GDT Naturfotograf des Jahres 2027
The GDT Naturfotograf des Jahres is the German Society for Nature Photography's member competition, free to enter and restricted to GDT members, with seven categories including a changing special category. The 2026 round closed on 1 February 2026; the jury picked the top ten per category, the members voted on the placings, and Luca Lorenz was named overall winner at the members' weekend on 11 April 2026 for Weiß auf Weiß, a painterly image of a mountain hare. The 2027 edition is expected to open in December, following last year's calendar, once the GDT publishes the new rules. The current rules list AI-generated photos as not allowed, and the jury checks RAW or original JPG files after the first pre-selection.
- Deadline
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- Entry fee
- Free entrySee all free photo contests 2026
Authenticity policy
AI policy
NICHT ERLAUBT sind im Rahmen der digitalen Bildbearbeitung: • Hinzufügen oder Entfernen von Bildelementen (z.B. Tiere, Pflanzen, Menschen, Zivilisationselemente oder Teile von diesen), digitale Collagen • KI-generierte Fotos • Nachbearbeitungsmethoden, inhaltsbasierte Füllungen, Erweiterungen, etc., die dem Foto durch KI-Algorithmen oder durch manuelle Eingriffe neue Bildinhalte hinzufügen
RAW files
Die Jury überprüft die Authentizität von Digitalbildern nach der ersten Vorauswahl anhand der Original-Bilddateien.
Editing rules
Section 7 of the 2026 rules lists the forbidden editing steps: adding or removing image elements, digital collages, AI-generated photos, and post-processing such as content-aware fill or expansion that adds new image content through AI algorithms or manual intervention. HDR, stitched panoramas and focus stacking are allowed; in-camera multiple exposures only in category 6. After the first pre-selection the jury verifies authenticity against the original files: RAW files of any format or JPGs straight out of the camera, DNG only if it is the camera's native format. The competition management requested RAW and high-resolution files from 20 February 2026 with a 27 February deadline; images whose originals were not supplied were excluded. The competition is free and open only to GDT members.
Verified on November 7, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- Does GDT Naturfotograf des Jahres 2027 allow AI-generated images?
- No. GDT Naturfotograf des Jahres 2027 does not permit AI-generated images in its competition entries.
- Are RAW files required to enter GDT Naturfotograf des Jahres 2027?
- Shortlisted entrants must supply their RAW files.
- How much does it cost to enter GDT Naturfotograf des Jahres 2027?
- GDT Naturfotograf des Jahres 2027 is free to enter.
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