The annual World Press Photo Contest is at the core of World Press Photo’s activities. It offers an overview of how press photographers tackle their work worldwide and how the press gives us the news, bringing together pictures from all parts of the globe to reflect trends and developments in photojournalism.
The main overall prize, the World Press Photo of the Year, is awarded for the single photograph that is not only the photo-journalistic encapsulation the year, but represents an issue, situation or event of great journalistic importance, and does so in a way that demonstrates an outstanding level of visual perception and creativity. It has come to be regarded as the most prestigious international award for photojournalism in the world.
Judging takes place at the beginning of February each year. The contest jury comprises 19 picture editors, photographers and representatives of press agencies from different parts of the world, with widely divergent backgrounds. This brings to the process a breadth of experience, a variety of perception and a contrast in viewpoint that keeps judging dynamic and bolsters objectivity.
Categories:
• General News
• Spot News
• Contemporary Issues
• Daily Life
• Observed Portraits
• Staged Portraits
• Nature
• Sports Action
• Sports Feature
Both single images and photo stories are eligible.
There is no entry fee.
Eligibility
All professional press photographers, photo agencies, newspapers and magazines from anywhere in the world are invited to submit their best news-related pictures from the previous year.
Prize
Winners are announced at a press conference in the second week of February. Prize-winning photographers are invited to receive their awards at the annual Awards Days in Amsterdam at the end of April.
The award carries a cash prize of EUR 10,000 (approx. 13,200 USD), as well as expenses to travel to Amsterdam for the Awards Days in April. The winner also receives one of Canon’s latest professional digital cameras.
The Golden Eye Awards: In each category both the photographer of the best single picture and the photographer of the best picture-story/portfolio receive a Golden Eye Award and a cash prize of EUR 1,500, together with sponsorship of their trip to Amsterdam for the awards ceremony. Winners of second and third prizes and those receiving honorable mention receive a Golden Eye Award and a diploma.
