As part of the LIFE2RIVERS project, we are preparing a large photography exhibition titled “Bring Rivers Back to Life”, with which we aim to encourage people to treat rivers more responsibly. The exhibition seeks to showcase to the wider public the beauty of Slovenia’s rivers, their importance for nature conservation and human well‑being, and to highlight some misguided approaches to river management.
The exhibition will begin its tour of Slovenia at the Jakopič Promenade in Tivoli Park, Ljubljana. The venue allows for the display of 80 large-format photographs measuring 180 × 110 cm. The opening in Ljubljana will take place in January 2027, after which the exhibition will travel—on a smaller scale—to other locations across Slovenia. Because the entire concept of the exhibition is built around striking photography, we wish to present the very best work Slovenian photographers can offer.
We accept only photographs taken with digital cameras (photos taken with mobile phones will not be accepted). Both professional and amateur photographers with Slovenian citizenship may participate, including members of the LIFE2RIVERS project team, their collaborators, and family members.
Photographs must not be manipulated or processed using AI tools. Minor cropping, moderate sharpening, noise reduction, and colour/contrast adjustments are permitted. HDR, focus stacking, and photo stitching techniques are allowed only if the final image still appears natural. The jury will decide whether a photograph meets this criterion. Because the photographs will be displayed in very large format, they must be technically flawless and measure at least 4500 pixels on the long edge without digital upscaling. Individual files must not exceed 5 GB. All photographs must be taken within Slovenia. All submissions must be in landscape orientation and in a colour spectrum perceivable by the healthy human eye. Each author may submit up to 10 photographs, distributed across categories as they wish. A three‑member jury—Davorin Tome, Urša Koce, and Polona Pengal—will select the photographs. The jury’s decision is final.
Category 1: Rivers in all seasons Diversity of landscapes, habitats, river details above and below water, riverbanks, etc.
Category 2: Life in the river In the water, on the water, and along the water (plants, animals, and other organisms)
Category 3: People and rivers Use of water, river tourism, leisure activities on or by rivers, cultural significance of rivers, etc.
Photographs may be submitted until 30 September 2026. The file name must include the author’s first and last name, the category number, and a short title (e.g., First_Last_3_photo_title). Participants must also include a Word document listing the author’s name, contact email, and all submitted photographs with their file names. Each photograph must be accompanied by a short description—where and when it was taken and what it depicts.
Send the photographs and the Word document via a large‑file transfer service (SwissTransfer: https://www.swisstransfer.com/en) to info@life2rivers.si, subject line: “LIFE2RIVERS Photography Exhibition”.
You will be informed of the selection results by 18 November 2026. All authors who submit photographs will receive an invitation to the exhibition opening.
The participant must be the author of the photographs, with no ties to agencies or publishers. By submitting their photographs, the author agrees and confirms that the organiser or sponsor of the competition may use their work for the exhibition described above and for all promotional purposes related to it. If the author is a minor, consent must be provided by parents or legal guardians. Personal data submitted by participants will be collected and processed electronically. Participants agree that the organiser may use this data to identify authors and photographs and to send communications related to the exhibition invitation. The photographer’s name will always be displayed on or beneath the selected photograph.
A fee of €50 gross is offered for each selected photograph, payable on the basis of an invoice or copyright contract. We would be grateful if you allow us to use your photographs without payment. The project is non‑profit, and any funds saved will be used exclusively for promotional activities supporting river conservation and restoration. Please inform us of your decision regarding the honorarium when submitting your photographs.
All participants will receive an invitation to the exhibition opening.
With respect,
Organising Committee for the photography exhibition “Bring Rivers Back to Life” Coordinator: Špela Ambrožič Ergaver, National Institute of Biologyave “Vrnimo rekam življenje”
Koordinatorica: Špela Ambrožič Ergaver, Nacionalni inštitut za biologijo