SPIE International Day Of Light Photo Contest 2025

SPIE International Day Of Light Photo Contest 2025 is now open for entries!

SPIE International Day Of Light Photo Contest 2025 : The SPIE International Day Of Light Photo Contest 2025 is a prestigious annual competition recently opened for entires that has a goal to raise public awareness about the International Day of Light and the vital role light and related technology plays in our daily lives.

➜ Short description

The SPIE International Day Of Light Photo Contest 2025 is a prestigious annual competition recently opened for entires that has a goal to raise public awareness about the International Day of Light and to demonstrate the impact that light has on cultural, economic, and political aspects of our world.

This contest encourages both amateur and professional photographers from around the globe to capture and submit compelling images that showcase the multifaceted role of light has in everyday life, from healthcare innovations and renewable energy solutions to telecommunications and cultural heritage preservation.

Participants are encouraged to submit original photographs that capture innovative and imaginative perspectives on the theme of light, illustrating its versatility, beauty, and critical importance.

Entrants have the opportunity to demonstrate their technical skills, artistic creativity, and unique interpretations of how light shapes our world, thereby promoting broader engagement with scientific concepts through visual storytelling.

Examples of content include, but are not exclusive to, artistic images that depict:

➜ Various properties of light and how it interacts with the atmosphere, nature, and materials
➜ Light technology such as lasers, LEDs, etc.
➜ Images created with light technology such as telescopes and microscopes
➜ People interacting with light and/or light technology
➜ The betterment of the human condition with light

Each person may submit a maximum of 2 entries.

Each photograph will be judged on the following criteria:

➜ Content: Appropriateness and coverage of content in relation to the theme.
➜ Scientific interest: Overall effectiveness in engaging and communicating the contest theme to viewers.
➜ Creativity/artistry: Innovation and creativity in the concept.
➜ Execution: Execution of photography techniques used to enhance the quality and content of entries.
➜ Overall appeal for the International Day of Light

The Winners will be announced 30 October 2025.

Through this contest, SPIE not only recognizes and rewards outstanding photographic talent but also promotes greater appreciation for the field of optics and photonics. Winning photographs will be featured prominently in SPIE’s promotional activities and exhibitions, providing photographers with international exposure and the chance to have their work seen by leading experts, industry leaders, and the general public.

➜ Submission requirements:

➜ Digital photographs, photo titles, and artist statements must be submitted online via the SPIE.org website.

➜ Photographs depicting the vital role that light and light-based technologies plays in daily life must be in digital format, suitable for public exhibition and printing at high-resolution.

➜ All images must be 300 dpi or more and at least 3,000 pixels on the longest side. File size should be no less than 5MB and no greater than 20MB. TIF and JPEG/JPG are the ONLY accepted formats. Please submit the highest quality images that meet these requirements.

➜ Only limited enhancement of the original photograph is permitted for the purpose of improving brightness and contrast or removing minor cosmetic flaws. Black and white images are acceptable. Photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization will be disqualified.

➜ The artist statement should include the subject of the image, the location and date the image was taken, the equipment used to capture the image, any adjustments made to the image, a description of how it is tied to the contest’s theme, and any other interesting details about the photo.

➜ Who may enter?

The photo contest is open to adults aged 18 and up, both amateur and professional photographers.

➜ Prize:

Photographers have the opportunity to gain international recognition and win significant cash prizes. The first-place winner will receive $2,500, while the second and third-place winners will receive $1,000 and $500, respectively. A special “Judges' Choice for the Best of Science” prize will be offered this year.