Earth Through a Lens

Earth Through a Lens (ETAL), a tax-exempt non-profit organization, conducts public education concerning environmental sustainability through a public display of outstanding photographs of the natural environment and human impact on the environment. Now in its third year, finalists selected from the camera-based program will have their print photos exhibited from April-June at the Rancho Mirage Public Library and electronically at the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego.

Both high resolution camera-based images and cell phone images are accepted, with differences in entry fees, number of permissible images, and display plans. Photographers may submit camera images OR cell phone images, but not both. For camera images: up to 4 images may be uploaded. Entry fee is $35 for the initial image; additional images cost $10 each. For cell phone images: up to 3 images accepted at $10 per entry. Camera-based images selected by a jury of museum curators, photographers, and photo editors will be displayed for three months. The top three camera-based photos are published in Palm Springs Life magazine and awarded cash prizes of $1,000, $750, and $500. Cell phone images will be screened as a power point presentation on Earth Day at the ETAL award ceremony, with top 3 prize winners determined by popular vote and awarded cash prizes of $100-$300.

Requirements: Open to professional and amateur photographers living within North America. Submission of 1-4 jpg images for camera-based program or 1 image for cell phone program. Each finalist in the camera-based program must supply a finished print in a frame measuring between 20 x 30" and 24 x 36" at their own expense; framing and matting using acid-free materials will be provided by Earth Through a Lens at no added cost. A catalog will be produced including the photographer's description, brief biographical sketch, and contact information. Selected images are included in the catalog, on the webpage (protected using a watermark), and offered for sale to the public. Earth Through a Lens retains a 25% commission of the sale price.