Call for Entries: SKM International Photography Contest

The SKM PHOTO Shin Kong Mitsukoshi International Photography Series provides a platform for photography enthusiasts, offering annual international competitions to reward talented photographers. In addition to exhibitions and exchange opportunities, it invites both Taiwanese and international artists to collaborate, aiming to build a comprehensive photography art collection system and foster the growth and diversity of photography as an art form.

Award Information 

• First Prize: USD 5000
• Second Prize: USD 2000
• Third Prize: USD 1000

Requirements

• Theme
  • Determined by participants, who must submit a series of five photographs on one subject of their own choosing (other entries will not be accepted).
• Medium
  • Any photography equipment (digital camera, traditional camera, cell phone, etc.) may be used.
• Work specifications
  • Photographs
    • May be color or black-and-white. Printed dimensions may be 8×10″, 8×12″, or A4. (21×29.7 cm). If the image of a work is square, it must be within the short dimension of one these sizes. The participant may decide whether to leave a white margin around their work, and this will not affect participation qualifications or judging results. However, if an entered work wins a prize, each single photograph must be submitted as a digital file at least 3000×3600 pixels or 8 MP (JPG or TIFF) in size.
    • Registration form Appendix 1: Please fill out this document carefully, and print it out on A4 paper.
    • Work Description Appendix 2: Please accurately fill in each column and attach a sequential schematic diagram of your works to ensure clear identification of all your works.
    • Contest agreement Appendix 3:  Please sign or affix your seal after printing out the agreement on A4 paper. A legal agent must sign/affix their seal if the applicant is under 20 years of age.
• Submission Method
  • Please place all of the foregoing Photographs, Original copy of the registration form, and Original copy of the Work Description in an envelope and select any of the following methods of submission:
    • Submission in person: May be submitted at the 1st floor service counter of any Shin-Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taiwan.
    • Submission by post: Post to 7F, 19 Songgao Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City 110. Indicate “Shin-Kong Mitsukoshi International Photography Contest Group” on the envelope.
  • Please pack your work carefully to avoid damage. There are no restrictions on packing materials, but the package as a whole may not exceed 30×40 cm in size. Avoid damage during the transport process due to improper taping or over-sized packages.
  • Public announcement of prizewinners:
    • Prizewinners will be announced on the official Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Cultural and Educational Foundation website before December 31, 2024. Prizewinners will also be notified by e-mail or telephone.

Judging Criteria

• Submitted works will be judged based on:
  • Image quality: The role of photography equipment and functions of peripheral devices has continuously evolved along with rapid developments in science and technology. Likewise, this competition has also advanced with the times and technology trends. Novel and diverse media challenge the creator’s interpretation of the art of photography, and in turn new interpretations change the viewer’s perspective on appreciating the art of photography. What does not change is the artist’s expression of the essence of photography, including technical understanding of the tools of photography, observation of the environment, source lighting, timing, composition and the interaction between the photographer and the photographed. Only after careful consideration and evaluation from different points of view can the photographer faithfully capture the moment. This is why image quality is weighted 60% of the total score.
  • Creativity and Composition: Since this contest is themed around “Five photographs tell a visual story” the artist must come up with ideas of how to tell a story through five photographs. Creativity, composition, visual energy, the logic and relationship among the five photographs, as well as the overall subject matter are all criteria considered for this portion of the score.
  • Post-processing: The ever increasing sophistication of technology provides the photographer with a diverse array of new techniques to realize the visual creativity of their photographs. Different aspects of the media can be used to achieve a variety of effects. The artist may consider the degree of post processing required for the photograph according to the type of image being created. Fine tuning of the image to enhance the aesthetic quality of the image, to bring out details and layers, or to express the story that the artist has in mind – all of these may add to the score of your work, however over-processing a photo may lose the original essence of the image. Though technology brings powerful functions and convenience, these new features further test the artist’s visual creativity and creative expression.

For more information, visit Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Cultural & Educational Foundation.