The province of Toledo becomes the scene of a new photography contest dedicated entirely to plantsThis event is designed for those who enjoy exploring the countryside with a camera in hand. Under the title "Fascination with Plants," the Provincial Council invites participants to see the native flora with fresh eyes and capture it in all its splendor.
This competition is part of the activities of “Month of the Province of Toledo” It was created with the intention of bringing the botanical richness of the territory closer to the public, highlighting the importance of its conservation and, at the same time, offering a creative space to both amateur and professional photographers from all over Spain over the age of 14.
A competition to showcase the native flora of Toledo
The Provincial Council of Toledo, in collaboration with the Toledo Photographic Association (AFT)This first edition of "Fascination with Plants" is launched with a clear purpose: to promote the beauty, diversity and ecological value of the plant species native to the province.
The competition is part of the official events of the so-called Month of the Province of ToledoA commemorative program includes cultural, educational, and environmental awareness initiatives. In this context, photography is presented as a perfect tool to showcase how plants are an integral part of daily life, the landscape, and the identity of the region.
The organization of the competition falls to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs The provincial institution, led by Deputy Marina García, is promoting this initiative with the technical and artistic support of the Toledo Photographic Association. The combination of these two areas ensures an approach that prioritizes both environmental responsibility and the visual quality of the works.
With this call for entries, the Provincial Council not only seeks to obtain striking images, but also reinforce the message about the need to protect native flora, their habitats and the different uses that plants have in everyday life, from the agricultural landscape to the best preserved natural spaces.
Subject matter and type of photographs accepted
The theme of the competition focuses exclusively on the native plants of the province of ToledoThis includes everything from isolated specimens to large landscapes where vegetation plays a leading role, as well as close-ups and details such as leaves, flowers, fruits, thorns, or other plant structures that allow you to appreciate nuances and textures.
The snapshots must be taken in the natural environmentThat is, in rural, agricultural, forest, or natural environments where plants develop in their natural habitat. Photographs taken in urban parks, ornamental gardens, or rows of trees along streets and avenues are expressly excluded, as the objective is to focus on native ecosystems and landscapes.
Similarly, the rules make it clear that Images of mushrooms will not be accepted Nor other fungi, as they are not part of the central theme of the competition. The focus is on plants in the strict sense, whether approached from a documentary perspective or through a more conceptual or artistic lens.
Works may be submitted in either black and white as in colorprovided that the theme of Toledo's flora is respected and its beauty, ecological importance, and role in our daily lives are reflected. Creativity, visual language, and the ability to convey a message will be aspects valued by the jury, along with technical quality.
Who can participate and how many photos can be submitted
The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers who reside in Spain and are over 14 years old. This allows both people who are starting out in the world of photography and those with more experience to share their perspective on the plants of the province of Toledo.
Each participant will be able to submit a maximum of three photographs The images must be original and unpublished, meaning they have not been previously awarded a prize or used in other competitions or publications. The aim is to ensure that the submitted images are novel and were created specifically for this context.
The rules specify that the photos They cannot be performed with mobile phones.Therefore, it will be necessary to use digital or analog cameras (provided the final result is delivered in digital format) that offer the minimum required quality. This aims to maintain an appropriate technical standard for subsequent exhibition and distribution.
Furthermore, the use of Artificial Intelligence No digital manipulations that substantially alter the captured scene are allowed. Basic post-processing adjustments (such as exposure, contrast, or slight cropping) are permitted, but the image must reflect the reality of the moment the photograph was taken without adding non-existent elements.
Deadline, submission format and technical requirements
The deadline for submitting entries to the "Fascination with Plants" competition ends on April 30, 2026Until that date, photographs can be sent along with the necessary documentation following the instructions of the organization.
The submission process is entirely digital. Interested parties must group all images and documentation in a single compressed file (common formats such as .rar or .zip) and send it through the WeTransfer platform.
The compressed file must be sent to the email address provided by the Toledo Provincial Council for the management of the competition: viverotaxus@diputoledo.esThis channel will centralize all proposals and facilitate the work of the jury and the technical team in charge of receiving and classifying them.
The rules also state that the photographs must be named following a specific file formatThe file name should include the participant's first and last name, the image title, and the photograph number, all with the .jpg extension. For example: "First Name Last Name_Title_1.jpg". This avoids confusion and ensures clear identification of each work.
Cash prizes and public recognition
The "Fascination with Plants" photography contest includes three cash prizes for the best works selected by the jury. The winning photograph will receive 700 euros, the second-place winner 500 euros, and the third-place winner 300 euros, all accompanied by their corresponding certificates.
The jury, composed of representatives from the Provincial Council and the Toledo Photographic Association or other people linked to the field of image and the environment, will value both the technical quality of the photographs as well as their originality, composition, communicative capacity and suitability to the proposed theme.
Once the decision has been made, the ruling must be ratified by the provincial institution And, after its approval, it will be made public through the official channels of the Toledo Provincial Council and the AFT itself. In addition to direct communication with the winners, the information will be disseminated on their websites and social media.
Beyond the economic aspect, the organization emphasizes the importance of public recognition and dissemination of the selected images, which become part of a small sample of Toledo's natural heritage seen through different photographic perspectives.
Exhibition of works and associated activities
Among the added attractions of the competition is the possibility that a selection of the best submitted photographs It will be part of an exhibition promoted by the Toledo Provincial Council. This exhibition will allow the public to see the most outstanding images and reinforce the message about the value of native flora.
The organization envisions that this exhibition could be traveling through different spaces of the province, such as cultural centers, institutional buildings or other landmarks, so that people from different municipalities have the opportunity to enjoy the work of the participants.
In addition, an exhibition is planned to coincide with the International Fascination of Plants Daywhich takes place on May 17. On that date, the Taxus Educational Nursery will host a special exhibition with a selection of photographs from the competition, thus integrating the contest into a day of environmental awareness and outreach.
In this way, the images will not only compete for the awards, but could also become environmental education tools, showing visitors and schoolchildren the variety of shapes, colors and landscapes offered by the flora of the province of Toledo.
The combination of prizes, media coverage in institutions, and potential exhibitions makes this competition a An interesting opportunity for those who enjoy nature photography and they want to publicize their work beyond the usual circles.
The photography competition "Fascination with Plants," promoted by the Toledo Provincial Council and the Toledo Photographic Association, is thus configured as a proposal that unites art, territory and environmental awarenessWith a clear focus on native flora, guidelines that prioritize the authenticity of the images, and prizes and exhibitions that give visibility to the best works, the competition offers any amateur or professional residing in Spain the opportunity to look at the province with different eyes and, incidentally, contribute their bit to the enhancement of its natural heritage.