Welcome to the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen! This internationally famous ensemble of garden arts and culture ranks among the most important historic gardens in Europe, a place where visitors can sense the courtly splendours of the Royal House of Hannover.

Here, various styles of garden art, antique sculpture and impressive water features bear witness to the imagination and skill of many artists and gardeners. Over three centuries the Herrenhausen Gardens have developed into a fascinating place to visit and this special award seeks to celebrate its beauty through garden photography.

Capture the beauty of Herrenhausen Gardens in this free to enter special award. Explore the various parts and features of the gardens and immerse yourself in the history and splendour of the landscape. Selected winners will feature in 2020 at the IGPOTY launch at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and feature in the Herrenhausen Gardens own exhibition and receive special prizes.

Prizes

First prize:

• Image published in IGPOTY Collection 13
• 1 x prize copy of IGPOTY Collection 13
• Signed individual certificate
• Your image exhibited at the 2020 IGPOTY launch exhibition at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
• Your image exhibited at the 2020 IGPOTY Herrenhausen exhibition
• Special prize from Herrenhausen: exclusive photographer's place on the cascade at the International Fireworks Competition and two annual tickets.

Second prize:

• Image published in IGPOTY Collection 13
• 1 x prize copy of IGPOTY Collection 13
• Signed individual certificate
• Your image exhibited at the 2020 IGPOTY launch exhibition at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
• Your image exhibited at the 2020 IGPOTY Herrenhausen exhibition
• Special prize from Herrenhausen: exclusive photo opportunity in the Großer Garten or Berggarten in the early morning hours and two annual passes.

Third prize:

• Image published in IGPOTY Collection 13
• 1 x prize copy of IGPOTY Collection 13
• Signed individual certificate
• Your image exhibited at the 2020 IGPOTY launch exhibition at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
• Your image exhibited at the 2020 IGPOTY Herrenhausen exhibition
• Special prize from Herrenhausen: exclusive photo opportunity in the Großer Garten or Berggarten in the early morning hours and two annual passes.

Runner(s) up:

Places 4th to 10th if awarded will be presented by Herrenhausen with: two annual passes each.

General rules:

• You may not submit watermarked images with your name or website visible on the photo. Please do not frame your images with borders.
• Entrants may submit a maximum of 4 images per single entry token and a maximum of 6 images per portfolio entry token.
• For free-to-enter competitions you should enter 1 image per token given, up to a maximum of 8 images (8 tokens).
• Entrants' images must be .jpg or .jpeg format and of high enough quality.
• We recommend all images are output to 1920px on their longest side at 72 ppi. Any larger than this and you are supplying images bigger than they will be seen or used by IGPOTY judges; your files will take longer to upload and/or download to judges and viewers’ screens.
• The absolute maximum for each image must not be more than 7MB in file size and no more than 3000px on their longest side.
• All entrants must be able to supply a high-res image (300 ppi) suitable for printing/exhibiting should the image be shortlisted. You may be asked for this when the time comes.

Full competition rules:

Please see the IGPOTY competition rules, which always prevail.

Category rules:

Only images captured at Herrenhausen Gardens are valid. Entrants cannot win the overall IGPOTY prize.

The award is free to enter. Adults only (18+) may enter. Normal admission fees apply. Herrenhausen Gardens employees are excluded from entry; volunteers are permitted to enter. Each entrant may upload a maximum of 8 images. For special prizes awarded by Herrenhausen Gardens the winner must be available/consent to contact using provided contact information. No alternative prizes may be given. Standard IGPOTY rules apply. Closing time for entries on the deadline date is midday (noon) GMT.

Online submissions