Photo: Spirit of the North by Jonathan Sau
Contest categories
Capture the Dark features nine categories that highlight different aspects of the nighttime environment, including flora and fauna, epic nightscapes, human activities, and even examples of quality outdoor lighting. We also have a Young Astrophotographers category for up-and-coming photographers.
Explore the categories below and review the examples to better understand the parameters of each.
An expert panel of judges will evaluate the photographs, selecting winners based on the category prompts and artistic merit.
Overall Winner prize package: The overall winner will receive a prize of a global promotion package across DarkSky platforms, a two-night stay at any Under Canvas DarkSky Approved location, and a one-year PhotoPills subscription.
People’s Choice Award prize package: The People’s Choice Award winner will receive a prize of a global promotion package, a Sky View Tent for immersive stargazing adventures, and a one-year PhotoPills subscription.
View contest judges
Nightscapes
Night reveals beauty, mystery, and adventure in ways daylight cannot. These photos capture the magic of darkness, from glowing auroras to expansive starlit skies above scenic locations and urban cityscapes.
Nightscape prize package
First place will receive a prize of a global promotion package, a two-night stay at any Under Canvas DarkSky Approved location, and a one-year PhotoPills subscription.
Photo credit: Tom Rae
Nighttime Adventures
Capture the thrum of adrenaline and the pull of the wild through scenes of shared grit: from the focused beams of headlamps on a midnight ascent to the wind-swept blur of a dark trail or the glowing embers of a campfire after a final ski run, these images celebrate the unbreakable bonds forged in the heart of the night.
Nighttime Adventure prize package
First place will receive a prize of a global promotion package, a Sky View Tent designed for adventures under the stars, Go pro camera and bag, and a one-year PhotoPills subscription.
Photo credit: Max Inwood
Creatures of the Night—Flora and Fauna
The night is alive with flora and fauna that thrive under the canopy of darkness. Creatures of the Night celebrates the rich biodiversity of nocturnal life—from glowing fireflies to flowers that bloom by moonlight—showcasing the importance of protecting nocturnal habitats around the world.
Creatures of the Night prize package
First place will receive a prize of a global promotion package, Oberwerk binoculars, and a one-year PhotoPills subscription.
Photo credit: Nicholas A Rouke
Deep Sky Observations
Distant nebulae, glowing planets, and swirling galaxies illustrate the vastness of the universe and the ongoing mission of scientific discovery. The Deep Sky Observation category is for those who use long focal lengths to capture deep sky objects and the wonders of space and time.
Deep Sky Observations prize package
First place will receive a prize of a global promotion package, and a one-year PhotoPills subscription.
Photo credit: Alpha Zhang
Quality Lighting and Design
This category highlights light fixtures and architectural designs that protect the night by following the Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting at Night. To be approved, photographs must show lighting that applies these principles in practice—meaning it is fully shielded, carefully targeted, low-level, and uses a warm color temperature.
Quality Lighting and Design prize package
First place will receive a prize of a global promotion package, a Lensbaby OMNI Creative Filter System, and a one-year PhotoPills subscription.
Photo credit: Ruoyu Li
The Impact of Light Pollution
Light pollution dims our connection to the night and disrupts the world around us. The Impact of Light Pollution category illustrates how artificial light negatively impacts nocturnal habitats, neighborhoods, communities, and our ability to see the stars.
Impact of Light Pollution prize package
First place will receive a prize of a global promotion package and a one-year PhotoPills subscription, and a pair of Oberwerk Binoculars.
Photo credit: Ambre de l'AIPe
International Dark Sky Places
Have you explored an official International Dark Sky Place? With over 266 certified locations around the world, we invite photographers to visit these dark sky sanctuaries and submit their best images. This category features photos taken in places committed to protecting the night.
(Only photographs taken in one of our certified International Dark Sky Places are eligible. Check out our map and find a Dark Sky Place near you.)
International Dark Sky Places prize package
First place will receive a prize of a global promotion package, a Celestron telescope, and a one-year PhotoPills subscription.
Photo credit: Katrina Brown
Mobile Nighttime Photography
You do not need professional equipment to capture a stunning view of the night sky or the nocturnal environment that surrounds you. This category celebrates images taken with mobile devices (cell phones and GoPros), proving that some of the best moments happen when we are simply paying attention.
(Only images captured with a cell phone or GoPro are permitted in the category. Images taken with a DSLR or mirrorless cameras are prohibited in this category.)
Mobile Nighttime Photography prize package
First place will receive a prize of a global promotion package, a MoveShootMove Nomad Phone Kit, and a one-year PhotoPills subscription.
Photo credit: Zhengjie Wu
Young Astrophotographers
Are you an up-and-coming astrophotographer or nighttime explorer? Our Youth Astrophotography category welcomes photographers 17 or younger to enter a special category—it’s a great opportunity to showcase your work, learn about the importance of dark skies, and grow your skills as the next great photographer.
Young Astrophotography prize package
First place will receive a prize of a global promotion package, a Celestron telescope to support the next generation of dark sky explorers, and a one-year PhotoPills subscription.
Photo credit: Haohan Sun
