Smithsonian Magazine's 6th Annual Photo Contest

For the past five years, Smithsonian editors have judged a total of 72,000 photographs from more than 90 countries around the globe. As they enter their sixth year, they have a clear sense of what makes a photograph a Smithsonian winner. Technical quality, clarity and composition are all important, but so too is a flair for the unexpected and the ability to capture the right moment.

Contestants can enter photographs in five categories, The Natural World, Americana, Altered Images, Travel and People that represent subjects of special interest to the magazine. Fifty finalists will be selected, ten for each of the five categories. Smithsonian will notify the 50 finalists by February 28, 2009. From these 50 finalists, five category winners and a grand prize winner will be selected. The entries of all finalists will be published on the magazine's Web site on March 2, 2009. At that time, readers can vote online for one readers' choice winner. The winning entries will be published in the print edition of Smithsonian magazine during summer 2009.

Category winners will be awarded . The readers' choice winner will be awarded . The grand prize winner will receive a four-day, three-night Smithsonian Journeys Grand Canyon Weekend Adventure for two from July 17-20, 2009, or the wholesale cash equivalent.

On a weekly basis beginning in August, Smithsonian judges will post the best of the incoming entries in an ongoing photo gallery, Picture This, on our Web site. You can click here to enter the contest.