16th Arbella International Photography Contest
- Deadline: 6 September 2026
- Website: https://www.arbellaphotocontest.com/
The 16th Arbella International Photography Contest invites photographers from around the world to share their unique visual perspectives.
Organized by Arbella Pasta, the international contest aims to bring together different cultures, stories and photographic approaches through the universal language of photography.
The 2026 edition features two categories:
Beauty of Imperfection
This category explores the visual and emotional value of imperfection. Participants are invited to photograph traces of time, irregular forms, unfinished structures, human vulnerability, natural transformations and the distinctive beauty found beyond conventional ideas of perfection.
Open
The Open category welcomes photographs on any subject and gives photographers the freedom to present their individual style, creative vision and photographic language.
The contest is open to amateur and professional photographers aged 18 and over from all countries. Participation is free.
Photographers aged between 18 and 24 are also eligible for the Future Viewfinder Award. This is not a separate submission category; eligible photographs submitted to either competition category will automatically be considered for the award.
The competition is organized under the patronage and recognition of internationally respected photography organizations. Selected photographs will receive cash prizes, medals, honorable mentions and exhibition opportunities.
Fees:
Free
Prizes:
Grand Prize: USD 2,500
For each competition category:
First Prize: USD 1,500
Second Prize: USD 1,000
Third Prize: USD 750
Future Viewfinder Award for photographers aged 18–24: USD 750
The competition also offers medals, honorable mentions and exhibition opportunities in accordance with its international patronage and official competition rules.
Eligibility:
The competition is open worldwide to amateur and professional photographers aged 18 and over. Members of the jury, competition organizers, employees directly involved in the organization and their immediate family members may not participate. Photographers aged 18–24 are automatically considered for the Future Viewfinder Award when submitting to either of the main competition categories.
Copyrights & Usage Rights:
All copyrights remain with the photographer.
Participants grant the organizer permission to use awarded, honorable mention and exhibited photographs for non-commercial purposes related to the competition, including exhibitions, catalogues, press releases, websites, social media, promotional materials and future announcements of the Arbella International Photography Contest.
Whenever reasonably possible, the photographer’s name will be credited. The organizer may not sell the photographs or transfer their commercial rights to third parties outside the purposes stated in the official competition rules.