Photo contests
A directory of open photography contests from around the web. Looking for fotoclub.md's own community contest?
Art Paradise International Photography Circuit 2027
An international photography salon circuit open to photographers worldwide, judged across color, mono, human, nature and unlimited categories.
WPUCIPAOpen to all photographers from around the world, this salon is part of the WPU (World Photography Union) circuit and is conducted under patronages, rules and requirements approved by WPU and CIPA. Entrants compete in five sections and can win from a pool of 175+ awards including WPU Gold Medals and Salon E-Certificates. Images must be submitted digitally as JPG files within 2MB, 1920x1080 pixels, 72dpi, sRGB/RGB.
nature of the world
International digital nature photo contest from Mala Lehota Biele More (Slovakia) with fourteen sections, from landscape to ecology.
IAAPOpen to international entrants, with digital works only and up to 4 works per section. Sections A–N cover landscape, birds, animals, insects and butterflies, reptiles and amphibians, plants and flowers, trees and mountains, seas, rivers and lakes, national parks, macro, drone shots, black and white nature, and negative and positive ecology. Entry fees by section range from EUR 6 to EUR 20, and the jury has seven members.
Deadline: January 10, 2027
Country: Slovakia
Entry fee: 6 EUR
Theme: landscape, birds, animals, insects, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, plants, flowers, trees, mountains, seas, rivers, lakes, national parks, macro, drone, black and white nature, negative ecology, positive ecology
Prize: IAAP, National and Salon e-certificates (gold, silver, bronze and honorable mentions) per section.
iaap youth
Free international digital photo contest from Mala Lehota Biele More (Slovakia) for youth in three age categories.
IAAPOpen to international entrants, with digital works only and up to 8 works per section. Sections A, B and C are U15, U18 and U21 open categories, each in color and monochrome. Entry is free, and the jury has six members.
Sony World Photography Awards 2027
The 20th edition of one of the world's largest and most prestigious photography competitions, open to photographers of all levels worldwide.
Now marking two decades of celebrating photographers worldwide, the Sony World Photography Awards remain committed to showcasing outstanding contemporary photography from around the globe. The competition is free to enter and open to photographers at every level, from beginners and students to professionals.
monochrome masters
A digital monochrome photo contest with a single section, organised by Big Sky photo collective in the USA.
Digital monochrome entries in one section, with up to eight works per entrant. Entry fees range from 2 to 16 USD depending on the number of works submitted. Judged by Ajar Setiadi, Alexis Saveriades and Dragoslav Mirkovic.
shadows of light
An international digital photo contest with twelve themed sections, run by EPS Art Group in North Macedonia.
IAAPNPUMDigital entries of up to four works per section across twelve sections, A to L, including Open Color, Open Monochrome, Photojournalism, Travel and Seasons. Judged by Aleksandar Stojchevski, Elina Garipova and Ranga Edirisinghe, with fees from 5 to 20 EUR depending on the number of sections entered. Recognised by NPUM 2027/29 and the club EPS 2027/02.
Deadline: January 12, 2027
Country: North Macedonia
Entry fee: 5 EUR
Theme: color, monochrome, photojournalism, history, contrast, travel, elderly, emotion, seascape, ritual, wildlife, seasons
Prize: IAAP, NATIONAL and SALON Gold, Silver and Bronze E-Certificates and Honorable Mention E-Certificates in each section
luminéa
An international digital photo contest with twelve sections, organised by Аurivon Аrt Group in Brazil.
IAAPDigital entries of up to four works per section across twelve sections, A to L, covering themes such as Street, Nude, Shadows, Minimalism, Motion and Photojournalism. Judged by Ajar Setiadi, Barun Dey and Stefan Stuppnig, with fees from 5 to 20 EUR depending on the number of sections entered.
black and white world 27 ( win )
An international digital black-and-white photo contest with fifteen sections, organised by Mala Lehota Biele More in Slovakia.
IAAPDigital black-and-white entries of up to four works per section across fifteen sections, A to O, including People, Portrait, Nude, Landscape and Abstract. Judged by Vladimir Jovanovski, Carlos Cabral, Hanna Nevreva and Matthias Haug, with fees from 6 to 24 EUR depending on the number of sections entered.
Deadline: January 15, 2027
Country: Slovakia
Entry fee: 6 EUR
Theme: black and white, people, portrait, nude, travel, animals and birds, landscape, architecture, windows and doors, lines and shapes, winter, woman, still life, abstract, motion
Prize: IAAP, NATIONAL and SALON Gold, Silver and Bronze E-Certificates and Honorable Mention E-Certificates in each section
licht
International digital photo contest organised by Foto Klub Graz, with nine themed sections.
IAAPOpen to digital works in nine sections: Open Color, Open Monochrome, Nature, Seasons, Religion, City, Wild Life, Motion and Shadows. Up to four works may be entered per section, and fees are set by section, from 6 to 18 EUR. The jury is Zoran Zdravev, Urs Albrecht and Burak Senbak.
What the Streets Hold
Decagon Gallery's open call for street photography showing what people reveal unintentionally in shared public spaces, juried by curator Teona Machavariani.
Open to street photographers submitting images of people waiting, protecting themselves, occupying space, or staying apart in streets, stations, markets, public transport, or neighborhoods. Selected photographers receive an online exhibition (10 February to 10 April 2027), a professionally designed exhibition catalog, and digital badges and certificates. Cash awards are limited to one per photographer.