Ever taken a photo in Scotland? Cameras and $5,700 can be won in this contest!

Ever taken a photo in Scotland? Cameras and $5,700 can be won in this contest!
(Image credit: Scotland's Photo of the Year)

If you've ever taken a photograph in Scotland, you could win part of an approximately £6,000 (around $8,260 / AU$11,390) prize find that includes cameras, lenses, bags, filter kits and cash. 

Scotland's Photo of the Year 2021 is a competition open to photographers all over the world, of all experience levels, from amateur to professional. The only requirement is that your photo was taken in, and visually expresses, Scotland. There are 11 chances to win, and the grand prize is a Sigma fp with Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG, along with £2,000 ($2,750 / AU$3,795) in cash.

• Read more: Sigma fp review

The runner-up will take home a Canon Powershot G7 Mark II, one of the best compact cameras, and £500 ($688 / AU$949) in cash, while third place snags an Olympus Explorer Messenger Bag along with £200 ($275 / 380). 

The remaining seven winners in the top ten will each receive £50 ($69 / AU$95), and there is a judge’s merit award of £250 ($344 / AU$475) and a Kase Wolverine Magnetic Circular Filter Entry Kit, which "will be awarded by the judges for an image they feel displays particular skill or creativity" (and this image may or may not be part of the top ten).

(Image credit: Usman Dawood)

The competition, launched in 2019, celebrates the beauty of Scotland – from mountains and glens to lochs and castles. This isn't just a landscape contest, though; "Wildlife, portrait, architectural and cultural images are all welcome, as long as they have a Scottish identity," say the organizers. 

While the subject matter isn't restricted, though, it must be identifiably taken in Scotland – so GPS metadata info may be required for macro or wildlife shots. And the integrity of images is important, too. 

"All images must be a true and accurate representation of the scene or subject at the time the photo was taken. Basic editing is allowed, but cloning of objects (either in or out), merging or two images which were not taken at the same time, or trying to create colors which were never present in the original scene are not allowed. We will need to see the original RAW or unedited file for all top ten images for each category."

Judges include landscape photography legend Colin Prior, Sigma UK's general manager Paul Reynolds, and presenter of YouTube channel Photography Online, Ruth Taylor. 

All profits go to local charities, and everyone who enters gets to choose where their money goes. For more information and to enter, visit Scotland.Photography.

Read more: 

Best cameras for landscape photography
Best lenses for landscapes
Best cameras for wildlife photography
Best lenses for bird photography and wildlife
Best cameras for portraits
Best lenses for portraits

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.