Entries for the 1st Photography Contest of the Poços de Caldas Botanical Garden Foundation are free and remain open until October 21, 2026. Each participant may submit only one original photograph, taken inside the Foundation grounds and connected to the theme “Beauty, Interactions and Importance of the Poços de Caldas Botanical Garden.” The rules accept images made with a digital camera, a digitized analog camera, or a mobile device, as long as the file meets the technical requirements.
Who can enter the contest
Brazilian individuals and foreign nationals residing in Brazil may participate. The rules allow entrants aged 18 or older and also minors, provided they have express authorization from a parent or legal guardian. Participation is tied to visiting the Poços de Caldas Botanical Garden Foundation during the period established by the rules, and only photographs produced inside the Foundation will be evaluated.
Employees of the Poços de Caldas Botanical Garden Foundation, members of the organizing and judging committees, and their spouses, partners, or relatives by blood or affinity up to the second degree may not participate.
Entry: deadline, cost and required information
The entry period runs from August 21 to October 21, 2026. Entry is free and must be completed exclusively through the online form. The rules do not state a closing time on October 21, so it is better not to wait until the final minutes to submit.
During registration, entrants must provide the information requested by the organizers and details about the photograph. Items listed in the rules include full name, photograph title, date and location of the shot, equipment used, contact phone number, and an authorship declaration. A text of up to 400 characters explaining how the image relates to the contest theme is also required. The form annex also includes fields such as CPF, date of birth, email, and city/state.
Confirmation of receipt should be sent to the email address provided by the entrant within three business days. This confirmation does not mean the entry has already been approved, because the organizers will still review compliance with the rules.
Official form: https://forms.gle/r54pgTmNYSTCHBr9A
Technical requirements for the photograph
| Item | Rule requirement |
|---|---|
| Equipment | Digital camera, digitized analog camera, or mobile device |
| Format | JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg) or PNG (.png) |
| Color | Color or black and white |
| Minimum resolution | 2,560 x 2,048 pixels, at least 5 megapixels |
| DPI resolution | Between 72 and 300 dpi |
| File size | Maximum 10 MB |
| File name | Last surname and first-name initial, such as Martins_J |
Allowed adjustments and prohibited changes
Basic adjustments to brightness, contrast, saturation, cropping, and sharpness are allowed as long as they do not alter the original content of the photograph. The rules prohibit AI-generated images, adding or removing elements, composites or manipulations that change the reality of the scene, as well as watermarks, frames, signatures, logos, or other elements that identify the author.
Photographs obtained by disturbing, capturing, chasing, or intentionally feeding wildlife are also prohibited, as are images made by damaging plants, botanical collections, public property, or Foundation structures. The rules require unpublished images and explicitly state that they may not have been awarded or used in other photography contests. Organizers may request the original file to verify authorship or authenticity.
One photograph per entrant and rules for identifiable people
Each entrant may submit only one photograph. The same image cannot be entered by more than one person, and the rules state that the photograph cannot be replaced after the entry period closes.
If the image shows identifiable people, the entrant must attach the Personal Image Use Authorization form provided in Annex III of the rules. It must be signed by the person depicted or, if that person is under 18, by their legal guardian. Minor entrants must also submit the specific participation authorization in Annex IV.
How photographs will be judged
The judging committee will award 0 to 10 points for each of the five criteria below:
- Composition: organization of visual elements, balance, framing, and aesthetics.
- Creativity: originality of the approach and ability to present a distinctive perspective.
- Technical quality: lighting, focus, sharpness, exposure, and other technical characteristics.
- Promotion and appreciation of the FJBPC: ability to represent the importance, beauty, and institutional identity of the Foundation.
- Connection to the theme: how well the photograph fits the proposed theme.
The rules also state that images highlighting biodiversity, interaction between visitors and nature, environmental conservation, environmental education, and the Foundation's social and scientific relevance may receive higher scores.
Prizes, exhibition and use of the images
First, second, and third place will receive a trophy and an award certificate. The 10 highest-scoring photographs will be selected for a physical exhibition at the Botanical Garden Foundation for the planned 45-day period. All entrants whose registrations are approved will receive a digital participation certificate.
By entering, the participant grants the Foundation free, indefinite permission to use the photograph for institutional, cultural, scientific, and educational purposes, with author credit. The rules clarify that this permission does not transfer ownership of the copyright.
Schedule: note the conflicting result dates
The available official materials do not provide one consistent date for the final result. Section 11.1 of the rules mentions October 23, 2026. Annex I of the same PDF lists November 19, 2026. A City Hall news article published on September 21 says only that the result would be released at the end of October. Because these official references conflict, entrants should monitor the Foundation website, the Municipal Official Gazette, and institutional channels for any update.
| Stage | Date listed in Annex I of the rules |
|---|---|
| Rules published | August 21, 2026 |
| Entry period | August 21 to October 21, 2026 |
| Entry review and approval | October 22 to October 30, 2026 |
| Judging | November 3 to November 13, 2026 |
| Final result | November 19, 2026, according to Annex I, with conflicting dates elsewhere in the official materials |
| Awards ceremony and exhibition opening | November 28, 2026 |
| Exhibition | November 28, 2026 to January 13, 2027 |
Checklist before submitting
- Confirm that you meet the eligibility rules and are not covered by any exclusion in the notice.
- Select only one original photograph taken inside the Foundation and related to the theme.
- Check the file format, resolution, dpi, maximum size, and file-naming pattern.
- Avoid prohibited edits and use only the basic adjustments allowed.
- Prepare the explanatory text of up to 400 characters.
- Attach the required authorizations if identifiable people appear in the image or if the entrant is a minor.
- Submit the form by October 21 without relying on the final moments.
- Keep the confirmation email and monitor approval and schedule updates through official channels.
