Photo Art Competition 2024 ‘In the Spotlight’ is Launched

‘In The Spotlight’ Photo and Art Competition

OFFICIAL RULES

INTRODUCTION

The EU Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago will collaborate with the Photographers Guild to present, ‘In the Spotlight’ Photo and Art Competition.     This competition is in keeping with the EU’s objective to put cultural cooperation at the heart of relations with countries around the world.  In particular, through art and photography the EU seeking to promote intercultural dialogue and as well build understanding between societies.

‘In the Spotlight’ pays homage to the Spotlight Initiative (‘Spotlight Programme’) for Trinidad and Tobago.  The Spotlight Initiative is a global programme of the European Union and the United Nations that was designed to combat gender-based and family violence and promote gender equality.  The Spotlight Programme for Trinidad and Tobago concluded recently, was very successful in setting a path forward for fighting gender-based and family violence in the country.

For the purposes of this competition, however, In the Spotlight takes on a deeper meaning. It will be used to ‘shine a spotlight’ on a number of global issues/challenges, including:

1. Nurture Nature:
   • Climate change and biodiversity loss are existential threats facing our planet. But all is not lost as we still have the power to restore and protect our ecosystems – to nurture nature as it were. In this category, participants are invited to ‘shine a spotlight’ on nature (flora and/or fauna) its importance, beauty, destruction and/or by highlighting those actions being taken to protect and restore the balance of nature.
2. I Am Woman:
   • The participation and inclusion of women and girls are important for sustainable development, for economic prosperity and for peace and security.  In this category, we ‘shine a spotlight’ on women and girls by showcasing how they contribute to development.
3. Diversity and Inclusivity:
   • Celebrate differences by ‘shining a spotlight’ on those discriminated against – in particular by race, sexual orientation, physical and mental disability, age and  immigration status – showing how they contribute to a richer, more prosperous and peaceful world.
4. i-Innovate:
   • Celebrate creativity and innovation in art and photography: Participants are invited to ‘shine a spotlight’ on any subject of their choosing in a unique and innovative way, or from a unique and creative perspective.

Photographers and artists are invited to reflect on these themes and use them as inspiration for their pieces.

ELIGIBILITY

The competition is open to nationals/citizens/permanent residents of Trinidad and Tobago only.  Trustees, employees or partners of the EU institutions and the Photographers Guild, as well as immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of those employees are not eligible to participate.

Submitted photos and art work that are not related to the themes, or do not comply with the rules, will not be eligible.

DEFINITIONS

Amateur – For the purposes  of this  competition, ‘amateur’ is defined as any individual who does not make a living, full  time, as a photographer or artist.  Enthusiasts, photography/art students, and part-time freelance photographers/artists are eligible to participate.  The Organizers reserve the right to investigate the status of any participant to ensure they meet these eligibility requirements.

Professional – For the purposes of this competition, a professional photographer is one who makes a living 100% of the time as a photographer in practice or teaching.  For artists, those who work full time as artists in practice or teaching, and/or are recognized by the public or their peers as  such; have participated in exhibitions and received compensation from sale of their artwork; have received advanced training and education; hold  copyright and receive royalty payments; have a legitimate, fully licensed business related to their craft.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Generated Photo/Art – For the purposes of this competition, Artificial Intelligence image generators are considered as one where AI technology is used to create or enhance an image (photo or art).  It is based on a detailed text prompt which is then used to generate a variety of image options.  AI generated photos and art are allowed in the competition, but will be placed in a separate category for judging. The Organizers reserve the right to disqualify any entry generated or augmented by AI entered into non-AI categories. Competitors may be asked to submit original artwork/photography, or evidence of original art/photography, for judging.

ORGANIZERS

This competition is organized by the European Union Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago and the Photographers Guild of Trinidad and Tobago (‘the Organizers’).

ENTRY PERIOD

The competition will begin on April 9, 2024 and end at 11:59 pm on June 15, 2024.  Entries received after that time will not be eligible unless the Organizers officially announce an extension of the entry period.

HOW TO ENTER

Photos and artwork will address the abovementioned themes and there will be three categories of entries:

a.    Adults – 18 years and older

b.    Youth – under 18 years

c.    12 and Under

1. Participants are required to submit original photos or works of art based on the themes 
2. Art can be paint, crayon, pencil/pen/charcoal, pastels, mixed media, or digital (sculptures also included)
3. Photos can be augmented/edited/touched up
4. A new category for AI created images shall be included.  This category will be judged in a separate category from traditional photos and artwork.  AI generated images must not be entered into original categories. 
5. All entries should include brief captions/reflections on the themes (maximum 250 characters)
6. All finalist photographs should be mounted on foam core board and may be matted and framed.  NOTE:  Frames should be light weight and no more than one inch.
7. Full contact information – name, age, phone number and email address is to be included with each entry
8. Photos can be submitted via email to: Karen.sheppard@eeas.europa.eu
9. Artwork can be submitted via email (through a digital facsimile/photo of the piece[1]).
10. The EU Delegation will confirm receipt of all entries.[2]
11. Entries will be judged based on quality of the work, relevance to the theme and resonance of the message.
12. Entrants in the original art/photo categories may be required to provide original works (or evidence of such) for judging.

