| Copyright | You will retain all rights to any photograph you submit — including ownership if applicable — other than those rights licensed in the next sentence. By entering the contest, you hereby grant to Adventure Cycling Association (i) a nonexclusive, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free license to reproduce, distribute, publicly display and publicly perform the photographs you submit to Adventure Cycling, and (ii) the right to use your name, city, state and country of residence in promotions and other publications. |
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| Eligibility | Open to ALL photographers at least 18 years of age regardless of residence or citizenship, so long as the laws of their jurisdiction allow participation. |
| Finish | 31 December 2009 |
| Entry fee | Free |
FinishedAdventure Cycling invites you to enter your most stunning photos — highlighting the beauty, adventure, and inspiration of bicycle travel — in our 1st Annual Bicycle Travel Photo Contest.
We are looking for striking digital images that capture the spirit, wonder and adventure of bicycle touring and travel. These images can be taken anywhere in the world. Photos that focus on the scenery of an area must include some connection to or indication of bike travel. We are especially interested in images that showcase the wide range of bike-touring experiences: road and dirt riding, rural and urban settings, scenery, people, and the emotions.
Prize:
The winner’s image will be printed in the March 2010 issue of Adventure Cyclist magazine — reaching over 50,000 people worldwide.
The winner’s image will be featured on Adventure Cycling’s website, adventurecycling.org, which is visited by more than a million people annually.
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Photo captions must accompany all submissions, and should included the subject of the image, the location the image was taken, and the name of the photographer(s). Please clearly label all photos to assist judges in determining eligibility.
Each photo must be submitted electronically, by one (and only one) of the following two methods:
Via Flickr™ — If you have multiple photos to enter in the competition, please consider using this method to enter the contest. After logging in, upload your images using the mechanism provided. If you are not already a member of Adventure Cycling’s Contests group on Flickr™, join by clicking "Join this Group?" on the group’s homepage. Browse to the image you wish to submit for the contest, and use the "Send to Group" function to add your images to Adventure Cycling’s Photo Contest photo pool. Once added to the group, tag each photo with Adventure09. If you do not upload your photo to Adventure Cycling’s Contests group on Flickr™, or do not tag your photo with an appropriate tag, it will not be considered for the competition.
Via Email Submission Process — If you choose not to use Flickr™ to submit your image, you may email your photo to [email protected]. Send a low-resolution version of the image (72dpi) along with the subject of the image, the location the image was taken, and the name of the photographer(s). You will also need to be able to provide a print quality high-resolution version of the photo upon request, no less than 2250 pixels wide and no less than 3000 pixels tall, preferably at 300 dpi.
Official web site: http://www.adventurecycling.org/photocontest/
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.