| Copyright | By entering the 2009 Hasselblad Masters Competition, entrants grant Hasselblad the right to publish and use submitted photographs in print or electronic form to promote Hasselblad. Reproduction of entries will include photographer credit. Entrants agree that if they are selected as a winner, they grant Hasselblad the right to display their Masterbook images. |
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| Eligibility | Open to active professionals for more than three years and who are using large or medium format cameras, regardless of brand. The Up and Coming Category is open to all professional photographers, regardless of length of time in the business or camera format used. |
| Finish | 1 January 2009 |
| Entry fee | Free |
FinishedThe Hasselblad Masters Award is the most prestigious awards in the industry, each year celebrating the best in both established and rising photographic talent. Masters Awards are given in recognition of a photographer’s contribution to the art of photography and are judged on overall photographic ability, encompassing creativity, composition, conceptual strength, and technical skill. Past Masters include both renowned artists of international standing as well as promising newcomers in a wide range of fields and disciplines.
10 categories:
- Fine Art:
High-quality archival photographic prints of pictures that are created to fulfill the creative vision of an individual photographer. - Nature/Landscape:
Photographs of flora and fauna or of the forms found in nature or physical geographic locations. - Social/Wedding:
Photography that captures everyday life or scenes from common human behaviors, including photographs having to do with weddings, wedding ceremonies, or wedding receptions. - Portrait:
Photographs portraying the human form. Many forms including full body, “head and shoulders”, facial close-ups, and so on. - Fashion:
Photography that emphasizes clothes, applied make-up, perfume and the like or the models used to represent such items. - Editorial:
Photographs created expressly to illustrate a story or idea within the context of a magazine or newspaper. These are usually assigned by the magazine. Includes photojournalism. - Product:
Commissioned photographs created to show a physical product such as an automobile, a food course, or other concrete product or part thereof. Usually assigned by the manufacturer or its agency. - Architecture:
Photographs showing the physical forms of buildings or structures, both internal or external. - General
Any photographs that do not fall cleanly within one of the other categories or which demand special classification for some reason. - Up-and-Coming:
Photographs within any of the other categories created by photographers who have not been active professionals for more than three years and/or use gear other than large or medium format.
Prizes
Winners will be sponsored with Hasselblad camera equipment during a period of four months. Those Masters who do not own a Hasselblad H3D will receive a full H3D camera kit for use during the loan sponsorship period. Photographers who already own a H3D will receive Hasselblad equipment sponsorship covering other camera equipment of equivalent value. The period will be for use at the photographer’s discretion and to the creation of images for a special Masters Commemorative book to be published in 2009. All winners will be published on the Hasselblad global website, in Victor by Hasselblad magazine, and featured in Hasselblad advertising and promotion and in the special Masters Commemorative book.
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How to Enter and deadline
Fill in the required information, then click on the "Upload a Photo" link to submit photographs. Only JPG files smaller than five (5) MB will be accepted. Repeat the upload process for each photo entered.
Entrants must submit five (5) photos in at least one category. And can enter in all other categories as well, as long as you submit 5 images in each category. For the up and coming competiton only the up and coming category can be used.
Winners will be chosen based on the following criteria: (33%) originality of photograph, (33%) creativity, and (34%) photographic quality. Winners will be notified on or about january 31, 2009.
Official web site and online submit form: www.hasselblad.com/member/masters-2009.aspx
Frequently asked questions — Free photography contests
Who can enter free photography contests?
Most free contests welcome photographers worldwide, regardless of experience level or equipment. Many explicitly encourage students, hobbyists, and emerging creators—always verify age requirements or thematic restrictions on the official contest page.
Are free photography contests really free?
Yes—entry is $0 across the board. Some contests offer optional paid perks like expedited feedback or printed certificates, but submission, judging, and basic participation remain completely free. Fee status is confirmed in the Quick Facts section on each PhotoCompete listing.
What prizes do free photography contests offer?
Prizes vary widely: cash awards range $100–$5,000, while non-monetary rewards include online features, publication credits, mentorship sessions, exhibition inclusion, or gear donations. Even without cash, free contests offer valuable exposure and portfolio-building opportunities.
How do I choose which free contest to enter?
Prioritize contests whose theme or mission aligns with your work. Review past winners to gauge style preferences, confirm technical specs (resolution, file format), and read rights clauses carefully—even free contests may request usage rights for promotional purposes.
Frequently asked questions — International photography contests
Who can enter international photography contests?
Most international contests welcome photographers worldwide, regardless of nationality or experience level. Always verify eligibility on the official contest page—some restrict by age (18+), amateur/professional status, or thematic focus.
Are international photography contests free to enter?
Some are free; many charge $10–$50 per image, with early-bird discounts often available. Entry fees and deadline tiers are listed in the Quick Facts section at the top of each contest page on PhotoCompete.
What prizes do international photography contests offer?
Prizes range from cash awards ($500–$25,000) to gallery exhibitions, publication features, professional gear, and artist residencies. Prestigious awards like the Sony World Photography Awards or IPA carry significant industry recognition.
How do I choose which international contest to enter?
Align your strongest work with the contest theme and review past winners to gauge aesthetic preferences. Confirm technical specs (resolution, file format), check rights clauses carefully, and prioritize contests whose mission matches your artistic goals.