Quarterly Photo Contest

1. The Viewfinder Photo Contest (hereafter: “the contest”) is open for online submissions only. Images are only accepted via upload to this contest page. Submissions will not be accepted once the deadline lapses. Deadline details are provided below.

2. Qualified photographs should somehow depict, represent, or portray the current season in some way.

3. Photos submitted must be at least 3000 pixels on the long edge. Image file size should be no larger than 4MB. Photos must be in JPEG format.

4. A maximum of three image submissions per photographer will be accepted. Submitting more than three images will result in disqualification.

5. If a participant’s photo is selected for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place, the photographer will be required to provide a creatively written description of the location and/or subject of the photograph for the image caption.

6. Photos that have previously won the contest will not be accepted.

7. There must be no border(s), no logo(s), no copyright marks, no identifying marks, nor any other visible references and/or marks on the image. If so, the image(s) will not be accepted.

8. By submitting images, contest participants confirm that they are the original copyright holder of any image submitted into the contest. Participants also warrant that the submission of their images does not breach any law, and further that no third party can hold any claims or any objections regarding the rights granted to the contest for any reasons whatsoever. All participants will hold Viewfinder harmless of any claims from third parties related hereto. 

9. By entering the contest, you retain your copyright and remain the owner of the image(s) and may continue to use them in any manner you choose. By entering the contest you grant Viewfinder, the non- exclusive right to publish your images in their quarterly E-magazine, via social media channels, blog posts or newsletter communications. We will not use your images for advertising reasons on external websites or in print. The photographer will be credited wherever the image is used.

10. By entering the contest you agree that, regardless of the outcome, you will not challenge the results of the contest or file any claims or suits against Viewfinder. You agree that Viewfinder and its partners may decide, at their own discretion, to terminate this contest without warning and without any liability to you.

11. By entering the contest you accept that your contact information will be automatically added to the Viewfinder’s email newsletter list.

12. You promise that you are at least 16 years of age, and that you are not an employee or relative of any employee who is working for Viewfinder.

13. You promise that the photographs you submit (a) are your own work, (b) do not, to your knowledge, infringe on the rights of any other person or business, and (c) have not been previously published.

14. You promise that any individual persons depicted in the photographs (except outdoor crowd scenes) have given you permission to use their image in your photograph. We ask for this promise because we want to be respectful of the persons you photograph and considerate of their sensitivities concerning the use of their likeness in your photograph.

15. You promise that any images submitted accurately reflect the subject matter and scene as it appeared, and that it has not been digitally altered beyond standard optimization (removal of dust, cropping, adjustments to color and contrast, etc.). Any such editing must not affect the authenticity and/or genuineness of the image(s). Advanced editing used to create illusions, deceptions and/or manipulations, and the adding or removing of significant elements within the photograph is prohibited. RAW image files may be requested before the final judging to verify authenticity and if they cannot be provided for verification, the submission may be disqualified.

16. Photos that portray or otherwise include inappropriate and/or offensive content, including provocative nudity, violence, human rights and/or environmental violation, are strictly prohibited and will be immediately discarded. A participant who submits any such photos may be permanently banned from participating in any future contests.

17. You understand that in the event that your image is selected as a winning submission and your ownership rights and/or the originality of your submission cannot be verified to the satisfaction of Viewfinder, or it is in any other way ineligible, Viewfinder shall select an alternate winner based on the same judging criteria. Viewfinder assumes no liability to third parties for unverified ownership rights claimed by entrants.

18. You understand that in the event that your image is selected as a winning submission, you will be obligated to respond to the Viewfinder’s request for verification within 72 hours. If Viewfinder does not receive a return call or return email from you, you will forfeit to the next most eligible contest entry.

19. If after announcing the winners, Viewfinder determines that a winner has misrepresented, misstated, or mischaracterised his or her submission in any way, or is not the rightful owner of the submission, the submission may be disqualified from the contest, and any prizes or privileges received by the entrant as a result of winning the contest may be rescinded. Any determinations made by Viewfinder in withdrawing and disqualifying any submission will be final.