The Delegation of the European Commission to Turkey has launched a photo competition entitled “Trees and Forests of Turkey”, as part of its 2007-2008 communication activities under the theme of “environment”. The competition is open to all Turkish and EU citizens who are over 18 years of age. The photographers are invited to submit their photos through this website by 23 June 2008, 17:00 (Turkish local time).

The competition is open to all amateur and professional photographers. Each can submit a maximum of three black and white and/or colour photos taken after 1 January 2007 in Turkey. The photos that are going to be submitted must have at least 300dpi resolution and the minimum length of the longer side of the photos should be 40cm. The submitted photos should not have previously received any awards or prizes and must not have been manipulated using Photoshop or any other similar programs or modified in a dark or an illuminated room.

The photos which pass the pre-selection stage will be uploaded here. Once your photo or photos are uploaded you will be able to receive votes from the public. The winners of the week, the month and the whole period will receive special prizes. You can monitor your ranking via this link. In addition, following the deadline of the competition, the photos will also be evaluated by a jury who will determine the winner of the competition as well as the first and second runner-up. The owners of these photos will be awarded cameras and lenses along with a one-year subscription to the National Geographic Turkey Magazine. Please click here for the details of these prizes.

On behalf of all entrants, a contribution will be made to the Turkey and Europe Forest which will be founded in Ankara and an e-certificate will be sent to them.

The competition is organised in partnership with National Geographic Turkey Magazine, and NTV Publications, with the support of Radio Mydonose.

The winners will be announced within two weeks following the deadline of the competition. After the competition, the winning photos as well as a selection of photos will be exhibited at the EU Information Centres in Istanbul and Ankara and later at the EU Info Relays throughout Turkey.