Submit Your Work

Who Can Enter?

The Human Light Prize is open to all photographers worldwide - professional and amateur from any country shooting in all forms of photography using traditional or digital methods.

How do you classify Professional or Amateur?

Professional category is for photographers whose occupation and income is made as a photographer. The Amateur category is for photographers who do not make their main income from photography.

How do I enter?

Create your online Portfolio, upload your images and pay entry fees. Your entry is submitted when entry fees are paid.

What is the final deadline for submissions?

All entries must be received by the Extended Entry Deadline - midnight (PST) Friday, December 18, 2026. Deadlines are subject to change.

What are the entry fees?

Entry fees are $35 (Professional) or $30 (Amateur) per single image. Entry fees are non-refundable.

What is the Early Bird Deadline?

An early entry "2 for 1" Special, you can submit 2 single images for the price of 1.

What is the Early Closing Deadline?

An early entry "Pack" Special offering 40% discount to submit 5 or 10 images or a series. Entries do not have to be in same category. Upload all entries before paying entry fees.

What are the Specials and how to get them?

The "Specials" are discounts up to 50% off full price. Your fees are automatically calculated using the best discount at time of payment. Placeholder images may be uploaded to lock-in the special pricing and replaced before the final deadline.

How can I pay my entry fees?

You can pay by visa, mastercard, amex or paypal. All payments are processed in USD currency.

What is the Group Discount and how do I get it?

Members of photography trade groups, associations, societies and clubs receive an extra 10% discount off entry fees. To qualify, click link at checkout and enter your group's name.

What are Rewards in my Portfolio?

You get 10% of your entry fees back as Rewards at next year's program. Rewards are credit and can be used to pay entry fees.

How many images can I enter?

There is no limit to the number of images you can submit.

Can I enter the same image into multiple categories?

Each image can only be submitted into one category.

Can I enter work that has been published?

Published and unpublished work is accepted.

Is there a time limit on when the photograph was taken?

There are no restrictions on the date of photograph.

What happens to the copyright of the images and how will the images be used?

Copyright remains with the owner at all times. Submitted images may be used to promote the awards. (See usage rights). Privacy Only your name, country, biography and website are shown publicly on the website.

What size of files can I submit?

Digital images must be 2400 pixels max. longest side, 120 ppi, jpeg format, sRGB. Files should be named lastname-firstname_title.jpg (no accented characters in the filename).

Can I submit prints, books or CDs?

Only digital images are accepted.

Can I have my logo or name on the photograph?

Images must not have any embedded marks, logos, names or borders.

Do you accept digitally manipulated images?

Digitally manipulated images are accepted.

What is your policy on AI-generated images?

AI-generated images are not accepted. A photograph captures light on a sensor or film; it is a record of a physical moment. Digital manipulation in post-production is permitted for creative and editorial purposes, but images created or substantially generated by artificial intelligence will be disqualified.

How do I replace or edit an entry?

Click on an image to replace it or edit the title, caption or category. Every image must have a unique filename.

What is the caption?

The caption is for anything noteworthy about the photograph, such as when, where or why it was taken, subject, context, etc. Contacting the judges: Lobbying and unsolicited contact to the Jury members is instant disqualification.

When are the results announced?

Winners and nominees will be announced at the live online Winners Gala, Saturday, March 20, 2027.

I am a Winner or Nominee, what do I do now?

Prepare an Acceptance Speech to be posted on the website.