Contests for Young People
Contest Categories
Young Birder
ages 13 and under
ages 14-18
Young Bird Photographer
ages 13 and under
ages 14-18
Prizes:
Grand Prize
One for each Young Birder and Young Bird Photographer (regardless of age)
Zeiss Conquest HD 32 or 42mm model binocular, 8x or 10x, winners may choose
$100 Hunt’s Photo and Video Gift Card
A 2024 San Diego Bird Festival prize package including registration fee, pelagic trip, 2 field trips, and unlimited daytime workshops
One-year Friend membership with San Diego Audubon Society
Young Birder Prizes in two categories: Ages 13 and under, and 14-18
1st Prize
A 2024 San Diego Bird Festival prize package including registration fee, pelagic trip, 2 field trips, and unlimited daytime workshops
$30 Hunt’s Photo and Video Gift Card
2nd Prize
A 2024 San Diego Bird Festival prize package including registration fee, 1 field trip, and unlimited daytime workshops
$30 Hunt’s Photo and Video Gift Card
3rd Prize
A 2024 San Diego Bird Festival prize package including registration fee and unlimited daytime workshops
$30 Hunt’s Photo and Video Gift Card
Honorable Mention
$30 Hunt’s Photo and Video Gift Card
Young Bird Photographer Prizes in two categories: Ages 13 and under, and 14-18
1st Prize
A 2024 San Diego Bird Festival prize package including registration fee, pelagic trip, 2 field trips and unlimited daytime workshops
$30 Hunt’s Photo and Video Gift Card
2nd Prize
A 2024 San Diego Bird Festival prize package including registration fee, 1 field trip, and unlimited daytime workshops
$30 Hunt’s Photo and Video Gift Card
3rd Prize
A 2024 San Diego Bird Festival prize package including registration fee and unlimited daytime workshops
$30 Hunt’s Photo and Video Gift Card
Honorable Mention
$30 Hunt’s Photo and Video Gift Card
Rules and Submission Guidelines
Our contest highlights and celebrates the extraordinary bird life of San Diego County and the young people who embrace it. All entries and photos must reflect this theme, be in good taste and be suitable for family viewing. All entries must be submitted digitally using the form linked above. Though the entrant need not live in San Diego to enter, all entries must feature birding and birds in San Diego County, and the winners should plan to attend the reception from 4-6 pm on February 24, 2023. Families are welcome. Entrants and their families will receive waived registration fees for the 2023 San Diego Bird Festival. (field trip and program fees not included).
The following persons may not enter this contest:
- Immediate family members of SDAS staff and board members
- Immediate family members of contest judges and committee members
Fees
There is no entry fee. Photo Contest Entrants who are invited to proceed to Round 2 will need to have their photo printed and mounted according to guidelines, the fee for which is $45, payable directly to the printer. These prints will be offered for sale at the reception. Proceeds will be designated for youth development programs at SDAS. Birder Contest entrants have no additional fees.
Questions? Please contact Jen Hajj at hajj@sandiegoaudubon.org.
Judging Criteria
A panel of judges will evaluate the submitted entries digitally in two rounds. Entrants who are invited to proceed to round two will participate in an interview via zoom. (It sounds intimidating, but don’t worry, we’ll just talk about birds and birding!)
The criteria below will be used to judge all Young Birder entries. These criteria are listed in no particular order. The decision of the judges is final.
- Impact (does the story “grab” the audience)
- Originality or creativity
- Natural history knowledge
- Action (if applicable, e.g. impacts of personal projects that help birds)
The criteria below will be used to judge all entries and grant awards. These criteria are listed in no particular order. The decision of the judges is final.
- Impact (e.g., does the image reach out and grab the viewer?)
- Originality or creativity
- Composition
- Focus
- Proper exposure
- Color (e.g., are colors or shades of gray correct or appropriate?)
Photo Guidelines
Young Bird Photographer entries may be taken with any kind of camera, including smartphone cameras and digiscoped images. All submissions must be made online. All photos must be taken within San Diego County to qualify.
Subject matter should be naturally occurring scenes with wild birds found within San Diego County. The following types of subject matter should not be included in your images:
- Pet or captive birds (parrots, finches, etc.)
- Buildings and other man-made objects, unless it relates directly to birds (example: nesting structures, bird blinds, bird feeders, bird baths, spotting scopes, binoculars, perching surfaces such as fence posts, etc. are allowed)
- Agricultural animals (chickens, turkeys, etc.)
- If your photo contains identifiable people, you must attach a release form, signed by each person in the photo (or each minor’s parent or guardian). This form is available on our website
- Any activity that is contrary to ethical birding guidelines. See https://www.mindfulbirding.org/existing-guidelines for more information
Most photographic techniques and processing are acceptable. HDR and focus-stacked photography will be accepted. Black and white conversions, color alterations and other enhancements will all be judged within the context of the contest’s theme. Please note the following exclusions:
Double exposure photographs will be excluded from judging. Double exposure is a technique that combines two different exposures or images that are layered on top of each other
Composite photographs will be excluded from judging. A composite photograph is one which combines elements from two unrelated, different photos into the same image. An example would be superimposing a bird from one location onto a rock in a different location using photo-editing software. Another example would be using a stock photo of the moon behind a daytime shot of a Great Horned Owl.
Do not add a signature or watermark to your photograph. Signatures or watermarks will be disqualified, as they jeopardize the anonymity of the contest
Contest Timeline
Online Submission Deadline: January 15, 2023
All entries must be digitally submitted through the online contest by January 15, 2023. By submitting photos, you give San Diego Bird Festival the right to use them in marketing and promotion, with credit to the photographer. Young Birders can submit 1 entry with up to 2 supporting attachments. Young Bird Photographers can submit up to 2 photographs per person.
Initial Judge Review: January 16 – 30, 2023
Our panel of judges will review all submissions and decide which entries will move on to Round 2 . Those selected will be notified on January 31, 2023
Round 2 Submission Window (invite only):
Young Birders will be contacted to schedule their interviews. Young Bird Photographers will receive contact information for preparation of their printed photo. Print orders must be placed before February 15, 2023 to be considered in Round 2 of the judging.
Final Judge Review: by February 24, 2023
Printed Photos (Young Bird Photographers) and interview recordings (Young Birders) will be delivered for judging, which will be completed by February 24, 2023. Winners will be announced at the Reception at Marina Village Conference Center Feb 24, 2023 at 5:00 pm.
Reception and Display: February 24, 2023 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Join us for a reception honoring the participants in the contest. All contest entrants will be invited to attend for free. Round 2 submissions will be displayed. This includes the printed photos as well as media representing the Young Birder entries. Prize-winning entries will be acknowledged with ribbons, and there will be a presentation with an awards ceremony beginning at 5 pm. The printed photos from the Young Bird Photographer Contest will be available for purchase, with proceeds going to the youth development programs of San Diego Audubon Society.
*The 2023 timeline and activities may change due to the coronavirus pandemic and potential change in restrictions on businesses, travel, and/or public gatherings. Our top concern is to keep you and our staff/volunteers safe. All guidelines and protocols will be followed to mitigate risk.
