Photo Submissions for the YRE Competition fall under three categories; Single Reportage Photo, Environmental Campaign Photo and Photo Story (3-5 photographs). You can choose to submit in one, or multiple, categories as candidates may make up to one submission in each category.
Below you can find information about the requirements for the three categories.
For more information about the general requirements of the competition visit our National Competition page here!
When you are ready to submit come back to the bottom of the page and use the checklists provided to enable you to make the perfect photo submission!
The purpose of the Single Reportage Photo is to tell a story through a photograph that truthfully and accurately captures the reality of a situation, event, or issue. The photograph should be candid, i.e., not be posed or manipulated.
An environmental lens or perspective is required.
Format & Structure:
1. A single photograph must be submitted to the National Operator in.JPEG or PNG format with a resolution of no less than 150-300 DPI.
2. Must have a title of no more than 140 characters.
3. Must have a description of no more than 100 words and a caption of no more than 20 words OR only a description of maximum 120 words in total.
4. The description and caption should explain the environmental link and/or solutions to the issue presented in the photograph.
5. Must be technically and artistically of good quality. This includes composition, lighting, color, sharpness, and subject.
Honest & Unbiased Reporting:
1. The photograph is a fair and truthful representation of reality and the subject and/or scene has not been significantly manipulated or altered. Editorial alterations to photos (e.g. color, contrast, definition, shadows, highlights, cropping, leveling. Photograph should address the historical, economic, social, and/or political implications of the chosen topic through an environmental lens.
2. The photograph and/or description should show the link between local and global events, issues, and/or phenomena.
3. The description and/or caption should include relevant and feasible solutions to environmental issues presented in the photo.
Remember: Even when citing sources, remember that this is not an academic essay, but a newspaper article. One of its characteristic features is the statements of competent persons, and therefore we recommend that you go to the persons in person or contact them by e-mail or telephone and get information directly from them. It will increase not only the dynamics of the article, but also its credibility.
Constructive and Well-Rounded Perspective:
1. Photograph should address the historical, economic, social, and/or political implications of the chosen topic through an environmental lens.
2. The photograph and/or description/caption should show the link between local and global events, issues, and/or phenomena.
3. The description and/or caption should include relevant and feasible solutions to environmental issues presented in the photo.
Originality & Independence:
1. The photograph is original in subject and/or scope. The photographer has picked a challenging and/or creative topic or has depicted a topic in a different and/or creative way.
2. The participant has engaged in fieldwork and conducted research for the photograph outside of their school grounds.
Dissemination:
1. A total of 5 points may be awarded for dissemination through the following channels:
2. Evidence of dissemination must be submitted with the video and published on Exposure below the video.
The purpose of the Environmental Campaign Photo is to raise awareness of an issue, promote certain values, and/or inspire positive action through a photograph. The photograph can be staged, and the subject can be posed with the intention of sending a message to the viewers.
An environmental lens or perspective is required.
Format & Structure:
1. A single photograph must be submitted to the National Operator in JPEG or PNG format with a resolution of no less than 150-300 DPI.
2. Must have a title of no more than 140 characters.
3. Description (only optional) of no more than 100 words.
4. The description should explain the environmental link and/or solutions to issues presented in the photograph.
5. Must be technically and artistically of good quality. This includes composition, lighting, color, sharpness, and subject.
Honest & Unbiased Reporting:
1. Editorial alterations to the photo (e.g. color, contrast, definition, shadows, highlights, cropping, leveling, etc.) are permissible, as long as these alternations do NOT alter the reality of the subject or object of the photo.
2. Minimal photoshopping is permissible, however, the original photo should be the original work of the student and cannot change the reality of the object.
3. Any quotes used must be from real and credible sources.
4. Facts, statistics, and scientific information must be supported by credible sources.
5. Sources used in the description and/or caption must be cited using footnotes and a ‘References’ list.
Remember: Even when citing sources, remember that this is not an academic essay, but a newspaper article. One of its characteristic features is the statements of competent persons, and therefore we recommend that you go to the persons in person or contact them by e-mail or telephone and get information directly from them. It will increase not only the dynamics of the article, but also its credibility.
