2026 Australian Photographic Prize Rules

The Australian Photographic Prize celebrates amazing photography from Australian and international photographers.

General Image Rules

The Following Rules Apply to All Images in All Categories (unless otherwise specified)

1. No Previous Entries. Entries for the 2026 Australian Photographic Prize must not have been entered into the Australian Photographic Prize in previous years. Images may have been entered into other Australian or overseas photographic competitions.
2. Image Format. Images should be high resolution JPEG images between 3000 and 5000 pixels on the longest side. For In Camera Artistry the jpeg submitted for judging should meet these dimensions, however the original image file should remain at its original size. See more in How to Enter.
3. Individual entrants. All entrants of the 2026 Australian Photographic Prize must be an individual person. Images originating from a shared or collaborative working arrangement, including studios, agencies, or collectives, must be entered by the respective individual image creator and owner.
4. Entrant's Work. All entries must be the entrant's own work from concept and capture through to final post production.
5. Multiple Entries. You may enter as many times as you like across as many categories as you like, provided the same image (or a near-identical version) is not entered more than once in the competition.
6. Photographic Origin. All images, including any individual elements used in a composite, must be photographic in origin.
7. Text graphics. Computer generated text or graphic elements, and any other non photographic elements are not permitted in any category, with the exception of specific borders and matting outlined below.
8. Borders and Matting. Digital matting and stroke borders that define the edge of an image, or separate multiple images in a diptych, triptych, or similar, are permitted in all categories except In-Camera Artistry. These must be a single shade of greyscale (black, grey, or white), for example a solid black 3px stroke or a white oval overlay. Any other border treatment is considered an additional image element which is only permitted in categories that allow composite images, and must comply with all image rules including being photographic in origin, captured by the entrant, and free of AI-generated content.
9. Backgrounds and Textures. All digital backgrounds, textures, and elements must be derived from original photographs taken by the entrant. Purchased digital backgrounds are not permitted. Physical backdrops such as those used in a studio are permitted.
10. Stock Images. All photographs used in an entry must be original images taken by the entrant. Images previously published or distributed as stock are not permitted if they were not created by the entrant.
11. Multiple Images. Multiple images, presented as a diptych, triptych, or similar arrangement are permitted in all categories except In-Camera Artistry.
12. Composite Images. Refer to specific post production group and category rules to check which ones permit or exclude the use of composite images.
13. Post Production. In-camera and post production tools and techniques may be permitted, depending on the rules for the post production group and or category.
14. AI. Images must not be created by, or contain any elements generated by AI. Where category rules permit, post production, including the use of non-generative AI tools, is allowed, provided the tool does not create or introduce elements not present in the original image. The use of post production tools and techniques should support, not substitute, the entrant's own photographic and post production skills. For example, selecting and blurring a background is permitted, but using AI to add a moon to a night sky is not. The Photoshop Content-Aware Fill and Clone tools are permitted. The Photoshop Generative Fill and Remove tools are not permitted, as are equivalent tools in other applications.
15. Workshops and Photo Tours. Images taken during workshops or photo tours, whether by a participant or bystander, are only eligible where the subject matter was not staged, directed, or arranged by the instructor or guide. Instructors and guides are eligible to enter their own images taken during their own workshops or tours.
16. Suitable for Public Display. Images that provoke thought, challenge norms, and tell difficult stories are welcome. All images must comply with applicable laws and respect copyright, privacy, and moral rights. Images deemed unsuitable for public display may be removed from display or adjusted prior to display. For example, artistic nude entries are permitted but may be edited for public display purposes.
17. Consent and Indemnification. Entrants are responsible for obtaining all necessary consents and permissions and indemnify the competition and its organisers against any third-party claims arising from judging, public display, or use of their work. Where an image includes a person with a reasonable expectation of privacy, consent must be obtained from the subject, or their legal guardian, before submission and public or online display. Where an image was taken on private property, consent must be obtained from the property owner before submission and any public or online display. Where an image depicts children or nudity, proof of consent may be requested, and failure to provide it may result in disqualification. Images depicting child nudity (other than that of infants) will be immediately disqualified, and the entrant may be reported to the relevant authorities
