This inaugural year of the PA2F Environmental Photography Award has seen an incredible 5,700 entries from around the globe. Thank you to all who took part. Reviewing the submitted images has provided a poignant reminder of why the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation exists, and the urgent need for more progress on environmental issues. Please enjoy looking through all the shortlisted and winning images, and we look forward to welcoming you back for next year’s awards.
Kathleen’s spectacular image of a young male gorilla was taken on a trip to Uganda and captured the imagination of the Award Jury.
“The photographer has perfectly captured the magic of the moment when the gorilla forgets her presence to concentrate on crossing the river in the heart of the sumptuous Ugandan forest.”
Jean-Michel Krief (Jury Member)
Congratulations to Kathleen, who is the grand prize winner of this year’s inaugural award, and wins €6000.
Lincoln’s captivating image shows a wombat wandering through an Australian forest in the glow of bioluminescent Ghost Fungi. It was shot using camera-trap technology, and combines a 30 second exposure with flash to illuminate the wombat.
This red deer stag was photographed watching over his herd of females (and the photographer!) by Mitchell in Richmond Park, London.
This heartbreaking image of a nest woven from garbage was taken by Maxim on the Mediterranean coast of Israel.
Maxime’s image of this young orangutan was taken at a quarantine centre near Medan in Sumatra. It houses orangutans that have been rescued from being held captive illegally.
Emmanuel’s image shows a stag using a wildlife crossing in the Charente-Maritime region of France, over the A10 highway. These highways allow for ecological continuity and safe and free travel for wildlife.
This image of a female orangutan and her cub was shot by Mathieu in the jungles of Sumatra, where their population is estimated at around 14,500. This is an increase from an estimated population of 7,300 between 200 and 2003.
The PA2F Environmental Photography Award is being launched in 2021 in honour of the Foundation’s 15th anniversary, with a 10,000 € prize fund and a prestigious international jury.
The award will run annually, with the aim of raising awareness of environmental issues, and rewarding photographers who put their creativity and skill to good use in documenting the current state of our world.
Shortlisted images will be exhibited in the Principality of Monaco as part of the Foundation’s 15th anniversary celebrations, and will also be published in a commemorative photography book for distribution to the Foundation’s partners and benefactors.
The Award's inaugural year will be dedicated to the theme of wildlife, with the intention of celebrating the beauty and variety of the world’s wildlife, whilst also highlighting the plight of so many species, and the ways in which conservation efforts are attempting, and succeeding, to offer hope for the future.
The jury, made up of professional photographers and representatives of entities committed to more sustainable development, will select the winner of the Foundation's Environmental Photography Award as well as the winners for the three categories of the contest.
The title “PA2F Environmental Photographer of the Year 2021”
6,000 €
VIP invite to Monaco, including travel and accommodation, for the opening of the PA2F Environmental Photography Award exhibition, and including the 15th anniversary celebrations of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
1,000 € for each of the 3 category winners
500 € for the public vote winner in each category
Featured in the PA2F Environmental Photography Award exhibition in Monaco
Published in the PA2F Environmental Photography Award book
Up to 50 images across the 3 categories will be shortlisted, with the shortlist announced on 15th April 2021.
These images will form the inaugural PA2F Environmental Photography Award exhibition and photography book. All winning and shortlisted photographers will benefit from extensive global press and social media promotion of the awards by the Foundation and its partners.
Winning images will be announced on 30th April 2021. The grand prize winner will be chosen based on a single image that the jury consider to be the best submitted this year. Category winners and shortlisted images will also be chosen by the jury. The public vote will be open to all, accessible from this page, and will commence on 1st April 2021.
In honour of its 15th anniversary, the Foundation wishes to showcase the shortlisted and winning images from the PA2F Environmental Photography Award in an outdoor exhibition in the Principality of Monaco. The exhibition will be on display from May 4th 2021 to June 1st 2021, with the aim to raise awareness of the importance of environmental protection and conservation.
Having witnessed the profound upheavals wrought by the effects of climate change on our ecosystems, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco decided in June 2006 to set up a Foundation dedicated to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development at a local and global scale.
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation aspires to bring together scientists, political decision-makers and economic and civic stakeholders behind a vital objective for our future – that of protecting nature and biodiversity. The Foundation’s action has led to some encouraging victories being won, whether in safeguarding threatened species or improving living conditions in rural communities by implementing new sustainable and ethical solutions. Every project supported represents another step forward for the Planet, whose state of health calls for more ambitious and decisive measures.
