Enter the 27th Annual California Ocean and Coastal Amateur Photography Contest!

California is in many ways defined by its coast and ocean. This contest pays tribute to these special places, honors the diversity of wildlife they support, and celebrates access for all. Contest entry is free and open to all amateur photographers. For more information or questions about entries, contact Lauren.Dung@coastal.ca.gov.

Ready to participate? Here's what to do:

1. Read the Contest Rules and Guidelines.
2. Take pictures that feature any of the following subjects:
   
   The scenic coast and Pacific Ocean off California,
   
   People of the California coast,
   
   California ocean and coastal wildlife (native species)
3. Submit your photos before 5:00pm, September 30, 2026.

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Prizes

1st place winner will receive a $300 gift card to Mike’s Camera, a Klean Kanteen water bottle, a print of their winning photo, and Coastal Commission goodies.

2nd place winner will receive a $200 gift card to Mike’s Camera, a Klean Kanteen water bottle, a print of their winning photo, and Coastal Commission goodies.

3rd place winner will receive a $100 gift card to Mike’s Camera, a Klean Kanteen water bottle, a print of their winning photo, and Coastal Commission goodies.

As merited, several honorable mentions will also be selected. Honorable Mentions will receive a Klean Kanteen water bottle.

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2026 Contest Rules and Guidelines

1. An amateur photographer is defined as someone who earns less than 50 percent of their income from photography.
2. A maximum of five photos per entrant may be submitted. Please do not submit more than five different images. If more than five photos are received from a single entrant, only five will be selected for consideration.
3. Photographs must be taken from a public place.
4. Photographing Wildlife:
   The Marine Mammal Protection Act makes it a violation of federal law to interfere with the natural behavior of marine mammals. The National Marine Fisheries Service recommends that photographers stay at least 100 yards away from whales; 50 yards away from dolphins; 50 yards away from seals and sea lions when they are swimming, and 100 feet away when they are on land. In addition, sea otters are protected by the Endangered Species Act which also prohibits harassment or interference with their behavior, and photographers should stay 50 feet away from otters. Photographers entering this contest must abide by these guidelines and maintain a safe distance from marine mammals and should not depict violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, even if conducted by other people.
   
   Other animal species are sensitive to human interaction as well. NOAA Fisheries offers guidelines that should be adhered to when photographing wildlife. A general rule of thumb is to rely on telephoto lenses for close ups and always keep your distance – if an animal is looking at you, you are too close. Stop advancing and back up slowly.
5. Plants and animals depicted in photos should be native species in their natural setting. Examples of non-native species include iceplant, pampas grass, calla lilies, and tropical fish. Examples of non-natural settings include a fish tank or public aquarium. Photos from an aquarium or those not taken in California will be disqualified.
6. Photographs may be in color or black and white.
7. Post-processing limitations: Images may be post-processed but should retain realistic color and sharpness. This should generally be limited to global adjustments of exposure, contrast, burning, dodging, cropping, sharpening, noise reduction, and tone. Minor cleaning of images is permitted, including the removal of dust or scratches. Converting a color image to black and white is acceptable as long as the subject remains represented realistically.
   
   High Dynamic Range (HDR), panoramas, focus stacking, and other techniques involving multiple images taken at the same time and place are also allowed. However, adding, removing or relocating subjects in a scene is not allowed.
   
   Images must not be manipulated beyond the reality you saw when the photograph was taken. Images should accurately represent the subjects depicted and those that appear overly processed can be disqualified at the judges' discretion.
8. Original work: Photographs submitted must be the original work and exclusive property of the photographer.
9. Eligibility: Commissioners, staff, and staff family members of the California Coastal Commission are not eligible to participate in this contest.
10. If your photo is selected as a winner or honorable mention, you will be contacted and asked for the name, address, and phone number of any readily identifiable person in your photo. This information will be used by the Coastal Commission staff to obtain permission to publish their image. If when asked, you fail to provide the name, address and phone number of any readily identifiable person, the Coastal Commission reserves the right to disqualify your entry.
11. For rules on photo use and licensing, please see the complete Contest Terms and Conditions.

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Submit your photos

 

Galleries of Past Winners:

2025    |   2024    |   2023    |   2022    |   2021    |   2019    |   2018    |   2017    |   2016    |   2015    |   2014    |   2013    |   2012    |   2011    |   2010    |   2009    |   2008    |   2007    |   2006    |   2005    |   2004    |   2003    |   2002    |   2001    |   1999    |   1998

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