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OPEN CATEGORY

A free-range category for any subject and genre. This category is intended to celebrate photographers who push the boundaries of day-to-day photography and create conceptual or representative works.

Photographs can explore a variety of techniques, including in-camera, and any post-production treatment as long as it meets the Global Rules. As in other categories, the entrant must have created all of the content themselves, and all elements must be photographic (no computer-generated content allowed). If an image includes text, the text must have been photographed by the entrant (rather than created in post-production).

PHOTOJOURNALISM CATEGORY

Images that use the medium of photography to tell an authentic visual representation of a story, whether it be political, sports, birth, travel, event, street, personality or documentary photography that gives insight into contemporary issues and news. Images should be thought-provoking and represent real life, people, places and other non-fiction stories.

Only basic post-production adjustments are accepted in this category, such as tonal control, black and white conversion, sharpening and cropping. The final image must remain an authentic representation of what was captured on the sensor: post-production adjustments must not hide or introduce key elements of the image.

MACRO CATEGORY

NEW FOR 2026!

This category is for Macro and Close-Up Images of any subject. It celebrates photography that reveals fine details of small subjects that may not usually be noticed. Subjects may include (but are not limited to) nature, insects, plants, textures, or everyday objects. The use of physical backgrounds is permitted.

The image should clearly show a macro or close-up perspective. Images without a strong focus on details may be better suited to a different category.

Any form of editing is permitted in this category as long as it complies with the global rules. Focus stacking and Stitching either in camera or in post-production is allowed. No AI-generated content, non-photographic elements, or photographic elements not created by the entrant are allowed.

PORTRAIT CATEGORY

Photographs of single subjects or groups, including studio photography, lifestyle imagery, self-portraits, boudoir, beauty & fashion, social, family, culture and environmental portraits.

Portraits of pets and animals are eligible for entry in this category. Photographs of animals in their natural habitat may be more suited to the Nature category. Entries may be traditional and/or interpretive portraits.

Any form of editing is permitted in this category as long as it complies with the global rules. No AI-generated content, non-photographic elements, or photographic elements not created by the entrant are allowed.

NATURE CATEGORY

 Photographs where the main focus of the image is an animal, wildlife or the natural world, though images may include people or other elements that give context to the story of the image. This category includes photographs of flora (flowers, trees etc), underwater photographs, and wildlife/animals.

Portraits of pets may be better suited to the “Portrait” category.

Only basic post-production adjustments are accepted in this category, such as tonal control, black and white conversion, sharpening and cropping. Focus stacking or stitching is acceptable as long as all images were taken at the same time and place and do not introduce new elements. The final image must remain an authentic representation of what was captured on the sensor: post-production adjustments must not hide or introduce key elements of the image.

LANDSCAPE CATEGORY

Photographs depicting the features of an area of land, landforms or man-made landscape features.

The main focus of the image should be this landscape, but it may include other elements that give context to the story of the image. Entries may be traditional and/or interpretive.

Any form of editing is permitted in this category as long as it complies with the global rules. No AI-generated content, non-photographic elements, or photographic elements not created by the entrant are allowed.

BLACK AND WHITE CATEGORY

For photographs that are captured in or converted to black and white. This open category allows images from any genre.

Image scoring in this category will be determined based on the quality of the black and white conversion, and how much this adds to the image.

Any form of editing is permitted in this category as long as it complies with the global rules. No AI-generated content, non-photographic elements, or photographic elements not created by the entrant are allowed.