Competition Topics
BIRDS
OTHER FAUNA
FLORA AND FUNGI
LANDSCAPE AND
NATURAL HABITATS
The Biodiversity Photography Contest has as main objective to promote the theme of biological natural heritage, namely the natural regions, the ecosystems, the habitats and the species of wild fauna and flora, through the selection and classification of photographs related to this theme. It also intends to promote nature photography and promote its growth and development, in addition to launching the debate and reflection of society on the need of knowing, promoting and conserving biodiversity.
Participants
The participation in the Contest is open to any Participant.
Jury
Paula da Silva
Paula Nunes da Silva is a forestry engineer born in Alijó, Portugal, in 1978. She graduated in Forestry Engineering from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro and holds a postgraduate degree in Geographic Information Systems. Since 2015, she has been a member of Quercus – the National Association for Nature Conservation, and assumed the presidency of the National Board in February 2020. Throughout her career, Paula has stood out in promoting environmental sustainability, with a special focus on valuing native forests and preserving biodiversity. She coordinates the ” Criar Bosques ” project, which aims to recover and enhance forest habitats.
In the field of environmental communication, Paula Nunes da Silva has been a constant presence in raising public awareness. She is the presenter of the program “Planeta Verde” on Porto Canal, where she addresses topics related to nature conservation and sustainable practices. Her voice is also present in “Minuto Verde,” a segment that raises awareness of environmental issues on the RTP program “Bom Dia Portugal.”
In addition to her work at Quercus, Paula Nunes da Silva has contributed to the dissemination of environmental issues through podcasts, such as “De Verde em Quando,” where she explores issues related to forests and sustainability, inviting experts and promoting dialogue about the future of the environment in Portugal.
Luís Quinta
Luís Quinta is a photographer and natural history filmmaker with over 35 years of experience, and is one of the leading names in nature photography in Portugal. He is a regular contributor to National Geographic Magazine and the author of over a thousand articles and reports published in the national and international press, with work in magazines such as GEO, Terre Sauvage and BBC Wildlife Magazine.
He is the author and co-author of several books and has developed training in nature photography and cinematography, in terrestrial and underwater environments. He was part of the “Dream Team” of the European project Wild Wonders of Europe, funded by National Geographic, and in 2004 he was honoured by the Portuguese Government for his contribution to underwater photography, being distinguished as one of the “New Heroes of the Sea”.
Winner of multiple national and international awards, his work is frequently used by universities and museums for scientific and educational purposes. He has participated in conferences and festivals in Portugal and abroad and has held numerous solo and group exhibitions.
His films have been shown on channels such as Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, ARTE (France and Germany), Netflix Europe and Apple TV. Among his natural history films, the following stand out: Arrábida – Da Serra ao Mar (2013), Almada – Entre o Rio e o Mar (2014) Reino Maravilhoso – Por Terras do Alvão e do Marão (2016), Mar da Minha Terra – Almada Atlântica (2020), Costa das Cegonhas – Retratos do Sudoeste (2021), Portugal’s Mountains of Wonders (Netflix Europe), Costa das Cegonhas (Apple TV).
His work reflects a deep dedication to the observation, preservation and dissemination of nature, both in Portugal and around the world.
Pedro Colaço do Rosário
Born in Vila Real, Pedro grew up in contact with Trás-os-Montes landscape, the origin of his deep connection to nature, culture and memory, and that is his central themes of work. He holds a Master’s degree in Arts – Creative Documentary from Rey Juan Carlos University (Madrid) and a degree in Art and Communication, specialized in Audiovisual and Photography, from the Porto Higher School of Arts. He has attended masterclasses with renowned filmmakers and photographers such as Philip Bloom, Nicolas Philibert and Heddy Honnigmann.
Since 2005, he has been a higher education lecturer at UTAD, in photography and audiovisual classes, and between 2008 and 2025 he coordinated the Photography Technician and Operator courses at the Murça Professional School. He also worked as a correspondent photographer for the LUSA Agency.
His photographic work has been published in various national media outlets (RTP, TVI24, Expresso, Jornal de Notícias, Diário de Notícias, among others) and in institutional projects of the Portuguese Red Cross, UNESCO and Avanca Cinema.
As a filmmaker and cinematographer, he has developed a filmography that explores territory, time, and collective memory, with highlights including projects such as Douro | Douro, Memória Futura | Rio Sabor, Elogio ao Território, Caretos | Podence, and Sombra de Pedra | Lamego.
His work has been presented in several national cultural places, including the Vila Real Theatre, the Vila Velha Museum, the Batalha Cinema, and the Sociedade Nacional de Belas Artes.
In his images, the territory emerges as a living character, and photography is understood as an act of listening and memory, revealing the poetry of reality where time and light intertwine.