Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the deadline for the contest?

The competition closes 4th February 2024 midnight GMT.
 

Do I have to submit all of my entries at once?

No, you can upload your images to your account and enter them at any time up to the deadline. If you have a lot of images to enter we highly recommend uploading and entering your photos in batches of a few at a time, particularly close to the deadline when our website is very busy.

 

Is there a limit to the number of photos I may enter and can I enter the same photo to multiple categories?

There is no limit to the number of entries a photo may be entered to more than one category if it fits the criteria. The photo will need to be uploaded multiple times and each submission will be charged as one entry.

 

Is there a time limit on when the photographers must have been taken?

No, photographs may have been taken at any time.

 

I don't have a PayPal account, how can I pay?

In most countries you can pay using your credit or debit card via the PayPal platform even if you don't have a PayPal account. Please choose the 'Pay by card' option when you proceed to the payment page.

If you are unable to pay via the website we can send a payment request directly to your email address which can be paid by bank card. To do this, submit your entries up to the payment page but leave the page before payment is made. This will leave your images marked as 'Pending' . Then contact kathleen@thefoodawardscompany.co.uk to ask for a payment request to be sent. When payment is received, the entry process will be completed on the 'Pending' images.

You can also pay via direct PaypPal payment to the info@pinkladyfoodphotographeroftheyear.com account. If this method is used please send a copy of the payment to kathleen@thefoodawardscompany.co.uk and the relevant credits will be added to your account.

If you are unable to make your payment by the methods above, payment may be made by bank transfer on request. 

 

Why are my images marked as 'Pending'

If the payment process is not completed you images will be marked as 'Pending'. You can upload you images again or email kathleen@thefoodawardscompany.co.uk to ask for a PayPal request to be sent which can be paid by credit card. If you prefer to resubmit your images, please check you entry details carefully before progressing to 'Confirm Entry'. Once you have progressed to the payment page please do not use your back browser or navigate away from the page until the payment has completed. 

 

I’m not a 'Food photographer' - can I still enter?

Yes, 'Food Photography' doesn’t need to be in your bio to enter the competition. We welcome any images relating to food, no matter what 'sort' of photographer you consider yourself to be.
For example, for ‘Wedding Photographers’, there is the Champagne Taittinger Wedding Food Photographer category.

 

Do images shot for a client and published online qualify for the Production Paradise Previously Published category?

Yes!
Work that has been commissioned for online publication is eligible for entry to the 'Previously Published' category. Images previously published in books, newspapers, magazines, advertisements, promotional material are also welcome.

 

Which category should photos relating to COVID-19 food issues be submitted to?

These photos should be entered into the Politics of Food category, specifically for images that show the reality of issues relating to food anywhere in the world, including the impact that Covid has had on the global population.

 

My images don’t fit the mould, how can I enter them?

If your images are as much about art and technique as they are food then the MPB Award for Innovation category could be the one for you or, for all of our female photographers, we have the dedicated Clare Aho Award for Women Photographers 

 

How do I enter my photos/films?

The entry process is as follows:

1. Complete the registration form.
2. Log into your account with your e-mail address and password.
3. Upload the images/films you wish to submit and click ‘Enter Selected Photos’.
4. Make your payment via the PayPal link. If you already have a PayPal account you will just be asked to log in with your PayPal account details and confirm payment. Please do not use your back browser or navigate away from the page until the payment has completed or your entries will be marked as ‘Pending’

If you experience difficulties uploading your images or submitting your entries please contact kathleen@thefoodawardscompany.co.uk for assistance
 

How much does it cost to enter the Food Photographer of the Year Awards?

Please see full details on our fees page.
 

Why is there a fee to enter?

The cost of running a competition is high. There are staff fees associated with organising and running the competition, the prizes, the cost of designing, maintaining and managing the website, and the cost of putting on a series of nationwide exhibitions. The competition fees help to cover these costs.
 

I am trying to log into the website, but it tells me that it does not recognize my email address. I entered last year with this email.

If you have not logged on to your account for 6 months it will be deactivated and you will be required to register again.

 

I have uploaded my photos and being under the age of 18 it should be free of charge for me to register but it is asking for payment. What shall I do?

When you register, you are asked if you are over or under 18. You must indicate you are under 18 and then fill out your date of birth. This will allow you to enter free. If you have incorrectly created your account or experience technical difficulties please contact the team at info@pinkladyfoodphotographeroftheyear.com

 

Can young photographers enter the adult competition?

No, we have specific age categories for age 17 and under.

 

Is it possible for me to change one of my entries once paid for and submitted?

No. We ask that you upload your images and carefully review them before paying and entering them. Should you require any changes to your entries please contact the team at info@pinkladyfoodphotographeroftheyear.com .

 

Can entered images be withdrawn?

No, once entered, images cannot be withdrawn unless the Organisers are notified that there is a permissions issue, in which case the images will be withdrawn on request of the copyright holder / entrant but no refund will be payable.

 

Will the photographs I enter have to be removed from my professional website or social media pages?

No, provided you make no reference whatsoever to your photographs being entered into Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year they may stay on your website or social media pages. Please see our Terms & Conditions

 

Can I enter the same photograph in more than one category?

Yes.

 

May I present a diptych/triptych to the competition?

Yes.

 

Do I need to strip metadata?

No, all identifying information will be removed from the photograph before being presented for judging.

 

Can I use photographic editing software to correct e.g. lights or contrast, or is it forbidden to use any photographic editing software?

You can use editing software to correct an image, however photos which have been enhanced using editing software must not have had the integrity or subject matter of the photograph changed. If the judges consider that this has occurred then entry may be disqualified.
 

How does the judging process work?

After the closing date every photograph entered will be subjected to preliminary judging, category by category. Selected images from each category will progress to a shortlist and each category shortlist will be presented to a panel of three or four judges. Each judge will rank the images in order of preference.

 

Results will be combined to establish the finalist images from each category, which will be printed and included in the exhibition. The winning images from each category will be presented to the full panel of judges who will decide as a group which will become the Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year.

 

The entire judging process is conducted anonymously.
 

When will I know if I have been successful?

Shortlisted entrants will be contacted approximately 8 weeks after the closing date.

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