The All-Atlantic photo competition: A Celebration of Culture and Communities aims to highlight and celebrate the rich cultural diversity and traditions that thrive around the Atlantic Ocean. From the vibrant rhythms of music and dance to the unique practices of fishing and craftsmanship, this photo contest seeks to capture the essence of the Atlantic’s cultural richness and the stories of the communities who shape it.
Participants are invited to submit photos that showcase traditional ways of living, Indigenous knowledge, and the artistic, culinary, or social expressions that define communities along the Atlantic coastlines.
Who can participate:
The contest is open to photography enthusiasts of all skill levels, from professionals to amateurs, living or working in regions bordering the Atlantic Ocean, from pole to pole and coast to coast.
Photo Categories:
- Traditions Alive: Capturing traditional dances, festivals, and cultural rituals that bring Atlantic communities together.
- Coastal Communities and Family Ties: Highlighting the unique ways communities and families interact with and depend on the ocean, from shared traditions to everyday life by the sea, for instance fishing, boat building, or other ocean-based livelihoods.
- Artistic Expressions: Celebrating the creative spirit through art, music, and craftsmanship inspired by Atlantic cultures.
- Tastes of the Atlantic: Exploring the rich culinary traditions and family recipes influenced by the ocean.
Winner benefits:
- Category Winners – For each category, a first, second, and third prize will be awarded. These winning photos will be exhibited at the All-Atlantic Forum 2025, showcased online, and featured in a digital photo book.
- Honourable Mentions – 10 additional photographs may receive honourable mentions for their outstanding contribution. These images will be showcased online and included in the digital photo book.
Dates:
The competition was open from 1 July 2025 till 22 August 2025. The competition is now closed.
Submission Guidelines:
Please fill out this application form, save the completed form as a PDF, and send it along with your photo to tania.chen@aircentre.org.
- Participants may submit one photo per category but cannot submit multiple entries for the same category or use multiple pseudonyms.
- Submitted photos can be in colour or black and white.
- If selected, participants will be required to re-send the photo in JPG or PNG format, with a minimum resolution of 3750 pixels on the longest side.
- Original photos must be of high quality, suitable for printing if selected. Upon submission, photos should not exceed 20MB.
- Photos must be original and taken within the past three years.
- Entries must include a brief caption (maximum 2000 characters) describing the photo, its context, and its cultural significance.
- Images must adhere to ethical guidelines, respecting the privacy and dignity of individuals.
- Photos generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) are strictly prohibited.
- Participants must not include any signatures, watermarks, or identifying marks on their photos to maintain anonymity.
Evaluation:
A panel of three to five judges, selected to ensure geographical and gender balance, will evaluate entries based on originality, cultural representation, and visual impact.
Evaluation Criteria:
The photos will be evaluated by the jury members based on the following criteria and weight. Scores will be based on a 1–10 scale, 10 being the best outcome, according to:
- Relevance to the Theme (25%) Does the photo clearly align with the category’s theme? Does it effectively convey the cultural richness and diversity of the Atlantic?
- Storytelling (25%) Does the image tell a compelling story about the culture, tradition, or people it represents? Is the accompanying caption engaging and informative?
- Creativity and Originality (20%) Does the photo present a unique perspective or approach? How innovative is the framing or representation of the subject?
- Visual Impact (15%) Does the photo captivate the viewer’s attention? Is there a strong composition, color balance, and aesthetic quality?
- Technical Quality (10%) Is the photo sharp, clear, and well-lit? Does it demonstrate a good understanding of photographic techniques?
- Additional Merit (5%): Point for qualities outside the predefined criteria
