The ZEISS Photography Award is now in its fourth year – and is calling on ambitious photographers from across the globe to present their work around the theme “Seeing Beyond – The Unexpected” to the international jury of experts.

The ZEISS Photography Award is jointly organized by ZEISS and the World Photography Organisation. Last year, 12,000 photographers from 140 countries submitted nearly 90,000 photos.

Photographers are asked for a creative response to the brief "The Unexpected" that is driven by a strong and clear narrative. To be understood in its broadest sense, "The Unexpected" challenges photographers to submit a series of 5-10 images that look past the everyday and address something unforeseen or surprising – whether this is through the landscape and the physical environment, through human expression, emotion and interaction, through political or social causes or something more conceptual.

All types of photography are welcomed by judges.

Un-published work entered into the competition must have been taken between the dates of January 1st 2015 and February 8th 2019. Published work may have been taken at any point in history, but must have been commissioned or acquired or first published between the dates of January 1st 2015 and February 8th 2019.

Images should be no smaller than 1MB and no larger than 5MB. Images should be either JPEG files. All images must be saved in the RGB colour model and EXIF data must be left in the image file. All entrants must be able to supply a high-resolution image suitable for printing in exhibitions should the image be required.

There is no entry fee.

Eligibility

Open to all photographers worldwide over 18.

Prize

The winner will receive ZEISS camera lenses of their choice worth a total of 12,000 EUR, and 3,000 EUR to cover travels costs for a photo project. Plus flights and accommodation to attend the exhibition's opening at Somerset House London in April 2019.

Moreover, ZEISS will invite the winner to the company’s headquarters in Germany. Here they will gain insight into the world of ZEISS and can familiarize themselves with ZEISS lenses. In addition, they will also have the opportunity to personally work with ZEISS and the World Photography Organisation.