NATURE OF SLOVAKIA – INTERNATIONAL PHOTO SALON is national contest of art photography, organized by NATURE OF SLOVAKIA from O.Z.Malá Lehota Biele More, Slovakia.

The contest is divided into the following sections:
Wildlife of Slovakia
Urban Wildlife of Slovakia
Birds of Slovakia
Animals of Slovakia
Flowers & Plants of Slovakia
Trees & Forests of Slovakia
Water & Landscape of Slovakia
Insects Butterflies of Slovakia
Reptiles & Amphibians of Slovakia
Macro Nature of Slovakia
Ecology Positive of Slovakia
Ecology Negative of Slovakia
Seasons of Slovakia
Protected Areas of Slovakia
Photographers of the World (open – nature theme)

Closing date: March 31 2026
Judging date: April 19 2026
Notification date: April 24 2026
Delivery date: Maj 14 2026
Gallery publish date: Maj 27 2026

Entry is free of charge. No entry fee required.

NATURE OF SLOVAKIA – INTERNATIONAL PHOTO SALON
Under the Patronage of IAAP (International Association of Art Photographers)
Theme and Mission
The international exhibition NATURE OF SLOVAKIA – International Photo Salon is dedicated to the beauty, diversity, and spirit of Slovak nature.
It celebrates the living world of forests, mountains, rivers, wildlife, and the light that shapes the Slovak landscape.

The main goal of the salon is to promote artistic and ethical nature photography and to inspire respect, understanding, and protection of nature through the visual language of photography.

Although photographs in Sections 1–14 must depict the territory of the Slovak Republic, nature itself knows no borders – birds migrate, fish travel between rivers, animals cross mountains, and the wind carries seeds of new life from afar.
Through this exhibition, we wish to share a part of Slovakia’s natural beauty, diversity, and environmental awareness with the world.

Section 15 – Photographers of the World is open to all photographers from any country.
The theme is nature in its broadest sense – landscapes, animals, plants, water, light, and ecology – with images taken anywhere in the world.
The purpose of this category is to unite photographers globally in a shared respect for nature and its visual poetry.

All photographs must comply with the IAAP definition of Nature Photography and follow the ethical standards for photographing wildlife and natural environments – without disturbance, manipulation, or harm to living beings and their habitats.

Sections

Photographs in Sections 1–14 must be taken exclusively within the territory of the Slovak Republic.
Only Section 15 – Photographers of the World is open to nature photographs from any location worldwide.

Each author may submit up to 3 photographs per section.

1 – Wildlife of Slovakia
Wild animals in their natural habitat – mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and other species.
Judging criteria: natural behavior, light, composition, authenticity, originality.

2 - Urban wildlife of Slovakia
Nature existing within or interacting with human-made environments – wildlife in cities and villages, green roofs, gardens, parks, trees, flowers, insects, ecological corridors, and the coexistence of humans and nature in both urban and rural areas. This category also serves as a testimony to the remarkable adaptability of nature – its ability to adjust and survive even in cities, villages, or industrial zones.
Judging criteria: originality, harmony of nature and architecture, composition, light, environmental message.

3 – Birds of Slovakia
The diversity of birdlife – in flight, at rest, or in natural interaction with their environment.
This category is dedicated to depicting birds in their natural surroundings, with emphasis on light, movement, behavior, and natural expression.
Judging will place strong emphasis on ethics and respect for nature, recognizing photographs created without disturbing or altering the birds’ natural behavior.
Images showing nesting birds or species sensitive to disturbance – those that might abandon their nests or eggs – will be scored lower, as such situations may cause unnecessary stress or harm to the birds.
The competition follows the ethical principles of IAAP, as well as the recommendations of FIAP, PSA, and GPU for responsible nature photography.

4 – Animals of Slovakia
Mammals and other species living in the wild on Slovak territory.
Judging criteria: authenticity, composition, light, emotion.

5 – Flowers and Plants of Slovakia
Wild flora – meadow and forest flowers, mushrooms, mosses, and other species.
Judging criteria: color, natural environment, light, botanical accuracy, aesthetics.

6 – Trees and Forests of Slovakia
Forests, trees, old growth, and woodland atmosphere under various light conditions.
Judging criteria: composition, mood, light, harmony.

7 – Water and Landscape of Slovakia
Rivers, lakes, waterfalls, mountains, valleys, and natural scenery.
Judging criteria: landscape story, light, composition, atmosphere.

8 – Insects and Butterflies of Slovakia
Macro photography of insects and butterflies in their natural environment.
Judging criteria: detail, sharpness, composition, light, respect for life.

9 – Reptiles and Amphibians of Slovakia
Photographed in the wild – manipulation or relocation of animals is strictly prohibited.
Judging criteria: biological authenticity, light, ethical approach.

