WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Celebrating its second year, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Environmental Photography Award has gone from strength to strength, with 7,800 images submitted from photographers around the globe. Thank you to everyone who has taken part this year.
Across the five categories, the imagery reminds us of the staggering beauty of our planet; the ways in which nature is struggling in the face of the demands that humanity is putting on it; and some of the visions of hope for the future.
Our prestigious jury has chosen its shortlisted and winning images, which will be exhibited in the Principality of Monaco in June 2022, and will then tour internationally.
We hope you enjoy looking through the final selection of imagery for this year’s Award, and look forward to the third running of the Award in 2023!
This annual award was created in 2021, on the 15th anniversary of the Foundation, with the aim to reward photographers who put their creativity to good use in raising awareness on environmental protection.
The grand prize winner of the 2022 award is this heartbreaking image of an elephant’s final moments in a garbage dump in Oluvil, Sri Lanka. The elephant died after three days of being treated where it lay. It was the seventh such elephant death at this dump, and was caused by the elephant swallowing the plastic wrapping of the food which it was scavenging.
For his efforts in documenting this tragedy, Easa wins a €5000 grant, a trip to the University of Ecuador’s Amazon Research Station in the heart of the Ecuadorian jungle, and a trip to Monaco for the inauguration of the 2022 Award exhibition.
This year's Public Vote winner is this wonderful monochrome image of a silverback gorilla by Mathieu Courdesses from France. It was taken in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and if you click on Mathieu's image you can read his fascinating description of the search for the gorillas, and the process of asking the patriarch for his agreement to being photographed.
The jury, made up of professional photographers, will select the winner of the Foundation's Environmental Photography Award as well as the winners for the five categories of the contest.
The title “PA2F Environmental Photographer of the Year 2022”
5,000 € grant
Invitation (including travel and accommodation) to visit the Amazon Research Station of the University of Ecuador, and to do a photo documentary in the field, in the heart of the Ecuadorian jungle
Invitation (including travel and accommodation) to the inauguration of the 2022 award exhibition in the Principality of Monaco
Public relations support of the Foundation through its communication channels, including social media, press, and newsletter
1,000 € grant for each of the 5 category winners
Public relations support of the Foundation through its communication channels, including social media, press, and newsletter.
1,000 € grant
Featured in the PA2F Environmental Photography Award 2022 exhibition in Monaco and on its international tour
Published in the PA2F Environmental Photography Award 2022 book
A number of images across the 5 categories will be shortlisted. These images will form the PA2F Environmental Photography Award 2022 exhibition and photography book.
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 once the shortlists have been announced, and will be accessible from this page and announced to all entrants.
All winning photographers will benefit from extensive global press and social media promotion of the awards by the Foundation and its partners.
Winning and shortlisted images will be featured in an outdoor exhibition in the Larvotto Promenade of Monaco, from June 1st to 30th. An opening event will take place in the presence of the members of the Award Jury and the Grand Prize winner.
The “Humanity & Wildlife” exhibition that followed the inaugural 2021 edition of the Award opened in Monaco in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and was met with great success. 46 of the best photographs selected by the Jury were presented in the Monaco Casino Gardens.
The exhibition has since traveled to Rome, on the Piazza del Campidoglio, with more than 70,000 visitors, and then to the Giardino dei Liburni, San Marino in 2021 where it had more than 13,000 visitors. Further exhibitions will be presented throughout 2022, with the aim of raising awareness of the need to preserve our planet.
The inaugural year of the PA2F Environmental Photography Award saw an incredible 5,700 images entered across the three categories. It resulted in a stellar exhibition that has been wowing visitors in Monaco, Rome and elsewhere, and continues to travel.
The grand prize winner and Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Environmental Photographer of the Year 2021 was Kathleen Ricker, with this spectacular image of a young male gorilla in Uganda. She won €6,000, and has joined the Award Jury for the Environmental Photography Award 2022.
HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco very early on promoted the ideal of a new relationship with nature and the various species with which we share our Earth. Aware that we were disrupting all the major planetary balances instead of safeguarding them, thus endangering the future of humanity, and having witnessed firsthand the profound upheavals wrought by the effects of climate change the Sovereign decided to become personally involved through His Foundation in order to amplify His action in favour of the environment.
Launched in 2006, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has become a leading NGO for the preservation and education of sustainable development on a global scale. For fifteen years, the Foundation has significantly contributed to almost 700 projects focused on three main domains of action – climate change, biodiversity and water, in three priority areas: the Mediterranean basin, the Polar Regions, and the Least Developed Countries.
The global crisis we are facing today urges us to form a new relationship with a nature we thought we dominated, and it shows us that We cannot exist without It. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has the strong conviction that together we can positively rise from this crisis. By joining forces, we can create a more sustainable world for the generations to come.
There are 5 categories for photographers to enter:
Polar Wonders
Beneath the Canopy
Life Under the Surface
Humanity Versus Nature
Towards a Sustainable Future
The PA2F Environmental Photography Award is free-to-enter for all photographers.
The opening date of the competition is 19th January 2022.
The closing date for entries is 23:59 (CET) / 21:59 (UTC) on 20th March 2022.
UPDATED - The shortlisted images will be announced on 9th May 2022.
UPDATED - Category winners, public vote winners and the grand prize winner (the Environmental Photographer of the Year 2022) will all be announced on 1st June 2022.
The award is open to photographers of all nationalities who will be aged 18 or over on 20th March 2022.
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 5 categories, allowing therefore for a maximum of 25 images in total.
No, each image may only be submitted into one category.
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.
The more information that can be provided, the better. For wildlife imagery 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. For human subjects this might include the issues that this population is facing, measures they are taking to adapt to the climate crisis, or other information about the conditions or actions shown in the image.
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 2022 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.
Submitted images must have been shot within the past 5 years. The shoot date must be no further back than 18th January 2017.
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 or the situation being shown.
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 people, animals or other subjects shot separately then combined into one image to give the appearance that they were in the same place at the same time
– people, animals or other subjects 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 smaller 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 peoples, animals or other subjects 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 20th March 2022.
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 20th March 2022.
2.2 Photographers can enter up to 5 images in each of the 5 categories, allowing therefore for a maximum of 25 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 18th January 2017.
2.5 The same image cannot be entered into multiple categories. Where this is found to have happened, that image submission will be invalidated.
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.
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 subjects 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 images across the five categories.
4.2 The shortlist will be announced on 9th May 2022. The winners will be announced on 1st June 2022.
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 Monegasque 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.
8.7 In the event of any difficulties concerning the interpretation or performance of this terms, the Parties shall make every effort to settle their dispute amicably.
8.8 Should an amicable settlement fail, the dispute shall be settled by final and compulsory arbitration in accordance with the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s optional rules for arbitration involving international organizations and private parties, in force on the date of the request.
8.9 You have the right to access and update your personal information.
To exercise this right, please write to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation at : photo@fpa2.org
Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
Villa Girasole
16, Boulevard de Suisse
98000 MONACO
Tel : (+377) 98 98 44 44