Constructive and Well-Rounded Perspective:
1. Photograph should address the historical, economic, social, and/or political implications of the chosen topic through an environmental lens.
2. The photograph and/or description should show the link between local and global events, issues, and/or phenomena.
3. The description should include relevant and feasible solutions to environmental issues identified in the photo.
Originality & Independence:
1. The photograph is original in subject and/or scope. The photographer has picked a challenging and/or creative topic or has depicted a topic in a different and/or creative way.
2. The participant has engaged in fieldwork and conducted research for the photograph outside of their school grounds.
Dissemination:
1. A total of 5 points may be awarded for dissemination through the following channels:
2. Evidence of dissemination must be submitted with the video and published on Exposure below the video.
The purpose of a Photo Story (3-5 Photographs) is to tell a story through a series of photographs to help the viewer better understand environmental issues, events, or phenomena. Like photo reportage, a photo story aims to tell a truthful and accurate story through a series of candid photographs.
Format & Structure:
1. A maximum of 3 to 5 photographs must be submitted to the National Operator in .JPEG or .PNG format with a resolution of no less than 150-300 DPI.
2. Must have a title of no more than 140 characters.
3. Must have a description of no more than 100 words. Each photograph must have a caption of no more than 20 words.
4. The description and captions should explain the environmental link and/or solutions to the issues shown in the photos
5. Must be technically and artistically of good quality. This includes composition, lighting, color, sharpness, and subject.
Honest & Unbiased Reporting:
1. The photograph is a fair and truthful representation of reality and the subject and/or scene has not been manipulated or altered. Editorial alterations to photos (e.g. colour, contrast, definition, shadows, highlights, cropping, leveling, etc.) are permissible, as long as these alternations do NOT alter the reality of the subject or object of the photo.
2. Any quotes used must be from real and credible sources.
3. Facts, statistics, and scientific information must be supported by credible sources.
4. Sources used in the description and/or caption must be cited using footnotes and a ‘References’ list.
Remember: Even when citing sources, remember that this is not an academic essay, but a newspaper article. One of its characteristic features is the statements of competent persons, and therefore we recommend that you go to the persons in person or contact them by e-mail or telephone and get information directly from them. It will increase not only the dynamics of the article, but also its credibility.
Constructive and Well-Rounded Perspective:
1. Photographs should address the historical, economic, social, and/or political implications of the chosen topic through an environmental lens.
2. The photographs and/or descriptions/captions should show the link between local and global events, issues, and/or phenomena.
3. The description and/or captions should include relevant and feasible solutions to environmental issues presented in the photos.
Originality & Independence:
1. The photograph is original in subject and/or scope. The photographer has picked a challenging and/or creative topic or has depicted a topic in a different and/or creative way.
2. The participant has engaged in fieldwork and conducted research for the photo story outside of their school grounds.
Dissemination:
1. A total of 5 points may be awarded for dissemination through the
following channels:
2. Evidence of dissemination must be submitted with the video and published on Exposure below the video.
Legal matters are especially important in today’s media. It is your responsibility to be aware of the rules and regulations relating to media content (text, photos, and music) when you work on your submission. Any submissions that FEE finds to be of dubious legal standing will be ineligible to win the International Competition. If you have any doubts on this matter, please contact the National Operator in your country or the YRE International head office. Plagiarism, or using someone else’s ideas, words, images, videos, and/or music and representing it as your own original work, is a serious offense.
Therefore, it is very important that you properly cite any ideas, text, or other media that are not your own. You can cite your sources using footnotes, credit rolls for videos, or a bibliography. There are several online sources where you can check your written work, such as articles, for plagiarism. As previously stated in the criteria, all photos, articles, and videos should be your own original work, and in the case of videos, a minimum of 70 percent of the video should be your own video footage, images, etc. When reporting on issues and events, it is likely you will conduct additional research on your topic – and we encourage this! Just make sure that you can show where you found your information by citing it.
