Frequently asked questions
What is a submission and what are the fees?
An entry consists of one, two or max. three digital image(s).
Whether you are an amateur or a professional photographer, everyone is welcome to participate. Here are the details:
- Submission Fees Vincent van Gogh Photo Award:
- 1 Photo: € 15
- 2 Photos: € 25
- 3 Photos: € 35
- Submission Fees for Student Award:
- 1 Photo: € 7,50
- 2 Photos: € 12,00
- 3 Photos: € 15,00
Feel free to enter as many times as you like! Each photo will be judged separately, giving you multiple chances to win. You can submit as many entries (of up to three digital images) as you like.
I have registered myself, but I am now experiencing login issues.
When you registered, you should have received an email containing your personal password. This allows you to log in again whenever needed.
If you can’t find this email or have lost it, go to https://competition.vincentvangoghphotoaward.com/ and request a new password using the email address you registered with.
About the Image manipulation.
Image editing is allowed to a certain extent, but we apply clear boundaries. What we do not allow is significant manipulation of photos. This includes:
• Completely distorting images or combining multiple photos into one new composition (with the exception of stacking techniques, for example, due to lens limitations or challenging shooting conditions).
• Altering faces to such an extent that people become unrecognizable or appear unnatural.
What is allowed — and what we do not consider image manipulation — is image enhancement. This includes sharpening, applying HDR, color correction, adjusting contrast and saturation, and other adjustments that improve the photo without fundamentally altering its original content.
How will submissions be judged?
All entries will be judged by our professional jury.
Judging is subjective, but here are a few simple guidelines to help you compose your submission(s):
Make sure it is strong on its own. It should clearly convey the story, moment or concept you want to show.
Trust your instincts, but also seek the opinion and advice of others you trust.
Sometimes you need someone else’s opinion to further improve your submission(s). Ask someone with a good eye for this, be it another photographer or a creative person with experience in this.
In what format should I save my digital images?
Each digital image must be sent without frames, watermarks or logos in JPG format of at least 3,000 pixels (longest side) 300 dpi and with a file size of at least 2 MB and preferably no more than 6 MB. Images in RGB, Adobe-1998, or not color-processed.
The file name consists of your (registration) name, followed by the title of the photo, the date and place – when/where the photo was taken and the photo number (1,2 or 3). Example : I-Nature-02.12.2016-Amsterdam1
I have already submitted my photo(s) to other competitions, will my broadcast still qualify?
No, we also accept images that have previously been submitted to or won in previous photo contests or other competitions. All photographers retain the copyright to their images.
Do I need to watermark my photos?
No, all photographers retain the copyright to their images.
Will my photos be sold?
No. You retain the copyright to your image(s) and they will not be sold by us.
All entries will be placed on our website so that visitors can view all entries online.
Winning entries may be used to promote the Award for a period of 24 months from the time the winners are announced and notified.
When will the winners be announced?
The approximately 50 winning nominations will be announced on this site on August/September, 2025, and posted in the winners gallery on the site.
About two weeks before the official award ceremony in the Van Gogh Village Museum in Nuenen, the winners will be personally contacted by us.
The winning entries and nominees will be showcased in the fall of 2025 during a three-week open-air exhibition.
Please do not call or email about the status of your submission(s).
After receiving the registration email?
Keep this email safe! You’ll need it to log in. Didn’t receive the email? Check your spam folder too.
If you’ve submitted a photo, you won’t be able to change it. However, you can participate as many times as you want using this login.
Goodluck!