For the first time in the Sony World Photography Awards 15 year history students – rather than their tutor – can register to take part. Giving 18 to 30 years olds currently enrolled in a photography programme the opportunity to have their talent shown to a global audience of curators, publishers, gallerists and picture editors, the Student competition has elevated a number of emerging talents over the years. Take for example Ioanna Sakellaraki, who since receiving the award has had solo exhibitions and shown her work at a variety of festivals - including Athens Photo Festival and Circulation(s) festival (Paris).
Could you be the next Student Photographer of the Year? Take a read of our top tips below!
READ THE BRIEF, READ IT AGAIN
It’s key your submission responds to the brief ‘Connections’ - read full brief here.
THINKING IT THROUGH
Once you’ve read the brief, it’s always a good idea to create a mind map, jotting down everything and anything you can think of relating to that theme. You might only end up using one word from this exercise, but it’ll help to get all of your ideas out onto paper. Make sure you have a conversation with your tutor / peers, the more you talk about your response to their brief the more you’ll form a deeper understanding.
ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
When you’re reviewing your submission for the final time, make sure you ask yourself constructive questions, such as:
- Do the images work together?
- Is there uniformity in terms of format, tonality and messaging?
- Does your submission interpret the brief?
- Is your description clear?
- Are there any potential weaknesses in your entry? If so what?
- Do they adhere to all of the rules?
READ THE RULES
We know it takes time but make sure you take some time to have a quick read of the rules, you want to make sure after all of your hard work putting your submission together that it doesn’t fall at the last hurdle. A few key points are:
- Be it large format, pinhole or a DSLR, your images can be taken on any device, camera brand or type.
- Make sure your submission is between 5 to 10 images, no more no less.
- You retain full copyright of the images.
- Images must be taken in 2021.
- Check your images are:
- JPG format
- Quality 10 or above
- Between 1 to 5MB each
- Set to sRGB colour mode
MEET THE DEADLINE
Entries cannot be accepted after the deadline, which is 30th November at 13:00 (GMT). Make sure you meet the deadline to not be disappointed.
