SPIE International Day of Light Photo Contest

International Day of Light Photo Contest is held annually to raise awareness about the International Day of Light.

Themes 

• This year’s theme is “The Power of Light,” which aims to showcase the transformative and awe-inspiring impact of light on the lives, communities, and planet. Two technology-specific divisions, “Technology-Made Images” and a “Technology Around the Globe,” are also available for entry. Examples of content include, but are not exclusive to, artistic images that depict:
  • Various properties of light and how it interacts with the atmosphere, nature, and materials
  • Light technology such as lasers, LEDs, etc.
  • Images created with light technology such as telescopes and microscopes
  • People interacting with light and/or light technology
  • The betterment of the human condition with light

Prize Information 

• General Category: 
  • 1st Place: US $2,500
  • 2nd Place: US $1,000
  • 3rd Place: US $500
• Technology and Science categories: 
  • Technology across the globe: US $750 Image of light technology; people interacting with light technology; light technology at work.
  • Technology-produced imagery: US $750 Images captured using visible light technology (e.g. such as light microscopes) or invisible light technology (e.g. synchrotrons, free electron lasers, etc.)

Photo Type, Size, Format, and Resolution

• Photographs depicting the vital role that light and light-based technologies plays in daily life must be in digital format, suitable for public exhibition and printing at high-resolution.
• All images must be 300 dpi or more and at least 3,000 pixels on the longest side. File size should be no less than 5MB and no greater than 20MB. TIF and JPEG/JPG are the ONLY accepted formats. Please submit the highest quality images that meet these requirements. Images that don’t meet these criteria will not be judged.

Who may enter? 

• The photo contest is open to adults aged 18 and up, both amateur and professional photographers, except employees of SPIE and optics.org, their immediate families, the contest judges, and consultants/contractors of SPIE. Immediate family is defined as all grandparents, parents, spouses, siblings, children, grandchildren, in-laws, or anyone living in the SPIE or optics.org employee’s household. Entrants are subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Contest is void where prohibited by law.
• Amateur and professional photographers alike are encouraged to submit photos for a chance to win cash prizes.

Judging Criteria 

• Each photograph will be judged on the following criteria:
  • Content: Appropriateness and coverage of content in relation to the theme.
  • Scientific interest: Overall effectiveness in engaging and communicating the contest theme to viewers.
  • Creativity/artistry: Innovation and creativity in the concept.
  • Execution: Execution of photography techniques used to enhance the quality and content of entries.
  • Overall appeal for the International Day of Light.

For more information, visit SPIE.