If Facebook & Instagram are anything to go by, there are a *lot* of talented cave photographers out there. So go on … send us your best work and who knows, maybe glory awaits.

This year’s competition has 4 categories (explained below). The closing date for entries is 20 October at midnight. Winners will be announced at the symposium.

Both new and established photographers are encouraged to enter. We welcome photos that reflect all aspects of caving, cave science and mine exploration.

Read on to find out how to enter … and good luck!

COMPETITION CATEGORIES

This year we have 4 categories:

1. IRISH CAVES: Photos from Irish caves.
2. INTERNATIONAL CAVES: Photo from caves worldwide.
3. CAVING IS FUN … IS CAVING FUN?! : Photos that illustrate the fun of caving (type 1 or type 2!)
4. CAVERS – THE PEOPLE : Photos/portraits of a caver(s) – Irish or international.

HOW TO ENTER

Email your photos to caving.symposium@gmail.com – please include the category name in the email subject.

The closing date for entries is 20 OCTOBER at midnight. Don’t delay. We need time for preparation and judging and so can’t accept late entries.

The maximum number of photos per person for each category is:

1. IRISH CAVES: Max. 4 photos per entry.
2. INTERNATIONAL CAVES: Max. 4 photos per entry.
3. CAVING IS FUN … IS CAVING FUN?! : Max. 2 photos per entry.
4. CAVERS – THE PEOPLE : Max. 2 photos per entry.

You can submit photos for any/all categories. To prevent confusion/mix-ups, send a separate email for each category.

You can submit the same photo under separate categories.

Please submit your photos at their original resolution.

JUDGING

Blind judging will be used for each category. That is, photographers’ identities will be removed from each entry before judging occurs.

To assist this process, please…
– Remove all stamps, watermarks, names or other indicators of your identity from your photos.
– Ensure the filename of each photo is generic and does not contain any indicator of your identity.

The IRISH CAVES and INTERNATIONAL CAVES categories will be assessed by a judging panel, led by Robert Mulraney. Our thanks to Rob for his assistance and forgoing entry to the competition this year.

Assessment will be based on the following broad criteria:
– Creativity: 25%
– Technical skill: 25%
– Overall quality: 50% (e.g. aesthetics, action, speleological interest, etc.)

The CAVING IS FUN … IS CAVING FUN and CAVERS – THE PEOPLE categories will assessed by popular vote.

Entries will be displayed during the symposium weekend. Delegates can then vote for their favourites using a ballot system. (The system will be advised at the beginning of the weekend.)

Finally, as with all such competitions the awards are final. No canvassing and no AI(!), of course.

Good luck..!