Every year the Society of Biology runs an amateur photography competition for inspiring images which explore biology and the natural world. The theme for this year’s competition is ‘Home, habitat and shelter’ and entries will be accepted for the two categories – adult and under 18 – until 31st July.

To coincide with the launch of the competition, the Society will be holding a free exhibition of the shortlisted entries from 2012 and 2013, in the atrium of the Royal Institution from 17th March - 11th April.

This will be the 4th year that the competition has run, and the Society hopes that this year’s theme – Home, habitat and shelter – will inspire insight into the unique ways animals, plants and organisms exploit their environment in order to survive.

Photographs could focus on biological research – exploring why and how organisms survive in different environments. Or it could simply capture the beauty of an animal in its natural environment: a lion prowling the savannah or an orca whale content within the coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There are two categories for entering, each with a cash prize:

• Photographer of the Year (over 18) – top prize £1,000
• Young Photographer of the Year (under 18) – top prize £500

The Society would like to thank sponsor Eppendorf for support of the competition and the judging panel: Catherine Draycott (chair), Alex Hyde, Linda Pitkin and Tim Harris.

Details on eligibility and how to enter are available on our website. If you have any questions please contact Karen Patel.