SPIE International Day of Light Photo Contest 2026 ($5,000 in prizes) – YOA

Deadline: September 16, 2026

Applications are open for the SPIE International Day of Light Photo Contest 2026. The SPIE International Day of Light Photo Contest is held yearly to lift consciousness in regards to the International Day of Light and to display the affect that mild has on cultural, financial, and societal elements of our world.

Help showcase the transformative and awe-inspiring affect of mild on our lives, communities, and planet by submitting your eye-catching photos. A particular “Judges’ Choice for the Best of Science” prize will probably be supplied this 12 months. 

Examples of content material embrace, however aren’t restricted to, creative photos that depict:

• Various properties of mild and the way it interacts with the ambiance, nature, and supplies
• Light know-how similar to lasers, LEDs, and so forth.
• Images created with mild know-how, similar to telescopes and microscopes
• People interacting with mild and/or mild know-how
• The betterment of the human situation with mild

Awards

• First Prize: USD $2,500
• Second Prize: USD $1,000
• Third Prize: USD $500
• Judges’ Choice for Best of Science Prize: USD $1,000

Eligibility

• Open to beginner {and professional} photographers;
• Be as much as 18 years and above;
• Employees of SPIE and optics.org, their instant households, the competition judges, and consultants/contractors of SPIE aren’t eligible. Immediate household is outlined as all grandparents, dad and mom, spouses, siblings, kids, grandchildren, in-laws, or anybody residing in the SPIE or optics.org worker’s family.

Judging Criteria

Each {photograph} will probably be judged on the next standards:

• Content: Appropriateness and protection of content material in relation to the theme.
• Scientific curiosity: Overall effectiveness in participating and speaking the competition theme to viewers.
• Creativity/artistry: Innovation and creativity in the idea.
• Execution: Execution of pictures strategies used to boost the standard and content material of entries.
• Overall enchantment for the International Day of Light.

Application

Digital pictures, photograph titles, and artist statements have to be submitted on-line by way of the shape on the SPIE.org web site. Entries submitted by mail won’t be accepted.

Click here to apply

For extra data, go to SPIE International Day of Light Photo Contest.