10 – Macro Nature of Slovakia
Detailed close-ups of natural elements – drops, leaves, textures, stones, organic patterns.
Judging criteria: precision, balance, creative perception.

11 – Positive Ecology of Slovakia
Images showing positive environmental actions – conservation, clean environment, ecological projects.
Judging criteria: message, originality, optimism, environmental value.

12 – Negative Ecology of Slovakia
Images addressing environmental issues – pollution, waste, habitat destruction, climate change.
Judging criteria: visual impact, awareness, social responsibility.

13 – Seasons of Slovakia
Slovakia through the four seasons – winter, spring, summer, autumn.
Judging criteria: atmosphere, light, rhythm, seasonal transitions.

14 – Protected Areas of Slovakia (National Parks, Landscape Protected Areas – NP, CHKO)
Judging criteria: documentary value, composition, sensitivity, environmental context.

15 – Photographers of the World (Open – Nature Theme)
Open theme – nature, landscape, animals, water, light, environment.
The goal is to inspire photographers from all over the world to discover and appreciate nature through their art.

Calendar
Closing date: March 31 2026
Judging date: April 19 2026
Notification date: April 24 2026
Delivery date: Maj 14 2026
Gallery publish date: Maj 27 2026

Technical Requirements (IAAP 2024 Specifications)

Maximum 3 photographs per section

File format: JPEG (.jpg)

Color profile: sRGB

Dimensions: long side 1920 px, short side 1080 px

Maximum file size: 2 MB

File and Photo Title:
The system automatically assigns the file name based on the title entered during upload.
The title must be clear, concise, descriptive, and without special characters or accents (e.g., Bear in Morning Dew).
Recommendation: Since this is a nature photography contest, it is encouraged (though not mandatory) to include the Latin species name for animal photographs, followed by an additional descriptor if desired.
Each photograph must have a unique title and cannot be entered in multiple sections.

All photographs must be uploaded exclusively through the official IAAP online form:
? https://theiaap.com/e/slovakianature

IAAP Ethics and Standards

All participants must adhere to the IAAP Nature Photography Code of Ethics:

“The nature photographer must act with respect for life and the environment, must not disturb or harm wildlife or habitats, and should use photography to educate, inspire, and protect the natural world.”

IAAP Principle: Respect – Observe – Preserve.

Copyright and Responsibility

Participation is open to all photographers. However, the organizer reserves the right to reject works that do not comply with the rules.
All photographs must be original works created by the author (either digitally or on film).
By submitting, the author confirms authorship (pseudonyms are not allowed).

The author grants IAAP and the organizer the right to reproduce all or part of the material free of charge for publication and/or exhibition purposes, including online galleries.
Authors who forbid reproduction will not be eligible for awards or catalogue inclusion.

The photographer confirms ownership of copyright and, if underage, parental consent.
The organizer assumes no responsibility for copyright violations by third parties.
No name, title, or identification may appear on the image, mount, or border.

Voluntary Contributions

Participation is free of charge.
Voluntary contributions to support the ecological goals of the exhibition are welcome.

Beneficiary: Civic Association Malá Lehota Biele More
ICO: 53171489
Bank: Tatra banka
IBAN: SK33 1100 0000 0029 4713 8300
SWIFT/BIC: TATRSKBX
PayPal: [email protected]

Payment Reference: Voluntary Contribution – Nature of Slovakia

Participants may also support the association by donating 2% of their income tax to promote ecological and photographic activities.

If the project proves successful, the salon will become an annual tradition presenting the beauty of Slovak nature to the world.

Awards, Acceptances, and Titles

Each acceptance or award obtained in this salon will be counted toward the qualification points for IAAP distinctions and titles, as well as SFF national titles, in accordance with the official rules and guidelines of IAAP and SFF.

Organizer

Organizer: Ján Šranko – CHAMPION, IAAP
Event: Nature of Slovakia – International Photo Salon
Civic Association: Malá Lehota Biele More
ICO: 53171489
Website: https://najbudkaslovenska.sk

Email: [email protected]

Official IAAP Page: https://theiaap.com/e/slovakianature

Photographs must be in JPEG format, with dimensions 1920x1080 pixels at 300, JPEG compression (if Photoshop used for export): 7-12, file size maximum 4 Mb. Each image must have a unique title. Titles must not include file extensions such as .jpg or .jpeg (or any other camera capture filenames). No title or identification of the maker shall be written anywhere on the face of an image.
The photographs of participants with the application are submitted in these ways:
- uploading thought our website: https://theiaap.com/e/slovakianature/
- by e-mail: [email protected]

The judging will be done by remote online judging. All judges will be using equipment capable of displaying images at 100% of the image resolution. Judges will be using color calibrated equipment. Target Range will be max 30%.

