Frequently Asked Questions:

AMATEUR COMPETITION

1. Do the three images submitted within the Amateur Competition have to be in the same category?
   NO, images can be submitted in different categories, but only three images allowed overall.
2. I have images in original negatives, how can I enter these? (can I submit both digital and negative images?)
   These can be scanned in to a digital file and then uploaded.
3. Can one submit manipulated images or do they have to be original image?
   Yes, the image can be manipulated, however the manipulation must be described in the submission box.
4. What is the deadline for entries?
   31st January 2008.
5. What is the difference between amateur and professional?
   A professional is a person who makes a living, and earns an income, from taking photographs.
6. Can one only submit 3 images total for the amateur category or can one submit more?
   Each person may submit up to 3 images in total within the Amateur categories. The 3 images can be spread out through more than one genre though.
7. How do I define what category my work should go into?
   The selection of categories is entirely the judgement of the author of the work. It is up to the person taking and submitting the image to decide where their work should sit.
8. Will all academy members be judging my images?
   All Academy members are able to view all Amateur entries. The community, both professional and amateur, rate the amateur images. The Academy then votes on the top images in each category.
9. Is there a time limit on how old my images can be?
   Must be taken within the last 12 months of the date submitted to competition.
10. Will I be flown to Cannes if I win?
    The individual winning the overall image from the Amateur competition will, along with one guest, receive a return flight to Cannes, along with hotel accommodation, to attend the Awards Presentation, where they will receive their award.
11. What are the prizes in each amateur category?
    The winners in each category will have their work exhibited in Cannes alongside all the professional finalists as well as receive a Sony gift.
12. Can images taken on camera phones be entered into the competition?
    Yes. Although images entered must be able to be of a scale and quality that can be reproduced and exhibited in a gallery.
13. How will my images be used in relation to the awards?
    By submitting an entry for the Contest, each contestant acknowledges that the Copyright remains that of the photographer. Any photograph used by the Sony World Photography Awards shall carry the photographer's credit line. Use may include, but is not limited to, publication in any WPA media or documentation internationally. All entrants understand that any image submitted to the competition may be used by Sony World Photography Awards, and its Event Partners, for marketing and promotional purposes including, but not limited to, any media such as exhibitions, print and digital media directly related to the Sony World Photography Awards. Winners of the Amateur competition will also have their images exhibited in Cannes for the duration of the Sony World Photography Awards.
14. Will my images be used in any other way or do the sponsors have rights to use my image?
    All entrants understand that any image submitted to the competition may be used by Sony World Photography Awards, and its Event Partners, for marketing and promotional purposes including, but not limited to, any media such as exhibitions, print and digital media directly related to the Sony World Photography Awards.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETITION

1. Do the images submitted within the Professional Competition have to be in the same category?
   NO, images can be submitted in as many categories as you wish. You may submit up to 10 images in each single category. For example, if you enter three categories (people, fashion, nude) and submit 10 images in each, you will submit a total of 30 images.
2. I have images in original negatives, how can I enter these? (can I submit both digital and negative images?)
   These can be scanned in digitally and uploaded.
3. Can one submit manipulated images or do they have to be original image?
   Yes, the image can be manipulated, however the manipulation must be described in the submission box.
4. What is the deadline for entries?
   31st January 2008
5. What is the difference between amateur and professional?
   A professional is a person who makes a living, and earns an income, from taking photographs.
6. How do I define what category my work should go into?
   The selection of categories is entirely the judgement of the author of the work. It is up to the person taking and submitting the image to decide where their work should sit.
7. Will all academy members be judging my images?
   Academy members qualified in their specialist categories will vote on their chosen categories only. For example, an Academy member specialising in photojournalism will not vote on the fashion category. The 11 winners in each category will be put forward for the best overall image - "L'iris d'Or". The 11 Honorary Board members will all vote on these images.
8. Is there a time limit on how old my images can be?
   The images should be taken in 2007.
9. What are the prizes in each category?
   Winner of "L'iris d'Or" - Best overall photograph will receive:
   
   
   • Recipient of "L'iris d'Or", the best image, the "Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of The Year"
   • $25,000 in prize money
   • Entry into the "World Photographic Academy"
   • Exhibition showcase of winning image and 25 picture portfolio at the 2009 Sony World Photography Awards.
   • Winning image will be exhibited on the "Sony World Photography Awards" website and promoted to creatives worldwide.
   Winners of each individual category will receive:
   
   
   • Recipient of the title "Sony World Photography Awards category name Photographer of The Year"
   • Entry into the "World Photographic Academy"
   • Winning image will be exhibited on the "Sony World Photography Awards" website and promoted to creatives worldwide.
10. Can images taken on camera phones be entered into the professional competition
    No.
11. How can I prove that I am a professional photographer?
    Submit your affiliations (if any) on the registration form, along with your website, or URL featuring your work. You or your agency/management may be contacted by a representative from the World Photography Awards, to verify your position.
12. How will my images be used in relation to the awards?
    By submitting an entry for the Contest, each contestant acknowledges that the Copyright remains that of the photographer. Any photograph used by the Sony World Photography Awards shall carry the photographer's credit line. Use may include, but is not limited to, publication in any WPA media or documentation internationally. All entrants understand that any image submitted to the competition may be used by Sony World Photography Awards, and its Event Partners, for marketing and promotional purposes including, but not limited to, any media such as exhibitions, print and digital media directly related to the Sony World Photography Awards. Winners of the Amateur competition will also have their images exhibited in Cannes for the duration of the Sony World Photography Awards.
13. Will my images be used in any other way or do the sponsors have rights to use my image?
    All entrants understand that any image submitted to the competition may be used by Sony World Photography Awards, and its Event Partners, for marketing and promotional purposes including, but not limited to, any media such as exhibitions, print and digital media directly related to the Sony World Photography Awards. Winners of the Amateur competition will also have their images exhibited in Cannes for the duration of the Sony World Photography Awards.