The ZEISS Photography Award is now in its fifth year and is calling on ambitious photographers from across the globe to present their work around the theme “Seeing Beyond – Discoveries”.

Epiphanies, inventions and transformations from the known to the unknown, we want to see something new. Submissions exploring the landscape, humans, science, political or economic changes, or even something more conceptual, are all welcome.

While all creative responses are encouraged, submissions must actively explore the topic of the brief. The series should be between five to ten images, have a clear narrative that aligns with the brief (Seeing Beyond – Discoveries) and visual consistency.

Un-published work entered into the competition must have been taken between the dates of January 1, 2016 and February 4, 2020. Once unpublished work has been entered, it cannot be entered again as published work in the future year of the awards competition.

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 1, 2016 and February 4, 2020.

Eligible publications include magazines, newspapers, online and print editorial, self-publishing websites, including personal sites as well as commissioned gallery exhibitions. Images included in past photographic competitions, advertisements, marketing material, blogs, social media and all other visible platforms prior to January 1st 2016 will be considered published and not permissible within this competition.

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 2020.

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.