| Copyright | All Participants retain any copyright they own in their Entries and grant the Promoter permission to use their entry for contest related promotion |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Open to individual Australian residents, 13+ |
| Finish | 31 December 2015 |
| Entry fee | Free |
FinishedThe 2015 Canon Light Awards will be run every month for 12 months (January – December). At the end of the 12 month period, The Promoter will invite the Winners of each month (first, second and third place) to participate in a grand promotion with an exciting Canon experience prize.
- Student category: only students of a minimum age of 13 up to a maximum age of 25 years who are currently enrolled in a recognised Australian secondary or tertiary institution can enter this category;
- Open category: Any Participant can enter this category.
Monthly prizes:
- First place: Canon 5D Mark III camera OR a Canon e-store voucher to the value of $4,000
- Second place: Canon e-store voucher to the value of $750
- Third place: Canon e-store voucher to the value of $300
Grand prize:
- The overall winner in each category for 2015 as judged by our Masters will win a once-in-a-lifetime luxury photo safari in Africa for them and a fellow photography-mad person.
Image requirements: JPG, TIFF or PNG format and be between 1MB – 5MB in size. Basic editing such as cropping and basic colour adjustment is permitted. Selective colour adjustment is not permitted. Other than cropping, removal of pixels is not permitted.
Judging criteria: creativity, technical execution and the Entry that best fits the relevant Brief. Online submission of digital photographs via the website. For this competition, you must use a Canon camera. It can be any type of camera, of any age, as long as it is an authentic Canon.
OFFICIAL 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 — 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.