The National Press Photographers Association is a professional society that promotes the highest standards in visual journalism. They have created a Code of Ethics that is very relevant for YRE students who report through photography and videography in particular:https://nppa.org/node/5145
When conducting interviews or taking photographs of people, it is important to receive informed consent from your subject. Therefore, make sure to explain why you would like to interview or photograph them beforehand. You should explain what their interview or photo will be used for (National or International YRE Competition), and where you plan to share your final work.
1. Is your photo in .JPG or .PNG format?
2. Does it have a title?
3. Does it have a description of 120 words OR a description of 100 words with a caption of 20 words? (Make sure you don’t have too much text!)
4. Does your description explain the environmental connection of your photo?
5. Is it a good quality and artistic photo? (Make sure you’ve cropped it, straightened it and made any other SMALL changes so that it looks the best!)
6. Is your photography a truthful representation of reality? (Remember you shouldn’t manipulate or change the subject or scene.)
7. If you used any facts or statistics in your description, did you cite your sources in a ‘References’ list?
8. Does your photo address the historical, economic, social, and/or political implications of your topic through an environmental lens?
9. Does your photo show a link between local and global issues or events?
10. If your photo shows an environmental problem, do you share realistic solutions for it in your description?
11. Did you take your photo in a creative way that offers a new perspective on a certain topic?
12. Did you do any research or leave your school to take the photo?
13. Did you share your photo: a) Through your own social media channels? b) At your school? c) With your National Operator? d) With your local or national newspapers, radio stations or TV channels?
14. If you shared your photo, do you have evidence of this to give to your National Operator?
If you answered ‘YES’ to all the questions, then you’re ready to submit your work to
the YRE Competition!
Attach your finished work to an email titled "YRE Competition + Your name" and send it to yre@Cestint.org
1. Is your photo in .JPG or .PNG format?
2. Does it have a title?
3. If you have a description (not required, completely optional), does your description explain the environmental connection of your photo?
4. Is it a good quality and artistic photo?
5. If you edited or photoshopped your photo, is the reality of the subject still the same?(Don’t do too much photoshopping!)
6. If you used any facts or statistics in your description, did you cite your sources in a ‘References’ list?
7. Does your photo address the historical, economic, social, and/or political implications of your topic through an environmental lens?
8. Does your photo show a link between local and global issues or events?
9. If your photo shows an environmental problem, do you share realistic solutions for it in your description?
10. Did you take your photo in a creative way that offers a new perspective on a certain topic?
11. Did you do any research or leave your school to take the photo?
12. Did you share your photo: a) Through your own social media channels? b) At your school? c) With your National Operator? d) With your local or national newspapers, radio stations or TV channels?
13. If you shared your photo, do you have evidence of this to give to your National Operator?
If you answered ‘YES’ to all the questions, then you’re ready to submit your work to
the YRE Competition!
Attach your finished work to an email titled "YRE Competition + Your name" and send it to YRE@CeSTint.org!
1. Have you selected 3-5 photos in .JPG or .PNG format?
2. Do you have a title?
3. Do you have a description of 100 words? Does each photo have a caption of maximum 20 words?
4. Are your photos of good quality? (Make sure they’re straightened and cropped, if necessary!)
5. Are your photos accurate representations of reality?
6. If you used any facts or statistics in your description, did you cite your sources in a ‘References’ list?
7. Does your photo story address the historical, economic, social, and/or political implications of your topic through an environmental lens?
8. Does your photo story show a link between local and global issues or events?
9. If your photo story shows an environmental problem, do you share realistic solutions for it in your description?
10. Did you take the photos in your story in a creative way that offers a new perspective on a certain topic? (Remember that each photo should be unique and add something new to the story.)
11. Did you do any research or leave your school to take the photos?
12. Did you share your photo story: a) Through your own social media channels? b) At your school? c) With your National Operator? d) With your local or national newspapers, radio stations or TV channels?
13. If you shared your photo story, do you have evidence of this to give to your National Operator?
If you answered ‘YES’ to all the questions, then you’re ready to submit your work to
the YRE Competition!
Attach your finished work to an email titled "YRE Competition + Your name" and send it to YRE@CeSTint.org!
Disclaimer: Information on this page is originally from resources provided by YRE Global under Foundation for Environmental Education and their resources provided for the YRE International Competition. https://www.yre.global/yre-competition