The copyrights to all images and projects are held by their respective owners. cpoy.org publishes these images with the photographer’s permission. Any other usage must be approved by the photographer.
A picture of a scheduled political, social or cultural event for which advance planning was possible. Examples: demonstrations, staged promotional or political events and other daily news.
A candid picture of a "found situation" with strong human interest, a fresh view of the ordinary, a celebration of life or humor. In all cases the dignity of the subject must be respected.
Azadeh Besharati - Danish School of Media and Journalism
A single picture that captures the experience of COVID. The photograph can be spot / general news, sports feature / action, a feature or a portrait. This category is NOT open to illustrations, to digital alteration of content through the use of post capture editing software or to images created with the use of software capture filters.
A picture that captures peak action and the competitive spirit of team or individual sports. Should increase understanding of and appreciation for sport.
Jens Hartmann Schmidt - Danish School of Media and Journalism
A sports-related picture with strong human interest or pictorial quality that celebrates the role athletics play in the lives of athletes and fans. Examples: The joy of victory or agony of defeat, fan reaction and interaction, athlete portraits.
Sue Polschikova - Academy of Documentary and Art Photography "Fotografika"
A picture that showcases a photographer's distinctive perspective on the world. May express beauty, tension, harmony, chaos and other abstract concepts through composition, tonal and color relationships, or may be an abstraction or non-traditional photograph. This category is open to images created with the use of software capture filters (such as those used by Instagram) or non-traditional analog processes and equipment. However, this category is NOT open to digital alteration of content through the use of post capture editing software.
Victoria Zakharova - School of Academic Photography (SHKAF)
A food, product, still life, fashion or concept picture demonstrating tight control of lighting, esthetics and purpose. Each entry must have a title. Digital alteration through post capture editing software or software capture filters is allowable in this category.
Azadeh Besharati - Danish School of Media and Journalism
A narrative picture story or thematic essay photographed in your home country that either reports on significant events, celebrates life, portrays sport or explores environmental, social, economic or political topics. 8 photos maximum per story.
Mads Frost - Danish School of Media and Journalism
A narrative picture story or thematic essay photographed in a foreign country that reports on significant events, celebrates life, portrays sport or explores environmental, social, economic or political topics. 8 photos maximum per story.
A narrative picture story, thematic essay or interpretive project that covers COVID-19 and its impact. Examples are a COVID news story, daily life during the pandemic or portraying a personal experience related to the virus. 12 photos maximum per entry.
Elena Liventseva - Academy of Documentary and Art Photography "Fotografika"
A photographic essay, story or series that showcases a photographer's distinctive perspective on the world and in which that vision creates cohesion and voice in the multiple image presentation. This category is open to images created with the use of software capture filters (such as those utilized by Instagram) or non-traditional analog processes and equipment. However, it is NOT open to the digital alteration of content through the use of post capture editing software (12 photos maximum per entry).
Mads Joakim Rimer Rasmussen - Danish School of Media and Journalism
A long-form photographic essay or extended narrative story which portrays important contemporary concerns or social issues. To encourage long-term projects, images from previous years’ work may be included, provided none of them have previously won a CPOY award. Half of the photographs in the entry must have been taken between August 23, 2019 and August 22, 2020. 12 photos maximum per entry.
A body of work that demonstrates versatility, expertise and depth and showcases a photographer's vision. Minimum Requirements: Must include at least one entry from a multiple picture category (10-14) and entries from at least two still image categories (1- 9). 50 images maximum. Multimedia stories (17-20) may not be included.
A website or collection of stories utilizing multiple mediums (still photography, video, audio, etc.). This category is open to work produced in a class or workshop setting with input and supervision by faculty or collaboration with other students, but outside professional help is not allowed. Judges will evaluate projects based on the strength of individual story components, editing, user interface, and overall effectiveness. This category is not intended for personal online portfolios.
A single standalone story or essay created by a group of students, which uses more than one form of reporting (still image, video, audio) and where the media choice and its utilization enrich and enhance the understanding of the subject. Each entry should have a short run time (flexible up to about 8 minutes). No more than one story per entry.
A single standalone story or essay created by one student, which uses more than one form of reporting (still image, video, audio) and where the media choice and its utilization enrich and enhance the understanding of the subject. No more than one story per entry. Each entry should have a short run time (flexible up to about 8 minutes).
A single, short documentary film with extended run time of roughly 8 to 30 minutes that uses more than one form of reporting (still image, video, audio) in pursuit of enriching and enhancing the understanding of the subject. This is not open to a collection of stories or multi-chaptered websites. Documentary storytelling is grounded in truth, and docu-dramas, re-enactments, or television news reports are not allowed.