Photo Contest | Global Nightjar Net

GNN Photo Contest

The Global Nightjar Network is inviting photographers to capture the mysteries of the nocturnal bird world through photographs featuring nightjars. We accept and encourage photos of nightjar research as well as nightjars in the wild.

All skill levels - No entry fee

Submissions are due by September 5, 2026 at 11:59pm UTC.

Enter the contest

Photographs will be evaluated blindly by a panel of three judges. Results will be publicly announced Nov 3 - 5 at the 2026 Global Nightjar Network Conference and on our website.

Prizes

First place

One item under $30 from the Global Nightjar Network online shop OR a Nitecore ultralight headlamp (USA only)
2027 Global Nightjar Network calendar
Global Nightjar Network sticker
Photograph featured on the front page of the Global Nightjar Network calendar

Second place

2027 Global Nightjar Network Calendar
Global Nightjar Network sticker
Photograph featured on the month of your choice in the Global Nightjar Network calendar

Third place

Discount for the 2027 Global Nightjar Network calendar
Global Nightjar Network sticker
Photograph featured on the month of your choice in the Global Nightjar Network calendar

Honorable Mention

Discount for the 2027 Global Nightjar Network calendar

Submission Guidelines

The photo must be taken by the person that is submitting the photo to the contest.
The main subject of the photo must be nightjar-related.
Photos may be edited to a reasonable degree (color, contrast, lighting, etc.) but drastic alterations (addition of individuals, etc.) are prohibited.
Photos of nightjar research (e.g., birds in the hand) are allowed.
Photos will be rated on lighting, composition, technical quality, impact, and originality.
All photos must have a minimum of 2000 pixels on the shortest dimension.
Uploads should be no more than 10MB.
Photos should be in JPEG or PNG format.
Each photographer may submit up to 2 separate photos.
Initial submission should not contain signatures or watermarks (published versions for winning submissions may include a signature).
The photo may be taken in any year.
There is no entry fee.

Photography Ethics Guidelines

Photographs submitted to this contest should show respect for photography subjects and follow these ethic guidelines:

For birds in the wild:

Do not use of flash and minimize the use of other artificial lights
Photograph nests with telephoto lenses
Avoid flushing adults from nests

For birds in the hand:

Minimize use of bright artificial lights
Birds show no signs of stress
Nightjars are not held by the legs (e.g., not in a photographer's grip).
The bird is the subject, not the researcher (no selfies, etc.)