BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition 2026
Presented by the California Academy of Sciences, the BigPicture Natural World competition pairs a scientific-institution backer with an explicit no-AI policy and a stipulation that artistic effects must come from photography rather than digital manipulation. The Grand Prize of US$5,000 and the annual museum exhibition draw strong amateur and professional fields. The fee structure — $25 for ten images plus an early-bird discount — sits at the affordable end of the wildlife-contest market.
- Deadline
- March 1, 2026
- Entry fee
- US$25 for up to 10 images; US$15 photo story; 15% early-bird discount before 15 January
- Opens
- December 1, 2025
Authenticity policy
AI policy
No AI-generated images are allowed.
RAW files
Not specified
Editing rules
Artistic effects should not be the result of digital manipulations. The same image cannot be entered in more than one category, except that images included in the Photo Story category may also be entered in one other category.
Verified on June 8, 2026