CATEGORY DESCRIPTION

The Animal Category is for photographs that capture the essence, personality, and unique character of real pets, domesticated animals, captive animals and wildlife. Entries may feature animals in either studio or environmental settings that help tell the story of the subject. The primary focus should be on the individuality and presence of the animal, conveyed through their gaze, body language, or interactions with their surroundings. 

CATEGORY INTENT

This category celebrates the individuality of animals, capturing moments that reveal their unique personality and story. While creative compositions and backgrounds are encouraged, the animal must remain the central focus of the image. This category is exclusive to photographs of animals. Humans (or parts of humans) are not eligible.

CATEGORY RULES

This is a MAJOR EDITING CATEGORY and allows for significant creative manipulation of the original image.

Entries may:

• Alter, add, or remove elements
• Combine multiple images or scenes
• Transform the original capture creatively

The final image does not need to represent the original scene as photographed.

RULES

1. Compliance with Global Rules, Terms and Conditions, and Spirit and Intent of the Awards 

All entries must comply with the Global Rules, Terms and Conditions, and the Spirit and Intent of the awards. This includes adherence to the principles of originality and ethical standards set forth by the competition. Images should represent the work of the entrant, and any entries that violate these guidelines will be disqualified. 

2. Eligible Subjects: 

• The image must feature one or more pets, domesticated animals, captive animals, or wildlife as the primary subject. 
• No human presence or parts of a human are allowed in the image. 
• This category allows images of wildlife that have been baited, wildlife photographed outside of their natural environment such as in a studio, or against a physical backdrop, or images of wildlife that have composited elements to help enhance the story. Images of Wildlife in their Natural environment may be better suited to the Nature category.
• While images of deceased animals are permitted in this category images of taxidermy or stuffed animals will not be accepted. 

3. Allowed Techniques

• Compositing (combining multiple images or elements)
• Adding or removing subjects or objects
• Background replacement or scene construction
• Extensive colour grading or creative colour shifts
• Heavy dodge and burn or relighting
• Artistic effects and filters (e.g. painterly styles, texture overlays, blur effects) as long as this does not add non-photographic elements or photographic elements not captured by the entrant
• Retouching and reshaping, including significant changes to form or appearance

4. Capture Techniques

• In-camera techniques such as multiple exposure and intentional camera movement (ICM) are allowed
• Focus stacking and stitching are permitted

5. Not Allowed

• Any use of AI-generated content (as outlined in Global Rules 2.2)
• Any entry that misrepresents AI-generated elements as photographic work
• Adding non-photographic elements (except in explicitly permitted circumstances outlined in the category specific rules)

6. Ethical Considerations: 

The welfare of the animal is paramount. Any images that depict distress, harm, or unethical treatment will be disqualified. 

Images of captive animals must be taken in an ethical setting where the animal’s well-being is prioritised. 

7. Presentation (Digital & Print)

• Borders may be created using photographic elements (e.g. textures, objects, or parts of your image)
• Computer-generated borders that simulate a physical print presentation (e.g. mat colour or mount) are only permitted for entries submitted for print judging and may be included in the required digital upload of those print entries. Such borders must be clearly distinct from the image.
• Non-rectangular crops must be presented on white, or with a photographic border – unless representing a print mat (see above)
• Series may be presented with or without gaps (compositing is allowed)
• A thin stroke line (black or white) may be used to define the edge of the image only if the edge would otherwise not be visible 

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