The NPOTY Jury Process: An Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Look
From time to time, we receive e-mails or meet people who ask how the judging process at Nature Photographer of the Year is conducted. Today, we’re giving you an exclusive glimpse into our 2024 jury process!
1. The Jury: Selection Process
At the start of the competition, we carefully selected a jury of 5 to 6 experienced photographers, each with their own area of expertise. For 2024, the jury includes:
● Tin Man Lee (USA), Chair of the Judging Panel
● Kevin Morgans (UK)
● Joan de la Malla (Spain)
● Barbara Dall’Angelo (Italy)
● Marco Gaiotti (Italy)
Note: Marco Gaiotti, a seasoned NPOTY jury member, joined the panel after the competition closed when another juror could not attend the Award Show. With a minimum of five jury members, we ensure a broad perspective and healthy discussions
2. Selection and Review
By the time the submission period for the contest closed on June 2 at 11:59 PM (CEST) 2024, we had received thousands of stunning submissions from photographers worldwide—this year’s record: 22,851 entries from 96 countries.
The first step involves reviewing all images to ensure compliance with our rules. For more details, please refer to the rules section on our website. Examples of disqualifications include photos containing signatures, watermarks, pets, borders, or other non-natural elements.
3. Overlapping with Other Contests
We understand that images are often submitted to multiple contests, especially when submission periods overlap.
Our rule is that any image selected as a winner or runner-up in another international contest before or during the NPOTY opening date cannot be uploaded or won at NPOTY. However, when judging processes overlap, it may not always be possible to determine whether an image is being considered elsewhere. This is an unavoidable reality of international contests and submission dates.
4. Full Anonymity for the Jury
Before the images are sent to the jury, we remove all IPTC data and any other metadata that could reveal the photographer’s identity. This ensures the jury evaluates the images without bias.
In some competitions, jurors are aware of the photographers names behind the images, which can influence voting—positively or negatively. At NPOTY, we believe this is unfair. Similarly, in some contests, the organization member selects the finalists after initial jury input. We do not agree with that approach, then the organization decides instead of the jury. Marketing wise it’s maybe clever, but not that’s not how we want to operate.
At NPOTY, each juror independently selects their top 20 images for each category, free from interference by the organization. This approach not only ensures impartiality but also results in a diverse selection of images.
5. How the Jury Works: Selecting the Top 20
Each juror receives all submissions and independently selects their top 20 images per category. Jurors are unaware of which images others have chosen, and the organization has no influence over this process.
The image selection process is conducted with full transparency at every stage. In the initial phase, jurors independently review the entire set of images and select twenty photos per category. They are instructed to avoid choosing images that may present a conflict of interest during this stage and later on.
It is important to note that immediately excluding images due to a potential conflict of interest could unfairly disadvantage participants. To ensure fairness, images are evaluated objectively while taking steps to prevent bias from jurors who may have conflicts. This approach safeguards the integrity of the competition while protecting participants’ opportunities.
Once each juror selects the top 20 images, the RAW files are requested for verification. Our team reviews these files for compliance with contest rules. If any doubts arise, the Chairman decides whether the image can proceed to the final round. Should the Chairman recognize or suspect familiarity with an image or photographer, the evaluation is reassigned to another juror to maintain objectivity.
Important: If a juror suspects they recognize a photo or photographer, they must exclude the image from their top 20. If this rule is violated, the juror will be removed and replaced with a member from our reserve list.
6. The Live Jury Meetings: From Top 20 to Winners
After the RAW files have been reviewed, the jurors convene for three days of live jury meetings somewhere in Europe. During these sessions, they discuss and evaluate the shortlisted images. At the start of each process, I tell every jury: “It’s up to you and you decide what the outcome is based on your judgment”.
Here’s what is determined during these meetings:
- The top 10 images per category.
- The top 5 images per category, including:
- Category Winner
- Runner-Up
- Three Highly Commended images
- The Portfolio Winner
- The People’s Choice Selection
Jurors assess images based on quality, uniqueness, technical execution, and authenticity.
Managing Conflicts of Interest
During the final stage, when only a small number of photographs remain, jurors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. If a conflict arises, the juror in question is prohibited from advocating for any actions that could benefit the associated image. The decision-making responsibility is then transferred to the remaining jury members.
If a vote is required—though decisions are often reached through in-depth extensive discussions leading to a unanimous agreement—the conflicted juror is rendered neutral for that particular image.
Evaluating Authenticity
The jury also discusses whether an image may have been manipulated or depicts unnatural behavior. When doubts arise, external experts—such as biologists or nature researchers—are consulted to ensure that only authentic images are awarded.
Decision-Making Process
Decisions are typically made through voting. In rare cases of a tie, the Chairman casts the deciding vote. However, the diverse perspectives and detailed discussions among jurors often lead to a natural consensus, adding depth and value to the process.
The People’s Choice
During the live meetings, the jury selects approximately 20/25 images specifically for the People’s Choice Award. Out of the 22,851 breathtaking submissions to the NPOTY 2024 contest, only 72 images make it to the competition finals, chosen by the jury.
While these finalists showcase the jury’s top picks, the People’s Choice Award offers a unique opportunity to highlight additional exceptional photographs. Visitors to the Nature Talks Photo Festival can view these images and vote for their favorite. At the end of the festival, the image with the most votes is announced as the People’s Choice Award winner.
7. The Final Round: Choosing the Overall Winner
After the category winners and Portfolio Award winner are selected, the jury deliberates to choose the Overall Winner. All category winners and the lead image from the portfolio are discussed.
The jury votes and debates for hours, diving into each image’s merits. Additional checks, often conducted earlier in the process by external experts, may also influence the final decision. Ultimately, the jury selects the Overall Winner based solely on the image’s quality and originality. And of course also in this stage jurors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. If a conflict arises, the juror in question is prohibited from advocating for any actions that could benefit the associated image. The decision-making responsibility is then transferred to the remaining jury members.
Why did we choose this process?
At NPOTY, we uphold a transparent, independent, and fair judging process to earn the trust of photographers worldwide. Our jury’s decisions are based solely on their expertise, knowledge, and passion for nature photography—nothing else. We ensure this by:
- Anonymizing all images to eliminate bias.
● Granting jurors full independence in their selections.
● Excluding jurors from voting if a conflict of interest is suspected.
This ensures that no individual juror can influence the outcome in case of potential conflicts, preserving the integrity of the competition. In the world of photography, success and recognition can come through many paths. Some images are the result of years of dedication, meticulous preparation, and artistic vision. Others are captured in a moment of serendipity—a photographer in the right place at the right time.
This duality highlights the magic and diversity of photography. The true value of an image lies not solely in the circumstances of its creation, but in the impact it has: the story it tells, the emotions it evokes, and the memories it captures. Special circumstances—like a snowstorm or unique lighting—can enhance a photo, adding artistic depth and contributing to its overall impact.
Photography contests like Nature Photographer of the Year celebrate this diversity, recognizing both technical mastery and spontaneous brilliance. In the end, it’s about the images that inspire, move, and tell unforgettable stories.
I hope you liked this inside glimpse?!
Questions about our process?
Feel free to contact us. We’re always open to feedback and strive to make NPOTY a contest where every participant feels valued and heard.
Best regards,
Lesley de Beer (Competition Manager, NPOTY)