The Foundation focuses its efforts on three principal domains of action: Climate Change, Biodiversity and Water Resources and funds projects in three priority areas: the Mediterranean basin, the Polar Regions, and the Least Developed Countries. In fifteen years, the Foundation has contributed to more than 586 projects.
There are 3 categories for photographers to enter:
Incredible Wildlife
Wildlife in Crisis
Reasons for Hope
The PA2F Environmental Photography Award is free-to-enter for all photographers.
The opening date of the competition is 22nd February 2021.
The closing date for entries is 23:59 (CET) / 21:59 (UTC) on 28th March 2021.
The shortlisted images will be announced on 15th April 2021.
Category winners, public vote winners and the grand prize winner (the Environmental Photographer of the Year 2021) will all be announced on 1st May 2021.
The award is open to photographers of all nationalities who will be aged 18 or over on 28th March 2021.
Excluded from the award are anyone involved in its organisation, anyone employed by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, or any person having benefited from the Foundation’s support, either directly or indirectly.
Photographers can enter up to 5 images in each of the 3 categories, allowing therefore for a maximum of 15 images in total.
No. All submitted images must be free of watermarks, text, copyright symbols, logos and frames. Inclusion of any of these or similar additions to the image will invalidate the entry.
It is essential that submitted images include an image title, and additional information that will assist the Jury in making their decisions. When uploading images there will be the opportunity to add a title and description to each image.
Information should include, as a minimum, the species of animal being shown, where the image was taken, and anything that is known about the species that is relevant to the award. This might include issues that this species is facing, their conservation status, or the particular conservation efforts that are being shown in the image, or that are being carried out in relation to this species.
Images that do not include a title or additional information are unlikely to be considered by the award jury.
Titles and edited text from the descriptions will be used in the award exhibition and book.
The grand prize and title of Environmental Photographer of the Year 2021 will be awarded to one photographer, based on a single image that they have submitted to the award. This image will have been assessed by the award jury to be the best image submitted this year.
No, images (including similar images taken from the same series of photographs) that have previously won a national or international photography award (including winner, runner-up, highly commended or equivalent) or are entered into a competition where the results are pending, are not eligible for entry. This does not include Photocrowd free-to-enter contests.
There is a required minimum image size of 3000 pixels on the shortest side of the image, and whilst it is possible to submit an image smaller than this, it will not be considered by the Jury.
It is advised that the largest file size available is submitted to the award, as shortlisted images will be printed as part of the exhibition and the book.
Yes, the same image can be entered into multiple categories, if you consider that it fits the brief for each category you enter it into.
Submitted images must have been shot within the past 5 years. The shoot date must be no further back than 22nd February 2016.
If the award is still open for entries then at any time you can remove an entered image and enter a different one in its place. Once the deadline for entries has passed, and judging is underway, images cannot be removed or swapped out for other images.
The welfare of the people, animals and habitats in any images submitted to the award is of great importance to the Foundation, our partners and the Jury.
Photographers taking part in the award are required to observe behaviour that is respectful of people, animals and the environment. By submitting an image to the awards you confirm that all subjects in those images were interacted with before, during and after the image-making process in a way that treated them respectfully and did not result directly or indirectly in them experiencing damage, distress, injury or death.
Any images of animals or habitats must also be in conformance with any existing legislation regarding permitted or forbidden interaction with that species or habitat.
With these policies in mind, we reserve the right to ask for further information from the photographer about their photographic methods and the state of the animals and habitat before, during and after the shot was taken.
It is extremely important that submitted images must not deceive the viewer or attempt to disguise or misrepresent the reality of nature.
Images submitted to the PA2F Environmental Photography Award must essentially show the scene and subjects as they were shot. They must not combine multiple different elements in one shot.
Examples of this would be:
– multiple different animals shot separately then combined into one image to give the appearance that they were in the same place at the same time
– animals being cloned out of the background they were shot against and dropped into different backgrounds
For any submitted images we reserve the right to ask for a copy of the original camera file and a screengrab of the cataloguing software showing other images from the same shoot, and to eliminate entries where such a request is ignored or where it is suspected that the rules have been infringed.
