What does it take to win the contest?
Experimentation...luck...a good eye. Our rules state that “Entries will be judged on creativeness, photographic quality, and effectiveness in expressing the contest theme.” The theme for the 1997 contest is “travel memories.”

Ask yourself, “How can I look at this subject in a way that no one else has seen it?” Reach to capture the essence of the place by defining a moment. What is happening in the photograph that makes it interesting?

Do I have to travel to faraway places to create a winning photograph?
Not necessarily. Sure, there are places where it’s difficult to take bad photos, but great images could be waiting in your backyard if you compose the picture just right.

What are my chances of winning?
That depends upon how many people enter the contest. In 1996 we received 22,495 images submitted by 6,903 amateur photographers from 43 countries. From that pool, we awarded 34 prizes.

What type of film should I use?
Use whatever type of film you prefer. We received images that were recorded on all types and formats of film. A tip: lower film speeds (for example, 100 A.S.A.) usually provide better color and sharpness.

How should I send my entry?
Send a high-quality duplicate slide or a print. It’s not a good idea to send the original negative or slide because there’s always a chance something could happen to it. If you win, we’ll contact you to retrieve the original.

When should I enter?
All entries go through the same review process, regardless of when we receive them. Just make sure that they are postmarked no later than August 15, 1997.

What should I do if I want my photos returned?
Be sure to check the box on your entry form! And please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.

How can I send return postage for my entry if I live outside the U.S.A.?
Purchase international postal coupons for the return postage from your local post office. They will be able to tell you how much postage you need. Then, we’ll exchange the coupons for U.S. postage stamps when we send back your entry.

When is the deadline for entries?
This year’s deadline is August 15, 1997.

When are the winners announced?
We announce the winners in the January/February issue of TRAVELER and on the Internet.

Did I win?
All winners are contacted by the end of September. So if you haven’t been contacted, wait for the January/February issue to see the winning photographs. Or come see them here at nationalgeographic.com

When will I get my stuff back?
If you asked us to return your entry, we’ll hold on to it until we announce the winners. Then we send them back gradually so we don’t overwhelm our mailroom. Expect your entries back in late January or early February.

How do you define a “professional” photographer?
Our bottom line: A professional photographer is someone who earns more than 50 percent of his or her income from photographic sales. If you sell an occasional photograph, but make a living doing something else, feel free to enter.

If you’re still not sure, ask yourself two more questions: