Photo contests
A directory of open photography contests from around the web. Looking for fotoclub.md's own community contest?
Vincent van Gogh Photo Award 2027
An international photography competition inspired by Van Gogh's fascination with light, inviting entries on the theme 'In the Spirit of Light.'
Open to both amateur and professional photographers worldwide, the Vincent van Gogh Photo Award 2027 invites submissions that interpret the theme 'In the Spirit of Light' through documentary, portrait, fine art, street, or experimental photography. Entries are judged by a professional jury, with separate prize categories for Amateur/Professional and Student entrants. Photographers retain full copyright of their submitted images.
Deadline: April 1, 2027
Country: International
Entry fee: Fee not listed
Theme: portrait, fine art, architecture, abstract, black and white, conceptual, documentary, environmental, nature, people, street, photojournalism, travel, urban
Prize: Amateur/Professional: 1st €1000, 2nd €500, 3rd €250; Student: 1st €500, 2nd €250, 3rd €100
THE ARTISTIC NUDE - Photo Contest
A photo contest celebrating tasteful, artistic interpretations of the human form through light, shadow, and composition.
Open to photographers exploring the artistic nude genre, focusing on form, shape, light and shadow rather than explicit content. Both color and black & white studio, natural light, conceptual, or fine art images are welcome. Free account holders may submit 2 entries, with paid tiers allowing more; extra entries can be purchased with credits. Judged by the TopPhotoAwards (TPA) team.
South Great-Wall International Photography Circuit 2026
A worldwide digital photography competition organized by the World Photography Union across five sections with WPU-sanctioned distinctions.
WPUCIPAOpen to photographers from all over the world, this digital-image contest is held under the approved rules of the World Photography Union (WPU) with the patronage of CIPA, and all awards count toward WPU Distinctions. Entrants compete in five sections: Art Color, Art Mono, Record Human, Record Nature, and Unlimited. Over 175 awards are on offer, including WPU Gold Medals and Salon E-Certificates (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Honorable Mention).
Cape of Good Hope International Photography Circuit 2026
A worldwide open photography circuit judged in five sections with medals, salon certificates and honorable mentions.
WPUCIPAOpen to photographers from all over the world, this circuit is conducted under the patronage of the World Photography Union (WPU) and CIPA. Entrants compete in five sections: Art Color, Art Mono, Record Human, Record Nature, and Unlimited, submitting digital JPG images. Awards include a WPU Gold Medal, Salon E-Certificates (Gold, Silver, Bronze) and Honorable Mentions, totaling over 175 awards.
Smile Asia Internationality Photography Circuit 2026
An international photography circuit (11th WPU salon) open to photographers worldwide, judged under WPU and CIPA patronage.
WPUCIPAThe Smile Asia International Photography Circuit 2026 is open to all photographers from around the world and is conducted in accordance with rules and requirements approved by the World Photography Union (WPU) and CIPA. Entries are accepted in five sections: Art Color, Art Mono, Record Human, Record Nature, and Unlimited. Over 175 awards are offered, including WPU Gold Medals and Salon E-Certificates (Gold, Silver, Bronze, HM).
Crossing Antarctica International Photography Circuit 2026
A worldwide open photography contest with five categories of art, human, nature and unlimited-themed images, held under WPU and CIPA patronage.
WPUCIPAOpen to photographers from all around the world, the Crossing Antarctica International Photography Circuit 2026 is conducted under patronages, rules and requirements approved by WPU and CIPA. Entrants can submit digital images in five sections: Art Color, Art Mono, Record Human, Record Nature and Unlimited. Judging is followed by notification and an awards catalog/exhibition.
Toronto International Salon of Photography (133rd)
A long-running international photography salon hosted by the Toronto Camera Club, open to entrants worldwide.
FIAPIAAPPSAGPUCAPAThis is one of the oldest photography salons in the world, run by the Toronto Camera Club, which was founded in 1888 and is affiliated with the Photographic Society of America (PSA). The salon has a strong international following, and organisers note that the prior edition drew hundreds of entrants from dozens of countries.
The Nature Photography Contest 2026
An international nature photography contest with ten categories spanning landscapes, wildlife, plants, and underwater scenes.
The Nature Photography Contest 2026 seeks to foster a deeper connection to the environment through ten distinct categories, from grand landscapes and wildlife moments to plant life and underwater imagery. Submissions are made online via the Squirrel Room platform, with participants able to submit as many images as they wish across all categories, judged by a panel of prominent nature photographers.
Fotoaward 2026
A free, invitation-only annual global photo contest with no genre categories, judged by an international jury.
FOTOAWARD 2026 is an entirely free annual photo contest created by photography enthusiasts for photographers worldwide, run on an invitation-only model where photographers first submit work for review before selected authors are invited to participate. It deliberately avoids genre-based categories, letting participants showcase their best work without thematic constraints, and accepted works are published on the contest's exhibition platform for review by an international jury throughout the year.
5th EPS International Digital Salon 2026
An international digital-image photography salon organized by the Edinburgh Photographic Society, historically held under FIAP, PSA and GPU patronage.
FIAPPSAGPUThe Edinburgh Photographic Society's International Digital Salon is a long-running digital-only exhibition that in past editions has accepted entries across several open and thematic sections. The Society noted that the 5th edition of the salon would open for entries in August 2026, following its earlier 162nd Edinburgh International Print Exhibition.