Photographers may make reasonable use of digital darkroom techniques which enhance quality but do not distort the photograph. Major alterations should be avoided, although the cloning out/removal of elements in an image is allowed, so long as this does not fundamentally change the likely interpretation of the behaviour, environment or appearance of the animal(s) in the image.
Excessive sharpening, noise reduction and color saturation techniques should be avoided. We appreciate that entrants will attempt to prepare their entries to optimise appearance and appeal on screen, and this may include these techniques. Excessive use of any or all of them can result in an entry that will be unsuitable for printed media and therefore become invalid as a result.
Adjustment to levels, curves, colour balance, colour saturation, dodging and burning, selective adjustments using layers and blemish and dust spot removal are all examples of acceptable manipulation, when used in moderation.
You may crop your images in the interests of composition, correcting horizons, etc. But remember, your cropped image must be at least 3,000 pixels on the shortest side as we will ask for files at least this size should your image/s win or be shortlisted.
Yes, images can be taken on any device capable of producing a digital image of sufficient size for entry. Phone images can look very good on a small screen but often do not have the sharpness required to produce a quality print. It is best to review phone images on a larger screen before submitting to the award.
Images should be saved as jpegs at the highest quality available, with a colour profile attached. Either the RGB or sRGB colour profiles are recommended. Digital scans from film are also eligible providing they meet these technical guidelines.
We would advise all entrants to submit image files that contain original camera metadata, showing the type of camera and lens used, and shot settings.
The PA2F Environmental Photography Award is Promoted by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and hosted on Photocrowd.com. Photocrowd’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply.
In addition please note the following in relation to this award:
1.1 The Award is global and open to photographers of all nationalities who will be aged 18 or over on 28th March 2021.
1.2 It is the responsibility of each entrant to ensure that they have read and will abide by these rules and Photocrowd’s Terms and Conditions. By submitting an entry, each entrant agrees to these rules, that their entry complies with these rules, and that they will be liable to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Photocrowd and their licensees in respect of any damages or losses incurred as a breach of the rules.
1.3 Employees or agents of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Photocrowd, their families or other persons connected with this promotion (excluding the sponsors) are not eligible to enter. Also ineligible to enter are any persons having benefited (past and present) from the Foundation’s support, either directly or indirectly.
1.4 Proof of eligibility must be provided upon request. Use of a false name or other false details will result in disqualification.
2.1 All entries must be submitted via the Photocrowd online platform, before the closing date of 23:59 (CET)/ 21:59 (UTC) on 28th March 2021.
2.2 Photographers can enter up to 5 images in each of the 3 categories, allowing therefore for a maximum of 15 images in total. Entry is free of charge. If any photographer is found to have entered more than 5 images into a category, all their entries will be invalidated and removed from judging.
2.3 Images (including similar images taken from the same series of photographs) are ineligible for entry if they have previously won a national or international photography award (including winner, runner-up, highly commended or equivalent) or are entered into a competition where the results are pending. This does not include Photocrowd free-to-enter contests.
2.4 Submitted images must have been shot within the past 5 years. The shoot date must be no further back than 22nd February 2016.
2.5 The same image can be entered into multiple categories, if the photographer considers that it fits the brief for each category it is entered into.
2.6 All submitted images must be free of watermarks, text, copyright symbols, logos and frames. Inclusion of any of these or similar additions to the image will invalidate the entry.
2.7 It is essential that submitted images include an image title, and additional information that will assist the Jury in making their decisions. When uploading images there will be the opportunity to add a title and description to each image.
Information should include, as a minimum, the species of animal being shown, where the image was taken, the date on which the photograph was taken, and anything that is known about the species that is relevant to the award. This might include issues that this species is facing, their conservation status, or the particular conservation efforts that are being shown in the image, or that are being carried out in relation to this species.
Images that do not include a title or additional information are unlikely to be considered by the Award jury.
Titles and edited text from the descriptions will be used in the Award exhibition and book.
2.8 There is a required minimum image size of 3000 pixels on the shortest side of the image, and whilst it is possible to submit an image smaller than this, it will not be considered by the Jury.
2.9 The welfare of the people, animals and habitats in any images submitted to the award is of great importance to the Foundation, our partners and the Jury.
Photographers taking part in the award are required to observe behaviour that is respectful of people, animals and the environment. By submitting an image to the awards you confirm that all subjects in those images were interacted with before, during and after the image-making process in a way that treated them respectfully and did not result directly or indirectly in them experiencing damage, distress, injury or death.
