Photo contests that ban AI-generated images
Open contests whose rules ban AI-generated images in every category, sorted by deadline; some of them still allow editing tools.
15 contests
| Contest | Closes | Entry fee | AI rule | Licence | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Wildlife Fair International Photo Awards 2026Global Wildlife Fair | Asia/Kolkata |
2,360 INR for up to 6 images |
Bans AI-generated images and composites |
Clean |
|
| 1839 Awards — Photographer of the Year 20261839 Awards | America/New York |
35 USD per image |
Strict ban on AI-generated images |
Standard |
|
| World Street Photo Awards 2026World Street Photo | Europe/Berlin |
18 EUR per image |
Bans AI-generated images; editing tools allowed |
Clean |
|
| World Nature Photography Awards 2026Alternative Future Ltd | UTC |
30 GBP per image |
Bans AI-generated images and composites |
Standard |
|
| International Landscape Photographer of the Year 2026Pt 78 Pty Ltd (International Landscape Photographer of the Year) | Australia/Sydney |
25 USD per image |
Bans AI-generated images; editing tools allowed |
Standard |
|
| The Independent Photographer Monthly Awards 2026The Independent Photographer | UTC |
15 USD per image |
Strict ban on AI-generated images |
Clean |
|
| The Nature Photography Contest 2026The Nature Photography Contest | UTC |
10 EUR per image |
Bans AI-generated images and composites |
Standard |
|
| World Sports Photography Awards 2027World Sports Photography Awards (sponsored by Canon) | UTC |
Free |
Strict ban on AI-generated images |
Standard |
|
| Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition 2026Underwater Photography Guide / Bluewater Photo | America/Los Angeles |
10 USD per image |
Bans AI-generated images and compositesUnderwater Digital Art, Underwater Fashion: Bans AI-generated images; editing tools allowed |
Standard |
|
| Bird Photographer of the Year 2027 (BPOTY 12)Bird Photographer of the Year Limited | Europe/London |
35 GBP for up to 25 images |
Bans AI-generated images and composites |
Standard |
|
| RPS International Photography Exhibition 168 (open call)The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) | Europe/London |
Free |
Bans AI-generated images; editing tools allowed |
Clean |
|
| Glanzlichter der Naturfotografie 2027 (29th International Nature Photo Competition)Glanzlichter Competition (Florian & Lisa Marie Smit) | Europe/Berlin |
30 EUR for up to 30 images |
Bans AI-generated images and composites |
Clean |
|
| Sony World Photography Awards 2027World Photography Organisation (in partnership with Sony) | Europe/London |
Free |
Bans AI-generated images; editing tools allowed |
Standard |
|
| World Food Photography Awards 2027Food Photographer of the Year Awards Ltd (formerly Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year) | Europe/London |
35 GBP for up to 6 images, then 7 GBP per extra image |
Bans AI-generated images; editing tools allowed |
Standard |
|
| Communication Arts Photography Competition 2027Communication Arts (Coyne & Blanchard, Inc.) | America/Los Angeles |
40 USD per image |
Bans AI-generated images; editing tools allowed |
Clean |
Each row comes from our record of the contest, checked against the organiser’s published rules on the date shown. Closing dates are given in the time zone on record; the exact closing time is in the organiser’s rules, linked from each contest’s page.
All deadlines in one spreadsheet and calendar file: /planner