Why You Should Enter the World Press Photo Contest
We break down the WPP contest rules for Southeast Asian Photographers
We thought we’d break from our usual newsletter schedule to bring your attention to one of the major events in the global photojournalism space:
The annual World Press Photo Contest is open for entries, with an 11 January 2024 deadline.
It’s free to enter, and winners have their work - and the stories they photograph - published and exhibited around the world. So, as we at Parallax aim to amplify stories from Southeast Asia, we’re here to encourage Southeast Asian photographers — you — to enter!
It could be argued that awards and prizes have no place in the serious business of documentary, and controversy often surrounds them, yet World Press Photo’s annual competition is still one of the most widely seen and recognised competitions for photojournalism and documentary photography, and reaches a wide audience.
Our Editor-in-Chief Tom tells us that:
“When I was an undergraduate studying fine art and covered in paint (sometime in the last century), a friend invited me along to see the touring World Press Photo exhibition in London. It was a revelation for me to see the work on display; here was photography that showed me things I had no knowledge of, things that I hadn’t seen in the newspapers even. So many stories are missed even when they are published, then, as now. It was one of the moments that shifted the trajectory of my life, and one of the many reasons I do what I do today.”
So, don’t enter for the prizes or the accolades, enter because you have something the world needs to see.
Your Stories Matter
As we can see from the stats, photographers from “The Majority World” are still underrepresented, as are women and non-binary photographers.
To be fair, World Press Photo is working to address this. One of the changes made in recent years is a shift to regional categories.
We know there are many talented photographers in Southeast Asia working on issues that they care deeply about and which they have a personal connection to. These stories need to be seen and discussed, and here is an opportunity to take that to a global platform.
Editing and Sequencing are Key
Our digital editor Charlene recently attended an information webinar for the WPP featuring our good friend, supporter and Parallax featured photographer Veejay Villefranca, who is one of this year’s judges. He emphasises that both assignment and personal work is welcome in this competition, but the primary thing entrants should concentrate on is editing and sequencing well.
Are you Eligible?
Preparing a competition entry may seem daunting, and you may even be wondering if you're eligible, but we're here to break it down for you. And no, you don’t need to have been published in the New York Times, or have agency representation. The work you submit doesn’t even need to have been published at all (yet). In fact, if you have any of the following to show that you have photographed professionally, you are eligible to enter:
a press card, stating you are working as a photographer;
ORat least 1 proof of publication (for example a tearsheet) from 2022 or 2023, with your name visible as credit, in either online or print format from a recognized media organization or publication;
ORjournalism union membership card;
ORmembership document from a recognized photographic association that shows the photographer is a professional member;
ORa recent letter of reference (must be from 2022 or 2023) from a photo agency, photo editor, media organization or publication, stating you have worked for them as a photographer;
ORif you are not able to provide proof that meets the above criteria, you may register with alternative (multiple) documents so that we can gain a better understanding of your professional status.
Categorically speaking…
So, what’s stopping you? Not sure if your work is “Press”? Well, there’s a broad range of categories and if your work is photojournalism or documentary based, then there is likely a category for you. There is even an “open” category for work that doesn’t fit neatly within the traditional boundaries of photojournalism and documentary. According to the WPP, “these categories welcome entries that witness or document news moments, events and/or aftermaths, as well as social, political and environmental issues or solutions”.
Each region has four format-based categories: Singles, Stories, Long-Term Projects and Open Format.
Singles
Single frame photographs.
All singles must have been shot in 2023.
All singles will be eligible for the World Press Photo of the Year.
Stories
Stories can contain between 4 and 10 single frame photographs.
All photographs entered into the stories category must have been shot in 2022 or 2023. At least four photographs in a story must have been shot in 2023.
All stories will be eligible for the World Press Story of the Year.
Long-Term Projects
Projects on a single theme containing between 24-30 single frame photographs.
An entry must contain photographs from at least three different years, and a minimum of six photographs must have been shot in 2023.
All projects will be eligible for the World Press Photo Long-Term Project Award.
Open Format
The Open Format category welcomes visual journalism that incorporates lens-based still photography as the central part of the work. We encourage entries that feature innovative techniques, non-traditional modes of presentation, and new approaches to storytelling. Projects in this category can utilize other media (including but not limited to web-based platforms, animation, video, or sound) and/or employ techniques such as multiple exposure, montage, collage or alternative processes in ways that transform (news and documentary) still imagery. Any entries that involve video with a running time beyond 15 minutes cannot be considered.
The main visual content of the project must be lens-based still photography.
Entries in this category must have been produced or first published in 2023.
If the project is long-term, at least three photographs must have been shot in 2023.
Entrants must indicate the type of project and include a description of what processes and methods were used in the production of the project, as well as providing information about the intention behind the project and chosen approach.
All projects that include text elements must have English-language text available. In the case of video, entries must have English-language audio or include English subtitles.
Entries of web-based projects must include the URL to the project itself as well as a screener of 1 minute.
All photographs entered into the Open Format category must be made with a camera. No synthetic or artificially-generated images are allowed, and no use of artificially generative fill is allowed. Any use of generative AI will automatically disqualify the entry from the contest.
Entries in this category must be available via the contest platform Picter. Video files, including screeners, must be uploaded directly into Picter. The jury will only consider the content of entries as presented to them via Picter.
All projects will be eligible for the World Press Photo Open Format Award.
Find out more about uploading requirements for Open Format here and rules regarding the use of AI tools here.
Read the Fine Print!
Now of course, as with all competitions, there are rules, and you should read them carefully, so here’s a handy list of links:
2024 Contest: www.worldpressphoto.org/contest/2024
How to enter: www.worldpressphoto.org/contest/2024/how-to-enter
Entry rules: www.worldpressphoto.org/contest/2024/entry-rules
Categories: www.worldpressphoto.org/contest/2024/categories
Code of ethics: www.worldpressphoto.org/contest/2024/code-of-ethics
Technical requirements: www.worldpressphoto.org/contest/2024/entry-rules/technical-requirements
Captions guidance: www.worldpressphoto.org/contest/2024/what-is-required-in-captions
Judging process: www.worldpressphoto.org/contest/2024/judging-process
Verification process: www.worldpressphoto.org/contest/2024/verification-process
Have we mentioned that the deadline is 11 Jan 2024? Don’t wait till the last minute. Enter now, and good luck!