18. Subjects must be treated with dignity and respect. Entrants must adhere to ethical standards that ensure no physical or psychological harm is caused to any subject in the making of an image.
19. Recent Images. All images and individual elements within an image must have been captured on or after 1 January of the year 5 years prior to the close of entries for the competition. For the 2026 competition, all images and individual elements within an image must have been captured on or after 1 January 2021. Each image entered must contain the original capture metadata or, in the case of a composite image, have the original metadata and capture for each element available if requested. Elements in images in the Photographic Artistry category are exempt from this rule provided the artwork itself is created within the timeframe allowed by this rule.
20. Image Timeframe. All images, and individual elements within an image, must have been captured within the five years prior to the close of entries. For the 2026 competition, this means on or after 1 January 2021. Each entry must retain its original capture metadata. For composite images, the original metadata for each individual element must be available upon request. Elements used in Photographic Artistry category entries are exempt from the five-year capture rule, provided the final artwork is created within the eligible timeframe.
21. Self Identification. Images must not contain any information that identifies the entrant, including copyright text, watermarks, QR codes, or URLs. Any context statement or supporting text submitted with an entry must also be free of information that identifies the entrant.
22. Drone photography. Drone photography is permitted and encouraged in the Aerial category. All drone photography must comply with applicable legal, privacy, and airspace regulations. For example, in Australia, drones must not be flown above 120 metres or over people. If requested, entrants must be able to provide evidence of any permits or licences required to capture the image. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
23. Meta Data or EXIF Cleaning. Any entry where metadata or EXIF data has been removed or altered from a digital file may be disqualified.
24. Original Capture Files. Original capture files may be requested for the vetting and validation of any entry and must be submitted within 24 hours of the request. Failure to provide original capture files upon request will result in disqualification and forfeiture of any prizes awarded. Entrants in the In-Camera Artistry category must supply original capture files at the time of submission via a Dropbox link or equivalent online storage. Entries in this category are not eligible without original capture files.
25. Image Review. A selection of images including high scoring, flagged, and randomly chosen entries will be carefully reviewed to confirm compliance with all competition rules. This includes confirming submissions are original photographic works, free from copyright infringement and services may be used to assist in the validation process. Third-party tools and services may be used to assist in the validation process, including the detection of AI-generated content.
26. Film Photography. Film camera entries are welcome in all categories except Phone. For film entries, the original capture is considered to be a digital unedited scan of the full film frame, which must include visible film edges such as sprocket holes, frame numbers, or borders where possible. For negative film, inversion to a positive image is permitted, but must be a neutral, base-level conversion with no creative or corrective adjustments. Further edits are permitted in line with the rules of the relevant category. For the In-Camera Artistry category, film entries may be cropped to exclude visible frame edges, this is the only permitted adjustment. Digital entries in this category must not be cropped. Where competition rules refer to original capture files, film entrants must provide the original unedited digital scan. Physical negatives are not required.
27. Post Production Group and Category. In addition to these General Image Rules, entries must adhere to all Post Production Group and Category specific rules in which they are entered. If an entry is considered to have been placed in an incorrect category, it may be moved into the correct category.
28. Copyright. Copyright of all entered images remains with the entrant. By entering the competition, entrants grant the Australian Photographic Prize, its organisers, and directors a non-exclusive licence to use entered images for purposes including the running of the competition, website, marketing, promotion, education and other purposes, as well as the right to make adjustments to the images. The organisers may also permit sponsors and other associated persons or entities to use entered images for purposes including promotional purposes. Entrants confirm that all work submitted is their own original work and does not infringe the copyright, moral rights, or other rights of any third party. Entrants accept full responsibility for their submissions and agree to indemnify and keep indemnified the competition, its organisers, and directors against any third-party claims arising from their work.
29. Decisions. All decisions made by the organisers, judges, or other appointed parties regarding any aspect of the competition are final. The organisers reserve the right to override or adjust scores, alter any aspect of the competition, and interpret any matter not explicitly addressed by these rules, at their discretion. Entrants accept that decisions are final and agree not to enter into correspondence disputing any outcome.

