How do I enter?

It's easy. Go to http://lensculture.slideroom.com. You will need Flash to use the site. First, you'll be prompted to register for a free account to upload your files. Then just follow the simple instructions to arrange your files and to provide all the proper information for each. When your files are ready for final submission, you will be asked to pay entry fees of $35, $60, or $75 depending on the category. See below for more details.


Can I submit my photos as prints or CDs in the mail?

Sorry, but no. We only accept digital (jpeg or jpg) submissions via our web site. For good image quality and fast upload, your image files should be less than 2 MB each, and sized around 1024 x 768 pixels @ 72 ppi. Our online portal offers additional instruction for submitting work. The international jury will review each of the photos on screen only.

What are the prizes?

There are three cash prizes for the Portfolio Awards:

Grand prize: $2,500
2nd prize: $1,000
3rd prize: $500

PLUS:

All winning photos will be printed and exhibited in the International Exposure Awards group shows in Paris, New York, and San Francisco in 2011. (This exhibition may travel to other locations around the world, as well.)

PLUS:

• A prominent feature article in Lens Culture (www.lensculture.com).

• A custom 8x10 or 10x8 Blurb (www.blurb.com) photobook, up to 120 pages, on premium paper (value 50 euros or $70).

• The winners will also be announced in the Lens Culture blog, along with a special mention in the Lens Culture email newsletter that is sent to thousands of subscribers. Prints of some of the winning images may also be eligible for sale via Lens Culture Editions, subject to an optional agreement between the winner and Lens Culture.



There are three cash prizes for the Single Image Awards:

Grand prize: $1,500
2nd prize: $500
3rd prize: $250

PLUS:

All winning photos will be printed and exhibited in the International Exposure Awards group shows in Paris, New York, and San Francisco in 2011. (This exhibition may travel to other locations around the world, as well.)

PLUS:

• A prominent feature article in Lens Culture (www.lensculture.com).

• A custom 8x10 or 10x8 Blurb (www.blurb.com) photobook, up to 120 pages, on premium paper (value 50 euros or $70).



The 25 Honorable Mention photographs will win prominent placement on the Award Winner’s Page in Lens Culture (www.lensculture.com), including a link to each photographer's personal or professional website.

PLUS each winner of an Honorable Mention Award will win a custom 8x10 or 10x8 Blurb (www.blurb.com) photobook, up to 120 pages, on premium paper, (value 50 euros, or $70).

PLUS:

All Honorable Mention photos will be printed and exhibited in the International Exposure Awards group shows in Paris, New York, and San Francisco in 2011. (This exhibition may travel to other locations around the world, as well.)

How many photos can I submit, and what are the fees?

For the Portfolio Award, you should submit a group of 10 to 15 images, for a total entry fee of $75.

For the Single Image Award, you should submit one great image, for an entry fee of $35; or submit two to five great images for an entry fee of $60.


Can I change or re-arrange my photos after I've submitted them?

Sorry, no. You CAN arrange, delete, change, and re-arrange your photos and the sequence of your photos BEFORE you push the SUBMIT button, by simply dragging and dropping them. But once you push the SUBMIT button, the submission cannot be altered.

How many times can I enter?

You can submit as many times as you like (in both categories), assuming you have lots of great images, and you can afford to pay the entry fees for all of them. We suggest, however, that you edit your photos wisely, and send us only your very best. PLEASE NOTE: the software system will only accept one entry in each category from the same email address. So, if you want to enter the same category more than once, you will need to register each additional time with a different email address. All of your other contact information, except the email address, can stay the same for each entry.

I just started taking photos. Do I have a chance of winning?

Of course! We welcome applications from professionals, semi-professionals, amateurs and total beginners. We believe there is an artist in each of us. And we are interested in all kinds of photography — from sophisticated to quirky to wildly experimental to hard-edged realism.

If I have more questions, how do I contact you?

For technical questions related to uploading your photos, sizes, entry forms and credit card payments, use the support button at the upper right on the lensculture.slideroom.com page.

If you can't find the answers to your other questions here or at the upload site, you can email us at awards [AT] lensculture.com. We’ll be very busy processing entries though, (and creating new content for Lens Culture), so it may take a while to get back to you. But we'll try to be fast and helpful! And we'll update this FAQ regularly in response to common questions we receive.


When are the prizes awarded, and when do the winners get featured in Lens Culture?

The judging will be completed by October 15, 2010, and the winners will be announced shortly thereafter. Checks will be mailed to the cash prize winners in November. All winning photos will appear in the November 2010 issue of Lens Culture, and will remain in our archives for a long time.

Can I get a refund?

No. Entry fees are non-refundable.

This all sounds too easy. Where’s the fine print?

It really is that easy! You can find the competition rules here.

Here are some, but not all, of the basic rules that you agree to:

By submitting these photographs to Lens Culture, I authorize that these are original works of art that I personally created.

I am releasing Lens Culture and its agents, principals, employees or contractors from any liability regarding the display of work that I have submitted to them, including any liability for redisplay by individuals making copies of the display made by Lens Culture.

By agreeing to this release, I authorize that I am 18 years of age or older.

I hereby authorize Lens Culture to display, print, and distribute in any manner any photographs that I have entered in this competition to conduct and promote the Lens Culture International Exposure Awards competition. Each photographer retains copyright of his or her images, and proper credit lines will be attributed to each photographer when used in any publicity of Lens Culture and/or the International Exposure Awards.