The Best of Nature 2016 Photography Show will be on view in The Ordover Gallery on Level 4 of the San Diego Natural History Museum through August 21, 2016. View magnificent nature-based imagery by amateur and professional photographers from San Diego and around the globe.

In February 2016, photographers were invited to enter this juried photography competition for their chance to win prizes totaling $2,500. The winners were announced at the opening reception on Saturday, April 30.

• Grand Prize ($1,000): Impressions in the Mist by Bodie Smith
• First Place ($500): Snowy Owl by Wendi Schneider
• Second Place ($250): Windansea by Brian Connolly
• Third Place ($150): First Snow by Jim Mildice
• Honorable Mentions ($100): Mike Shane, Sally Long, Dorothy Mildice, Mark Drawbridge, Eugeny Yorobe, Daniel Bommarito, Huibo Hou, Bill Evarts, Leah Horstman, and Koustav Maity

Best of Nature features more than 70 stunning works by 52 photographers, chosen from more than 1,200 entries. The images on display depict gorgeous landscapes and majestic creatures in their natural habitats.

Featured photographers include:

Amateur and professional photographers were invited to submit nature photography to the Best of Nature Photography Show. Landscape, wildlife, flora, and nature-based abstract / impressionistic images were considered. Traditional, digital, and alternative-process photographic works were reviewed.

Two rounds of judging took place to determine the winning entries. The first round consisted of three prominent professional photographers including: Lee Peterson, Robert Barry, and N. David King. These judges received 1,273 images from 251 photographers. The second and final round of judging was done by Abe Ordover, owner of The Ordover Gallery in Cardiff, California, and curator of the exhibition, who chose the 73 entries featured in the exhibition.

Select photos that were featured in the upcoming exhibition are featured on this page: Mark Drawbridge (gorillas), Gerald Fleury (canyon wall abstract), Mike Shane (grasshopper), Leah Horstman (Yosemite), Debbie Tubridy (polar bear) and Wendi Schneider (owl).

Quick Links:

• Dates to Remember
  
  
• Instructions for Photographers
  
  
• Jurors/Awards
  
  
• Sales/Advertising/Publicity
  
  

Instructions for Photographers

• The Best of Nature show will include approximately 70 images. The selection of images for the show will be done through a jurying process.
  
  
• For accepted works, the San Diego Natural History Museum will take responsibility for the artwork while it is in the Museum gallery. The photographer is responsible for the artwork during shipping to and from the Museum.
  
  
• Submission and payment are due by March 10, 2016 (EXTENDED to March 17, 2016). Digital submissions and payment only.
  
  
• The entry/submission process includes two steps: 1) Pay and register at the San Diego Natural History Museum in person, by phone (877.946.7797), or online. 2) Submit your photo(s) by email to the address provided in your payment confirmation email.
  
  When purchasing online, select March 17 on the calendar feature or select Best of Nature under Quick Buy.
  
  
• We ask for JPGs between 2000 and 3000 pixels in the longer dimension. The judges will view the images from a calibrated computer display.
  
  
• The entry fee is $25 that covers the first three entries. Additional images may be submitted for $10 each entry. Ten total entries maximum ($95) will be accepted per photographer.
  
  
• No refunds and no exchanges. The selection of the judges is final.
  
  
• lf your work is selected for the show, all images must be black framed and white matted.
  
  
• Please use only one email address for all correspondence regarding the juried show, preferably an email address with your name in it.

Jurying Process

• First round: Panel of three prominent San Diego photographers
  
  
• Final round: Abe Ordover, owner of The Ordover Gallery
  
  
• Prizes:
• Grand Prize: $1,000
• First Place: $500
• Second Place: $250
• Third Place: $150
• Six Honorable Mentions: $100 each
• People's Choice Award: $100

Sales/Advertising/Publicity

• All artwork in juried show will be for sale.
  
  
• The photographers will set the price for their work (50% of each sale goes to the artist).
  
  
• A portion of sales will benefit the San Diego Natural History Museum.
  
  
• Some of the selected images will be highlighted in the promotion of the show. Submission to the show grants permission for your images to be used to promote and advertise the Best of Nature Photography Show sponsored by The Ordover Gallery and the San Diego Natural History Museum.
  
  

For questions re: registration and payment, please call Customer Service at 877.946.7797.

For questions regarding submission guidelines, please contact The Ordover Gallery.