Disqualification

An entry may be disqualified at the organisers' discretion if any of the following occur:

• An entry is purchased, but no image is submitted
• An entry does not meet the required image size and format specifications
• No category has been selected, or the entry does not meet the criteria of the selected category
• An entry breaches any general, post production group, or category-specific rule
• Original capture files are not provided when required or requested
• The entrant engages in behaviour unbecoming of a competition entrant, including disrespectful, harassing, or abusive conduct toward any person associated with the competition.

Disqualified entries are not eligible for a refund.

General Terms

Please see Terms and Conditions for more

Post Production Groups

The competition recognises three distinct post production groups that define the level of post production that may be applied to an image. Categories are assigned to a different post production group, with some being more restrictive than others. These groups are designed to encourage photographers to work across different creative and technical approaches, challenging both in-camera and/or post production craft and artistry.

Single Capture Post Production Group

The Single Capture Post Production Group celebrates truly authentic photography. The Single Capture Post Production Group celebrates photography where the integrity and authenticity of the original capture are preserved.

Post production is limited to basic technical enhancement only, preserving the scene, subject matter, and pictorial elements as they were captured.

The following basic techniques are permitted:

• Cropping, colour and brightness adjustments, and monochrome conversions
• Dodging and burning
• Removal of in-camera artefacts such as dust spots, digital noise, and film scratches.
• Dyptych, Triptych, Polyptych images are allowed.

The following post production techniques are not permitted:

• Addition, removal, relocation, or replacement of pictorial elements
• Composite images are not permitted in this group.

Note: The In-Camera Artistry category has additional restrictions to other categories within this Single Capture post production group.

Classic Post Production Group

The Classic Post Production Group permits post production techniques that complement and finesse the original intent of the capture, without significantly altering its reality.

The following techniques are permitted:

• Techniques that beautify, correct, and create a polished version of the original capture are allowed.
• Colour correction, retouching, and beautification of the original capture
• Monochrome conversions
• Removal of in-camera artefacts such as dust spots, digital noise, and film scratches
• Removal of incidental pictorial elements such as safety devices, lights, stands, and assistants
• Composite techniques used to finesse rather than fundamentally alter the visual message, including head, face, and body swaps, HDR, focus stacking, and stitched panoramas.

The following are not permitted:

• Added, duplicated, or mirrored elements
• Textures, inserted or swapped backgrounds, and digital painting
• Unrealistic extensions of a background.

For example, removing a discarded drink can from a scene is permitted; adding a moon to a night sky is not.

Entries where post production has significantly changed the reality of the original capture should be entered in the Open Post Production Group.

Open Post Production Group

The Open Post Production Group offers the greatest creative freedom, permitting the full range of post production and digital manipulation techniques within the restrictions outlined in the General Image Rules.

Extensive post production, compositing, and creative manipulation are all permitted. Here, the emphasis shifts toward artistic interpretation and imaginative image construction.

 

 

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Artistic Division

 

Architecture Category

Images celebrating the design, form, and detail of architectural spaces, the exteriors and interiors that define our built environment.

Post Production Rules: Open

Urban, rural, historic, and abstract architecture are all welcome. The interplay of light, shadow, and geometry are central qualities of this category. Images may include people provided architecture remains the primary subject.

Entries where people are a dominant element may be better suited to the Commercial, Creative Portrait, or Documentary categories.

Creative Category

Images in the Creative category may be of any subject and in any photographic genre.

Post Production Rules: Open

Images may be realistic, impressionistic, conceptual, pictorial, abstract or narrative works.

