Photographers have until 31 October to enter the 13th edition of Naturajazz, Tenerife’s International Jazz and Nature Photography Festival.
Organised by the Island Council’s Museums and Centres Organisation (OAMC), the competition brings together nature photography and live jazz performances at the Museum of Nature and Archaeology (MUNA) in Santa Cruz.
Both professional and amateur photographers are welcome, regardless of nationality, provided they are aged 18 or over. The deadline for submitting an initial project proposal is 10pm GMT on 31 October 2026.
Entries must be submitted through the official Naturajazz website, where the full competition rules are available.
Twelve photography projects will be selected
The organisers will choose 12 projects for the 2026 festival, split equally between photography from the Canary Islands and the rest of the world.
Each group of six will include four terrestrial photography projects and two underwater projects.
Applicants must submit a selection of 20 representative photographs from a larger project containing 100 images. Only one proposal is permitted per person.
The subject matter must focus on wildlife and natural landscapes. Photographs of animals in captivity, pets or livestock are not accepted, nor are images of environments created or altered by people. For underwater photography, humans may appear only as a point of reference.
A selection committee made up of OAMC scientific and technical staff, along with experienced nature photographers and environmental communicators, will assess the entries.
Technical quality, visual appeal, originality and educational value will all count. Particular importance is placed on how effectively each project communicates ideas about biodiversity, conservation, landscapes and scientific knowledge.
Rules on artificial intelligence
The 2026 rules also spell out what photographers can and cannot do with AI tools.
AI may be used to reduce image noise and improve photographs, but generative AI cannot be used to add, remove or alter elements that were not present in the original scene. Sensor dust spots are the exception.
The 12 selected photographers will then need to complete their projects by submitting the remaining 80 images, along with a short biography and a portrait. The deadline for the completed projects is 12 noon GMT on 10 November 2026.
Prize money up for grabs
There is a decent incentive to get involved.
The highest-scoring project will receive €4,000 before tax, while each of the other 11 selected projects will receive €800 before tax.
As part of accepting the award, the winning photographer will contribute four images to the OAMC’s image collections. Two images from each of the other selected projects will also be included. These collections are used for scientific and educational purposes, and the photographs will feature in Naturajazz festival projections.
José Carlos Acha, Tenerife’s Councillor for Culture, Museums and Sport, says the competition has attracted proposals from more than 30 countries. He sees it as a way to bring different perspectives on the natural world together and encourage people to take a greater interest in protecting it.
Naturajazz continues to combine photography, science and music, showcasing wildlife and landscapes from the Canary Islands and further afield alongside live performances by local and international jazz artists.