Top 10 Photography Contests

Top 10 Photography Contests have been listed here that are happening all around the world where the participants are invited to show their real-reel skills in photography. The people passionate for photography from Children to Elders and from Amateurs to Professionals should know about the best photography contests so they can showcase their photography talent to the world. The best Photography is required in many fields of science, manufacturing, Business, Film, hobby, and mass communication. The Top 10 Photography Contests have been catalogued on this page with their given below aspects.

• Name of the contests
• Regional and Age Eligibility
• Complete details about reward
• Theme of the contests
• Application submission process etc

These photography contests mean a lot for the Professional and Amateur photographer and the prize amount of these photography competitions are enormous. The contest provides a great platform for the participant which helps them to make a bright career in photography and also provides a perfect exposure. 

Top 10 Photography Contests in a Row

The following is the list of top 10 photography contest in the world for the amateurs and the professional photographers in India where they can participate irrespective of their age and skills.

National Geographic Photo Contest
 

National Geographic Photo Contest is world’s best photography contest organised by National Geographic every year. The professional or amateur photographer from all over the world can participate in the competition. National Geographic Photo Contest started 30 years ago with an aim to promote and spread photography across the world. The contestant will have the chance to showcase their creativity in photography. The National Geographic Photo Contest is divided into the following categories. 

• People
• Place
• Nature

The candidates should be an adult in their respective country, and the candidates can submit their photograph online on the official website of National Geographic. The winner of the National Geographic Photo Contest will be rewarded as follow:

Nikon Photo Contest 

Nikon Photo Contest is one of the premier photography contests in the world. The contest was started in the year 1969 and conducted by Nikon Corporation International every year. The Nikon Photo Contest gives a golden chance to both professional and amateur photographer across the world to show and enhance their photography talent. The photographers can contest in any of the following categories under Nikon Photo Contest:

Nikon 100th Anniversary Award

• Theme- "Celebration."

Next Generation Award

• Theme- " Future"

The Open Award

• Theme- " Future"

The adult photographers are invited to participate in the contest by submitting their photograph on the official website of Nikon. The following prize will be provided to the winning contestant:

MIB National Photography Award

MIB National Photography Award is India’s national photography contest organised by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. The competition was started five years ago with an aim to promote Nation's Art, History, Life, Traditions, Culture, Development, Heritage, etc. with art and technique of photography and to encourage professional and amateur photographers from all part of India. Every year the MIB National Photography Award is based on contemporary topic and last year the theme of the contest was as following:

• For Professional Photographers- " Save Mother Earth"
• For Amateur Photographers- "Festivals of India "

Over 18 years of age Professional and Amateur photographer can participate in the MIB National Photography Award, and the participants have to submit their entry email and they can also send the print out of the photographs. The winner photographer will be rewarded as follow:

 Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest is one of the premier contests in the field of photography. The contest organised by Natural History Museum, London for the last 52 years. The contest invites the photograph that raises awareness of the beauty and fragility of the natural world. The photo entries must include the images of nature, wildlife, environment and their artistic interpretations. The contest is open to both adult professional and young amateur. Last year the competition was based on as the following:

For adult professional

• Earth's Diversity
• Earth’s Environment
• Earth’s Design
• Documentary
• Portfolio

For young amateur

• The entries must include images of nature, wildlife, environment, and/or their artistic interpretations.

The photographers may participate in the contest by entering their photograph on the official website. The winner contestant will be awarded as given below:

Reward for Adult Competition

• Best Single Image: 10,000 pounds, trophy and personalised certificate
• Best Portfolio: 7,500 pounds, medal, personalised certificate and a trip to London for attending Awards ceremony
• Photo Story Award: 2,500 pounds, medal, personalised certificate and a trip to London for attending Awards ceremony
• TIMElapse Special Award: 1,750 pounds, medal, personalised certificate and a trip to London for attending Awards ceremony
• Rising Star Portfolio Award 1,500 pounds, medal, personalised certificate and a trip to London for attending Awards ceremony
• Adult category winners: 1,250 pounds medal, personalised certificate and a trip to London for attending Awards ceremony
• Adult category finalists: Personalised Certificate and invite to attend Awards ceremony in London

