| Copyright | Entrants retain all ownership rights to their images submitted. IAFOR reserves the right to use any part of any images submitted for promotional purposes. |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Applicants must be younger than 31 years old on June 1st 2015 OR enrolled on a full time photography course on June 1st 2015 |
| Finish | 1 June 2015 |
| Entry fee | Free |
Finished
Theme: “Power”
Photography can have the power to manipulate memories, encourage thought and stimulate emotion, it also has the power to do these things across languages and cultures. The skilled photographer must hold power over their camera and manipulate the power dynamic between photographer and subject. Pointing a camera at someone can be seen as an act of power in itself. The study and analysis of different expressions of power can move from serious existential questions at the personal level to complex social and even political problems at a wider level. Photography can depict the powerful and those moments when they fall from power, but it can also expose the powerless to the world. The dynamics of power resulting from wealth and status make rich documentary subject as do the struggles for power among the disadvantaged and marginalized. Power is also exerted in issues of censorship and publishing — which photographs make the front pages and which cannot be published?
Prizes:
- FIRST PLACE
- £1,000 cash award
- Mentorship sessions from an experienced professional
- Exhibitions in the UK and Japan
- Invitation to an IAFOR conference in Asia, Europe or North America*
- Certificate of achievement
- SECOND AND THIRD PLACE
- Exhibitions in the UK and Japan
- Invitation to an IAFOR conference in Asia, Europe or North America*
- Certificate of achievement
Each applicant may submit 10 to 20 images related to the award theme, either in the form of a photo-essay or as a collection of single images.
Image requirements: jpg/jpeg format (medium to high quality); 300 dpi; 3000 pixels on the longest edge; no more than 10mb per image. An embedded ICC profile is needed. Adobe RGB or sRGB is recommended for colour images. Gamma 2.2 is recommended for black and white. No CMYK. The content of an image must not be altered or retouched beyond the accepted standards allowed by the industry. No borders, personal logos, embedded watermarks or other effects (such as HDR or selective coloring)
Online submission of digital photographs via the website.
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.