Peculiar Conference Image Awards 2024

July 8, 2024

1. General Rules

1.1 Eligibility: The competition is open to professional and amateur photographers and videographers worldwide, aged 18 or older in attendance to the Peculiar Conference 2024.

1.2 Categories: Entries can be submitted in various categories such as 

1.2.1 Photography: 

Wedding: Celebrating  the beauty, emotion, and detail of wedding photography. Entrants are invited to submit images that capture the essence of weddings, including candid moments, portraits, and the atmosphere of the event.

Portrait: Focusing on the art of portrait photography, highlighting the subject’s personality, expression, and mood. Entrants are encouraged to showcase their skills in capturing the essence of their subjects.

Creative:  For photographers who push the boundaries of conventional photography through creative techniques and concepts. Entries should reflect originality, artistic vision, and innovative approaches.

Lifestyle: Capturing the essence of everyday life and human experiences. Entrants should submit images that depict moments, activities, and interactions in a natural and authentic manner.

Peculiar Photowalk: This unique category invites entrants to submit photographs taken during a Peculiar Collective Photowalk. The focus is on finding beauty and interest in the unexpected.

Documentary: the essence of reality through compelling visuals, offering insights into diverse human experiences and/or social issues


1.2.2 Videography:

Short Film: Celebrating the art of storytelling through short films. Entrants are encouraged to create compelling narratives within a limited time frame, showcasing their creativity, technical skills, and unique perspectives.

Documentary: Honoring the art of documentary filmmaking. Entrants should aim to present factual and engaging stories about real-life events, people, or issues, providing insight and raising awareness.

Wedding Highlight: celebrates unforgettable moments and emotions, weaving together love stories with artistry and elegance via a 2-3 minute video.

Peculiar Photowalk:This unique category invites entrants to submit short videos taken during a Peculiar Collective Photowalk. The focus is on finding beauty and interest in the unexpected.

1.3 Submission Period: All entries must be submitted between July 1, 2024  and October 1, 2024. 

1.5 Originality: All submitted works must be original and created by the entrant. Plagiarized or previously published work (beyond personal portfolios or social media) will be disqualified. AI or Generative Fill utilized in more than 40% of the image size will be disqualified.

1.6 Rights: By submitting, entrants grant the organizers the right to use their images or videos for promotional purposes, with appropriate credit given.

2. Submission Guidelines

2.1 Format:

Photographs: JPEG or PNG, minimum resolution of 300 DPI, and at least 2000 pixels on the longer side. File size must be 10 MB or smaller. Email your image or link to your image to info@peculiarcollective.us with IMAGE AWARDS: {[FirstName] [LastName] [imagename]}. In the body of your email include what category you are entering. One image and category per email, Additional entries will require separate entries.

Videos: MP4 format, with a resolution of at least 1080p, Short Film with a max duration of 6 minutes and Documentary Film 20 minutes. Upload Image to Youtube, make it view only with a link. Email link to info@peculiarcollective.us with IMAGE AWARDS: {[FirstName] [LastName] [imagename]}  In the body of your email include what category you are entering. One video and category per email, Additional entries will require separate entries.

2.2 Number of Entries: Each entrant can submit up to 1 entry (image/video) per category.

2.3 File Naming: Files should be named in the following format: Category_FirstName_LastName.jpg (or .mp4 for videos).

2.4 Description: Each entry has the option to include a brief description (up to 150 words) explaining the concept or story behind the work.

3. Judging Criteria

3.1 Judges: The panel will consist of carefully chosen photographers, videographers, and industry experts. 

3.2 Criteria: Entries will be judged based on:

Content: The subject matter and elements within the photograph or video, assessing how well they convey the intended message or story.

Creativity: The use of imagination and innovative techniques to create a unique and engaging visual experience.

Originality: The uniqueness of the work, showcasing the creator’s individual style and vision, and distinguishing it from conventional or clichéd approaches.

Technical: The technical aspects of the work, including focus, exposure, lighting, composition,  and post-processing, demonstrating professional skill and attention to detail.

Quality:The overall excellence and professionalism of the work, encompassing both the visual and technical standards, ensuring it meets high benchmarks of artistic and technical achievement. 

Adherence to the theme of the category: How well the entry aligns with the specific theme or requirements of the category, effectively capturing its essence and purpose.

3.3 Process: The judging will occur in two rounds – preliminary judging to shortlist entries and final judging to select winners.

3.4 Decisions: The decisions of the judges are final and binding.

4. Awards and Prizes

4.1 Awards: Awards will be given for the winner in each category. Honorable mentions may also be awarded.

4.2  Announcement: Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, to be held on November 8, 2024 at Peculiar Conference 2024. Winners will also be notified via email and announced on the official website and social media channels.

5. Usage and Reproduction Rights

5.1 Rights Retained: Entrants retain all rights to their submitted works.

5.2 License: By entering, entrants grant the organizers a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the works for promotional purposes, including exhibition, and display on the contest website and social media.

5.3 Credit: All works used by the organizers will be credited appropriately.

6. Disqualification

6.1 Non-Compliance: Entries that do not comply with the rules and guidelines will be disqualified. 

6.2 Misconduct: Any attempt to influence the judges or manipulate the judging process will result in disqualification.

7. Liability and Indemnity

7.1 Liability: The organizers are not responsible for any loss or damage to entries.

7.2 Indemnity: Entrants agree to indemnify the organizers against any claims arising from the use of their works.

8. Miscellaneous

8.1 Amendments: The organizers reserve the right to amend these rules at any time, including extending the submission period or changing the judging panel. 

8.2 Contact: For any questions or clarifications, entrants can contact info@peculiarcollective.us

9. Acceptance of Rules

9.1 Agreement: By submitting an entry, participants agree to abide by these rules and regulations.

Please view rubric below:

CriteriaExcellent(9-10 points)Good(7-8 points)Fair (5-6 points)Needs Improvement (1-4 points)Score
ContentExceptionally compelling and engaging; clear, impactful message or story.Good content, engaging, with a clear message or story.Average content; some elements are engaging, but the message or story lacks impact.Weak content; unclear message or story, and lacks engagement.
CreativityHighly imaginative and innovative, showing exceptional creativity and originality.Creative and innovative, demonstrating good use of imagination.Some creativity and innovation; moderate use of imaginative elements.Lacks creativity and innovation; conventional and unimaginative approach.
OriginalityEntirely unique and stands out significantly from other entries; highly individual style.Unique with noticeable individual style; stands out from most entries.Somewhat original; shows some individual style but not highly distinctive.Lacks originality; similar to other entries with little to no individual style.
Technical QualityExceptional technical execution; flawless focus, exposure, lighting, and composition.Good technical quality; minor issues but overall well-executed in terms of focus, exposure, lighting, and composition.Adequate technical quality; noticeable issues with focus, exposure, lighting, or composition.Poor technical quality; significant issues with focus, exposure, lighting, and composition.
QualityOverall, an exceptionally high standard of professionalism and excellence.High standard of quality; professional and polished work.Average quality; some professional elements but lacks overall polish.Low quality; lacks professionalism and polish, appearing amateurish.