The Jury Panel
— The Jury Panel
JURY INDEPENDENCE
A Fair and Independent Judging Process
HOW WE DO IT
The Judging Process
01
02
03
04
OUR JURY
Meet the Judges
Κώστας Βιδάκης
Ο Κώστας Βιδάκης κατοικεί και εργάζεται στη Δράμα. Οι δασοπονικές του σπουδές τον ώθησαν να αξιοποιήσει τις φωτογραφικές του γνώσεις για τη μελέτη και αποτύπωση της φύσης. Καρπός της 30χρονης ενασχόλησής του με τη φωτογραφία είναι είκοσι φωτογραφικά λευκώματα-βιβλία και η διεύθυνση φωτογραφίας σε έξι ταινίες τεκμηρίωσης.
Η φωτογραφική του εμπειρία έχει αποτυπωθεί και σε αρκετές συμμετοχές σε βιβλία άλλων συγγραφέων και φορέων υλοποίησης έργων παρουσίασης οικοσυστημάτων και στοιχείων βιοποικιλότητας. Είναι μόνιμο στέλεχος του Τμήματος Φυσικού Περιβάλλοντος και Κλιματικής Ανθεκτικότητας (Δ.Π.Θ.) και μέλος της συντακτικής επιτροπής σε θέματα φωτογραφίας και αρθρογράφος της στήλης Δραμινή Φύση του περιοδικού Δίοδος 66100.
Μέλος του Δ.Σ. της ΑμΚΕ Κύκλωψ, είναι υπεύθυνος για την οργάνωση των περιοδικών εκθέσεων φωτογραφίας του Μουσείου Φωτογραφικών Μηχανών της Κύκλωψ στη Δράμα.
Ellie Rothnie
Ellie Rothnie is an internationally acclaimed wildlife photographer, tour leader, speaker and Canon Ambassador with an enduring love of bird and animal portraiture. Her work focuses on species in the UK, Europe, East Africa, Japan, and North and Central America. Using natural light, carefully composed backgrounds and foreground elements, Ellie creates elegant, timeless images that emphasise the character and presence of her subjects. One of Ellie’s ongoing projects centres on the charismatic Dalmatian pelican of Lake Kerkini. Through this work, she documents both the successes and the continuing challenges facing this fragile bird species.
Ellie’s profile within wildlife photography is reflected in her ambassadorial work, judging roles, speaking engagements and published media features. She is a Canon Ambassador for wildlife photography, recognised through Canon Europe’s professional ambassador programme. She is also a judge for a number of high- profile competitions including the British Wildlife Photography Awards and Travel Photographer of the Year, contributing expertise to a number of the UK’s leading international wildlife photography competitions. Ellie is a regular speaker and workshop leader at major photography events, including The Photography & Video Show and Global Birdfair.
Emil Enchev
I was born 1973. Ten years later photography become my hobby. During 1998 I’ve got my master’s degree in veterinary medicine and next 5 yers did work as a zoo doctor.
From 2004 I became full time professional nature photographer who organizes wildlife photography trips in Bulgaria. During winter of 2008 I visited lake Kerkini in Greece. So the next year the first Dalmatian pelicans trip was organized with great success. Lake Kerkini is a very beautiful area with great biodiversity. The Greek hospitality there is also big plus.
Nikos Petrou
Nikos G. Petrou is a well-known naturalist, nature photographer and author, working with nature and wildlife since the late 1980s. To date, he has published 18 books, in Greece and abroad, including field guides to the orchids of Greece and wildlife in Namibia and Botswana. He regularly contributes photographs to books and magazines and has published more than 80 articles on environmental issues. During these years he has also been involved in conservation: since 2009, he is continuously elected as President of the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature. Since 2025 he is also as President of the international Foundation for Environmental Education, with members in 82 countries.
CATEGORIES
Explore the four competition categories and discover the different ways photographers can interpret the unique ecosystem of Lake Kerkini.
Birds of Kerkini
Wildlife of the Wetland
Wetland Landscape
Human & Wetland
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can enter the competition?
The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers from around the world. Participants must be the sole copyright holders of all submitted photographs.
2. Can I submit photographs taken with a smartphone?
Yes. Photographs captured with any camera, including smartphones, are eligible, provided they meet the competition’s technical, ethical and quality requirements. Entries will be judged solely on their artistic and technical merit, regardless of the equipment used.
3. Is there an age limit?
Participants must be at least 18 years old. Photographers aged 18–25 are automatically eligible for the Young Photographer of the Year Award.
4. Why is the competition dedicated exclusively to Lake Kerkini?
The competition celebrates the exceptional biodiversity, landscapes and cultural heritage of Lake Kerkini National Park, one of Europe’s most important wetland ecosystems. Its mission is to promote conservation through photography and create an international visual archive of this unique protected area.
5. How many photographs may I submit?
Each participant may submit up to 10 photographs in total, distributed across one or more competition categories.
6. What categories can I enter?
Photographs may be submitted to one or more of the following categories:
- Birds of Kerkini
- Wildlife of the Wetland
- Wetland Landscape
- Human & Wetland
7. Where must the photographs be taken?
All submitted photographs must have been taken within Lake Kerkini National Park and its surrounding wetland ecosystem in Northern Greece.
8. Can I submit photographs taken in previous years?
Yes. There is no restriction on when a photograph was taken, provided it complies with all competition rules.
9. Can I submit the same photograph in multiple categories?
No. Each photograph may only be entered into one category.
10. Can I submit photographs that have won awards in other competitions?
Yes, unless otherwise specified in the Terms & Conditions.
11. What file format should I upload?
Photographs must be submitted as JPEG files. Shortlisted photographers may later be required to provide full-resolution JPEG files and RAW files for verification.
12. Can I edit my submission after submitting it?
Yes. You may edit your submission until the submission deadline.
13. What level of image editing is permitted?
Standard post-processing, including exposure, contrast, colour balance, sharpening and cropping, is permitted. Images must accurately represent the original scene. Please refer to the Terms & Conditions for the complete editing policy.
14. Are AI-generated images allowed?
No. Images generated entirely or partially using artificial intelligence are not eligible. The competition accepts only authentic photographs created by the entrant
15. How are the photographs judged?
Entries are evaluated by an international jury based on artistic quality, originality, technical excellence, storytelling, relevance to the selected category and ethical standards.
16. When will the winners be announced?
Shortlisted photographers will be announced in January 2027. Winners will be announced during the official Awards Ceremony on World Wetlands Day (2 February 2027).
17. What happens if my photograph is shortlisted?
Shortlisted photographers may be asked to provide high-resolution JPEG files, RAW files and additional information to verify the authenticity of their entries before the final judging.
18. Will shortlisted photographs be exhibited?
Selected shortlisted and awarded photographs may be included in the official exhibition and promoted through the competition’s exhibitions, publications, website and communication channels.
19. Do I keep the copyright to my photographs?
Yes. Photographers always retain full copyright of their images. By entering the competition, participants grant the organizer limited rights to use submitted photographs exclusively for purposes related to the competition, always with full photographer credit.
20. Can I participate again in future editions?
Absolutely. The Kerkini Photo Awards is an annual international photography competition, and photographers are welcome to participate in future editions.