What are the hallmarks of a winning image in Smithsonian magazine’s photo contest? Technical quality, clarity and composition are all important, but so too is a flair for the unexpected and the ability to capture a picture-perfect moment. Over the past eleven years, our judges have seen over 290,000 photographs from more than 90 countries and we once again look forward to viewing the world through your own unique lens.
Enter photographs in any of our five categories—Altered Images, the American Experience, the Natural World, People and Travel—and compete to win cash prizes. This year we are also looking forward to highlighting the best photographs taken with mobile devices, so as you enter your work into the aforementioned categories, let us know that it was taken with your phone or tablet reader and show us the wonders of this new generation of photography.
After reviewing the contest rules and list of frequently asked questions, you will be fully prepared to enter the contest.
The contest is open until November 29, 2013 at 2:00 PM EST. On a weekly basis beginning April 2, Smithsonian judges will post the best of the incoming entries to Smithsonian Retina. Finalists will be announced on March 3, 2014. Good luck to you all!
2012 Photo Contest finalists will be announced here on March 4, 2013. In the meantime, check out more of our editors' favorite entries from this year's contest in our Photo of the Day section.