Reward for Young Competition

• Best Single Image: 1000 pounds, trophy, personalised certificate and 2-day pass to Wild Screen Photography Festival
• WILD-I Special Award: 750 pounds, trip to London for attending the Awards ceremony, one year’s subscription to BBC Wildlife Magazine, Natural History Museum field assignment and one-day WPY Academy
• Young category winners: 500 pounds, medal, personalised certificate, trip to London for attending the Awards ceremony, One year’s subscription to BBC Wildlife Magazine, Natural History Museum field assignment and one-day WPY Academy
• Young category finalists: Certificate + invite to attend Awards ceremony in London, One year’s subscription to BBC Wildlife Magazine, Natural History Museum field assignment and one-day WPY Academy

British Life Photography Award

British Life Photography Award is a great platform for the photographer from all over the world. The photographers have the great chance every year to showcase their talent. The photographer seeks participation in British Life Photography Award will have to showcase contemporary and imaginative photographs that depict the essence and spirit of daily British life. British Life Photography Award conducted by BLPA every year. The photographers over 19 years old are eligible to participate in the contest. The photographers may take part in the competition by entering their photograph on the official website of British Life Photography Award. The winning contestant will be rewarded as follows in each category:

• Rural Life: Sony α6000 camera kit, ILCE6000YB
• Street Life: Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III, DSCRX100M3
• Urban Life: Sony Cyber-shot HX400, DSCHX400- Sony Cyber-shot HX400, DSCHX400
• Portraiture: Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III, DSCRX100M3
• Work in the Community: Sony α6000 camera kit, ILCE6000LB
• Brits on Holiday and at Leisure: Sony Cyber-shot HX90V Compact Camera
• British weather- Full-frame ILC body ILCE-7K
• Fashion and Popular Culture: Sony α6000 camera kit, ILCE6000LS
• Documentary Series and Photojournalist Award: Full-frame ILC body ILCE-7K RRP £1399
• Historic Britain: £500 prize fund
• Young British Life Photographer: Sony Cyber-shot DSCRX100M3 
  
  

CBRE Urban Photographer of the Year

CBRE Urban Photographer of the Year is one of the top photography contests in the world. The photography contest conducted by the Royal Photography and started in from the year 2007. The theme of the CBRE Urban Photographer of the Year 2016 was "Cities of Connections: People, Places, and Perspectives’’ which requires photographers to capture the beauty of cities at any time, be it inspiring, amusing or fascinating. CBRE Urban Photographer of the Year for both professional and amateur photographer. The participant should be aged between the following age group.

• Category 1: Age 13-15 years (Youth)
• Category 2: Young Person- Age 16-18 years (Student)
• Category 3: Age 19 and over

The Application process for participate in the CBRE Urban Photographer is entirely online, and the entries will be uploaded online on the official website of CBRE Urban Photographer of the Year. The winning participant will be awarded as under:

• Regional Winner- 3 prizes of approx. value US $2,500
• Youth Category 1 Winner- 1 prize of approx. value US $1,000
• Youth Category 2 Winner- 1 prize of approx. value US $1,000
• Mobile Winner- 1 prize of value US $1,000
• Hourly Prize Winners- 24 prizes of value US $250

CGAP Photo Contest

CGAP Photo Contest is one of the best photography contests in the world. 12 years ago CGAP has started the contest of photography and now the contest is being organised by World Bank in association with CGAP with a lot of changes. The CGAP Photo Contest provides a better platform to showcase photography talent to the professional and amateur photographers. Last year theme of the contest was following:

• Mobile money and innovations in digital finance
• Women's economic empowerment
• Resilience
• Small businesses

