Each year we receive thousands of entries to the 吃瓜黑料 Photography Awards (APAs) that depict the beauty and behavior of birds around the world. But what does it take to stand out among the photographs? What are our judges looking for when deciding the winners of each competition? To find out, we spoke with conservation photographer and judge Morgan Heim on Instagram. We covered editing tips and ethical bird photography. Heim also shared what photographers should be thinking about when submitting photos for consideration for our various prizes, including our new Birds In Landscapes Prize. From smartphone photography advice to ideas for getting that creative shot, we touched on the various ways photographers can wow the judges with their photos. Read on for a curated version of the conversation, which has been edited for length and clarity, and then watch the entire interview at the end. And if you're feeling inspired to submit your photos and videos to the 2024 吃瓜黑料...