• We only accept images from digital cameras.
• Photos must be submitted online via photo.vogelwarte.ch.
• Entrants can upload a maximum of 10 photos per category.
• Each image may be entered only once in any vogelwarte contest.
• The original image may be cropped. The resulting image file must be at least 4000 pixels on the longest side, or at least 3000 pixels if it is a square image. This is without recalculating the data.
• Minimum size for preview images: at least 1400 pixels on the longest side
• The aspect ratio may not deviate from the usual 3:2, 4:3, 1:1 or 16:9 formats.
• File format for preview images: Files must be submitted as JPEGs, saved at the highest quality setting and Adobe RGB or sRGB colour space.
• Photos of birds in captivity (pets, farm animals, zoo animals) are not permitted.
• Images must feature species that occur as wild birds in Switzerland. The list of species at photo.vogelwarte.ch/en/list-of-bird-species/ is final.

• Participants pledge to adhere to any applicable conservation laws for the respective areas and the animals living in them. The protection of birds and their habitats has absolute priority. Special care must be taken not to disturb breeding or feeding birds. The directions given on the fact sheet «Responsible Bird Photography» are part of the conditions of entry. Photos taken with obvious disregard of these rules will be disqualified. The Swiss Ornithological Institute reserves the right to exclude fallible photographers from the competition.
• The IPTC data (in Adobe Photoshop: File – File Information) must contain at least first name, surname and e-mail address.
• The files must be marked with a category number (K1, K2 or K3) and labelled as follows:    categorynumber_lastname_firstname_species_country in which the picture was taken    Example: K1_Smith_John_Housesparrow_Switzerland
• For proof of authenticity, we request the processed data in full resolution as well as the unprocessed original files of all images preselected by the expert panel. For these images, we also request a short paragraph detailing the shooting conditions.
• If the requested data is not provided on time, the photo in question will be disqualified.

• Adding and removing elements from the picture and the use of colour filters or artistic filters is not permitted.
• HDR photography, panoramic photos, focus stacking, multiple exposure and photomontage are not permitted.

• Adjustments of tonal value, contrast, sharpness, colour temperature, white balance and colour balance as well as removal of image noise and dust spotting are permitted as long as they do not alter the overall message of the image.
• Black and white conversion is permitted.

Sign-up/registration

• When you register to enter the photo competition, you must provide truthful information as required in the registration form. You will receive a link by e-mail in order to activate your account: please confirm your competition entry by clicking on this link.
• You are responsible for keeping your account login details confidential. Sharing your login details with third parties is not permitted. Any misuse must be reported to the Swiss Ornithological Institute without delay. The Swiss Ornithological Institute accepts no liability.
• Your data is stored with our provider «Hostpoint». Hostpoint is a Swiss provider that operates its servers in Switzerland: www.hostpoint.ch
• Before each round of the photo competition (usually held annually), you will receive a newsletter asking you to confirm your registration, acknowledge the Privacy Policy, and accept the terms and Conditions of Entry as well as the guidelines for «Responsible Bird Photography». We may also send you additional useful information via newsletter such as event updates or invitations, publications, etc.

• Newsletters are sent via our software partner Intuit Mailchimp, which is located in the USA. Mailchimp is a US company that operates its servers in the United States: https://mailchimp.com. By registering to enter the photo competition, you agree to us transferring your data (specifically your name and e-mail address) to Mailchimp and tracking your open and click rates. If you no longer wish to receive such communications from us, you may unsubscribe at any time using the link provided in the newsletter. Please note that if you do so, we will no longer be able to provide you with information about the photo competition. Unsubscribing from the newsletter does not deactivate your account or delete your data stored with our provider.

Purpose

• The data is processed by the Swiss Ornithological Institute, including the jury, for the purpose of organising the photo competition, including communication with you and the dispatch of prizes.
• The Swiss Ornithological Institute may pass on your data to the main sponsor and the category sponsors, who will process it independently for their own purposes.
• The use of prizewinning images and those submitted by finalists is governed by the provisions on copyright and usage rights in these Conditions of Entry.
• The Swiss Ornithological Institute may use your data to offer you the option of providing additional information, such as the URL of a website where you make your images available for viewing or purchase by others. With your consent, the Swiss Ornithological Institute will publish this information online or in print in connection with your images.

Communication and data processing

• If you enter the competition, you will be asked via newsletter to upload a maximum of 10 images per category in low resolution («preview images») to your account on our website. These images and your personal details (first name, last name, e-mail, telephone number, address, postcode, town/city) will be stored with our provider. If any of your personal data is contained in the metadata of the images (also referred to as EXIF or IPTC data), this will also be stored.
• All further enquiries will be handled via the e-mail address photo@vogelwarte.ch. Any direct contact with competition entrants will also take place via this e-mail address. Entrants are responsible for ensuring that this e-mail address is not blocked by security filters or spam protection. Digital communication may be partially unencrypted and unsecured. Responsibility for any risk rests with you.
• If your images are shortlisted, the preview images and your data will be stored on the servers of our provider «Metanet ». Metanet is a Swiss company that operates its servers in Switzerland: www.metanet.ch If your personal data is contained in the metadata of the preview images, this will also be stored on Metanet’s servers.
• If your images are shortlisted, the Swiss Ornithological Institute will ask you to upload the relevant highest-resolution images (RAW or original JPG files) to Dropbox. Dropbox is an Irish company that operates its servers in the United States: www.dropbox.com If your personal data is contained in the metadata of these images, it will also be stored on these servers. These images (RAW or original JPG files), including any metadata, will then be saved on our local server and deleted from Dropbox.

• Minimize disturbances to birds. Please keep your distance, and bear in mind that birds react negatively to disturbances long before they take flight.
• Birds at or near a nest are particularly prone to disturbances and in extreme cases may even abandon their young. Therefore, it is particularly important not to disturb birds that are breeding or feeding at a nest. If birds sound alarm calls or show signs of agitation, you are probably too close to a nest or the young.
• Do not disturb birds by mimicking calls or song. Imitating the presence of a rival or a source of danger causes unnecessary stress to birds, especially during breeding season. Avoid making noise.
• Do not use flash when photographing birds to avoid startling them.
• Disturbances are especially serious in winter, when it is vital for birds to conserve energy. Causing birds to take flight depletes their energy reserves and should be avoided at all costs.

• Do not use drones for photography.
• Always adhere to legal requirements for the conservation of species.
• Many nature reserves have public hides from which you can photograph birds in their natural environment without disturbing them.
• When feeding birds in winter, make sure that the food is appropriate for the species, that the offered food cannot be soiled by droppings or get wet. If dead birds are found near the feeding site, feeding must be stopped immediately. After thorough cleaning, feeding should only be resumed within 2–3 days.
• If you have a birdbath, remember to keep it clean. Clean the birdbath and renew the water regularly.

• Always adhere to legal requirements for the conservation of habitats and especially to the rules of nature reserves.
• Pay attention to no driving signs and do not obstruct paths with your vehicle.

• Respect the rights of landowners by using public roads, paths and trails.
• If you pitch a camouflage tent, ask the landowner for permission. Follow the code of conduct.

• Respect the rights of others performing their activities and work in nature.
• When travelling or on holiday, behave just as respectfully towards nature as you would do at home.

• Be an example to others with your responsible behaviour. Please politely point out to others their possible misbehaviour.