CATEGORY DESCRIPTION

 

The Student Category celebrates and showcases the skills, creativity, and originality of student photographers currently enrolled in a photography or similar creative programme. This category recognises the talent and development of emerging photographers, offering them the opportunity to share their unique perspectives and artistic vision across all genres of photography. 

 

CATEGORY INTENT

 

This category provides a platform for students to demonstrate their potential, gain recognition for their achievements, and develop their photographic skills. Entries must reflect a high level of originality and creativity.  It aims to highlight the innovation and artistic exploration of students as they embark on their photographic journeys.

 

CATEGORY RULES

 

This is a MAJOR EDITING CATEGORY and allows for significant creative manipulation of the original image.

Entries may:

• Alter, add, or remove elements
• Combine multiple images or scenes
• Transform the original capture creatively

The final image does not need to represent the original scene as photographed.

 

RULES:

1. Compliance with Global Rules, Terms and Conditions, and Spirit and Intent of the Awards 

All entries must comply with the Global Rules, Terms and Conditions, and the Spirit and Intent of the awards. This includes adherence to the principles of originality and ethical standards set forth by the competition. Images should represent the work of the entrant, and any entries that violate these guidelines will be disqualified. 

 

2. Eligibility 

• Open to all part-time or full-time students currently enrolled in a recognised tertiary institute in New Zealand or Australia, studying photography or a similar creative programme. 
• Students may enter work created as part of their final year of study in the Iris Awards in the year immediately following the completion of their studies. 

 

3. Entry Guidelines 

• Student entries must be submitted under the student’s own name and registration profile. However, work may be submitted in bulk by the student’s education provider. 
• Images created under the direct guidance of a tutor as part of a curriculum-based assignment are eligible for entry in this category. 
• Entering the Student Category forfeits the right to enter any main category in the same year. 
• Student entries do not earn merit points toward NZIPP Distinctions. 

 

4. Subject Matter 

Photographs may feature any subject matter and can encompass various styles and techniques, including traditional, conceptual, portrait, landscape, documentary, or creative photography. 

Entries should showcase the student’s skills and individual creativity, reflecting their personal photographic journey rather than adhering to a specific theme. 

 

5. Allowed Techniques

• Compositing (combining multiple images or elements)
• Adding or removing subjects or objects
• Background replacement or scene construction
• Extensive colour grading or creative colour shifts
• Heavy dodge and burn or relighting
• Artistic effects and filters (e.g. painterly styles, texture overlays, blur effects) as long as this does not add non-photographic elements or photographic elements not captured by the entrant
• Retouching and reshaping, including significant changes to form or appearance

 

6. Capture Techniques

• In-camera techniques such as multiple exposure and intentional camera movement (ICM) are allowed
• Focus stacking and stitching are permitted

 

7. Not Allowed

• Any use of AI-generated content (as outlined in Global Rules 2.2)
• Any entry that misrepresents AI-generated elements as photographic work
• Adding non-photographic elements (except in explicitly permitted circumstances outlined in the category specific rules) 

 

8. Presentation (Digital & Print)

• Borders may be created using photographic elements (e.g. textures, objects, or parts of your image)
• Computer-generated borders that simulate a physical print presentation (e.g. mat colour or mount) are only permitted for entries submitted for print judging and may be included in the required digital upload of those print entries. Such borders must be clearly distinct from the image.
• Non-rectangular crops must be presented on white, or with a photographic border – unless representing a print mat (see above)
• Series may be presented with or without gaps (compositing is allowed)
• A thin stroke line (black or white) may be used to define the edge of the image only if the edge would otherwise not be visible 

 

9. Use of Mixed Media

Non-digital, mixed media elements such as paint, ink, thread, wax, clay, wood, and found objects may be incorporated. 

The photographic elements must remain the dominant visual communication within the piece. 

Any physical additions must comply with the depth limitations described in the Print Preparation instructions 

 

10. Submitting Entries 

If you are submitting a Printed Entry for the Student Category and plan to add mixed media to the finished entry, you must still submit a digital entry into the online entry platform before entries close at 11:59pm Sunday 21st June 2026. 

This submission can either be:

1. The Photographic component of the final entry only; or
2. A photograph of the finished entry including any mixed media added. 

If you submit a digital entry of only the photographic portion of the final entry, you must email honours@nzipp.org.nz with a photograph of the final entry including any applied mixed media by 11:59pm Sunday 12th July 2026. This photograph will be used for the live stream and in-person slideshow. No changes can be made to the photographic component of your entry that was submitted digitally before entries closed on 21st June 2026. 

 

11. Exclusions 

NZIPP Accredited Professional Photographers, either current or past, are ineligible to enter this category. 

Entries must not be submitted by anyone outside the eligibility criteria outlined above. 

WANT TO BE NAMED STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR?