Landscape Photography Competition

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Landscape Specialty Group (LSG) of the AAG is pleased to announce the 2025 competition for the best photo that captures the concept of landscape -- whether human, physical, or virtual in nature. LSG's primary objectives are visually communicating the varied nature of what landscape means to geographers as well as to provide researchers an opportunity to share with the community the magnificence of the landscapes that they study. 

DEADLINE: January 31, 2025

All photos must be submitted by 10 p.m. ET, Friday, January 31, 2025. There is no plan to extend the deadline. 

**If you would like to enter the LSG Photography Competition but are not currently a member of LSG, please follow the instructions for submitting by January 31, 2025, and officially join by then.** See here for instructions on how to become a member.

GUIDELINES FOR PHOTOS

Participants should submit no more than two photos they believe capture the idea of landscape by the competition deadline. Please see our mission statement to obtain a better understanding of the types of work that will best fit this competition. Entries should not be significantly altered in any desktop image processing program such as Photoshop. Submissions must be in the original size or not smaller than 1000 pixels in either height or width. For each photo submission please include 1) a title 2) a caption (roughly 100 words) that will be displayed below the photo in the photo carousel on our website and on Instagram 3) a description of no more than 200 characters to accompany the photo along with your name as photographer, and the photo's title when the photo is shared on Twitter (X).

Participants should prepare a brief presentation (2-5 min in length) about the story behind your photograph and its connection to landscape. This presentation session will take place in a virtual session during the AAG Annual Meeting, which you must be registered to attend . 

ELIGIBILITY

All LSG members are eligible, regardless of career stage status. Any photograph capturing a landscape is suitable. The photograph may or may not be of a landscape you work in or study. Applicants must be a current member of the Landscape Specialty Group (see note above about deadline if you would like to enter and are not a current LSG member) and registered to attend the Annual Meeting. For instructions on how to become a member, see here. Please also be aware that there are no membership dues for students or members from developing regions for the Landscape Specialty Group. 

AWARDS

The winner will receive $150, with the image displayed on LSG’s website. The runner up will receive $100. Finally, $50 will be awarded for the photo voted as the People's Choice.

The results will be announced at the LSG’s annual business meeting. The committee reserves the right to offer no prize(s) if the submissions are not of appropriate quality.  All entries will be displayed on the LSG website and published on LSG's social media.

JUDGING

 Photos will be judged based on:

1. Adherence and expression of the theme

2. Creativity

3. Impact 

4. Technique (including composition, focus, contrast, etc.)

Photos will be judged by the LSG Executive Board, with the exception of the Chairperson and the Awards Director.  

HOW TO SUBMIT ENTRIES

Please email the photo(s), your name, and detailed contact information to the LSG Awards Director, Dr. Deepak Kumar, deepakdeo2003@gmail.com. Please also include titles, captions, and short descriptions (refer to items 1-3 under "Guidelines for Photos" above) for each photo. You should also indicate if you have edited your submission in any manner, including using camera/phone filters.  Please be sure to use "LSG Photo Competition 2024" as the subject line for your email. 

Use of images & disclaimer

By submitting, the entrant certifies that 1) the entry is theirs only and 2) LSG has the right to post the photo online indefinitely and free of charge. All other rights remain that of the photographer.  Any image used by the LSG shall carry the creator’s credit line.

2025 ENTRIES

To see all photographs entered in the 2025 Landscape Photography Competition, please see this page. 

2024 ENTRIES

To see all photographs entered in the 2024 Landscape Photography Competition, please see this page. For 2025 entries, we will feature one photo per day on our website and socials in the weeks leading up to the Annual Meeting.