| Copyright | The photographer grants the use of the images of the awarded reportage for the creation of an exhibition that will be shown during the Festival of Ethical Photography 2016. The organizers reserve the right of using the images of the awarded reportage for promotion of future edi-tions of the Festivals. The Festival will always note the credits of the photographer. All rights willremain to the photographer. |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Open to all photographers, worldwide. |
| Finish | 7 June 2016 |
| Entry fee | 10 Euros per project |
FinishedThe awards will give attention to works focusing on people and their social and cultural stories; public or private, minor or crucial, big human tragedies or petty daily stories, changes and immutability.
Sessions:
- Master Award: This section is open to all photographers, with no restriction of any kind. Reportages must consist of min 20 and max 40 images. The prize will be of 6,000 Euros gross cash.
- Spot Light Award: This section is open to all photographers who did not receive one of the following awards before the 1st of April 2016: World Press Photo, W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography, Pulitzer Prize, POYi Picture of the Year and World.Report Award, with exception for the multimedia category. Reportages must consist of min 20 and max 40 images. The photographers, who apply to this session, can also apply to the Master Award session. The prize will be of 3,000 Euros gross cash.
- Short Story Award: This section is open to all photographers, with no restriction of any kind. Reportages must consist of min 5 and max 10 images. The prize will be of 1,000 Euros gross cash.
- European Photographers Award | Spain 2016: Included for the first time this year, this section wants to focus its attention on the different nationalities of the European photographers. The 2016 edition opens to all Spanish photographers and is done in collaboration with PhotOn Festival of Valencia. Reportages must consist of min 20 and max 40 pictures. The prize will be of 500 Euros gross cash and a Fuji X-T1 (body only) and an exposition during the Festival of Ethical Photography in 2016 and during the PhotOn Festival 2017 in Valencia.
The participation is open to all photographers with no limits.
Reportages can either be in color or black&white, and will have to form a focused and meaningful story. The assessment of the jury will award the ability of the photographer to build a narrative and emotional story with a compelling series of images. Post-productionis allowed as long as nothing is added or removed to and
from the original RAW file. Image cropping is allowed. Any other kind of manipulation of the images will not be accepted.
Image requirements: .jpg with sized to shortest dimension at no more than 1,280
pixels and 72dpi with a compression degree of 10/12or 90/100. The recommended dimension is max 500 kb per picture. All the files needed to submit a project must be sent in a unique compressed archive in .zip, .rar or .7z format with maximum dimension of 25MB.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
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.
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.