Frequently Asked Questions
1 What is an entry?
An entry consists of no less than 5 and no more than 10 thematically connected images.
2 Is there a limit to the number of entries I can enter?
No. You may enter the competition as many times as you like.
3 Is there a theme to this year’s competition?
Yes. This year’s theme for the competition is “Turbulence”.
4 Besides the entry fee, are there additional expenses the winning artists will have to pay?
No. We will cover the full cost of the traveling exhibition and opening receptions.
5 What if I cannot afford the submission fee?
Scholarships are available for photographers from countries without access to credit cards or where the $40 entry fee would be prohibitive. To apply, please fill out the scholarship application form.
6 Is this competition open to photographers worldwide?
The Tokyo International Photography Competition is open to all photographers around the world. Note: Photographers must be 18 years of age or older at the time of submission.
7 Can I mail in my submission?
We do not accept mail-in entries as an alternative to digital uploading. Please register on submittable.com and upload your entries online.
8 What language should my artist statement be written in?
Please write your statement in the language you feel most comfortable in.
9 What format should I save my images as?
You should submit JPEG images saved with max quality compression with a long dimension of 1,500 pixels at 72dpi, with either Adobe1998, sRGB or untagged color space.
10 My photos have been awarded in other competitions—can I still submit them?
Yes. There is no restriction to submitting work that has been part of other photo competitions or prior exhibitions.
11 Can I pay by check or cash?
No. Unfortunately, we can only accept payments via credit card at this time.
12 Will my images be sold?
No. You retain copyright to your photograph and your photos will not be sold or used for commercial purposes. Entries may be posted online so that viewers can view competing entries. Winning entries may only be used in exhibitions and promotions directly related to the Tokyo International Photography Competition.
13 Who will decide which photographers are selected?
A select group internationally renowned jurors from around the world will review all the images submitted and select the winning entries.
14 If I win, will I have to send in high-resolution files of my work?
Yes. Once the jury has made its final selection, we will contact you to request high-resolution files to create the prints for the traveling exhibition of your work.
15 When will the winners be announced?
Winners will be selected on or about March 25, 2020, and notified via email no later than April 8, 2020.
16 Where will the winning exhibition be presented?
Selected photographers will be invited to have an exhibition of their work at the Tokyo Institute of Photography in Tokyo, Japan; the United Photo Industries Gallery in Brooklyn, New York; Wonder Photoday in Taipei, Taiwan; and the PhotoIreland Festival in Dublin, Ireland.
17 Got a question that hasn’t been answered?
Get in touch with a member of our team via our contact page, and we’ll be more than happy to answer your questions!
Official Rules
Sponsors
The sponsor of the “TOKYO INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION” (TIPC) is the TOKYO INSTITUTE of PHOTOGRAPHY (“TIP”), based at the Exart Building, Suite 1F, 3-6-6 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan 104-0031.
Entry Period
The Contest begins November 1, 2019, and ends February 20, 2020, at 11:59 pm PDT (the “Entry Deadline”). If an extension in the entry deadline is granted, it will be posted prominently on this website.
Consent Agreement
Submitted materials will not be returned. TOKYO INSTITUTE of PHOTOGRAPHY and United Photo Industries are not responsible for the loss or damage of any entry. Submission of an entry to the contest automatically constitutes the contestant’s acceptance of all conditions set forth in the rules below. It also acknowledges the right of the TOKYO INSTITUTE of PHOTOGRAPHY, and United Photo Industries to use the entry for publication on the web, and in exhibitions and promotions directly related to the “TOKYO INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION” Photo Contest.
Copyright over all submissions remains the property of their respective entrants. Entries not complying with the rules set forth on this page will be disqualified. TIP is solely responsible for the administration of the contest, and sponsors are in no way affiliated with the contest or liable for any matters arising due to the contest.
Who May Enter
Open to all amateurs and professional photographers worldwide. Employees of The TOKYO INSTITUTE of PHOTOGRAPHY, United Photo Industries, and each of their affiliates, subsidiaries and agents, and their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they live) or persons living in the same households of such individuals, whether or not related, are not eligible to enter or win a prize. CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age as of the date of entry.
How to Enter
To enter electronically, please click here to register. Simply log onto the website and follow the online instructions to upload images from your computer. When your submission has been completed, you will get an e-mail confirmation. Images formatted in JPEG measuring 1,500 pixels on their long dimension are preferred. Images may be color profiled in sRGB, Adobe-1998, or not color-managed.
Entry Fees
$40 per set of 5–10 images. There is no limit to the number of entries allowed per person.
Contest Prizes
THE POTENTIAL WINNERS MAY BE REQUIRED TO EXECUTE THE FOLLOWING: (1) AN AFFIDAVIT OF ELIGIBILITY AND LIABILITY RELEASE; (2) WARRANTY OF OWNERSHIP AND LICENSE; (3) PUBLICITY RELEASE; AND (4) ANY OTHER AFFIDAVITS AND/OR RELEASES OR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED BY PRIZE SUPPLIER(S). UNLESS PROHIBITED BY LAW, THE POTENTIAL WINNERS MAY HAVE TO SIGN THESE THREE DOCUMENTS ID REQUESTED NO LATER THAN 15 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PRIZE NOTIFICATION IN ORDER FOR SPONSORS TO AWARD THE PRIZE. NONCOMPLIANCE OR RETURN OF PRIZE NOTIFICATION AS UNDELIVERABLE MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION AND, AT SPONSORS’ DISCRETION, SELECTION OF AN ALTERNATE WINNER. No prize transfer, assignment or substitution by winners permitted. If an offered prize is unavailable, Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value.Some restrictions apply; each such prize is subject to availability.
Judging
The contest consists of two rounds of evaluation. A panel of experts in photography (the “Judges”) will each review all entries and select a group of entries on the basis of creativity, sense of place and capturing the moment (the “Judging Criteria”).The Judges will collectively select, from among the entries submitted the prizes, based on the Judging Criteria. Winners will be selected on or about March 25, 2020, and notified by email no later than April 8, 2020. Decisions of the Sponsors and Judges are final and binding.
Sponsors reserve the right not to award all prizes in the event an insufficient number of eligible entries meeting the minimum judging criteria are received, as determined by Sponsors and Judges in their sole discretion.