FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

 

LEVELS OF EXPERTISE:

 

Q: Who is considered a professional photographer?

A: We consider professional photographers those who earn, or have earned, the majority of their income from photography, and who sell or publish their work regularly, and belong to professional photography organizations.

 

Q: Are only photography students eligible for the student discount?

A: All students are eligible for the student discount, regardless of the concentration or major in which they are studying.

 

IMAGE SUBMISSION:

 

Q: How many photographs can I enter into the same series?

A: A series consists of at least 2 photographs, sharing a common theme or concept and a single title. Series will be judged as whole. Please be sure that the photographs work together as a body of work.

 

Q: What is considered a series?

A: A series consists of at least two and no more than eight photographs, sharing a common theme or concept and a single title. Please ensure that your images work together as a whole, as they will not be judged individually when entered as a series.

 

Q: How will I know if my submission is complete, and what do I do if it's not?

A: If, at the time of the competition's close, a submission is incomplete (e.g. the submission has not been paid, or the images have not been uploaded correctly), it will not be eligible for juried consideration. Though we make every effort to make contact and to ensure completion of submissions, we are not responsible for incomplete entries and are unable to offer a refund, should an entry be incomplete at the time of the competition's close. However, you may check on your entry by sending us email tifa@tokyofotoawards.jp

 

Q: My image(s) didn't upload correctly, what do I do?

A: This is probably occurring because the file is either not in RGB, 72 PPI, or a JPG file. It may also be due to characters that are not letters in the titles of your files. Please try to upload once again after following these directions. You may also try to refresh your main submission page after you upload the images.

 

Q: Can I enter digital photographs into the contest?

A: Yes, you may enter online. All entries are required to submit digitally.

 

Q: Is it possible to enter digital photos over the Internet for the competition?

A: Yes, it is. You may upload your digital photos once you have completed the online submission form concerning the details of your entry.

 

Q: What size should the digital files be?

A: Digital submissions must be saved as jpg and not exceed 1000 Pixels in either height or width. Please remember also to keep your files in RGB format, no greater than 4MB per image.

 

Q: Can I enter one photograph into multiple categories?

A: Yes, you may enter the same photograph into as many categories as you see fit. In fact, doing so may increase your chances of winning. There is an additional fee for each category.

 

Q: Is there a limit to the number of entries I can submit?

A: No, you may submit as many entries, in as many categories, as you see fit.

 

Q: Is there a time limit within which the photographs should have been taken?

A: Yes. All photographs should be no older than 5 years old.

 

Q: Can I submit a photograph that has won an award, or has been entered in previous competitions?

A: Yes, you may submit work that has been previously submitted, or that has won an award. However, in an effort to promote the creation of new work and maintain fresh flow of ideas, we encourage you to submit new work.

 

Q: What is the Book category?

A: The book category is reserved for photographers who have published a body of work. Submissions to this category must be in the form of a series. After submitting via the online process, a .pdf copy must be emailed to tifa@tokyofotoawards.jp, bearing the Entry ID obtained during the online submission process.

 

Q: What is the Portfolio category?

A: In the portfolio category you can submit 10 of your best images . Unlike other categories, the portfolio category doesn’t have to be one title or one group of work.  For example, in portfolio-advertising you can submit up to 10 individual works that you have created (doesn’t have to  be one campaign).

 

Q: Can I make changes to my entry after I have paid?

A: No, after payment has been made, entries cannot be altered. Please review your work carefully before finalizing payment.

 

Q: How do I know if you received my entry?

A: You should receive a confirmation email shortly after you submit and pay for your work. If you do not receive an email, please let us know by email tifa@tokyofotoawards.jp. In addition, if you are using spam-blocking software, please add "tokyofotoawards.jp" to your list of recipients.

 

PAYMENT:

 

Q: How can I pay for the photographs that I submit?

A: There are a number of ways to pay for your submissions: a) Online: You may pay for your entry after you submit your photographs through PayPal and credit card.

**Once a submission fee has been paid, there are no refunds provided. If you have been wrongly charged for any reason, we will be happy to credit the amount that is due.

 

USE OF IMAGES:

 

Q: How will my images be used?

A: You will be contacted each time we identify an image for usage - and briefed on what the usage will be. Your images are NEVER used for any purpose other than the promotion of the Tokyo International Foto Awards.

 

Q: Where will my image(s) be used/shown?

A: One of the great things about this competition is its global reach. Depending on what your image is chosen for (The Best of Show, a magazine ad for the TIFA, a Postcard for the TIFA etc), your image will be viewed with your full credit all around the world. From galleries in Italy, Poland, England, the US, Cambodia, France, Canada, Germany etc, to magazine ads printed in all the top photographic journals in India, Russia, Greece, Japan, among many others. The destination and promotion of your work is endless. By placing in the competition, you are agreeing to be included in the annual TIFA publication that showcases the full collection of winning images.

 

Q: Will I be compensated for the use of my images?

A: There is no monetary remuneration for the use of your image, however in the case that it is being used for something other than the promotion of the competition, you will be contacted and given the option to decline the use of your work.

 

Q: If my print is selected to take part in the Best of Show, what will happen to it once the show is done traveling?

A: The exhibition will be archived at the TIFA Headquarters for safe storage and POSSIBLE inclusion in the "Best Of" annual retrospective exhibitions for TIFA. On the back of each print there is stamp that reads: "not for sale, do not duplicate, return to TIFA Headquarters". Should someone be interested in purchasing your work, we will contact you and pass forth the details.

 

 

WINNERS: 

 

Q: Do the category winners receive an award or certificate at the TIFA Awards Ceremony?

A: No. Only the winners of the Tokyo International Photographer of the Year and Tokyo International Amateur Photographer of the Year will receive a TIFA statue and a cash prize at the TIFA Awards Ceremony.

 

Q: How do I know if I've won an award?

A: We will notify award winners by email and publish the list on our website.