Any images of animals or habitats must also be in conformance with any existing legislation regarding permitted or forbidden interaction with that species or habitat.
With these policies in mind, we reserve the right to ask for further information from the photographer about their photographic methods and the state of the animals and habitat before, during and after the shot was taken.
2.10 There are some restrictions on the use of digital manipulation of submitted images:
It is extremely important that submitted images must not deceive the viewer or attempt to disguise or misrepresent the reality of nature. Images show the scene and subjects as they were shot, and exhibiting behaviour that was not manipulated, staged or coerced by the photographer.
Images must not combine multiple different elements in one shot. Examples of this would be:
• multiple different animals shot separately then combined into one image to give the appearance that they were in the same place at the same time
• animals being cloned out of the background they were shot against and dropped into different backgrounds
2.11 Photographers may make reasonable use of digital darkroom techniques which enhance quality but do not distort the photograph. Major alterations should be avoided, although the cloning out/removal of elements in an image is allowed, so long as this does not fundamentally change the likely interpretation of the behaviour, environment or appearance of the animal(s) in the image.
Adjustment to levels, curves, colour balance, colour saturation, dodging and burning, selective adjustments using layers and blemish and dust spot removal are all examples of acceptable manipulation, when used in moderation.
You may crop your images in the interests of composition, correcting horizons, etc. But remember, your cropped image must be at least 3,000 pixels on the shortest side as we will ask for files at least this size should your image/s win or be shortlisted.
2.12 For any submitted images we reserve the right to ask for a copy of the original camera file and a screengrab of the cataloguing software showing other images from the same shoot, and to eliminate entries where such a request is ignored or where it is suspected that the rules have been infringed.
2.13 The Promoter and Photocrowd reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to disqualify or remove any entry that does not comply with the rules or the spirit of the awards, at any stage of the awards.
Please refer to the prizing section on this website for details of prizes.
4.1 Once the entry period has closed, the jury will convene to determine the category winners, the grand prize winner (Environmental Photographer of the Year) and a shortlist of up to fifty images, across the three categories.
4.2 The shortlist will be announced on 15th April 2021. The winners will be announced on 1st May 2021.
4.3 Please refer to our Jury page for more information on the Jury members. The Jury’s decision is final and binding in all matters and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the decisions.
5.1 All imagery MUST be the exclusive work of the submitting photographer and may not include any element that is the copyright of another, or shot or created by another.
5.2 The Copyright for each image entered will remain with the submitting photographer.
5.3 By entering the Award and submitting your photograph(s), you hereby grant the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Photocrowd Ltd, and the award’s sponsors a non-exclusive, irrevocable license to use your photograph(s) for any purpose connected with the Award, including (but not limited to), promoting the Award within printed and online media, the inclusion within printed and digital versions of any Award book, the inclusion within printed and digital versions on any support, display at an Award exhibition, use in press, promotional and institutional materials, social media networks and for the promotion of any future photographic competition in both print and online media.
5.4 If recognizable individuals appear in submitted images, the author must have obtained their consent and, if the subject is a minor, the consent of the legal representative.
6.1 You agree to participate in related publicity and to the use of Your name and likeness for the purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity without additional compensation.
7.1 The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Photocrowd are excluded from liability for any loss, damage or injury which might occur to any of the winners arising from their entry into the Award or their acceptance of the prizes.
7.2 Entrants indemnify the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Photocrowd for all liabilities, including legal costs, in relation to any action or complaint taken by any third party against the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation or Photocrowd in relation to the entrant’s photograph(s).
8.1 The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Photocrowd reserve the right to cancel this Award at any time without further explanation.
8.2 The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Photocrowd reserve the right to amend these Terms and Conditions.
8.3 These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by English law.
8.4 When a photograph is submitted and the entry date has passed, the entry cannot be changed or withdrawn.
8.5 Entry to the Awards shall be deemed full and unconditional acceptance of the Terms & Conditions.
8.6 Any breach of these Terms and Conditions shall result in the exclusion of the photographer and their submitted images from the Award, without prejudice to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Photocrowd, or the Award sponsors.
Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
Villa Girasole
16, Boulevard de Suisse
98000 MONACO
Tel : (+377) 98 98 44 44
