About the project

The photo contest of the Russian Geographical Society was first held in 2015. It immediately set out to become the largest Russian wildlife photography contest. In the first year, 25,000 participants sent about 200,000 pictures. And in eight years, the number of photos sent has increased to 700,000.

Any person can become a participant of the contest, regardless of place of residence, citizenship, and age.

The only condition is that the photographs must be taken in Russia.

Regulations on the competition
infographic photo
700
thousands
photos
infographic photo
9
contests
since 2015
infographic photo
150
thousands
participants
infographic photo
more
2.5
millions rubles
prize for each competition
Categories
01/11
Landscape
Pictures showing the greatness, diversity and beauty of the pristine nature of the country. Forests and fields, mountains and waterfalls, rivers and lakes, seas and oceans. Pictures full of grandeur and space, or small-scale ones, idyllic and pastoral, full of colors and emotions, or melancholy. The presence of urban elements in the shot is allowed only as an exception, as compositionally justified details, but not as the main subject of the picture.
More about categories
Landscape
Landscape
01
Wild animals
Wild animals
02
Faces of Russia
Faces of Russia
03
Elemental Magic
Elemental Magic
04
The most beautiful desktop wallpaper
The most beautiful desktop wallpaper
05
 Birds
Birds
06
Live Archive
Live Archive
07
Art of Wildlife (fine-art photography)
Art of Wildlife (fine-art photography)
08
Macroworld
Macroworld
09
Taken on a Smartphone
Taken on a Smartphone
10
Photo project
Photo project
11
The winner in each category will receive
250 000
rubles
The holders of the 2nd place and 3rd place will receive award certificates.
Special prizes
People’s Choice Award
RGS gift set
Special prizes
Reserved Russia
100,000 rubles
Special prizes
Shot on a Camera Trap
100,000 rubles
Special prizes
Special Prize from the RGS
going on one of the expeditions of the RGS
Special prizes
Natural Art Object
100,000 rubles
More about categories and prizes
Stages of the contest
01
Accepting submissions for the competition
18
January
2024
-
31
March
2024
02
Evaluating images
01
April
2024
-
21
April
2024
03
Determining the finalists
22
April
2024
-
12
May
2024
04
Voting for the People’s Choice Award
13
May
2024
-
26
May
2024
05
Jury meeting
01
June
2024
-
30
June
2024
06
The award ceremony
Date and format are announced separately
More about contest's stages
How to participate in the competition
How to participate in the competition
1
Register at photo.rgo.ru or log in with your existing login.
2
Go through authorization by sms-message.
3
Upload photos to the site. Maximum of 25 works.
4
In your personal cabinet, keep track of how your works are evaluated by experts, whether they make it to the semi-finals and finals.

We would like to remind you that anyone can take part in the contest, regardless of age or place of residence. The only condition is that all photos must be taken in Russia.

How we evaluate the work
We have tried to make the evaluation of participants' work as clear and transparent as possible
01
At the first stage, the photos are evaluated by the members of the Expert Committee - these are 18 professional, reputable photographers and photo editors.
Alexander Tyagny-Ryadno
Alexander Tyagny-Ryadno
Landscape and art photographer
Pavel Matveev
Pavel Matveev
Magomed Shapiev
Magomed Shapiev
Travel photographer from Dagestan with 10 years of experience. Sony Russia Ambassador, member of the Russian Explorers community.
Full composition of the Expert Committee
02
Each work receives ratings from at least three experts on a 5-point scale.
03
The works with the highest average score advance to the semi-finals.
04
From among the semi-finalists, 10 finalists in each nomination are selected at an in-person meeting of the Expert Commission. The experts do not know the authors of the works. This ensures impartiality of the assessment.
05
Based on the results of audience voting and the choice of partners, selected works receive special prizes.
06
Members of the Jury determine the winners in each category.
Заседание Экспертной комиссии конкурса
Заседание Экспертной комиссии конкурса 2
Заседание Экспертной комиссии конкурса 3
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Follow the progress of the competition in your personal account

In your personal account, you will be able to watch the progress of your work along the "roadmap" of the competition from the moment of uploading images to the announcement of the winners:

You will receive an electronic certificate of participation as soon as the first uploaded photo has been premoderated for compliance with the contest terms and conditions.
You will receive a notification and an electronic semi-finalist certificate if the reviewers score your work a 4+
You will receive an electronic finalist certificate as soon as the Expert Committee decides on the 10 best (in its opinion) photos in each category.
Photo album
"The Most Beautiful Country"
All finalists' works are published in a colorful photo album. The finalist receives the album free of charge. Any participant of the contest can purchase it at online store of the Russian Geographical Society.
Фотоальбом РГО

In addition, photos of finalists and winners are exhibited in Russia and around the world.

Participate
RGO Photo Album
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enter the contest?
It is necessary to register on the site of the photo contest and upload photos to your personal user account.
How many photos can I submit for the contest?
Each participant has the right to submit no more than 25 photos to the Photo Contest. There are no restrictions on the number of photos uploaded per category. Thus, if you wish, you can upload all 25 photos in one nomination or divide them among several nominations.
Where are my uploaded photos displayed?
In the user's personal account.
When will the finalists of the contest be known?
After the end of acceptance of works and their selection by the Expert Commission.
When will the works of the Photo Contest participants appear in the "Gallery" section?
After completion of the final selection of works by the Expert Committee.
How can I find out if my work has been accepted into the contest?
If the works are displayed in your personal cabinet, it means that they are safely uploaded to the site. Works that comply with the rules of the Photo Contest and the subject of the nominations will be accepted. Photos of pets (dogs, cats, etc.) will not be accepted.
Regulations
on the X Photo Contest of the Russian Geographical Society "The Most Beautiful Country" Read the regulations
Положение РГО
Read the regulations
How to contact us