PhotoClub247 Compeition Rules

Photographer of the Year Competition Rules

{Updated 3rd January 2026}

By submitting an entry to the PhotoClub247 Photography Competition, each photographer agrees to abide by the following rules....

Eligibility: This competition is open exclusively to current members of PhotoClub247 at the time each heat is run.
Ineligibility: Employees or Directors of PhotoClub247 Ltd, as well as any individuals or companies associated with the Contest (e.g., sponsors, judges), are not permitted to enter.
Original Work: All entries must be the entrant's original work, created solely by them. Photographs taken during workshops are not eligible for submission.

Submission Method: Entries are only accepted via the official entry form on the PhotoClub247 website.
Invalid Submissions: Photos posted on a Space thread or sent via email will not be counted.
Entry Limit: You may submit only one photograph per heat. Once an entry has been submitted, it is NOT possible to change it.
Image Usage: A photograph may only be entered into the competition once. If an image is selected for the end-of-year final, it is considered part of the same competition and is therefore eligible to be seen again.
Similar Images: Near-identical images cannot be used for separate entries.
Age of Image: There is no limit on the age of a photograph. You may enter images taken in previous years, but we encourage members to shoot new images specifically for the competition.
Previous Wins: Photographs that have previously won any other photo contest, whether online or in print (as determined by the Directors of PhotoClub247 Ltd), are not eligible.
Theme: The photograph must clearly match the theme of the current heat. Photos that do not fit the theme may be disqualified.
Content: Photos must be suitable for all audiences. Images that contain sexually explicit, obscene, violent, or other objectionable or inappropriate content (as determined by the Directors of PhotoClub247 Ltd) are not eligible.

File Format: Photos must be submitted as a JPEG (.jpg) file.
Colour Space: The image must be in the sRGB colour space, including monochrome images.
Dimensions (Maximum):
- Landscape: No more than 1600 pixels on the longest side.
- Portrait: No more than 1200 pixels on the longest side.
- Square: No more than 1200 pixels on each side.
Filename: The title of the entry must be included in the filename.
Watermarks/Logos: Please submit your photo without any visible name, logo, or watermark on the image itself.
Originality & AI: All content and copyright must be 100% owned by you, the photographer. The use of any AI-generated content, clip art, royalty-free images, or purchased textures is strictly prohibited.
Permitted Techniques: Use of High Dynamic Range (HDR), focus stacking, stitched panorama, and multiple exposure techniques are accepted, unless explicitly stated otherwise in the specific heat definitions.

Copyright: All entries remain the property and copyright of you, the photographer.
Usage Grant: As a condition of entry, you grant PhotoClub247 Ltd a royalty-free license to use the submitted photographs for publicity material related only to these Contests across the PhotoClub247 platform and our social media channels. You will always be credited as the photographer.
Responsibility for Entries: PhotoClub247 Ltd is not responsible for entries that are lost, damaged, or corrupted during the submission process.
Disqualification: PhotoClub247 Ltd reserves the right to disqualify any entry found to be in violation of any of the rules, even after an award has been granted
Right to Modify/Cancel: The Directors of PhotoClub247 Ltd reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the contest rules if necessary (e.g., due to unforeseen technical difficulties, a low number of entries, or a force majeure event).
Model/Property Release: If your photograph features recognizable people, you are responsible for ensuring you have their permission (a model release) to use their image. If the photo features someone's private property prominently, you are responsible for obtaining permission to photograph it.

Criteria: Submissions will be judged based on creativity, originality, technical quality, and how well they fit the heat's theme.
Judge: Photographs will be judged by an experienced camera club judge, who will be announced on the entry form for each heat.
Process: Each heat will be judged during a live Webinar.
Finalists: The judge will select 7 images from each heat to proceed to the final. They will be ranked as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 2x Highly Commended, and 2x Commended.
Decision: Once the winners are selected, the judges' decision is final. No discussions or appeals will be accepted.

- Heats: 19th February, 23rd April, 18th June, 20th August, and 15th October.
- Final: 10th December.
- Entry Window: The entry window for each heat opens 4 weeks before the scheduled judging webinar and closes at 11:59 PM (UK & Ireland) 7 days before the judging, or when the maximum number of entries (35) has been received, whichever comes first.
- Winner Announcement: Winners will be announced during the live webinar judging and later published on the website and through our social media channels.
By submitting an entry to the PhotoClub247 Photography Competition, you are accepting the Rules of the Competition as detailed on this page.