• Tomas Hulik; Photographer, documentary filmmaker, zoologist, conservationist (Slovakia)
• Jozef Chavko; President of Raptor Protection of Slovakia, photographer (Slovakia)
• Michal Lucansky; President: Slovak Association of Wildlife Photographers (SAWP),(Slovakia)
• Vladimir Kampf; Journalist, photographer (Slovakia)
• Milan Veliky; AFIAP. Representative and member of the SFF Council for FIAP. (Slovakia)
• Erik Balaz – Slovak conservationist, producer and director of nature films, and writer. (Slovakia)
• Valerij Gabal; Wildlife photographer (Slovakia)
• Ivan Miksik; EFIAP/g, EPSA, ASČF,.APS, G.APS, A.CPE, Hon.CPE, ES.CPE. Photographer of nature, birds and animals (Czech republik)
•Radimir Siklienka, EFIAP/b, Slovak nature photographer (Slovakia)
• Ryszard Lomnicky, GM IAAP (Ireland)
• Ajar Setiadi; MPSA, BPSA, EFIAP/s, A.FPSI**, Hon. FWPAI, Hon. WPAI, GPU CR5, GPU VIP5, GPU Aphrodite, GAPU, FAPU, IIG/s4, I.APS/B, E.NPS, E.APG, JSP-E, SWPU/2, MWPU/b (Indonesia)
• Vladimir Jovanovski; M NPUM; MPSA; RISF5; GPU CR3 Hermes (North Macedonia)
• Karol Kaliský; AROLLA FILM. Wilderness documentary filmmaker, writer, photographer &conservationist (Slovakia)

The judges of the event will present the following awards:
15 x IAAP Gold E-Certificate, 15 x IAAP Silver E-Certificate, 14 x IAAP Bronze E-Certificate, 30 x IAAP Honorable Mention E-Certificate,
1 x NATIONAL Gold E-Certificate, 1 x NATIONAL Bronze Medal,
1 x SALON Silver E-Certificate,
NATURE OF SLOVAKIA GRAND PRIX – Best Author for the Protection of Nature,
NATURE OF SLOVAKIA GRAND PRIX – Best Nature Photographer of the Salon,
NATURE OF SLOVAKIA GRAND PRIX – Best Author Celebrating Slovak Nature,
SFF GOLD MEDAL – For Artistic Excellence,
SFF SILVER MEDAL – For Creativity and Harmony,
SFF BRONZE MEDAL – For Authentic Depiction of Nature,
Total 211 awards. The organizer reserves the right to adjust the number of awards based on the total number of entrants.

All entries shall conform to the stricter of these definitions for acceptances to be validated by all the international organizations granting recognition or patronage.

[IAAP Definition of Monochrome]
Black and white photography is an image that displays a range of shades from black to white, encompassing various tones of gray. Such an image focuses on the nuances of light, shadow, and contrast without incorporating any colors. If the entire image is toned in a single hue, it remains within the black and white category. However, if it is modified by partial toning or the addition of any color, it becomes a color work and no longer qualifies as a black and white photograph.


[IAAP Definition of Nature]
A nature photograph records all aspects of the natural world, both animate and inanimate. The primary subject of a nature photograph should be animals and elements of nature, though human and human-made elements are allowed as long as they do not dominate the scene. The image must convey the truth of the scene and be presented honestly, without unethical practices to manipulate the subject or setting. High technical standards are expected, and the photograph should look natural. Human activity or objects are permissible only if they are a necessary part of the nature story being told.


[IAAP Definition of Photojournalism]
A photojournalism photograph is an image that captures a moment or event in a way that tells a factual story, intended to inform and convey truth to the public. It should document real events, people, and places without staging or manipulation, ensuring the authenticity of the scene. The primary aim is to provide an accurate and unbiased representation of the subject matter, often related to news, social issues, cultural events, or significant moments in history. Ethical standards are crucial in photojournalism, prohibiting any alterations that could mislead the viewer or distort the reality of the captured moment.


[IAAP Definition of Travel]
A travel photograph captures the essence of a location, conveying the unique character and atmosphere of a place. It should reflect the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and distinctive features of the destination, providing viewers with a sense of the location identity and spirit. Travel photography encompasses a wide range of subjects, including landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes, architecture, people, and customs, all of which contribute to the overall experience of the destination. The primary goal is to transport viewers to the location through the image, allowing them to explore and appreciate the worlds diverse cultures and environments.

Notification cards will be sent by email.

Jan Sranko, CHAPMION C IAAP, EFIAP/b, MZSF
Malá Lehota, Slovakia

email: [email protected]
website: www.najbudkaslovenska.sk