How do I submit a photo for the Where’s Your Nature Valley? Photo Contest?
Photos are submitted from the
Enter Now page. The form is separated into three easy steps and allows you to browse your computer for the specific image file you wish to upload. Step one requires you to acknowledge that you have read and accepted the
Where’s Your Nature Valley? Photo Contest submission requirements and to provide personal contact information in the event that your photo is selected. Step two allows you to browse your computer to identify the specific image file you wish to upload, then requires you to type or paste a description of your photograph that is up to 500 characters in length. Step three uploads your image and accompanying information.
Before you begin the submission process, please make sure your photograph meets the following requirements:
- JPG or JPEG file format (ex. YourImage.jpg or YourImage.jpeg)
- At least 1,600 pixels wide (if a horizontal image) or 1,600 pixels tall (if a vertical image)
- Total file size must be under 2 megabytes (MB) (2048 kilobytes [KB])
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How many photos may I submit?
You may only submit one (1) photo to the Where’s Your Nature Valley? Photo Contest during the given active submission period. Submission periods for the Where’s Your Nature Valley? Photo Contest begins on June 19, 2008, and ends on September 30, 2008.
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I am not a U.S. resident. Can I still submit a photo?
No. Contest is open only to legal residents of the United States (excluding Puerto Rico) who are age eighteen (18) or older at the time of entry.
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I am under 18 years of age, but am interested in submitting a photo to the Where’s Your Nature Valley? Photo Contest. Can I still send in my photo?
You must be 18 years of age or older to participate in the Where’s Your Nature Valley? Photo Contest. If you are under 18 years of age and would like to submit a photograph, you will have to ask a parent or guardian to do so on your behalf. Within the photo description, have your parent or guardian note the photographer's name, age, and relationship to the submitter.
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What is the theme of the Where’s Your Nature Valley? Photo Contest?
We would like you to submit a photo of you or someone you know experiencing the beauty or wonder of nature.
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Do photos have to be taken with a digital camera?
The photo submitted does NOT have to be a digital photo from a digital camera. Any digital scan will do as long as the end result is a JPG or JPEG file. You may submit scans of negatives or transparencies or photographs taken with normal cameras.
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What constitutes manipulation of a photograph?
Altering the content or subject matter of a photograph is not permitted. However, cropping the image or resizing the image to make it less than two megabytes is allowed.
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What should I include in the description of my photograph?
The caption should be a descriptive statement that tells the who, what, when, and where of your photo. Captions may be no more than 500 characters in length.
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Do I need a model release form?
If any person in your photograph is recognizable, you will need to be able to provide National Geographic with a model release form signed by that person or those persons. Images of unrecognizable people do not need model releases.
An image that contains recognizable people will not be selected for publication if the photographer is unable to provide a valid model release upon request.
"Recognizable" means that a third party could identify the individual in the image, due to the visibility of any distinctive physical features, uniform, identification numbers, and so on.
Download our printable Model Release form. (Acrobat Reader is required to view the download. Get the free plug-in here.)
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Do photos of children require model release forms?
Yes, if the children are recognizable (see answer above). But model release forms for people under 18 years old must be signed by the subject's legal guardian—not by children.
Download our printable Model Release form. (Acrobat Reader is required to view the download. Get the free plug-in here.)
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When do I send a model release form?
National Geographic will request a personal release form from you if your image contains a recognizable person and is a finalist in the photo contest.
National Geographic will contact you if we require a release form from you. Do not send any release form to National Geographic unless we request one from you.
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What is a location release form?
A location release form is a binding contract between the photographer and the owner(s) of private property within or upon which a photograph was taken. By signing the release, the owner of the property forgoes the right to sue for specific types of claims.
Download our printable Location Release form. (Acrobat Reader is required to view the download. Get the free plug-in here.)
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Do I need a location release form?
If your photograph was taken on private property, you will need to be able to provide National Geographic with a location release form signed by the owner(s) of that property.
An image that was taken on private property will not be selected for publication if the photographer is unable to provide a valid location release upon request.
Download our printable Location Release form. (Acrobat Reader is required to view the download. Get the free plug-in here.)
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When do I send a location release form?
National Geographic will request a location release form from you if your image was photographed on private property and is selected for publication either in print or on our website.
National Geographic will contact you if we require a release form from you. Do not send any release form to National Geographic unless we request one from you.
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What is an artist release form?
An artist release form is a binding contract between the photographer and the copyright holder(s) of any art in the photograph. By signing the release, the copyright holder of the art in the photograph forgoes the right to sue for specific types of claims.
Download our printable Artist Release form. (Acrobat Reader is required to view the download. Get the free plug-in here.)
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Do I need an artist release form?
If your photograph contains artwork created by someone other than you, you will need to be able to provide National Geographic with an artist release form signed by the copyright holder(s) of that artwork.
An image that contains artwork created by someone other than the photographer will not be selected for publication if the photographer is unable to provide a valid artist release upon request.
Download our printable Artist Release form (pdf). (Acrobat Reader is required to view the download. Get the free plug-in here.)
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When do I send an artist release form?
National Geographic will request an artist release form from you if your image contains artwork created by someone other than you and is selected for publication either in print or on our website.
National Geographic will contact you if we require a release form from you. Do not send any release form to National Geographic unless we request one from you.
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Why won't my images upload?
Make sure your images meet the following requirements:
- JPG or JPEG file format (ex. YourImage.jpg or YourImage.jpeg)
- At least 1,600 pixels wide (if a horizontal image) or 1,600 pixels tall (if a vertical image)
- Total file size must be under 2 MB (2048 KB)
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I did not receive my confirmation email. Why?
It is common for some ISPs (Internet service providers) to install email filters that will block or filter emails sent from unknown addresses. If you have a "junk mail" box, check there and make sure the email was not placed there.
If you have installed software to monitor your email, make sure that your settings are not causing your emails to get blocked. The emails that are sent come from "nationalgeographic.com".
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Why is it taking so long for my images to upload? How long should it take to upload my 2 MB image?
The time it takes for an image to upload is dependant upon your Internet connection type. Different connections transfer at different speeds. Below are a list of common connection types and the minimum time required to upload different file sizes—1 MB and 2 MB. These times are based on averages. Your actual upload time may vary.
- Dial-up
- 1 MB = 3 min
- 2 MB = 5 min
- DSL
- 1 MB = 13 sec
- 2 MB = 26 sec
- Cable Modem
- 1 MB = 8 sec
- 2 MB = 17 sec
- T1 or faster
- 1 MB = 6 sec
- 2 MB = 11 sec
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Have technical questions?
Email us at ngnvsupport@nimbussoftware.com.
