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Nominal entry · 2026 · verified

Chromatic Photography Awards 2026 (8th edition)

Chromatic Photography Awards chromaticawards.com ↗

Closes Oct 25, 2026 · D − 13
Top prize $2.0K grand prize
Fee Nominal 22 USD per image
AI policy Unknown check rules
Categories 20 20 single · 0 multi-image

Worth entering? $2.0K top prize against 22 USD per image. The jury read and the rights terms below are what decide it — not the prize math. Jury read ↓ · Rights & disqualifiers ↓

Submit-Safe · before you pay the entry fee Read the fine print

Read the fine print first — Chromatic Photography Awards 2026 (8th edition) has 3 hard disqualifiers and demanding rights terms.

What this contest takes

You keep copyright, but the licence reaches past promoting the contest — wider uses, sub-licensing or passing it to others. Read the licence clause before entering.

  • Copyright stays with the entrant. Rule text: "You hereby grant the Chromatic Awards a non-exclusive, irrevocable license in each Entry throughout the world in all media for any use in connection with the competition." Awarded images: "unlimited non-exclusive use of high-resolution images for activities in all media [...] in relation to the contest and all promotional activities without any remuneration being due." Copyright stays with the photographer; images not resold; credited.
  • Duration: irrevocable (competition-connected use)
  • You keep your copyright
  • Credited when used

What disqualifies you

  • Age minimum Entrants must be over 18. “Anyone over 18 years of age can enter the competition with the exception of employees of the Chromatic Awards, their associated companies and employees of any company chosen to sponsor prizes for the competition.”
  • Image format Colour photographs only — black and white (including toned) images are disqualified; 1200px JPEG, no watermarks, borders or signatures. “Only color photographs will be accepted to the contest. Black and white images (including toned images) will be disqualified.”
  • Copyright ownership Entrant must be the sole copyright owner, with permission from people featured. “The entrant must be the sole copyright owner of all photographs entered and must have obtained permission of any people featured in the entries (or their parents/guardians if children under 16 are featured).”
Closes Oct 25, 2026 · D−13 22 USD per image Upload spec: Files: JPGMax 1200px long edgesRGB colour profileNo watermarks
Check your photo against these exact rules — free → No account · reads the editing line, the AI clause and the file spec · rules human-verified
№ 02 · The editorial read

What this jury looks for

Online awards dedicated to colour photography (8th edition), judged by an international jury including documentary photographers GMB Akash, Marylise Vigneau and Niccolò Rastrelli, and editors/curators. Judged on "artistic merit, originality, subject and style". Stated priorities: artistic_merit > originality > subject. Looks for: colour_a…

The full editorial read continues with past-winner pattern, fee-to-prize value, rights translated, and three comparable competitions. Studio reads the rest.

See Studio — €11/mo → Or one-shot read for €14 →

Categories

Abstract (colour)

Single

Colour abstract photography.

Architecture (colour)

Single

Colour architecture and buildings.

Cityscapes (colour)

Single

Colour cityscapes and skylines.

Conceptual (colour)

Single

Colour conceptual photography.

Culture (colour)

Single

Colour photography of culture and traditions.

Environmental (colour)

Single

Colour environmental photography.

Fashion and Beauty (colour)

Single

Colour fashion and beauty photography.

Fine Art (colour)

Single

Colour fine art photography.

Landscapes (colour)

Single

Colour landscape photography.

Nature (colour)

Single

Colour nature photography.

Nudes (colour)

Single

Colour fine-art nude.

People (colour)

Single

Colour photography of people.

Photojournalism (colour)

Single

Colour photojournalism and documentary.

Photomanipulation (colour)

Single

Colour photomanipulation.

Portrait (colour)

Single

Colour portrait photography.

Sports (colour)

Single

Colour sports photography.

Still Life (colour)

Single

Colour still life photography.

Street (colour)

Single

Colour street photography.

Travel (colour)

Single

Colour travel photography.

Wildlife and Animal (colour)

Single

Colour wildlife and animal photography.

F Format requirements 1 spec

chromatic_entry

  • File types: jpg
  • Max long edge: 1200px
  • Color profile: sRGB
  • No watermarks
E Eligibility 4 rules
  • Entrants must be over 18. hard

    “Anyone over 18 years of age can enter the competition with the exception of employees of the Chromatic Awards, their associated companies and employees of any company chosen to sponsor prizes for the competition.”

  • Colour photographs only — black and white (including toned) images are disqualified; 1200px JPEG, no watermarks, borders or signatures. hard

    “Only color photographs will be accepted to the contest. Black and white images (including toned images) will be disqualified.”

  • No AI-specific rule is published (there is a Photomanipulation category). Treat generative AI as an undefined grey zone and confirm with the organiser before entering AI-touched work. soft

    “All entries must be the original work of the entrant and must not infringe the rights of any other party.”

  • Entrant must be the sole copyright owner, with permission from people featured. hard

    “The entrant must be the sole copyright owner of all photographs entered and must have obtained permission of any people featured in the entries (or their parents/guardians if children under 16 are featured).”

Jury context

Online awards dedicated to colour photography (8th edition), judged by an international jury including documentary photographers GMB Akash, Marylise Vigneau and Niccolò Rastrelli, and editors/curators. Judged on "artistic merit, originality, subject and style".

Priorities: artistic merit originality subject style

Tone: colour as subject vivid fine art

Avoid: black and white watermarks borders

Prizes

Professional grand prize: $2,000. Amateur grand prize: $1,000. 1st–3rd places and Honorable Mentions published in the Chromatic Awards Annual Book; downloadable badges and certificates.

Publication

R Rights & licensing what you grant the organizer
What you grant
Copyright stays with the entrant. Rule text: "You hereby grant the Chromatic Awards a non-exclusive, irrevocable license in each Entry throughout the world in all media for any use in connection with the competition." Awarded images: "unlimited non-exclusive use of high-resolution images for activities in all media [...] in relation to the contest and all promotional activities without any remuneration being due." Copyright stays with the photographer; images not resold; credited.
Duration
irrevocable (competition-connected use)
Exclusivity
none
Attribution
Required
Copyright retained by photographer
Yes

Before you enter — quick answers

Is Chromatic Photography Awards 2026 (8th edition) free to enter?
Chromatic Photography Awards 2026 (8th edition) is not free: 22 USD per image. Check the organizer's page for the full fee rules and any waivers.
Are AI-generated images allowed in Chromatic Photography Awards 2026 (8th edition)?
See the published rules for Chromatic Photography Awards 2026 (8th edition)'s AI policy.
When is the Chromatic Photography Awards 2026 (8th edition) deadline?
Chromatic Photography Awards 2026 (8th edition) closes on Oct 25, 2026 (in 13 days).
How do I know if my photo is eligible for Chromatic Photography Awards 2026 (8th edition)?
Read your photograph against Chromatic Photography Awards 2026 (8th edition)'s published rules — the editing line, the AI clause, and the file requirements — free and without an account with WinPhoto's eligibility check. It tells you whether your image is eligible before you pay the entry fee.