The Sierra de las Nieves is holding its 16th Photography Contest to showcase the natural and cultural richness of the National Park

The Sierra de las Nieves is holding its 16th Photography Contest to showcase the natural and cultural richness of the National Park

The Association of Municipalities and the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Area have opened registration for the 16th edition of the National Park, Natural Park, and Biosphere Reserve Photography Contest, a well-established event that combines culture, nature, and environmental awareness. This contest offers an opportunity to highlight the biodiversity, traditional trades, and sustainable activities that characterize the region, while promoting photography as a tool for education and conservation. In addition, the 12 winning entries will be featured in the official 2026 calendar, becoming a symbol of the Sierra de las Nieves’ identity.

Through this call for entries, the Natural Area, in collaboration with the Association of Municipalities, reaffirms its commitment to promoting the values embodied by this site, which has been designated a National Park and is part of the Natura 2000 Network and a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MaB) Program. The contest aims to highlight the landscapes, biodiversity, and rural life, emphasizing both the natural heritage and the respectful interaction of local communities with their environment.

The theme of this new edition focuses on nature and the rural environment, organized into two sections: Biodiversity and Geodiversity, on the one hand, and Human Activities, on the other. This structure makes it possible to highlight both the ecological and geological richness of the protected area and the traditions and ways of life that keep it alive.

The submission period for photographs will run from October 10 to November 2, 2025, both dates inclusive. Any amateur or professional photographer may participate, with the sole exception of jury members. Each participant may submit up to four photographs per category, provided they are original and unpublished, in JPG format, with a minimum resolution of 3780 x 2835 pixels and a maximum file size of 20 MB per file.

Registration will take place exclusively through the website www.sierradelasnieves.es, in the section titled “16th Sierra de las Nieves National Park, Natural Park, and Biosphere Reserve Photography Contest.” Images must be submitted with a filename following the format FIRST_NAME_LAST_NAME_THEME_1.JPG, and numbered sequentially if multiple entries are submitted under the same theme.

The contest underscores its commitment to conservation: any photograph that poses a risk or causes harm to wildlife, flora, or geological features is prohibited, and photographs of bird nests will not be accepted. This ethical principle aims to promote responsible photography that is consistent with the park’s values.

The jury, composed of staff from the Natural Area, the Association of Municipalities, and specialists appointed by the organization, will award six prizes in each category, consisting of a diploma, a commemorative plaque, and a gift set related to the National Park, the Natural Park, and the Biosphere Reserve. In addition, six honorable mentions will be awarded in each category. Each entrant may receive a maximum of one award per theme.

The rights to use and distribute these images and the runner-up entries will be shared among the authors, the Natural Area, and the calendar’s sponsors, always for promotional and informational purposes, with proper attribution and in compliance with current intellectual property laws.

The jury’s decision will be published on www.sierradelasnieves.es and on the Facebook pages of the National Park, Natural Park, and Biosphere Reserve, and the winners will be notified personally. The decisions are final, and participation implies full acceptance of the rules.

To address any questions or issues regarding the registration process, the organization has made the following contact information available: phone number 670 948 894 and email address pnsierranieves.csmaea@juntadeandalucia.es.

Ultimately, this contest brings together culture, participation, and conservation, strengthening the bond between citizens and the region. The Sierra de las Nieves thus invites us to look through the lens at the value of its natural environment and the human spirit that keeps it alive.

*Cover photo: Israel Fernández Clu