The Environmental Photography Award by Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FAP2) has just started selecting new talented photographs around the world who would like to submit their coolest shooting focused on nature preservation and beyond. Since its establishment in 2021 to pay tribute to FPA2's 15th anniversary, the contest was a growing success giving value to true talents and their creativity to enhance the natural beauty or report on serious environmental impacts caused by disrespectful actions by human beings. Everyone can apply for free from November the 2nd, 2022 until January the 15th, 2023, via Photocrowd platform. Up to five photographs are allowed developing each of the five fixed themes: 1. Polar Wonders, 2. Humanity versus Nature, 3. Ocean Worlds, 4. Into the Forest, 5. Change makers : reasons for hope.
"We want to continue implementing the Environmental Photography Prize and the thinking on human beings' relationship with the world and to nature", Olivier Wenden, Vice-President at the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
Olivier Wenden, Vice-President at the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation underlined: « Building on the success of the first two editions, we want to continue implementing the Environmental Photography Prize and the thinking on human beings' relationship with the world and to nature. We are pleased to note the growing interest expressed by the international photographers who participate in the contest, but also the attention garnered from a wide audience through the various exhibitions we have been able to offer in the Principality but also in Italy, San Marino, Spain and the United States ».
🎬 Official Video: Environmental Photography Award, 2023 Edition by © FPA2
"Photography is a powerful tool for giving voice to endangered wildlife and ecosystems", Sergio Pitamitz, wildlife and conservation photographer and photographer for National Geographic Expeditions and President of the Technical Jury
Sergio Pitamitz, wildlife and conservation photographer and photographer for National Geographic Expeditions and President of the Technical Jury, pointed out: « Photography is a powerful tool for giving voice to endangered wildlife and ecosystems. In the current panorama of photography, there are many photo contests devoted to Nature, but few are really committed to the Preservation of Nature and the Environment. The Environmental Photography Prize, organized by the Prince Albert II Foundation of Monaco, is one of them ».
The other members of the jury are also selected for their expertise in the field of eco-photography. Notably: Javier Aznar, National Geographic photographer specialised in naturalist and protection of wildlife; Esther Horvath, Photographer National Geographic, photographer for the Alfred-Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, specialized in climate research in polar regions; Britta Jaschinski, photojournalist specializing in crimes against nature; Alexa Keefe, rédactrice en chef photo du magazine National Geographic; Alex Mustard, underwater photographer and marine biologist and Ami Vitale, National Geographic photographer, director, writer and speaker. .
🎬 Official Video: The Technical Jury of the 2023 Environmental Photography Award © FPA2
Following the Prizes Ceremony that will be held in Monaco, an open-air exclusive traveling exhibition about the award-winning photos will be set up, starting from the Principality of Monaco in June and July 2023 to reach other iconic cities around Europe and the world. Rome, Madrid, Washington D.C. have already been involved in the previous years editions.
Award Prizing:
🥇 Grand Winner: Title "Environmental Photographer of the Year 2023" + 5,000 € + Invitation (including travel and accommodation) to visit the Amazon Research Station of the University of Ecuador, and to do a photo documentary in the field, in the heart of the Ecuadorian jungle + Invitation (including travel and accommodation) to the inauguration of the 2023 Award Ceremony in the Principality of Monaco.
🥈 Category winners: 1,000 €/ category winner.
🥉 Public Award & Student's choice: 500 € each. A new category involving students was included this year to raise awareness among new generations. The initiative has the support of the Direction de l’Éducation Nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports of the Gouvernement Princier).
To submit your application please clink on this link:
Communicating the environment visually: is it worth?
The use of photography to convey eco-messages has a long story ahead, dating back in between the eighteen and the nineteenth century when the concept of "sustainability" had not yet taken shape in the modern sense of the term. Gary Braasch is considered as one of the most effective environmental photojournalists in modern times. His knowledge allowed him to communicate the audience the importance of preserving Planet's ecosystems and to fight against any threat menacing Nature. His major project, World View of Global Warming is a consistent example of visual storytelling willing to raise eco-awareness and make a key contribution to the scientific research. Besides that, major broadcasting and media companies are using images to achieve this target. The BBC, Broadcasting Corporation and the National Geographic are quite well-known globally.
Images can really contribute to strengthen the perception of the Natural Environment and reinforce the definition of Sustainable Development through a through a double synergistic action: a) by influencing the way to consider the Environment b) by building up keys of our degree of knowledge about what we consider as an environmental problem (ref.: Robert Cox). Photos can therefore arouse simultaneous sensations, triggering an exchange of ideas among humans influenced by multiple factors like the context, their cultural background and professional expertise besides a series or other elements that contribute to forge our interpretation of a given visual portrait. Photos, and images in general, are definitely an effective medium of communication. The polar bear for example has already become the metaphorical representation of fighting against climate change, being one the most endangered species subject to melting of the polar cap. Targeted visual techniques has also been created to encourage educational programmes or peer-to-peer debates able to bring environmental issues related to local communities to the attention of public decision-makers. ***
Source: "Communicating the Environment to Save the Planet. A Journey into Eco-Communication", published by Springer International Publishing
This book is contributing to the development of Goal No.13 (Climate Action) UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs - Agenda 2030).
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Discover MONACŒCOART® for Business:
By Maurice Abbati (Environmental Photography Award 2022, Principality of Monaco, June 2022).