SWAROVSKI OPTIK: Discovering the beauty and diversity of nature and capturing and sharing special moments: these are the aims of the eighth edition of the “Digiscoper of the Year” competition announced today by SWAROVSKI OPTIK.
For the first time, this competition has four categories dedicated to specific themes, including a category for videos. In this way, works with a wider variety of subjects and environments can be presented in the competition. The winners will be selected by a jury of highly prestigious experts. The first prize consists of a complete SWAROVSKI OPTIK digiscoping set. Every month, all digiscoping enthusiasts are invited to vote for their favorite works through the page SWAROVSKI OPTIK Facebook. The competition will start on June 3, 2013 and the deadline for submitting the works is September 30, 2013.
The variety and uniqueness of nature are often a source of fascination and inspiration: around the world there are over 4500 types of mammals and over 9900 species of birds and each of them has a unique and distinct appearance and behavior. As this diversity is revealed, new questions constantly arise and nature continues to submit new mysteries and curiosities to us. However different our answers to these questions may be, they will nevertheless reveal the great amazement we feel at the secrets and beauty of nature.
The fascination of digiscoping - Taking photographs through a telescope is a way of discovering and safeguarding nature and in particular the multiplicity of species that inhabit our planet.
For the purposes of its contest, the digiscoping images and videos admitted by SWAROVSKI OPTIK they must be in digital format and must portray animals in their natural habitat. They must also be taken or recorded with a digital photo / video camera through the eyepiece of a telescope. Four categories including one for video, for an even greater variety of images. To accommodate an even greater number of subjects and situations to be photographed, this year, for the first time, there are four categories: “Behavior and action”, “Portrait”, “Mammals” and “Video”. The winning photos in each of these categories will be selected by a panel of experts.
Special awards for special images
SWAROVSKI OPTIK will publish on the site www.digiscoperoftheyear.com . A winner will be nominated for each category. The overall winner of the competition will be elected from the four category winners, who will receive the award "Digiscoper of the Year 2013". The first prize consists of a complete digiscoping set SWAROVSKI OPTIK (ATX or STX telescope of your choice, digiscoping adapter, balanced base, tripod with relative head) which will allow the lucky winner to digiscoping in an even more enjoyable and engaging way. The other three category winners will each receive binoculars SWAROVSKI OPTIK EL 32.
“Digiscoper of the Year” on Facebook.
Every month, SWAROVSKI OPTIK will select 15 photos from all those sent during the month and publish them on the page www.facebook.com/swarovskioptik. All digiscoping enthusiasts are invited to vote for their three favorite images which will be selected based on the number of "I like it". The most voted video on Facebook will also be selected each month. Each month, the authors of the most voted video and the most voted photo for each of the three categories will each win a wonderful sweatshirt SWAROVSKI OPTIK.
Important information to participate
For the works to be presented in the competition it is possible to use video cameras, smartphones of any type and any telescope and eyepiece available on the market. The images must be sent only by uploading the corresponding files on the website www.digiscoperoftheyear.com. Videos must not exceed 60 seconds, must have a minimum quality of 720p and can only be sent through YouTube / Vimeo. No photos or videos that have been digitally manipulated are admitted to the competition. However, retouching (contrast, brightness, sharpness, etc.) is allowed but the original image or video must also be saved in the unprocessed format.
Important dates:
Deadline for submission of works: 30 September 2013 (23:59:59 Central Europe time zone)
Period of examination and evaluation of the works: from 1 to 21 October 2013 (23:59:59 Central Europe time zone)
Winners Announced: December 2013
The competition is organized in collaboration with the British Birdwatch magazine, the Bavarian Association for the Protection of Birds (LBV, Landesbund für Vogelschutz) and the Dutch Birding Association.
Photo caption: 2012 edition winner image: portrait of a cattle egret (bubulcus ibis) by Tara Tanaka. © Tara Tanaka
SWAROVSKI OPTIK is a company that is part of the Swarovski group and has its headquarters in Absam, Tyrol.
The Austrian company founded in 1949 has specialized in the development and production of very high precision optical instruments, positioning itself at the highest levels in the highest segment of this market. Binoculars, telescopes, rifle scopes and optoelectronic instruments are products sought after by the most demanding users. The success of our company is based on the innovative capacity, on the quality and valorisation of the products, as well as on the extraordinary design both on a functional and aesthetic level. The enhancement of nature is an essential component of the company philosophy and finds its maximum expression in a constant commitment in the context of projects for the protection of nature and in a production with a low environmental impact. In 2012, the turnover reached 117,6 million euros (2011: 100 million euros) with an export ratio of 91%. Over 800 employees work in the company.
The world belongs to those who know how to perceive beauty. Savor the moment! SEE THE UNSEEN.
SWAROVSKI OPTIK
Contact info:
Lydia Kalb
PR & Internal Communication Manager
SWAROVSKI OPTIK KG
Daniel-Swarovski-Strasse 70, 6067 Absam, Austria
T: +43 (0) 5223 / 511-6771
M: +43 (0) 664/625 68 93
[email protected]
www.swarovskioptik.com