TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce that entries for the Nikon Photo Contest 2014-2015 will be accepted between September 15 and December 15, 2014.

Nikon Photo Contest (NPC) is one of the world’s most prestigious international photo contests. Held since 1969, the goal behind the contest is to provide an opportunity for photographers around the world to communicate and to enrich photographic culture for professionals and amateurs alike. The name of the contest was changed to “Nikon Photo Contest” the last time it was held (34th time), and with 99,339 entries—the largest number of entries in the history of the contest—from 153 countries and regions around the world judged by a globally diverse panel of 17 judges, Nikon Photo Contest is a truly international contest.

Nikon strives for a new international photo contest with Nikon Photo Contest 2014-2015

Nikon strives to implement new challenges with each Nikon Photo Contest in order to contribute to the development of imaging culture in accordance with the conditions of the time, with the hope that we will grow with the times and changes in the environment surrounding photographs and imaging.

With this 35th Nikon Photo Contest 2014-2015, Nikon will implement four new challenges.

1. In each of the photography and video categories, entries captured not only by cameras, but by any digital imaging device, including smart devices and camcorders, will be accepted, providing an opportunity to nurture a new imaging culture.
2. Entries in video categories will be judged separately, and videos of 6 to180 seconds in length will be accepted. We look forward to seeing forms of expression and creativity that differ from photographs and are possible only with video.
3. We have determined a theme for both photography and video categories, other than Open theme. That theme is “Home”. The concept of “Home”, which may incorporate a house or other dwelling, family, home town or country, etc., is variable and may change with the various stages of a person’s life, the times, or even social conditions. As the meanings and stories behind “Home” differ for people around the world over the course of their lives, we look forward to receiving a wide variety of entries exhibiting these differences.
4. A new “Generation N Award” has been established. This award will be presented to a total of 10 entries from all categories representing the viewpoint of young photographers aged 19 or under.

Entries will be judged by prominent photographers, film directors, creative directors and imaging experts currently active on the world stage. In addition to choosing a total of 96 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners from each photography and video category, they will select the best entries from the photography and video categories to receive the Grand Prize. In addition, Generation N Awards and a Participants Award for Most Popular Entry will also be selected.

Winners will be announced in June 2015 with exhibition* of the winning imaging works planned.

*Exhibition venue and dates to be decided at a later date.

Nikon Photo Contest 2014-2015 Overview

• Entry requirementsAny professional or amateur photographer, regardless of age, gender, or nationality, may participate.
• Entry categories
  PhotographyCategory A: Theme “HOME”, Single photo: Single image representing the themeCategory B: Theme “HOME”, Photo story: two to five images that present the themeCategory C: Open theme, Single photo: Single image representing any themeCategory D: Open theme, Photo story : two to five images representing any themeVideo (videos 6-180 s in length)
  Category E: Theme “HOME”, 6 to 180 seconds in length:Category F: Open theme, 6 to 180 seconds in length:
• Entry periodSeptember 15-December 15, 2014(13.00 Japan Time)
• Entry methodEntries will be accepted only via the Internet. Fill out the application form on the Nikon Photo Contest 2014-2015 website and transmit image data via the form.
• Submission rulesSee the Nikon Photo Contest 2014-2015 website.
• Judging and announcement of winnersEntries that pass the first stage of judging will be exhibited on the Nikon Photo Contest 2014-2015 website scheduled for January 2015. The second stage of judging will then take place (February), and winner of each award will be selected from entries that pass this second stage with the final stage of judging (April). We plan to release the results of judging on the website in June 2015. In addition, participants in the contest may also vote for their favorite entry. The entry that receives the most votes will be awarded the Participants Award for Most Popular Entry. Further details will be announced on the website at a later date.
• Awards and prizesThe Grand Prize will be awarded to the best entries in the photography and video categories. In addition, a total of 96 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be awarded to entries in each of the photograph (“Home” and open themes) and video (“Home” and open themes) categories, and winners will be presented with trophies and Nikon products of varying value. Further, the winner of the Participants Award for Most Popular Entry, voted on by contest participants, will receive a trophy and cash prize, and a total of ten entries from all categories, submitted by those aged 19 or younger and representing the energy and new point of view of this younger generation, will be selected for the Generation N Award.Exhibition of contest winners is planned. Moreover, Grand Prize and 1st place winners in each category will be given the opportunity to exhibit his or her portfolio on the Nikon Photo Contest 2014-2015 website. The following prizes will be awarded.

Prizes

Photograph Category	1st place	2nd place	3rd place
Grand Prize	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥1,000,000 ¥500,000 in cash 1 winner
Theme “HOME” Single photo	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥500,000 1 winner	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥200,000 5 winners	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥100,000 10 winners
Theme “HOME” Photo story (multiple photos)	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥500,000 1 winner	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥200,000 5 winners	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥100,000 10 winners
Open theme Single photo	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥500,000 1 winner	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥200,000 5 winners	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥100,000 10 winners
Open theme Photo story (multiple photos)	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥500,000 1 winner	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥200,000 5 winners	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥100,000 10 winners
Video category	1st place	2nd place	3rd place
Grand Prize	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥1,000,000 ¥500,000 in cash 1 winner
Theme “HOME”	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥500,000 1 winner	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥200,000 5 winners	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥100,000 10 winners
Open theme	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥500,000 1 winner	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥200,000 5 winners	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥100,000 10 winners
Participants Award for Most Popular Entry	Trophy, certificate, ¥500,000 in cash 1 winner
Generation N Award	Trophy, certificate, Nikon products valued at ¥300,000 10 winners

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*1st place winners in each category may exhibit additional works in the gallery on the Nikon Photo Contest website.
*Grand Prize winners may not be selected.
*Prizes to be awarded are subject to change without notice. Prizes may not be exchanged for cash.

For more details visit here