The photographer can participate in the contest on the official website, and they can upload up to 20 photographs. Last year CGAP Photo Contest received more than 3,300 entries from photographers from all over the world. The winning pictures of this year will be displayed on CGAP's official website and in exhibitions organised by CGAP and World Bank which is held at World Bank in Washington, D.C., every year and other valuable events. The winning photographers will be rewarded as given below:

• Grand Prize Winner: US $2000 gift certificate for photography equipment and accessories, Display in Times Square on PR Newswire Jumbotron
• Second Prize winner: US $500 gift certificate for photography equipment and accessories
• Third Prize Winner: US $250 gift certificate for photography equipment and accessories
• People's Choice Winner: US $250 gift certificate for photography equipment and accessories

 Sony World Photography

Sony World Photography contest is the largest and most respected photography contest in the world. The photographer from all over the world who wants to showcase their photography talent to the world can participate in the contest. The contest conducted by World Photography Organisation (WPO) every year. The Sony World Photography contest has five categories which are given below:

• Professional
• Youth
• Open
• Student Focus
• National Award

Professional Competition in Sony World Photography contest is divided into three categories which are; Documentary, Art & Work.  All winner of the contest will be offered a chance to be part of Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition which is held in London every year. Winner’s names also publish in the winner’s book and announced to the worldwide press. They can also be represented by the World Photography Collection, showcased on the World Photography Organisation website. The winner in all categories will also be rewarded as follows:

• Photographer of the Year- US $25000
• Individual Category Winner- Digital SLR camera equipment from Sony and Flights to London, 2-night accommodation in a hotel and VIP tickets to attend the Sony World Photography Awards gala ceremony in London on April 2017. 

UNESCO Photo Contest

UNESCO photo contest is India’s respected photography contest for the professional and amateur photographer. The photographer from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka can participate in the contest.  UNESCO photo contest is organised by UNESCO New Delhi every year. There is no age limitation to take part in the competition and the photographer wants to be a participant in the contest, will have a chance to show their photography. Last year the theme of the competition was categorised in 5 categories which are given mentioned below here:

• Science for Everyday Life
• Science for Peace and Development
• Biodiversity, Natural Heritage, and Wildlife
• Water and Life
• Climate Change

The photographer can participate in the contest by emailing their photograph to unescondlphotos@gmail.com. The photographers will have to write their name, name of the theme and description of about their photograph. Winner photographer will be rewarded as mentioned below:

• 1^st prize: 500 USD
• 2^nd prize:  300 USD
• 3^rd prize:  200 USD

Other Prizes

• A Special Prize of 200 USD given to the most popular photo on social media.
• Two contestants from each category that is total ten contest winners will receive a Certificates of Merit and Memento.
• The top 4 winning entries have the honour of being displayed at the UNESCO New Delhi Office.
• The winning photographs also feature on UNESCO New Delhi’s website and the winners also be announced on the UNESCO New Delhi website as well as on UNESCO official social media platforms.

 Luis Valtuena International Humanitarian Photography Award

Luis Valtuena International Humanitarian Photography Award is a photography contest based on humanitarian values at an international level. The contest is open for professional as well as amateur photographers. The participating photographer will have to send photograph about humanitarian and related activities. The Luis Valtuena International Humanitarian Photography Award is conducted by MÉDICOS DEL MUNDO and this year the contest is celebrating 20 years. This year the theme of the competition are following:

• Humanitarian Action
• International Cooperation
• Social Exclusion
• Human Rights Violations
• Armed Conflicts
• Natural Disasters
• Refugee and immigrant populations
• Socially excluded groups

Each participant can submit maximum ten photographs which may be a part of any series for any particular theme of standalone. The winners of the photo contest will be selected by the panel of judges for each of the categories, and the winners will receive the reward as given below:

• The first winner of the Photography Award competition will be given a project grant worth 6,000 Euro to develop a photo project related to the work of Medicos del Mundo whether in Spain or in any other country.
• The grant will be paid to the winners in three instalments; 50% when the winner has been announced, 25% at the beginning of the project and the remaining 25% at the end of the project.
• The other photos will be selected from all those submitted to form part of a travelling national and international exhibition.

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