Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Quick Index
- Key Dates
- Entry fees
- You & Your Copyright
- Eligible Images
- Choosing Your Images
- Online Entry
- Image Returns
- Staying In Touch
- Latest updates from TPOTY
- TPOTY Exhibitions
- TPOTY Books
Your questions answered:
- Key dates:
When are the awards open for entry?
The 2012 awards opened on 29th March. The closing date is 17th September, 2012.
When will you announce the results?
Shortlisted entries will be announced in November with results announced in December.
- Entry Fees:
Why do you charge an entry fee?
Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) is a massive, and expensive, task to organise and administer. The entry fees help to cover some of our administration costs and the cost of TPOTY prizes, exhibitions and books.
- You & Your Copyright:
Do I still own the copyright of the images I submit?
Yes. TPOTY is passionate about photographers' copyright. When you submit images to us, you agree that we may use them to promote the competition, issue to media to promote the competition, and feature them (if chosen) in TPOTY books, exhibitions and the website. We do not restrict what else you do with your images, and if we are approached to use your images in a way which is not to promote TPOTY, we negotiate a fee on your behalf or put you in touch direct with the person interested in your images.
Will you claim an unlimited licence for Travel Photographer of the Year or your sponsors to reproduce any images which I enter?
No. Absolutely not. This is a trick used by many competitions to get around the copyright issue. By entering TPOTY we ask that you allow us to use your images to promote the awards, in press coverage of TPOTY, in our exhibitions and in the TPOTY books. For any other usage we either ask your permission to negotiate a fee on your behalf or put the person/organisation wishing to use the image in direct contact with you. As a matter of courtesy we also contact you in advance if any of your images are selected for inclusion in one of our books.
- Eligible Images:
Are black and white images accepted?
Absolutely - take a look at the Winners' Galleries from previous years and you will see some stunning B&W images, not least Larry Louie's wonderful photographs that won the overall prize in 2010.
Are panoramic images accepted?
Yes! In fact, our overall winner in 2007 won with panoramic images, and in 2006 there were two panoramic winners, one runner up and a commended.
Do you accept transparencies?
No but we accept prints or scans from transparencies. In previous years we have accepted transparencies, but have found that too many entrants submitted great pictures as poor quality duplicate slides. This meant that the judges couldn't assess the images properly, and potentially winning entries were poor quality and eliminated as a result. Regrettably we've taken the decision to accept prints and online submissions only - and, of course, those prints or online submissions can come from images originally shot as transparencies or shot on film or shot digitally.
Are digital images accepted?
Yes.
How much digital manipulation can I do?
You may use digital manipulation to optimise an image but you are not permitted to add or remove key elements of the composition other than by cropping. Brightness, contrast, levels, curves and colour balance can all be adjusted. Dust spots and minor elements etc. can be retouched. Images can be sharpened before printing.
Can I enter composite or montaged images?
No, composite or montaged images, from more than one original image are not eligible. This includes images shot at different exposures/dynamic ranges (HDR) and combined, and images stitched to form a panoramic image. The reason for this is that TPOTY is a photography award not a digital manipulation award. However, multiple exposure 'in camera' is permitted.
- Choosing Your Images:
What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is a set of images which fit together to tell a story with a theme. The main TPOTY portfolio categories are four (4) images. New Talent and Conde Nast Traveller awards are six (6) images.
Is it important to send images which fit the category themes or can I just send my best pictures regardless?
The themes are important as these are what the judges use to select the winning entries. Please make sure you choose images which fit these themes and if you have a fantastic image which doesn't seem to fit then don't be tempted to enter it - keep it for next year.
- Online Entry:
Can I submit my entry online?
Yes. We accept entries online or in print form in any image category. HD Video entries must be made by DVD through the post.
Will entries be judged online?
All but the final round of judging will be conducted online. Shortlisted entrants who submitted online will then be required to submit prints for final judging.
- Image Returns:
Can I have my prints back?
Yes, if you provide a suitable stamped addressed envelope or, for entrants living outside the UK, a suitable addressed envelope and pay for the return postage. You'll find full details on the Print Entries page.
- Staying In Touch:
What if I move house or change email address before you announce the results?
Just email us and we'll update your records.
- Latest updates from TPOTY:
How often does the TPOTY site change?
We update the site regularly so make sure you refresh your browser whenever you visit the TPOTY site so that you always see the latest pages and information.
How can I get the latest news from TPOTY?
We send regular e-newsletters to entrants and interested photographers and travellers. If you would like to receive these updates then please click here and send us your contact details. You'll also find the latest news about TPOTY, its entrants and sponsors on our blog.
- TPOTY Exhibitions:
Where can I see the winning images exhibited?
TPOTY has agreed a five-year partnership to hold major exhibitions each year at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in London. This is very exciting news for us and for our entrants. From 2012 the TPOTY exhibition will travel internationally. Dates, venues and countries will be announced here on this website - on the news and exhibition pages - on the blog and in our e-newsletters.
- TPOTY Books:
What is the latest TPOTY portfolio book?
The most recent TPOTY portfolio book is Journey Three, containing the winning images from 2007, 2008 and 2009. Journey Four will be published in 2012 or 2013.
