| Copyright | The copyright of the materials submitted for this competition remains with respective participants. However, each entrant grants the EEA and its partners the right to use the submitted materials in its environmental communication crediting the copyright owners. |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | open to citizens of the 33 EEA member countries and 6 West Balkan cooperating countries; 18+. |
| Finish | 15 August 2015 |
| Entry fee | Free |
Finished
To participate in ‘Picture2050 – Living well, within the limits of our planet’, you may choose to depict a personal or a generic story, consisting of three photographs, depicting your vision, interpretation or understanding of ‘living well, within the limits of our planet in 2050’ along the three objectives of the 7EAP:
- Natural capital
- Resource-efficient, low-carbon economy; and
- Human health and well-being.
The first photograph should depict your view of what nature brings to our society (or to you); the second one your view of a resource-efficient, low-carbon economy, and third one your view of the links between the environment and human health and well-being.
Prizes:
- 1st prize – EUR 2000
- 2nd prize – EUR 1500
- 3rd prize – EUR 1000
- Public Choice award and the Youth Prize – EUR 500 each
- All the finalists will be put forward for the Public Choice Award and may also feature in future digital and print material from the EEA and its European partners.
The announcement of the winners will be made in October 2015.
Image requirements: long side >2000px; up to 10 MB in file size.
Online submission of digital photographs via the website. One entrant may submit maximum five entries (an entry consists of a set of three pictures) in total in the competition.
Judging criteria:
- Relevance of your entry to the competition topic
- Creativity expressed
- Technical ability
- Persuasiveness of the entry
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 — Photography exhibition contests
Who can enter photography exhibition contests?
Most exhibition contests welcome photographers with cohesive bodies of work—emerging to mid-career artists. Some prioritize thematic series or conceptual depth; review curatorial guidelines to ensure your project aligns with the venue's vision.
Are exhibition contests free to enter?
Few are free; most charge $15–$50 per submission, with portfolio or series entries priced higher. Entry fees and early-bird discounts are listed in the Quick Facts section at the top of each contest page on PhotoCompete.
What prizes do exhibition contests offer?
Prizes emphasize physical or virtual presentation: gallery exhibition slots, group show inclusion, catalog features, press coverage, or artist talks. Cash awards are less common but may range $1,000–$5,000 for top honors.
How do I choose which exhibition contest to enter?
Match your series to the venue's curatorial focus and research past exhibitions for aesthetic alignment. Verify technical specs (print size, framing, digital format), review shipping or installation requirements, and carefully assess rights clauses—some exhibitions request display or promotional usage rights.