HBW WORLD BIRD PHOTO CONTEST

Lynx Edicions, publisher of the Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) and the Internet Bird Collection (IBC) has announced the launch of the First Edition of the HBW World Bird Photo Contest. The competition opens on 7 December 2011 and closes on 26 March 2012. Images must be submitted online at www.hbwcontest.com. Each participant can submit up to eight images, free of charge.

"The contest has been created with the aspiration of becoming the most important bird photography competition at the international level and thus promoting bird photography and bird watching, which we decidedly believe are amongst the best tools for the conservation of nature." said Josep del Hoyo, Senior Editor of the HBW series. The HBW World Bird Photo Contest aims to encourage and disseminate knowledge about birds, while at the same time inspiring creativity in the art of photography. To these ends, the contest's focus is on photography that is ethical, grounded in the utmost respect for the conservation of birds and their habitats, and without unnecessary digital manipulation.

An internationally renowned panel of photographic experts and bird specialists will select images based upon technical skill, diversity, originality and creativity of composition. The jury will be formed by Kathy Moran (National Geographic Senior Editor for Natural History, USA), Ian Lewington (bird illustrator, UK), Peter Johan Schei (Chairman of the Global Council of BirdLife International, Norway), Charlie Moores (bird internet blogger, UK), Andrés Bosso (Executive Director of BirdLife Argentina), John Fitzpatrick (Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, USA) and Günter Ziesler (bird photographer, Germany). Josep del Hoyo (Senior Editor of HBW, Spain) will act as the secretary of the jury.

The jury will select 3 winning photos, 10 honourable mentions and 4 special prizes. The winners will be announced on 18 May 2012. Winning images will be published on the Internet Bird Collection website and through a variety of media, always indicating the award received. Prize-winning images may be showcased in an exhibition, and might also tour internationally. For full rules and conditions and to submit photos online, please go to www.hbwcontest.com.