| Copyright | Copyright of the photos is retained by the photographer. Entrants must accept that any image submitted to the competition may be used by the CAP Association to enable the delivery of the prize through the CAP Association and for future publicity and marketing purposes for up to five years. |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Open to all photographers, worldwide. |
| Finish | 7 February 2019 |
| Entry fee | Free |
FinishedPrizes:
- The CAP Prize, the International Prize for Contemporary African Photography is awarded annually to five outstanding photographers.
- the prize consists of global exposure at major international photography exhibitions such as at the IAF Basel – Festival for Contemporary Art in Basel, Switzerland. In previous years the CAP Prize winners exhibition was on show at LagosPhoto Festival in Nigeria, at FIFCV Festival Internacional de Fotografia de Cabo Verde, Eyes On – European Month of Photography in Vienna, Austria or at the Bamako Encounters in Bamako, Mali, just to name a few. The five CAP Prize winners are annually invited to the main exhibition at the IAF Basel – Festival for Contemporary Art and spend one week in Basel. The laureates are invited to join the Edition POPCAP, an edition of limited fine art prints of the awarded series. A catalog documenting the five winners works is published in time for the award ceremony.
Photographs must have been taken in an African country or deal with a diaspora of an African country. The emphasis of the competition is on image sequences. Images must work together as a whole.
Enter your project between 10 and 25 images. Online submission of digital photographs via the website.
Image requirements: jpeg format. Your images must be in sRGB format and 100% quality. The minimum size of your images should be 2,500 pixels on the longer side. Square images should be greater than 2,500 pixels on both sides. The file size of each image should not exceed 5 MB.
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.
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.