'My Wild Life' photography competition 2023/24

We're so pleased that you've all been super present and in the moment over the festive break that perhaps you haven't picked up your camera or phone... but it has meant it's been rather quiet on the submission front. We'd love to see your submissions and have enough entries to run the competition this year, so please do send them in as soon as you can.

We are excited to bring back the popular ‘My Wild Life’ photography competition, inspired by the return of the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition to The Base.

Budding photographers of all ages and expertise can enter – whether it’s capturing an image of insects in your back garden, wildlife discovered on a family walk or snaps of your beloved pet… we are looking for creative thinking when it comes to capturing the wonders of wildlife that surrounds us in town and country.

Finalists from two age categories (Under-18s and Over-18s) will be chosen by a panel of expert judges and the winning entries from each category will be chosen by the general public in an online vote!

The two winning photographers will win a Family ticket (4 people) to visit Marwell Zoo and enjoy exploring their wonderful grounds. The winner of the over-18 category will also get the chance to enjoy an 'Animal Experience' and get up-close!

Both winner will also get a Base Pass/Family Base Pass cards, which give them unlimited entry to The Base Gallery for a whole year along with seeing their photographs displayed in our Runway Gallery, printed in the Newbury Weekly News and published on The Base and Corn Exchange’s websites and shared respective social media platforms.

We want to showcase the best local talent that celebrates our wildlife and the natural world and so the winning entries, along with 2nd place, finalists and Highly Commended entries, will be displayed in The Base’s Runway Gallery for all to see and admire.

PRIZES

1st Prize

• A Family Day Pass to Marwell Zoo
• Over-18s winner will also get the chance to get up-close with an 'Animal Experience'
• Under-18s winner will enjoy a Marwell Zoo goodie bag
• An annual Base Pass Plus card for over-18s and a Family Base Pass card for under-18s winners*
• Photo exhibited in The Base’s Runway Gallery
• Photo printed in the Newbury Weekly News

2nd Prize

• Photo exhibited in The Base’s Runway Gallery
• Photo printed in the Newbury Weekly News

Finalists and Highly Commended

Photo exhibited in The Base’s Runway Gallery

Entries must explore or capture the theme of ‘My Wild Life’. Email a completed entry form, including the communication release form (see download below) and your photo attached to [email protected] by Sunday 7 January 2024.

Please ensure you have read the terms and conditions and also ensure your photo meets these guidelines:

• Your entry must be saved as JPEG file (JPG) at a setting of 10 (100%) or higher
• The filename must contain your full name and age, for example: LastName_FirstName_Age.jpg
• No watermarks / copyright units / logos on images
• If images of people are submitted, all those in the photograph need to give their consent.
• Please consider the well-being of wild creatures and ecosystems. Respect wildlife by not disturbing or moving the subjects you are photographing.
• We are looking for authentic images of nature. Please do not use apps or image editing software to manipulate your images. Cropping is allowed.

Deadline for submissions - Sunday 7 January 2024
Finalists announced on Facebook & online voting starts - Thursday 1 February 2024 10am
Facebook voting closes & winners announced - Sunday 4 February 2024 at 8pm
Winners emailed - Monday 5 February 2024

Runway Gallery exhibition opens - Friday 1 March 2024 and runs until the end of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 59 exhibition on Sunday 14 April 2024.

Judging conditions

• Entries will be judged by nominated judges – Phil Cannings (Newbury Weekly News photographer), Philip Tull, professional photographer, Steph Johnson (Gallery Manager) and Camilla Dingee (Gallery & Events Co-ordinator) from The Base.
• Images will be judged on artistic merit, originality, subject and style.
• The decision of the judges and online poll is final.

[Left] Harry Griggs, under-18s winner | [right] Emily Hall, over-18s winner