Discovering the beauty and diversity of nature, and capturing and sharing priceless moments: these are the aims of the 8th "Digiscoper of the Year" competition, which was announced June 2 by SWAROVSKI OPTIK.

For the first time, the competition has four specific themed categories - including video - making it possible for entrants to submit a wider variety of subjects and settings for the competition. A jury of top-class experts will select the winners. The first prize is a full set of SWAROVSKI OPTIK digiscoping equipment. All digiscoping fans are invited to cast their vote for a winner each month via the SWAROVSKI OPTIK Facebook page. The competition begins on June 3, 2013 and the closing date for entries is September 30, 2013.

Time and again the variety and uniqueness of nature fascinate and inspire: worldwide there are more than 4,500 types of mammals and over 9,900 species of birds, and each species is unique in its appearance and behavior. As this diversity is discovered and explored fresh questions constantly arise, and nature throws up ever more riddles. But however different the answers may be, amazement at the secrets and beauty of nature will always be a part of the answers.

Fascination with digiscoping
Digiscoping - taking photographs through a spotting scope - is a way of discovering and preserving nature, in particular the multiplicity of species on earth. In the context of the competition, SWAROVSKI OPTIK defines digiscoping pictures and digiscoping videos as digital pictures and videos of animals in their natural habitat, taken with a digital camera through the eyepiece of a spotting scope.

Four categories and videos for even more diversity
In order to be able to include even more subjects and photo opportunities in the competition, this year, for the first time, there are four categories: "Behavior and action," "Portrait," "Mammals," and "Videos." The winning photos in each of these categories will be chosen by a jury of the relevant experts.

Unique prizes for unique pictures
SWAROVSKI OPTIK will publish the best 15 of all the pictures submitted and the best 5 videos, with the names of the competitors, on www.digiscoperoftheyear.com One winner will be named per category. From these four category winners, one overall winner will be given the title "Digiscoper of the Year 2013". The first prize is a complete set of SWAROVSKI OPTIK digiscoping equipment (ATX or STX eyepiece modules of choice, digiscoping adapter, spotting scope rail, tripod, and tripod head) - for even more pleasure in discovering when digiscoping. The other three category winners will each receive a pair of SWAROVSKI OPTIK EL 32 binoculars.

"Digiscoper of the Year" on Facebook.
SWAROVSKI OPTIK will select 15 pictures from all the photos submitted each month and publish them on www.facebook.com/swarovskioptik. All digiscoping fans are invited to choose the three pictures they like the most (based on the number of Likes). The most popular video each month will also be chosen on Facebook. The three most popular pictures and the most popular video each month will each receive a valuable SWAROVSKI OPTIK fleece jacket.

What you need to know to take part
Digital and video cameras, smartphones of any kind, and any commercially available spotting scope and eyepiece may be used for the competition. Pictures may only be submitted by uploading the files on www.digiscoperoftheyear.com. Videos should be no more than 60 seconds long and should be supplied in a minimum quality of 720p, only via YouTube/Vimeo. Photos and videos that have been digitally manipulated are not allowed in the competition. However, retouching e.g. contrast, brightness, or sharpness, is allowed, but the original picture or video must be available in the unprocessed format.

Important deadlines
Closing date for submissions: September 30, 2013 (23:59:59 CEST) Judging phase: October 1, 2013 until October 21, 2013 (23:59:59 CEST) Announcement of the winners: December 2013
Birdwatch Magazine (UK), the Bavarian Society for the Protection of Birds (Germany), and the Dutch Birding Association (Netherlands) are partners of the competition.

SWAROVSKI OPTIK
SWAROVSKI OPTIK, headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, is part of the Swarovski group of companies. Founded in 1949, the Austrian company specializes in the development and manufacturing of long-range optical instruments of the highest precision in the premium segment of the market. The binoculars, spotting scopes, rifle scopes, and optronic instruments are products of choice for demanding users. The company's success is based on its innovative strength, the quality and intrinsic value of its products and their functional and aesthetic design. The appreciation of nature is an essential part of its company philosophy and is reflected commendably in its environment-friendly production and its long-term commitment to selected nature conservation projects. The turnover in 2012 was 117.6 million euro (2011: 100 million euro) and the export ratio is 91%. The company has over 800 employees.

Information & contact details: Lydia Kalb Manager PR & Internal Communication SWAROVSKI OPTIK KG Daniel-Swarovski-Strasse 70, 6067 Absam, Austria T: +43 (0) 5223 / 511-6771 M: +43 (0) 664 / 625 68 93 lydia.kalb@swarovskioptik.at www.swarovskioptik.com