We invite all PAS members, ages 12 and older (as of the date of submission), to participate in our 2026 PAS Photography Contest.

Eligibility & Submission Rules

• Photographs must depict birdlife — containing at least one bird or identifiable bird part — and must accurately reflect what appeared in the viewfinder at the time of capture.
• Mobile phone photographs are allowed, including images captured via digiscoping.
• Entrants should use the RAW setting, if available, when capturing images on a mobile phone.
• AI-generated images are not eligible.
• Normal processing of the original file is acceptable.
• Photographs that have been digitally or otherwise altered beyond standard optimization will be disqualified.  Judges will determine whether any edits or alterations are significant enough to disqualify an entry.
• Entrants must be able to provide PAS with original image files (RAW, JPG, etc.) within the requested timeframe (generally within 7 days).
• All bird photographs must have been taken in San Diego County within the 2026 calendar year.

Judging Criteria

Judging will be conducted by photography experts appointed by PAS. Eligible photographs will be scored based on:

• Technical Quality – 33%
• Originality – 33%
• Artistic Merit – 34%

Prizes

• First Place — $100
• Second Place — $75
• Third Place — $50
• Fourth Place — $25

Submission Deadline

Entries must be submitted by 1:59 PM on October 15, 2026 to palomaraudubon@gmail.com.