2021 Africa in Focus Photo Contest Hosted by Wilderness Safaris & Olympus...

2021 Africa in Focus Photo Contest Hosted by Wilderness Safaris & Olympus Cameras

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Bethlehem, PA—To celebrate the 5th Africa in Focus photographic competition, Wilderness Safaris, in partnership with Olympus cameras, announced its judges.

Judges for the 2021 Africa in Focus photo contest are award-winning wildlife photographers Brooke Bartleson, Shannon Wild and Suzi Eszterhas; luxury travel maven Melissa Biggs Bradley; and Zimbabwean conservationist Moreangels Mbizah. Moreover, nonprofit Children in the Wilderness (CITW) is the beneficiary of the competition.

Brooke Bartleson will also join Wilderness Safaris on a Botswana safari; the safari will help further capture a time of renewed optimism for travel to Africa. “In addition to top wildlife photographer and Olympus Explorer Brooke Bartleson being one of our esteemed 2021 Africa in Focus judges, we’re also delighted to host her on a six-night safari to Botswana,” said Hadley Allen, Wilderness Safaris’ chief commercial officer.

“In her capacity as judge, Brooke is not only promoting photographic safaris to encourage the return of travel to Africa, but while in Botswana she will take the opportunity to further enhance our expert guides’ photography skills to the benefit of our guests’ photographic experiences.”

Africa in Focus Olympus-Wilderness-Safari-2
© Wilderness Safaris

As a focus of Bartleson’s safari, she will participate in the Botswana essential supplies distribution in Eretsha near Wilderness Safaris’ Vumbura Plains Camp. Since 2020, Wilderness Safaris Conservation Heroes Covid-relief program has assisted 60,000 people from 35 communities with more than 13,000 food parcels and provisions.

Akihiko Murata, COO of OM Digital Solutions Corporation, the manufacturer and seller of Olympus-branded equipment, added that OM Digital Solutions was proud to continue its partnership with Wilderness Safaris and its support of the annual photo competition. “As a pioneer of conservation tourism with a reputation for protecting and supporting local communities and biodiversity protection, Wilderness Safaris is providing a lasting impact for change; we’re thrilled to be a part of it,” Murata said.

2021 Africa in Focus Photo Competition

Entries for the 2021 Africa in Focus competition opened on September 1 and close on October 15, 2021. The organization will announce the winners on November 15. In addition, entries are not limited to Wilderness Safaris areas. Instead, photographers, guests, partners, travelers as well as Africa enthusiasts may submit their favorite images taken anywhere in Africa. At an entry fee of $25, each photographer can submit a maximum of five entries; more submissions will come at an additional cost.

The categories for submission are: African Wildlife; African Landscapes; People/Cultures & Communities of Africa; as well as Conserving Africa’s Wilderness.

“We are particularly delighted to introduce the Young Photographer award for photographers who are 18 and younger; given that nurturing future environmental heroes is a key focus area for us and our nonprofit partner, CITW”, added Allen.

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© Wilderness Safaris

Prizes for the Wilderness Safaris Photographer of the Year include an all-expense-paid eight-night safari for two people at a choice of three Wilderness Safaris Classic camps (Botswana, Namibia, Zambia or Zimbabwe). The top prize also comprises a private photographic guide; international flights to the destination country; as well as charter flights. That’s a total value of $22,000.

What’s more, all submitted photographs will join an online gallery on Wilderness Safaris’ website. The organization will also announce a short list from each category on October 30.

People’s Choice Competition

In addition, the People’s Choice Competition runs between November 1–10, 2021; it gives the public the opportunity to vote for their favorite image per category.

“As an Olympus Explorer and ambassador with an immense passion for wildlife, I am thrilled to work with Wilderness Safaris to help take its Africa in Focus competition to new heights; to drive more entries and ultimately help CITW further conservation education for children in rural communities. That’s something that really resonates with my desire to stretch my own field of vision,” said Bartleson.

“With all proceeds from the competition going to CITW to help facilitate sustainable conservation through leadership development and education of children in Africa, we are delighted to be working together with such a range of visionaries to help make our 2021 competition our best one yet, concluded Hadley.

“As CITW currently commemorates its milestone 20th year of operation, we hope the competition helps raise much-needed funds to drive its range of unique programs to continue making a positive impact in our partner communities.”

To enter Wilderness Safaris’ Africa in Focus photographic competition and view previous winners, click here.

OM Digital Solutions Corporation

OM Digital Solutions Corporation is a provider of digital imaging and audio solutions. After splitting from Olympus Corporation in 2021, OM Digital Solutions was newly formed to infuse its imaging heritage of 85 years into a new agile company. This includes Olympus Corp.’s technologies, products, services, as well as brand legacy –

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