PDN, National Geographic Traveler World In Focus Competition

Interested in entering your underwater images into a travel photography competition that gets some serious exposure?

Billed as "The ultimate travel photography contest", National Geographic Traveler and Photo District News present: World in Focus.

There are both amateur and professional categories, all of which seem appropriate for underwater entries, which include:

Of course, in our travels as underwater photographers we find ourselves immersed in beautiful destinations that include more than just underwater opportunities. When entering travel photography contests, you shouldn't limit your entries to underwater images. You never know, your topside images can help you walk away with some great prizes - not to mention the glory. 

Deadline: August 24, 2009

Entry Fees:  

Amateurs: $12

Professionals $35

Late entries pay $10 to extend your deadline to 9.8.09

Last year Yeang Chng won first prize in the Wilderness category for an image of a pair of scalloped hammerhead sharks. You can see Yeang's image as well as all of the 2008 winners here.

AMATEUR PRIZES:

GRAND PRIZE
10-day safari trip for one person to Tanzania. Contributed by National Geographic Expeditions.

FIRST PRIZE
6-night stay for 2 at the all-inclusive Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa on the Island of St. Lucia. Contributed by Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa.

SECOND PRIZE
6-day cruise for two on a Maine Windjammer Schooner. Contributed by the Schooners American Eagle and Heritage.

THIRD PRIZE
$1,000 gift certificate toward a photo workshop at Santa Fe Workshops.

SEVEN MERIT PRIZES
Nikon L100 Coolpix camera or equivalent, a National Geographic Tundra Monopod, a National Geographic Tundra Photo/Video Tripod, and a National Geographic Walkabout Medium Satchel.

BONUS
Award-winning images will be featured in the January/February 2010 edition of National Geographic Traveler and displayed at the World In Focus gallery exhibit at the PDN PhotoPlus Expo in New York October 22-24, 2009. All winning images will also be featured on the World In Focus Contest and Traveler Web sites. Additionally, winners will receive a one-year subscription to Photo District News magazine.

PROFESSIONAL PRIZES:

GRAND PRIZE
6-night stay for 2 at the all-inclusive Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa (www.cbayresort.com) on the Island of St. Lucia. Contributed by Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa. Plus: One Nikon D-90 Digital SLR Kit (with lens), or equivalent; a National Geographic Expedition Carbon Fiber Tripod; a National Geographic Expedition Hydrostatic Head; a National Geographic Walkabout Medium Rucksack; and a PDN PhotoServe portfolio for one year.

EACH CATEGORY WINNER
One Nikon Digital SLR Kit (with lens), a National Geographic Tundra Photo/Video Tripod, a National Geographic Walkabout Medium Satchel and a PDN PhotoPlus Expo Gold Pass.

BONUS AWARD
Winning images will be featured in a special Winner's Gallery in PDN's February 2010 issue and online at www.pdnonline.com. Select winners will be displayed at the World In Focus gallery exhibit at the PDN PhotoPlus Expo in New York October 22-24, 2009.

For more info and to enter online, visit the official competition website.

Good luck!