Entries open for SPIE International Day of Light Photo Contest

Amateur and professional photographers alike are encouraged to submit photos for a chance to win cash prizes.

The goal of the Photo Contest is to raise public awareness about the International Day of Light and the vital role light and related technology play in the daily lives.

Theme

• The contest aims to showcase the transformative and awe-inspiring impact of light on people’s lives, communities, and planet.
• Examples of content include, but are not limited to, artistic images that depict:
  • Various properties of light and how it interacts with the atmosphere, nature, and materials
  • Light technology such as lasers, LEDs, etc.
  • Images created with light technology such as telescopes and microscopes
  • People interacting with light and/or light technology
  • The betterment of the human condition with light.

Prize Information

• 1st Place: US $2,500
• 2nd Place: US $1,000
• 3rd Place: US $500
• Judges’ Choice for Best of Science: $1,000
• Winning photographs will also be published in various SPIE publications, online, other printed materials, and displayed at SPIE conferences and exhibitions. Photos may also be used by organizations cooperating with SPIE in various IDL promotions. Credit will be given to the photographer.

Eligibility Criteria

• The photo contest is open to adults aged 18 and up, both amateur and professional photographers, except employees of SPIE and optics.org, their immediate families, the contest judges, and consultants/contractors of SPIE.

Judging Criteria

• Each photograph will be judged on the following criteria:
  • Content: Appropriateness and coverage of content in relation to the theme.
  • Scientific interest: Overall effectiveness in engaging and communicating the contest theme to viewers.
  • Creativity/artistry: Innovation and creativity in the concept.
  • Execution: Execution of photography techniques used to enhance the quality and content of entries.
  • Overall appeal for the International Day of Light.

Application Requirements

• Photo Type, Size, Format, and Resolution:
  • Photographs depicting the vital role that light and light-based technologies play in daily life must be in digital format, suitable for public exhibition and printing at high resolution.
  • All images must be 300 dpi or more and at least 3,000 pixels on the longest side. File size should be no less than 5MB and no greater than 20MB. TIF and JPEG/JPG are the ONLY accepted formats. Please submit the highest quality images that meet these requirements. Images that don’t meet these criteria will not be judged.
• Photo Alterations:
  • Only limited enhancement of the original photograph is permitted for the purpose of improving brightness and contrast or removing minor cosmetic flaws. Black and white images are acceptable. Photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization will be disqualified. Artificial intelligence (AI) may not be used to generate images.
• Content Standards:
  • The photograph must not, in the sole discretion of the organizer, contain obscene, offensive, discriminatory, hateful, inflammatory, defamatory, sexually explicit, or otherwise objectionable or inappropriate content. No nudity, please.
  • The photo title must be complete and accurate, sufficient to convey the circumstances in which the photograph was taken.
• Required Information:
  • The photographer’s name, address, telephone number, email address, a title, and an artist statement must accompany each entry.
• Limit of Entries:
  •  Each person may submit a maximum of two entries. Contestants should enter one photo per entry form.

For more information, visit SPIE.