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Global Symposium on Salt-affected Soils (GSAS21)

Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity

20-22 October 2021 | Time: 13.00-16.00 CEST

Photo contest on Salt-affected Soils
GSAS21
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTO!
WINNERS OF THE PHOTO CONTEST ON SALT-AFFECTED SOILS ANNOUNCED

With 366 likes and as many comments and shares, “Sodification with high RSC irrigation waters” by Ajay Bhardwaj, India (366 likes, 43 comments and 32 shares) took the first prize at the photo contest on soil salinization in a tie with “Demonstration of the internal impact of soil salinity” by Gideon Américo Muiambo, Mozambique (434 likes, 72 comments and 183 shares)*.  Bhardwaj’s photograph was taken in a wheat-growing area under sodic soil of Geong village, situated in the Kaithal district of Haryana, India. Muiambo’s photograph illustrates a saline soil in the coastal region where the mangrove grows and explores how salinity interferes with the normal growth of plants and their structure. Second and third prize were awarded to “Salt marsh at sunset” by Ernes Kurtveliev, Uzbekistan (146 likes, 1 comment, 12 shares) and “Soil surface sealing” by Julian Isasti, Argentina  (104 likes and 40 shares likes) respectively. All finalists produced fantastic photos, you can have a look at the photogallery (soon available)

*Please note that the number of likes for Ajay Bhardwaj and Gideon Américo Muiambo were the same at the time of the closure of the photo contest on soil salinization
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: 30 SEPTEMBER 2021

In the framework of the Global Symposium on Salt-Affected Soils (GSAS21), FAO and its Global Soil Partnership (GSP) is launching a Photo Contest on Salt-Affected Soils. Its purpose is to offer participants the opportunity to share their testimonies on the effects of soil salinity and sodification while raising awareness about the dangers posed by these soil threats. 

ABOUT THE CONTEST

The photos should focus on at least one of the below elements:

  • Provide examples of the key drivers of soil salinization and sodification;
  • Showcase the on-site and off-site impacts of salinization and sodification;
RULES FOR PARTICIPATION
  • Each participant can submit up to five entries by filling this Registration form. For any issues to access the google form, please download and fill this form and send it by email to [email protected].
  • If your entry exceeds the maximum allowed size, contestants are invited to use WeTransfer, Google Drive, Dropbox or any other free file transfer services.
  • Entrants must own the copyright and must have taken the photographs themselves. They may have been taken at any time prior to the contest launch.
  • Participants are welcome to post their photos on their social media accounts, using the hashtag #SoilSalinization #GSAS21. 

  • The FAO-GSP respects photographers/video-makers rights and does not claim copyright over photographs/videos submitted to this contest. The author retains full copyright in each entry. Whenever the photograph/video is published, the author will be credited.
  • Participation in the contest grants FAO-GSP unrestricted permission to use for the preparation of FAO material and FAO digital channels.
  • FAO-GSP does NOT own copyright and authors are free to use the photograph/video for other purposes at their choosing. 

  • Photographs must be submitted in .jpeg, .jpg, .png, .psd, .raw or .tiff format. Images should be submitted with the highest quality regarding file size, bit depth and resolution. Both colour and/or black and white images will be accepted.
  • Photographs should be accompanied by a short description (max 300 words)
  • The material must not violate or infringe tierce’s rights, including but not limited to trademark, privacy, publicity, or other intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright infringement.
  • The submission must not contain dates, text, brand names, logos and/or trademarks.
  • The submission must be in any of the following FAO official languages: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian. 

A Jury comprised of an independent group of 5 individuals with varying areas of expertise in photography, science, and scientific communications from the GSP Secretariat and the GSAS21 Organizing Committee will shortlist the Finalists based on the following criteria: (1) Creativity/Originality; (2) Informational Content; (3) Technical Proficiency; and (4) Artistic and Visual Impact. 

  • The first three prizes will respectively win a cash prize of USD 500, USD 300 and USD 200. 
  • Additional prizes will be awarded to the first 10 shortlisted finalists. They will receive soil related gadgets, an official certificate of recognition and will have their entries printed and exposed on the UN/FAO websites and social media channels, and on a special article featuring the winners of the contest.

Submit your entry
TIMELINE
  • Submission opens:  17 August 2021
  • Submission closes: 30 September 2021
  • Shortlisting of the best submissions: 15 October 2021
  • Selection of the winners: Voting phase during the symposium (20-22 October 2021)
  • Announcement of the winner: 22 October 2021