The 2008 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition, which is now on its 44th year, is the most prestigious and successful event of its kind in the world.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition is an international showcase for the very best photography featuring natural subjects. The competition is owned by two UK institutions that pride themselves on revealing and championing the diversity of life on Earth - the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine.
Held annually, the competition aims to find the most stunning and original wildlife pictures taken by photographers.
Being accepted into this competition is something that wildlife photographers, worldwide, aspire to. Professionals win many of the prizes, but amateurs succeed, too. And that’s because achieving the perfect picture is down to a mixture of skill, vision, originality, knowledge of nature and luck.
Amateur and professional photographers of all ages worldwide can enter and get a chance to be named the 2008 Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Each year thousands of entries are received and judged by a specially selected expert panel. The winners are announced at an awards ceremony that takes place each October at the Natural History Museum, London.
The 2008 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is open to anyone with an appreciation of wildlife and a passion for fresh, innovative photography. Entrants stand to win an impressive £10,000 prize if they are given the coveted title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2008 or £23,550 share a prize fund if successful in other categories.
The competition has 11 adult categories plus 4 special awards. You can even join the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2008 if you happen to be 17 years old and younger.
Judges are typically looking for pictures that are memorable, either because of the behavior displayed or because of their aesthetic appeal - and ideally, both.
It will cost you £20 to enter online and £27 to enter by mail.
Deadline for submitting your entries is on March 24, 2008 by mail or March 31, 2008 for online submissions.
More info on the 2008 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition at the Natural History Museum