The full range of permitted in-camera and post-production techniques may be used, within the restrictions of the General Image Rules including in-camera techniques and compositing.

This category is most appropriate for images that do not fit in any other.

Photographic Artist Category

The Photographic Artist category celebrates the creativity and skill of composite photography across any genre or theme.

Post Production Rules: Open

While strong photographic and camera skills are essential, this category also recognises the post-production expertise required to craft a compelling composite image.

Unlike other categories, individual elements within the composite are not subject to the five year capture rule. However, the final artwork must have been completed on or after 1 January of the year five years before the close of entries. For the 2026 competition, this means on or after 1 January 2021.

 

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Landscape Division

 

Aerial Category

Images that reveal the colours, contours, textures, and patterns of outdoor environments from a perspective not visible from ground level.

Post Production Rules: Classic

Images taken from an elevated vantage point that meaningfully changes how the landscape is seen, including from drones, aircraft or helicopters.

Images may include people or manmade elements.

Images taken by drones must comply with the local regulations. Images captured in Australia must abide by CASA rules, including below a maximum altitude of 120 metres. See https://www.casa.gov.au/knowyourdrone/drone-rules

Images that do not conform to Classic post production rules (for example, images with creative composite techniques) may be better suited to the Creative Landscape category.

Creative Landscape Category

Images celebrating the environment, showcasing the spaces and scenery of the natural world, where creative post-production may form part of the final image.

Post Production Rules: Open

Images often convey the scale, atmosphere, and essence of a particular place, including landforms, water bodies, and atmospheric conditions.

Images may include animals, people or manmade elements.

Aerial images conforming to Classic post production rules should be entered in the Aerial category. Landscape Images with only basic post-production may be better suited to the Natural Landscape category.

Natural Landscape Category

Images celebrating the authentic beauty of the natural environment, showcasing the spaces and scenery of the natural world.

Post Production Rules: Single Capture

Images conveying the scale, atmosphere, and essence of a particular place, including landforms, water bodies, seascapes and atmospheric conditions.

Animals, people, and man-made elements are permitted provided the primary emphasis remains on the natural scenery.

Images where man-made elements are dominant may be more appropriate in the Creative Landscape category.

Images of tree sized or smaller scenes may be more suited to the Nature category

Aerial images should be entered in the Aerial category.

 

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Living World Division

 

Birds Category

Images showcasing the beauty of birds and character of birds in the world around us.

Post Production Rules: Single Capture

Images must be of living birds, captured in any environment where they are naturally found, including managed environments such as wildlife centres. Minor man-made elements are permitted provided they do not dominate the image. Human subjects are not permitted.

Images must not be of taxidermied or deceased animals.

Images must not portray any form of organised or intentional cruelty, the use of bait or lures, or deliberate disturbance of nesting birds.

Images that do feature taxidermied or deceased birds may be better suited in the Creative category.

Nature Category

Images that celebrate the beauty of natural elements found in the outdoors.

Post Production Rules: Single Capture

Nature images must convey the truth of the scene as captured. They should be of tree-sized or smaller elements of the natural environment. Subjects may include insects, plants, fungi, rocks, flowers, and other natural elements. Minor man-made elements are permitted provided they do not dominate the image. Human subjects are not permitted.

Where colour adjustments have been made, colours must appear natural.

Images must not be taken in a way that disturbs, stages, or harms the subject or environment.

Images of vast outdoor spaces may be better suited to the Natural Landscape category. Images featuring dominant man-made elements, human subjects, or requiring more extensive post-production may be better suited to the Creative Landscape category.

Underwater Category

Images showcasing life underwater.

Post Production Rules: Classic.

Images must be captured wholly or partially underwater, whether ocean or fresh water.

Subjects should be wildlife in a natural aquatic environment such as open ocean, rivers, reefs and shipwrecks.

