Photo Salon

The purpose of this salon and competition is to encourage both new and experienced cave photographers. We will accept entries that depict any aspect of caving, cave science or mine exploration. Submissions from both established and new photographers are invited. During the judging process consideration will be given to artistic, technical and aesthetic qualities. A prize will be awarded to the overall winner in each category and, in addition, Merit and Distinction awards will highlight examples of praiseworthy entries. 

In 2024 there will be additional prizes allocated to Young Photographers (age 21 or under). Just enter the competition as normal, but indicate on the entry form that you are a Young Photographer.

Enquiries to photo-salon@hidden.earth

Details & How to Enter

Video Salon

Video is becoming the medium of choice for many more cavers to record their adventures and the underground environment. There is a need (as with photographs), for entries to be exhibited and where appropriate, entered into a more analytical competition. The salon is an opportunity for film-makers, from novice to advanced, to have their work seen and for videos at all levels, low to high budget, small to large production, to have a platform and be appreciated by an informed audience.

For enquiries, please contact video-salon@hidden.earth

Art Salon

The competition is open to all artists who produce artwork relating to cave or mine exploration and to sites underground. Pure photography and digitally-based art is excluded as there is a separate salon for this. Entries will be judged by a panel of three judges. In addition to paintings, drawings, and artists' prints, we like to receive a wide range of work in a wide variety of media, such as sculpture, pottery, rugs, embroidery, stained glass, and modern conceptual work.

Large-scale work is welcome and sculpture that is bigger than table-top is acceptable, if you supply a plinth. Work should be 'dressed' for display: paintings should be framed; unframed canvases should have tidy sides with no staples showing. Cartoons should be mounted on card and not just bits of paper. Framed pictures must have rings on the back to permit string to be used in the hanging of the exhibition.

Enquiries to art-salon@hidden.earth

Survey Salon

The purpose of this salon and competition is to promote cave surveying and provide the opportunity for clubs or individuals to display their survey works. As well as displaying drawn surveys, other surveying-related material may be displayed as part of the salon and competition. This could include, for example, 3D models of caves.

If you have any questions, please email survey-salon@hidden.earth