The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is looking for striking photographic images taken throughout the state of Delaware. Photographs should highlight Delaware’s natural beauty and focus on subject matter such as waterways, landscapes, native plants, wildlife and aquatic life, and people enjoying nature, hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. All entries must be taken in Delaware, with the location identified in the entry form.
The photo submission, and the completed entry and release form(s), must be submitted by Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
DNREC shall not accept late or incomplete entries, or entries that have not followed these Official Rules.
DNREC reserves the right to adjust any deadline(s) as the result of causes beyond its immediate control. DNREC will take reasonable steps to notify of any adjustments made to deadlines.
Photo submissions must not contain inappropriate, indecent, obscene or unlawful content. DNREC has sole discretion in determining whether any photo submission contains such content. Photo submissions determined by DNREC to contain such content shall be rejected by DNREC.
Photo submissions must be original, previously unpublished and created solely by the submitting entrant(s), and not violate the intellectual property rights, copyright, or right of property of any third party. DNREC will reject photo submissions that it determines, in its sole discretion, contain copyrighted materials. Photo submissions that have been entered into other contests, or have been published elsewhere (newspapers, magazines, online, etc.) are not eligible.
Photo submissions should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared. Photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization will be disqualified. Allowable standard optimization includes removal of dust, cropping, reasonable adjustments to exposure, color, and contrast, etc.
AI generated photographs will not be accepted.
Photos may not include names, signatures, logos or other identifying marks.
People Enjoying Nature – Photos of a person or people engaged or interacting with nature, such as boating, hiking, biking, picnicking, birdwatching and other outdoor activities. Examples: Canoeing or kayaking with family or friends; hiking out on the marsh to watch and photograph birds; biking park trails.
Watersheds: Landscapes and Waterways – Artistic, scenic photos that capture Delaware’s nature beauty throughout the state in any of the four seasons; people can be included but not as the main focus. Examples: Sunsets or sunrises over land or water; wildlife footprints in the snow; a storm rolling in or an exceptional blue sky. Think light, color, composition and balance.
Wildlife and Aquatic Life – Photos featuring Delaware’s native species in their natural habitat as the focus; no people included. Examples: a chance to frame a fawn, heron or other wildlife up close; underwater photos of fish or other aquatic life;
Hunting and Fishing – Photos of people engaged in hunting, trapping, fishing, crabbing and clamming. Examples: Besides showing off a big fish, prize wild turkey or eight-point buck; hunters sitting in a deer or duck blind, anglers casting a line or pulling in crab traps.
Youth Entries – Entries by those under 18 in any of the four categories above.
This contest is open to photographers of all ages and skill levels who are legal residents of the United States at the time of entry.
DNREC employees and children of DNREC employees may submit photos in accordance with these Official Rules. However, DNREC employees and children of DNREC employees are not eligible to win prizes.
The judging panel will include a photographer, an educator and an environmental scientist. One adult winner will be selected from each of four categories: People Enjoying Nature; Landscapes, Watershed and Waterways; Wildlife and Aquatic Life, and Hunting and Fishing.
One youth winner will be selected from any of the four categories.
Photo submissions shall be judged and winning entries for each category shall be selected based on how well the photos represent the following criteria: visual effectiveness (40%), originality/creativity (25%), universal appeal (25%) and message/theme (10%).
DNREC has sole discretion over the selection of winning entries for each category. By entering this contest, entrants waive any right they have to dispute or otherwise challenge DNREC’s selection of the winning entries.
The winners in each category will receive the following: a $500 gift card, a Delaware State Parks annual pass, a gift bag and an award certificate.
DNREC will make reasonable efforts to notify winners by phone or email by June 1. Contest winners will be announced publicly via email, news release(s) and social media on or around June 15. All winners will be invited to participate in the DNREC Awards ceremony on Governor’s Day in July at the Delaware State Fair.
By entering this contest and submitting this completed release form, I, on behalf of myself and, if applicable, the child identified on this release form, grant permission to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and its employees a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, nonexclusive license to display, distribute, reproduce, and create derivative works of the photo submission, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or subsequently developed, for any State of Delaware or DNREC purpose, including, but not limited to advertising and promotion of DNREC in print, its website, and its publications. By entering this contest, I further agree that the photo submission complies with to these official rules. I will make no monetary or other claim against DNREC or the State of Delaware for the use of any content provided DNREC in connection with my or my child’s participation in this contest.
DNREC is an agency of the State of Delaware subject to Delaware’s Freedom of Information Act (29 Del. C. 10001 et seq). Participants are advised that any information provided to DNREC in conjunction with this contest may be deemed a public record under FOIA.
This release form affects the rights, obligations, and duties of the parties only. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, nothing in this release form is intended to, nor shall it be interpreted or construed in a manner which shall: (a) grant any third party the right to enforce any of the terms, rights, or obligations set forth herein; (b) confer any substantive or procedural rights or privileges to any third party in relation to or arising out of any collateral civil or criminal legal proceeding; or (c) waive or otherwise affect the sovereignty of the State of Delaware or the application of 10 Del. C. § 4001, et seq. to any civil proceeding involving any officer, employee, or agent of the State of Delaware.
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. Any legal action brought by either party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall be brought in an appropriate Delaware State Court.
Related Topics: contest, dnrec, landscape, nature, outdoors, photography, recreation, waterways
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