Minor, localised removal of backscatter artifacts (seagrass, other small floaties or organisms) is permitted only where it does not alter the underlying image content or compromise the authentic capture of the moment as it happened.

Images may include humans, provided the primary emphasis is on marine life.

Wildlife Category

Images authentically depicting wild animals in their natural or managed environments.

Post Production Rules: Single Capture

Images may be captured in any environment where wildlife is found, including zoos and wildlife rescue centres. Minor man-made elements are permitted provided they do not dominate the image. Human subjects are not permitted. Where colour adjustments have been made, colours must appear natural.

Images must not depict any form of organised or intentional cruelty, or be taken in a way that disturbs, stresses, or causes harm to the animal or its habitat.

Birds must be entered in the Birds category and wildlife captured underwater in the Underwater category. Insects and invertebrates may be better suited to the Nature or Macro categories.

 

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Narrative Division

 

Documentary Category

Images telling authentic visual stories of events such as daily life, newsworthy incidents, parties, births, funerals, and other significant life events.

Post Production Rules: Single Capture

Images must not be staged, contrived, re-created, or manipulated in a way that alters the truth of the scene. Subjects must be treated with dignity and respect, adhering to ethical standards that ensure the entrant causes no physical or psychological harm.

Images of weddings or wedding-related events may be better suited to the Wedding category.

Sport Category

Images capturing the passion, emotion, and athleticism of athletic activities and sports of all grades and codes.

Post Production Rules: Classic

Images may depict sporting and athletic activities at all levels, from recreational and community sport to elite competition, across all codes and disciplines.

Images must feature human sporting or athletic activity.

Images may include participants, spectators, support personnel, and sporting environments.

Images must not be staged or contrived.

Images where the animal is the athlete may be better suited to the Documentary category

Travel Category

Images that convey an essence of place, people, or cultural encounters.

Post Production Rules: Single Capture

Travel images usually evoke the atmosphere, character and uniqueness of a location and its experiences. Examples may include street life, local culture, food, architecture, or the natural environment.

Images may be taken in any place one could travel to, including an entrant's own local environment.

Images where post-production is within the Open post production group rules may be better suited to the Creative category.

 

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Portrait Division

 

Classic Portrait Category

Images that capture a subject's essence, personality, or story.

Post Production Rules: Classic

Each image must feature at least one living human being as the primary subject.

Both posed and candid approaches are welcome.

Entries featuring heavily styled, transformed, or creative treatments may be better suited to the Creative Portrait category.

Entries featuring animals may be better suited to the Pet and Animal category, and entries featuring larger groups may be better suited to the Family category.

Creative Portrait Category

Images that capture a subject's essence, personality, or story.

Post Production Rules: Open

Each image must feature at least one living human being as the primary subject and can range from candid moments to formal portraits of individuals, families, or groups.

Extensive styling, creative techniques, specialised makeup, and props are welcome. Post-production, including compositing, may form an essential part of the final image.

Images with animals may be more suited to the Pet and Animal category.

Images of a larger group of people may be more appropriate for the Family category.

Family Category

Images containing two or more individuals sharing a close emotional bond.

Post Production Rules: Classic

Images of two or more humans which capture moments that highlight human connection, love, and intimacy, whether between partners, parents, children, grandparents, friends, or chosen family. Animals are welcome as part of the family group provided at least two human subjects are present.

Images that feature pregnancy would be more appropriate in the Maternity category.

Maternity Category

Images that explore the experience of genuine human pregnancy, celebrating the beauty, strength, and emotion of this significant life stage.

Post Production Rules: Open

Images may be taken in any setting, including studio or outdoor environments, and may include partners, family members, or existing children provided the pregnancy remains the primary subject.

Images featuring post-pregnancy subjects are not eligible in this category and should be entered in the Newborn or Family category depending on their primary subject matter. Birth photography may be better suited in the Documentary category.

Newborn Category

Images showcasing a newborn through posed or candid portraits, artistic compositions, or creative styling.

