Definitions

A natural history photograph is one that depicts living, untamed animals, uncultivated plants or others as in the definition below, in a habitat chosen by them.

• Geology and the wide diversity of natural phenomena, from insects to icebergs are allowed.

• Photographs of animals that are domesticated, caged, or under any form of organised restraint, as well as photographs of cultivated plants, are ineligible. Examples of organised restraint would be Zoos and Wildlife Parks/Centres where animals are controlled, regularly fed and cared for. However, Nature Reserves, Deer Parks or Country Estates in which the animals could be fenced in but are otherwise self- sufficient are eligible.

• Marine subjects and botanical subjects (including fungi and algae) taken in the wild are suitable subjects

• Evidence of humans is acceptable for nature subjects which are adapted naturally to a human environment, e.g. barn owls, storks, urban foxes etc.

• The original image must have been taken by the photographer.

Digital manipulation

Any manipulation or modification to the original image must be limited to minor retouching, and must not alter the content of the original scene. Cropping, sharpening, colour and tonal optimisation are allowed. Minor cloning and spot removal is allowed. Nothing must be added.

Colour images can be converted to greyscale monochrome. Infra-red images, either direct captures or derivations, are not allowed.

The final image must have been produced from a single image, and must not be a combination of separate images, excepting focus-stacked or stitched images, which are allowed provided they maintain the reality of the subject.

Titles

Entrants are required to give only the common English name, and location, of the species shown, with as much precision and accuracy that the entrant can provide (e.g. "bird" will not do, "Woodpecker" is too vague - "Great Spotted Woodpecker" would be correct.) (Latin scientific names are discouraged).

Fun, jokey or punning titles (e.g. "Three's a crowd") are not acceptable.

With geological features, entrants are required to describe the location and geological relevance of the subject.

Titles that do not comply with the above are actively discouraged, and may incur a penalty, at the discretion of the judge. However, if the entrant puts an incorrect title on his/her entry, the judge may choose to correct it without penalty.

The club relies on the integrity of entrants to keep within the spirit of the competition as above. Photographs that clearly do not conform to these rules may be removed from the competition by the official organising the event.

This definition was originally prepared by John Nathan & Nick Withers in June 2008, was updated in September 2012. It has been revised in December 2018 based on the definition of Nature Photography extracted from FIAP (Federation International de l’Art photographique) and PSA (Photographic Society of America) and Royal Photographic Society definitions dated June 2014