About/New participant

New to 35AWARDS? Start Here

35AWARDS is an international photo award and a system of themed photography contests. You can submit your photos, compare them with works by other authors, pass several selection stages and receive a final result.

If you are participating for the first time, the whole process can be divided into a few simple steps.

Choose a contest
submit photos
get first scores
wait for selection stages
view your result

If this is your first time

A simple way to start:

  1. Choose one themed contest that fits your photos well.
  2. Submit several of your strongest works.
  3. Look at the first scores, but do not treat them as the final result.
  4. Study other participants’ photos and results from past contests.
  5. After your first contest, look not only at the winners, but also at your TOP %, ranking and passed stages.
  6. Then try the main annual award or other themed contests.
1

Create an account

You need a 35AWARDS account to participate.

After registration, you can submit photos, enter contests, track your works, vote when the system provides voting, view results, and receive diplomas and other available materials.

Create account
2

Choose a contest

35AWARDS runs several types of contests.

Main annual awardThe main contest of the year with nominations, selection stages, TOP 100 photos and TOP 100 photographers.
Themed contestsA way to test a specific photo among works of a similar topic.
ExpressShorter contests with a fast cycle from submission to results.
PrimeSpecial contests available to participants with upgraded accounts.
3

Choose the right photo

Before submitting, read the contest and nomination description. The photo should match the theme and requirements of that specific contest.

  • whether the photo fits the theme;
  • whether the format meets the requirements;
  • whether the processing method is allowed;
  • whether there are shooting-date or other limits;
  • whether another version of the same photo has already participated where that is forbidden by the rules.

Exact requirements are always listed in the rules of the specific contest.

4

Submit the photo

After choosing a contest, submit the photo through the participation form.

  • check the correct nomination;
  • the photo title, if required;
  • shooting location and other fields, if used;
  • image compliance with technical requirements.

If a photo is submitted to the wrong nomination or contains an error, editing options depend on the contest stage and current rules.

5

Get first scores

After submission, a photo may receive preliminary scores before the contest ends. They help you understand how other participants perceive the work and compare several of your own photos.

A preliminary score is not the final contest result.

Early values can change noticeably as more scores arrive. Even a high preliminary score does not guarantee passing all later stages.

6

Choose a stronger work if needed

In some contests, the set of participating photos can be changed until a certain moment. Current conditions are listed on the page of the specific contest.

Preliminary scores can be used as an additional reference if you submitted several works on a similar theme. But do not treat the current rating as an exact forecast of the final result: scores can change, and later contest stages use different mechanics.

7

Wait for contest stages

After the submission period ends, contest selection begins or continues. In the main annual award, photos pass through several voting stages.

Different stages may involve different groups of participants and jury members. During anonymous voting, author information is hidden so that the photo is judged, not the author’s fame.

8

Track your photos

During the contest, your account can show the status of your works and results of completed stages. The main award interface uses voting stages: Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3.

Passing the next stage means the photo showed a strong enough result in the previous selection stage.

Passing a stage ≠ reaching the TOP 100.

9

View the final result

After a contest ends, you can evaluate the result on several levels.

  • the result of a specific photo;
  • the photo’s place or TOP %;
  • the nomination result;
  • photographer ranking;
  • place among photographers in your country;
  • place among photographers in your city;
  • inclusion in final selections;
  • TOP 100 photos;
  • TOP 100 photographers.

Not every listed result exists in every contest type. The main annual award has the most detailed results system.

10

If the result is lower than expected

One photo does not define the author’s level. Different works by the same photographer can show very different results even within one contest.

It is more useful to look beyond one final number and compare which photos performed best, which genres look stronger, how far photos go in different contests, and how results change from year to year.

35AWARDS can be used not only as a contest for first place, but also as a reference point for evaluating your own works among many other photos.

11

If the photo did not advance

This does not mean the photo is “bad”. A contest always involves selection, and the number of strong works is much larger than the number of final places.

  • compare the work with photos that advanced further;
  • review results in your nomination;
  • try another photo;
  • enter another themed contest.

Common questions from new participants

Do I need to be a professional photographer?

No. Both professional photographers and amateurs participate in 35AWARDS. The result is determined by the photos and the contest selection system, not by the author’s professional status.

Do I need to pay to participate?

You can participate in 35AWARDS for free within the available limit. Additional options and limits depend on the account type and the specific contest.

Can I participate in several contests at once?

Yes. One author can participate in several active contests if their photos meet the rules. Check any limits on the page of the specific contest.

Do I need to vote for other photographers?

Voting helps the system compare photos and may give participants additional options or bonuses under the current rules. It should not be treated as a requirement for keeping an already submitted work unless that is stated for a specific contest.

Can I submit a processed photo?

Regular photo processing is allowed within the rules of the specific contest. Some types of editing, compositing or AI use may have additional restrictions. See the rules.

Where can I view results?

Results of completed contests are available on the corresponding contest pages and in the 35AWARDS results section. Results of your own works are also shown in your account.

Ready to try?

Choose a contest that fits your photos and submit your strongest works.

View active contestsWhat contest types are there?

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Catalogue 10TH 35AWARDS — Best photos and photographers 
CATALOGUE 10TH 35AWARDS
BEST PHOTOS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS
The catalog contains more than 1500 photos from 25 nominations from more than 1000 authors of the 10th 35AWARDS
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