Post Production Rules: Open

Images where the primary emphasis is on one or more live human babies up to six weeks of age, or corrected age of six weeks in the case of premature births.

This category welcomes a variety of styles including posed, lifestyle, creative, and documentary. Images may include secondary elements that provide context and story, such as other people, animals, or props.

Subjects must not be in distress, discomfort, or situations that compromise their welfare.

Images must not contain AI generated or purchased digital backgrounds as outlined in the General Image Rules.

Pet and Animal Category

Images showcasing the appearance, essence, personality, and/or behaviour of a pet or animal.

Post Production Rules: Open

Images may include humans, provided the primary emphasis is on the pet or animal.

Images must not be of taxidermied or deceased animals.

Subjects must not be in distress, discomfort, or situations that compromise their welfare. Images with intentional harm or cruelty will be disqualified.

Single Capture Images that feature wild animals may be more suited to the Wildlife category.

 

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Specialist Division

 

Commercial Category

Images suitable for commercial clients in the promotion of a product, brand or company, including advertising, fashion, still life, food, and corporate photography.

Post Production Rules: Open

Both commissioned and non-commissioned entries are permitted. Entries where architecture is the primary subject may be better suited to the Architecture category.

Architecture images may be better suited to the Architecture category.

In-Camera Artistry Category

Straight-out-of-camera images of any genre or subject with no post-production of any kind, including cropping. A celebration of pure camera craft, where light, timing, composition, focus, and exposure tell the whole story.

Post-Production Group: Single Capture (special rules apply, see below)

In-Camera Artistry celebrates camera craftsmanship and novel in-camera techniques, recognising images presented exactly as they were captured with no adjustments, retouching, or post-production. Creative in-camera techniques are encouraged, including multiple exposures, intentional camera movement, filters, and creative lighting.

Files must not be edited or altered in any way, either in-camera after capture or through external software.

Submission requirements: RAW file submissions are strongly preferred and considered the ideal format, accompanied by a non-manipulated JPEG rendered directly from that RAW file. Where a camera produces JPEG as its only native capture format, a JPEG may be accepted. In these cases, the file must contain complete and intact metadata and must not have undergone any adjustments, optimisation, or editing of any kind.

Entrants must provide the original capture file at the time of submission to be eligible.

Phone Category

Images captured using only inbuilt phone cameras.

Post Production Rules: Classic

External lenses and other attachments are permitted so long as the phone camera remains the primary image capture device.

Relevant Classic post-production techniques may be applied using phone or computer software. AI generative tools are forbidden as per the AI tool use rule in the General Image Rules.

Macro Category

Close-up images that reveal the hidden detail, texture, and beauty of the world at larger than life-size scale, including macro and micro photography.

Post Production Rules: Classic

Images captured through microscopes are allowed. Focus stacking is allowed.

 

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Wedding Division

 

Classic Wedding Category

Images captured at genuine wedding-related events, reflecting the story, emotion, and diversity of wedding celebrations across cultures, traditions, and relationships.

Post Production Rules: Classic

Images may feature a single person, a couple, or a group, and may include animals. The primary focus of the image must be people and wedding-related subject matter. Eligible events include hen and buck celebrations, wedding ceremonies, receptions, and trash the dress sessions.

Images from engagement sessions may be better suited to the Family category.

Creative Wedding Category

Images captured at genuine wedding-related events, celebrating the diversity of wedding traditions, cultures, and relationships through creative vision.

Post Production Rules: Open

Images may be of a single person, a couple, or a group, and may include animals.

The primary focus of the image must be people and wedding-related subject matter. Creative interpretation, compositing, and extensive post-production are welcome provided the image originates from a genuine wedding event. Eligible events include hen and buck celebrations, wedding ceremonies, receptions, and trash the dress sessions.

Images from engagement sessions may be better suited to the Family category.

Images where post-production is within the Classic post production group rules may be better suited to the Classic Wedding category.