Join the Photo Challenge: The Beauty of the Night

The night is full of life, if you look closely. Take part and capture a striking image that puts the natural world after sunset centre stage. Send in your photo by 14 September for the Photo Challenge “The Beauty of the Night.”

In a world that grows ever brighter, this contest highlights the importance of darkness. Every living being on Earth runs on a biological clock tied to the light–dark cycle. Artificial light at night can disrupt this rhythm, affecting health, behaviour, and biodiversity.

An ode to darkness

The Photo Challenge is an initiative of ARTIS and the BioClock Consortium. Together they want to make the value of true darkness visible and celebrate it. Photographers of all ages are invited to submit images that showcase nocturnal life: think night-active animals, insects, or flowers that bloom in the dark.

Note: We’re not looking for shots of city lights or illuminated buildings, but for images in which the natural night takes centre stage.

Exhibition

The best photos will be exhibited at ARTIS starting 25 October 2025. The show opens during “Night of the Night,” an annual event when the Netherlands dims its lights.

Prizes

• Grand Prize: An unforgettable overnight stay for four in the historic Huize Welgelegen in the heart of ARTIS. Enjoy exclusive after-hours access to the zoo and wake up to a generous breakfast in the garden.
• Second Prize: Artis Zoo annual membership for two!
• Third Prize: Two-book set: Practical Guide to Weather and Night Photography & Nightscapes.

How to enter

Read the full terms and submit your photo via Natuurfotografie Magazine:
https://www.natuurfotografie.nl/start-nieuwe-challenge/