--- HOW ARE PHOTOS ⚖️JUDGED ---
A jury of photographers, canyoneers, cavers or nature and photo enthusiasts is requested to evaluate the submitted photos according to a mix of their own personal criteria about beauty, technicality, creativity, impact, and innovation.
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For EACH CATEGORY (Caving / Canyoning), each Jury member picks the top 15 photos according to his/her criteria, scoring them with a 5 star rating.
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A RANKING list is elaborated with all jury votes sorting the photos by:
1) First the photo that most times has been picked as top 15 (total sum of jury picks)
2) First the photo with higher total score (total sum of jury scores)
3) First the photo that joined earlier the photo contest (to resolve possible ties)
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The first photo in the Ranking is declared #1 Best Photo.
The first photo in the Ranking sequence that is made by an amateur photographer is declared #1 Best Amateur Photo.
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--- IN EACH 📆ROUND ---
The Jury is composed by 3-8 members. The top 15 photos of the Ranking are declared ROUNDFINALISTS. They merit to be considered the best photos of the round and succeeded to pass to the annual FINALE. The declared ROUNDWINNERS have the admirable merit of having impressed the most the specific Jury of that Round.
 #1 Best Photo Caving: awarded $500
 #1 Best Amateur Photo Caving: awarded $300*
 #1 Best Photo Canyoning: awarded $500
 #1 Best Amateur Photo canyoning: awarded $300*
(*Amateur prize can add up to a maximum of $800 when Best Photo = Amateur )

--- IN THE ANNUAL ✨FINALE✨ ---
The 90 Finalists photos of the year are judged again by an extended Jury of 12-18 members. Being able to impress the most of such large Jury audience is really an amazing merit, that deserves the title of ‘PHOTO of the YEAR’
PHOTO of the YEAR: awarded up to $3000
AMATEUR PHOTO of the YEAR:awarded up to $2000*
(*Amateur prize can add up to a maximum of $5000 when Best Photo = Amateur )

--- FOR TRANSPARENCY ---
All Jury scores are made visible to all Jury members after the announcement of winners.