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How do I enter?

First, you'll be prompted to join LensCulture for a free account to upload your files (or you can just sign in if you have an existing LensCulture account). Then follow the simple instructions to upload your images and to provide all the proper information for each.

I’m not sure if I’m an "Emerging Photographer"

If you have recently begun seeking global recognition—regardless of age—then we consider you an Emerging Photographer. Don’t be shy if entering this competition is your first attempt at seeking global recognition: we welcome applications from professionals, semi-professionals, amateurs and total beginners. Basically, if you consider yourself an emerging artist, we’d love to see your work!

What are the judging criteria for this competition?

The competition is open to all genres, styles and approaches to photography and all subject matter. There are a variety of factors that play into the jury's decision. In general, the judges are looking for a great series of photographs that work together as a group—either as a narrative, or connected by a theme, or held together through a common visual approach. The submissions will not be judged just as individual images so be sure to make your selections careful and pay attention to the editing and sequence. 

Other important criteria include aesthetic excellence, high technical capability, and emotional impact. Typically something that surprises or delights on first glance and then grows richer over time has the best chance of impressing the jury. 

What are the prizes?

Many people benefit by participating in the LensCulture Emerging Talents 2014 competition:

Each of the Top 5 winners are awarded $2,000 cash grants PLUS all of the other awards and benefits listed below.

The Top 50 submissions (including the Top 5) will receive the following:

• Featured in a gallery exhibition in Barcelona.
• Inclusion in the Emerging Talent 2014 Printed Annual, which will be sent to LensCulture Insiders’ network of influential photography professionals.
• Inclusion in screenings at photo festivals and events worldwide throughout the year.
• Massive online exposure: a feature article on the front page of LensCulture, a dedicated six-week Home Page Spotlight as well as extensive social media promotion to our audience of over 500,000.

Additional highly-rated entrants (as well as the Top 50) will:

• Be shared with the LensCulture Insiders, a network of the world’s most connected and influential photography professionals. The Insiders will have the opportunity not only to look at the competition submission but also any other projects on the entrant’s LensCulture profile. We believe that this will lead to important career-building chances for many of the top-rated talents.
• Receive a valuable, invitation-only Portfolio Accounts on LensCulture, with the ability to upload and display additional projects. This platform offers invaluable long-term worldwide exposure via one of the most respected platforms for global contemporary photography.

Everyone who enters has a chance to benefit from broad worldwide exposure via LensCulture and its social media channels.

How are photos selected for the Competition Gallery and for inclusion on Facebook?

Each day, our editors review EVERY submission and select 3 to 5 to feature in the Competition Gallery or on Facebook. We receive a lot of submissions, so not every submission can be included.

To be clear, this all happens before the judging process by the jury begins. Early exposure in the Gallery and on Facebook is not related to the jury's decision. 

Will I receive feedback from the judges if I am not selected in the Top 50?

We're sorry, but due to the volume of submissions, we cannot provide feedback for all the competition's entrants.

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

If you are not a student*, you can submit a group of up to 10 images for an entry fee of $55. You may submit more than 10 images for an additional fee of $5 per additional image.

There is no limit to the number of images that can be submitted at one time.

If you are student*, you can submit a group of up to 10 images for an entry fee of $35. You may submit more than 10 images for an additional fee of $5 per additional image.

There is no limit to the number of images that can be submitted at one time.

*To qualify for the student discount, you must be currently enrolled as a student or have graduated in 2014. If your work is selected to be in the Top 50, we will ask for proof of your status as a student. Your entry will be disqualified if you do not meet the requirements.

What forms of payment do you accept?

U.S. users can pay with Paypal, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club. 

What are the image specifications?

Upload jpegs or pngs that are a minimum of 1200 pixels and a maximum of 2,000 pixels on the longest side and less than 5MB is size each. The jury will review each of the photos on screen only. We cannot accept photos as prints or CDs in the mail.

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

You cannot replace or remove images AFTER you submit, but you can rearrange them as well as edit the photo titles, description, and your submission statement.

How many times can I enter?

You can submit as many times as you like—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.

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 of the Awards page.

If you can't find the answers to your other questions here or at the upload site, you can email us at support@lensculture.com.

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

The judging will be completed in July, and the winners will be announced shortly thereafter.

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 link next to this FAQ link. Here are some, but not all, of the basic rules that you agree to:

• By submitting these photographs to LensCulture, I authorize that these are original works of art that I personally created.
• I am releasing LensCulture 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 LensCulture.
• By agreeing to this release, I authorize that I am 18 years of age or older.
• I hereby authorize LensCulture to display, print, and distribute in any manner any photographs that I have entered in this competition to conduct and promote the LensCulture's competitions. 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 LensCulture.

Helpful Tips & Insights from Jim Casper, our editor & publisher:

The judges are looking for surprising "new" talent as well as great work from established photographers. Everyone has a chance to win—even if you’ve never won an award before.

• Every great picture tells a story and should be able to stand on it’s own, but viewers are often eager to know a little bit more about what the photo is about. So a simple title or caption, or a few words, can make a great photo really come to life in someone’s imagination.
• If you’ve created a series of images, think of them as a story. Choose a very strong image to start off the series to make a powerful first impression.
• Every image should contribute something fresh and new to the series and help add character to the submission. A strong submission can be as few as 5 images, or as many as 10 or 15 or more.
• Write your project statement and captions to work well with the sequencing of your images—as I’ve said, viewers love to know the stories and background context for compelling images. Don’t get too wordy—the images should come first, always—but your words can add depth to a story once the viewer’s curiosity has been grabbed.
• At LensCulture, we discover and publish many new photographers through our competitions. In addition to the Top 50 submissions, many more of the top-rated photographers will be invited to create their own free LensCulture Portfolio Accounts—so there are lots of valuable, long-lasting benefits for talented photographers.
• Every one of our notable judges is also looking for new discoveries, too, so just by entering you increase your chances of your photography being featured at an international photo festival, in a gallery, as part of a group show in a museum, or in an global publication. Good photo competitions offer benefits to many more people than just those who win the top honors.
• Finally, just by entering the LensCulture Emerging Talent Awards, you have an good chance of gaining significant worldwide exposure to our international network of photography lovers. We feature selected work from submissions every day on our website and social media.