. Original frames that display objects in an unusual perspective and at the same time demonstrate the beauty of the wild are especially welcome.
  • Humans and Nature
    • This is a photojournalism nomination. In this nomination, photographs shall be accepted that show any interaction of wildlife and humans, such as: working in wildlife reserves; animals and people in zoos; people preserving wildlife; negative human impact on the environment. Frames advocating violence shall not be accepted to participate in the competition.
  • Reserved Russia
    • Photos of endemic and protected animals living exclusively in the wild without any fences, taken in specially protected natural areas of Russia, are accepted for participation in the nomination, with the exception of brown bears (transferred to other nominations).
  • Mobile Photography
    • This nomination includes photos taken with mobile devices – phones and tablets. Photos not taken with professional cameras sometimes speak about the photographer’s skill, vision and artistic skills better.
  • Nature through the Eyes of Youth
    • This category invites young photographers in the age group 13 to 17 years old to enter their best photographs, irrespective of the themes of the categories.
  • Nature through the Eyes of Children
    • This category invites young photographers in two age groups up to 12 years old to enter their best photographs, irrespective of the themes of the categories.
• ECO-Posters
  • Ecological Problems
    • Posters depicting a free choice of topics on the problems of environment preservation. The nature and impact of anthropogenic factor (both negative and positive), or any other topic reflecting the interaction of humans and environment.
  • Conservation of Wild Nature
    • Posters on the topics of wildlife and its conservation. Reflecting the beauty of the planet and wildlife through the means of graphic design.
• Art
  • The Portrait of the Animal
    • This nomination is for artwork depicting of any wild animals in close-up. In this nomination, the basic criteria shall be successful imaging of the animal’s character and “soul” through its emotions, eyes expression, pose, pace.
  • Animals in the Wild
    • In this nomination, artwork shall reflect the unity of the animal and its environment in the artistic and biological aspects. The artwork shall be evaluated as an integral artistic composition.
  • Nature by the Hands of Youth
    • Drawings of wild animals of young participants in the age group 13 to 17 years old are accepted: a fresh look, quality and originality of performance are assessed.
  • Nature by the Hands of Children
    • In this category, drawings of wild animals from young artists under the age of 12 are accepted.

Prize Information

• Photo
  • The Photographer of the year
    • The Photographer of the year receives a cash prize in the equivalent of 150,000 Russian rubles, a glass trophy, a diploma, an album with all the finalists of the competition and prizes from partners.
  • 1st prize in the adult categories
    • The winners of the 1st prize in the adult categories receive a cash prize in the equivalent of 75,000 Russian rubles, a glass trophy, a diploma, an album with all the finalists of the competition and prizes from partners.
  • 2nd and 3rd prizes in the adult categories
    • The winners of the 2nd and 3rd prizes in the adult categories receive a diploma, an album with all the finalists of the competition and prizes from partners.
  • 1st prize in the young categories
    • The winners of the 1st prize in the young categories receive a glass trophy, a diploma, an album with all the finalists of the competition and prizes from partners.
  • 2nd and 3rd prizes in the young categories
    • The winners of the 2nd and 3rd prizes in the young categories receive a diploma, an album with all the finalists of the competition and prizes from partners.
• ECO-Posters
  • 1st prize
    • The winners of the 1st prize receive a cash prize in the equivalent of 75,000 Russian rubles, a glass trophy, a diploma, an album with all the finalists of the competition and prizes from partners.
  • 2nd and 3rd prizes
    • The winners of the 2nd and 3rd prizes receive a diploma, an album with all the finalists of the competition and prizes from partners.
• Art
  • 1st prize in the adult categories
    • The winners of the 1st prize in the adult categories receive a cash prize in the equivalent of 75,000 Russian rubles, a glass trophy, a diploma, an album with all the finalists of the competition and prizes from partners.
  • 2nd and 3rd prizes in the adult categories
    • The winners of the 2nd and 3rd prizes in the adult categories receive a diploma, an album with all the finalists of the competition and prizes from partners.
  • 1st prize in the young categories
    • The winners of the 1st prize in the young categories receive a glass trophy, a diploma, an album with all the finalists of the competition and prizes from partners.
  • 2nd and 3rd prizes in the young categories
    • The winners of the 2nd and 3rd prizes in the young categories receive a diploma, an album with all the finalists of the competition and prizes from partners.

Eligibility Criteria

• The organizer and the right holder of the Golden Turtle Contest, exhibitions and all facilities and events related thereto is the MY EQUATOR Charity Social Support Fund.
• Anyone may submit his/her works to participate in the competition, except for the competition organizers and the professional jury members. Authors from any countries can participate in the contest without restrictions. The official competition languages are Russian and English.
• Decisions to award the Semi-Finalist, Finalist or Winner statuses to artwork shall be made by members of the Professional Jury and the Jury of Peers and may not be appealed.

For more information, visit MY EQUATOR Charity Social Support Fund.