How do I enter?

It's easy. Go to http://lensculture.slideroom.com. 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 the entry fees of $35. Deadline for entries is EXTENDED to April 22, 2013 at midnight, Pacific Time. See below for more details.


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

Sorry, but no. We only accept digital submissions via our web site. For good image quality and fast upload, your photo image files should be less than 5 MB each, and sized around 1024 x 768 pixels @ 72 ppi. Our online portal offers additional instruction for submitting work. The juror will review each of the submissions on screen only.

What are the prizes?

There will be three winners named in each of the seven categories (21 winners total, including the Grand Prize winner). Each winner will appear in a prominent feature article in Lens Culture (www.lensculture.com), reaching 8-10,000 unique visitors each day.

PLUS:

There is one cash prize of $1,000 for the Grand Prize winner, who will be selected from all submissions.

What should I submit, and what are the fees?

For any of the categories, you should submit a group of one to five images, for a total entry fee of $35. If your submission is part of a larger body of work, you may include a link to the complete series in your artist's statement. The submission form includes room for you to provide some background information about you, and your work, as well as any titles or captions for the images, if necessary.


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 all 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 work. PLEASE NOTE: the software system will only accept one entry from the same email address. So, if you want to enter 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.

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 in May 2013, and the winners will be announced shortly thereafter. All winning photos will appear in an upcoming special issue of Lens Culture, and will remain in our online archives.

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 my 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.

To qualify to enter the competition, you must be over 18 years of age.

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 Student Photography Awards competition. Each entrant retains copyright of his or her images, and proper credit lines will be attributed to each entrant when used in any publicity of Lens Culture and/or the Student Photography Awards.