All photographs entered in the contest must have been taken within the last 24 months before the beginning of the contest, with the exception of those in the category, Nuestra Mirada which has no time restriction. Series have a maximum of 10 photos. It is essential that all photos have the photographer’s name and a caption within the digital archive.
1. Daily Life (Photographic Singles) — A candid, un-posed photograph that documents the human experience celebrates life or chronicles a cultural trend. Respect for the dignity of the subject is important.
2. Daily Life (Photographic Series) — A series of un-posed photographs that document the human experience celebrates life or chronicles a cultural trend. Respect for the dignity of the subject is important. Story entries must have between 2 and 10 pictures. Summarize the story in a paragraph under “File Info” in the first photograph of the story.
3. News (Photographic Singles) — A photograph from a news event or social issue for which planning was possible or a photograph of a breaking news or unplanned event.
4. News (Photographic Series) — A series of photographs from a news event or social issue for which planning was possible or of a breaking news or unplanned event. Story entries must have between 2 and 10 pictures. Summarize the story in a paragraph under “File Info” in the first photograph of the story.
5. Portraits (Photographic Singles) — A photograph of a person that reveals the essence of the subject’s character.
6. Portraits (Photographic Series) — A series of portraits of individuals or groups of individuals that attempt to reveal the essence of their character. Story entries must have between 2 and 10 pictures. Summarize the story in a paragraph under “File Info” in the first photograph of the story.
7. Sports (Photographic Singles) — A photograph that captures the peak action of individual or team sports or a photograph that increases understanding and appreciation for individual and team sports or celebrates the role athletics play in the lives of amateur and/or professional athletes and fans.
8. Sports (Photographic Series) — Picture stories or essays that capture sports peak action or increase understanding and appreciation of sports or celebrate the roles of athletes and sports fans. Story entries must have between 2 and 10 pictures. In each caption field, very briefly summarize the story in addition to providing picture-specific caption information.
9. Indigenous people, Traditions & Religions (Photographic Series) – Picture stories or essays that document the cultural richness and challenges faced by indigenous peoples but also the way in which traditions and religion mark our societies. This category ranges from the combination of different beliefs in traditional festivals to the more serious problems that affect the native peoples. Story entries must have between 2 and 10 pictures. In each caption field, very briefly summarize the story in addition to providing picture-specific caption information.
10. Migration, Refugees and Trafficking (Photographic Series) – Picture stories or essays that document the impact and consequence of human migrations between countries or regions, the plight of displaced persons and refugees, and human trafficking. Story entries must have between 2 and 10 pictures. In each caption field, very briefly summarize the story in addition to providing picture-specific caption information.
11. Women in Society (Photographic Series) — This category has been promoted by the Diputación de Barcelona. A story or essay that documents the situation of women in Iberoamerica. It includes a wide range of issues such as women’s employment opportunities, gender equality, violence against women and femicide, expectations of beauty, and the new roles of women. Respect for the people photographed is essential. Story entries must have between 2 and 10 pictures. In each caption field, very briefly summarize the story in addition to providing picture-specific caption information.
12. The Future of Cities (Photographic Series) – A story or essay that deals with urbanization processes in Iberoamerica. This is a topic that requires reflection on the challenges faced by people from all socio-economic groups. This category includes urban themes such as public space design, growth, rural development, public transport, as well as social issues such as security, inclusion, the extremes of wealth and poverty, the situations of children and the elderly, or the challenges that threaten the middle class. Story entries must have between 2 and 10 pictures. In each caption field, very briefly summarize the story in addition to providing picture-specific caption information.
13. Multimedia (Short Form Videos) — A narrative video lasting less than 5 minutes.
14. Multimedia (Long Form Videos) — A narrative video lasting between 5 and 20 minutes.
15. Multimedia (Websites) – An interactive site or webpage that offers a powerful visual story using visual media such as video, still photography, design and infographics in a journalistic context.
16. The Best Photography Book (Books) — The books submitted to the competition must contain documentary photography and must have been published in the 24 months prior to the close of the competition. Images can be the work of one or several photographers. After registration, send a copy of the book as soon as possible to:
POY Latam
House Amèrica Catalunya
C / Còrsega, 299, mezzanine
08008 Barcelona
T: +34 932 380 661
17. Nuestra Mirada Memory and Identity Award (Photographic Series) – This special category rewards documentary or artistic photographs that reflect on who we are and where we come from. This category is the only category in which photos may have been taken at any time and also the only one that accepts real or digital manipulations, provided they are conceptually justified. Creativity, concept, aesthetics, depth and artistic or documentary value will be of special importance. It is forbidden to enter work that has already been submitted to previous POY Latam contests. Story entries must have between 2 and 10 pictures. In each caption field, very briefly summarize the story in addition to providing picture-specific caption information.
18. Carolina Hidalgo Vivar Environment Award (Photographic Series) – This special category rewards a photographic essay that expands our understanding of or appreciation for nature. A wide range of issues will be considered, for example, the consequences of mining or industry, the multiple ways in which humans relate to their environment, the exaltation of nature’s beauty or documentation of its destructive power. This essay honors the memory of Carolina Hidalgo Vivar, a young landscape architect who deeply loved nature. Story entries must have between 2 and 10 pictures. In each caption field, very briefly summarize the story in addition to providing picture-specific caption information.
19. The Iberoamerica Photographer of the Year Award (Photographic Portfolios) This special category is open to all photographers. Present a maximum of forty (40) photographs. A portfolio must be diverse and must include at least four individual photographs and two photographic stories. Individual photos within the portfolio should not be repeated in the picture stories. Organize the portfolio with individual photos first, followed by the picture stories. Insert a black image (.jpg) at the beginning of each picture story to separate them. No text should be included in these black images.
Photographers are encouraged to submit portfolio photographs in other categories for judges to become familiar with the work, but POY Latam will not move photos from one category to another. If you want to participate in other categories you must submit duplicate files. All photographs entered in the portfolio must have been taken within the last 24 months before the beginning of the contest.