One entry per person.  Entries not following these guidelines will be disqualified.

SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

Please be sure to check your entries against this checklist before submitting.  Submit only when you have answered ‘YES’ to each question.

WINNERS

The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges chosen by the Organizers.  The panel will include the EU Ambassador.  Winners will be determined based on the quality, creativity and originality of the entry and caption and relevance to the themes.

The Organizers will contact those shortlisted for prize consideration using the contact information on their submission.  The shortlisted persons will then have 48 hours to contact the Organizers before an alternate is selected.  NOTE:  All shortlisted individuals will be required to provide their printed and mounted photo of size 81/2 X 11 or larger to the Organizers (for a photo exhibition of the works).  Original art, if not already submitted will be requested.  All finalist submissions must be exhibition-ready, that is, framed and/or mounted.  All photographs must be mounted per Instruction #6 in ‘How to Enter’ above.

PRIZES

There will be prizes awarded in each category – amateur/professional, adult/children, including an under 12 category as follows:

SPECIAL PRIZE CATEGORIES:

Drone photography (Adults 18+ only):  This prize, valued at TT$500, will be for the best drone photo by professional or amateur, across all age categories.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) art/photography (All ages):  New to the competition this year will be images created by artificial intelligence.  AI images are considered those created by using a series of word prompts and feeding it into an AI text-to-image generator.  A prize, valued at TT$500 will be given for the best AI generated images.

Best Thematic Image (All ages):  For the entry that best depicts one or more of the thematic areas above.  A prize valued at TT$500 will be given for the best thematic image.

**All finalists will be awarded certificates of participation. 

PHOTO/ART EXHIBITION

The Organizers intend to display for a period of minimum one week after the award of prizes the photography and artwork works of competition finalists.  By consenting to participate in this competition and exhibition, participants will have conferred usage rights to the Organizers for the use of these works on display only, in future promotional activities. 

SALE OF EXHIBITION PIECES

Finalists are permitted to exhibit their winning pieces ‘for sale’ if so desired.  NOTE: The sales transactions will be the responsibility of the finalist and the potential buyer only.  The Organizers will not be responsible/liable for the sale of any work on display. NOTE: The piece, if sold, cannot be removed until the exhibition is over.  At the end of the exhibition, pieces must be collected by the artist only.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Competition is impaired in any way, the Organizers may, in their discretion, either: (a) suspend the Competition to address the impairment and then resume it; or (b) award the prize(s) to one of the selected out of the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment; or (c) cancel the competition outright and return submitted hard copy entries to their owners. The Organizers reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the operation of the Competition, violates these Rules, or acts in a disruptive or unsportsmanlike manner. The Organizers’ failure to enforce any term of these Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In the event of a dispute as to the owner of an online entry, the authorized account holder used to enter will be deemed to be the owner.

RELEASE AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY

By entering, the participant agrees to release and will not hold the EU Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago, The Photographers Guild of Trinidad and Tobago, their respective parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents (the “Released Parties”) responsible for and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Competition or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Competition; (b) technical errors; (c) printing errors; (d) late or undelivered mail; and (e) errors in the administration of the Competition. The participant waives the right to claim any attorney’s fees and any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

PRIVACY AND PUBLICITY

Any information the participant submits, when entering the Competition is provided to the Organizers. Except where prohibited, the participant consents to the Organizer’s use of the participant’s name in any list of winners (if applicable) and for promotional purposes in any media without further payment or consideration.

DISPUTES

The participant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Competition or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in Trinidad and Tobago. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, the participant’s rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Organizers in connection with the Competition, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Trinidad and Tobago, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of Trinidad and Tobago or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than Trinidad and Tobago.

ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES

Participation in the competition implies full acceptance of the above rules.

QUESTIONS

Any questions and inquiries about the Competition can be emailed to: Karen.sheppard@eeas.europa.eu,   photoguildtt@gmail.com.

[1] Shortlisted finalists’ original art entry will need to be submitted/reviewed.

[2] If you do not receive a confirmation of your entry within 48 hours, please contact the Delegation at 235-6453.