Theme: Through Our Eyes – Life, Land & Light in Western NSW” 

Capture the world as it’s seen and felt across country—through connection, celebration, resilience, and wonder.

Competition Information

Competition Starts: 1 July 2025

Competition Ends: 21 September 2025

Winners Announced: TBA.

Prizes and Awards Presented: The Miners Ghost Festival 

Note: Photos must have been taken after January 1st 2024.

Detailed Competition Rules of Entry

Category Rules

Heart of the Community: Places & Celebrations

Capture the spirit of local life.

From bustling markets and school fairs to quiet moments of connection—showcase what makes your town or region thrive. Entries might include community events, historical and cultural landmarks and gatherings of significance, local heroes, or tourists experiencing the area through fresh eyes.

Rules & Considerations:

• Entries must focus on people, places, events or gatherings that reflect community life in Western NSW.
• May include images of festivals, markets, local heroes, public spaces, or social interactions.
• Photos must be taken within Western NSW or its local government areas.

Earth Alive: Nature, Wildlife & Sustainability

Celebrate the beauty and resilience of the natural world.

This category invites images of native flora and fauna, environmental conservation efforts, sustainable farming practices, or the raw beauty of untamed landscapes. Think about the bush at night, a landscape to get lost in, an action shot that captures a moment, or the outcome of regeneration.

Rules & Considerations:

• Images should feature native flora or fauna, natural landscapes, or environmental efforts (e.g., conservation, regeneration).
• Animals must be in their natural habitat—no domestic or captive animals.
• Sustainable farming practices and environmental themes should relate to ecological health or awareness.

Minescapes: Industry in Harmony

Explore the relationship between mining and the environment.

Photos can show the contrast, coexistence, or connection between industrial activity and the land. Finding beauty in the unexpected, capturing historical scenes, land rehabilitation that shows the resilience and beauty in the industry. Think geology, patterns and the growth of nature within a harsh climate and environment – living and working together.  

Outback Pulse: Livestock, Dust & Daily Life

Step into the rugged rhythm of rural life.

Highlight the character and challenges of the outback—mustering cattle, working dogs, long hard work, open skies, machinery, trucks, people, cars and transport, or the gritty detail of station life. This is a tribute to those who live and work on the land.

Rules & Considerations:

• Content must relate to livestock, rural work, transport, or life on the land.
• Eligible subjects include cattle, sheep, farm machinery, working animals, fencing, and station workers.
• Should reflect authentic rural and outback living, not staged or studio shots.

Sunrise to Sunset: Rise, fall and delight of the elements 

Capture awe, wonder and amazement. 

Be open to the awe of nature at its best – capture a moment that occurs every day but always looks so different. Capture all conditions of wind, rain, earth, fire in of the rise and fall. Lean into the dark stary nights of landscape and skies that evokes stillness and peace – lose yourself when looking up and out.  

Rules & Considerations:

• Entries should depict natural light and elements (e.g. sky, wind, fire, rain, dust, sunrise/sunset).
• May include starry skies, dramatic weather, light play or atmospheric landscapes.
• Emphasis on mood, tone, and capturing the fleeting nature of elemental beauty.

Lens Unlimited: Semi-Pro Open Showcase

An open canvas.

This category is for semi-professional photographers to exhibit their best work—any theme, any style. From editorial-style portraits to high-drama landscapes, this is where technical skill and creative vision shine.

Rules & Considerations:

• Open only to semi-professional photographers, as defined under the competition rules of entry.
• Any subject matter or style is accepted, provided it was shot in Western NSW.
• Semi-professional entrants are not eligible for the People’s Choice category.
• Images must reflect technical competence and creative vision.

JUNIOR: Funny, Weird & Wonderful: There’s always something to smile about

Open eyes to humour, fun and difference.

An open canvas to explore strange and weird creatures, interesting things and people, funny moments. Find the unusual and surreal in people, places and things. Use your humour, make it meaningful, be creative, have fun. Capture signs, symbols and patterns in nature, a special event not often captured, or a big smile. It’s your choice, be creative.   

Rules & Considerations:

• Open to entrants aged 16 or under as of 21 September 2025.
• Must be entered in the junior’s own name and include date of birth.
• Submissions should focus on humour, unusual moments, strange beauty, or fun creativity.
• Judges will prioritise imagination, originality, and the ability to find joy or wonder in the everyday.

People’s Choice Award

Voted by the public.

• All accepted entries across the main and junior categories will be automatically entered into the People’s Choice Award.
• Winner is determined by public.
• Semi-professional category entries are not eligible for People’s Choice.