AETHER is international contest of art photography, organized by Ceylon Photo Group from Sri Lanka.

The contest is divided into the following sections:
• OPEN COLOR
• LANDSCAPE
• LINES & CONTRAST
• NUDE & FINEART
• OPEN MONO
• PHOTOJOURNALISM
• PORTRAIT
• WOMAN
• MAN
• CHILD
• FLORA & FAUNA
• WILDLIFE

Closing date: November 17, 2026
Judging date: November 27, 2026
Notification date: December 4, 2026
Delivery date: December 11, 2026
Gallery publish date: December 11, 2026

The entry fee depends on the number of sections the participant enters. The fees are as follows:
• 1-3 sections = 5 EUR
• 4-6 sections = 10 EUR
• 7-9 sections = 15 EUR
• 10-12 sections = 20 EUR

The entry fee can be paid in the following ways:
• through our website: undefined
• PAYPAL ACCOUNT: [email protected]

Images from participants who have not paid the entry fee will not be considered.

The contest is open to anyone (amateur and professional photographers from all over the world); however, an entry may be rejected when the sponsoring organization or its agent, in its reasonable discretion, believes the entry does not conform to the contest rules and conditions.
Entries must originate as photographs (image-captures of objects via light sensitivity) made by the entrant on photographic emulsion or acquired digitally. By virtue of submitting an entry, the entrant certifies the image as his own (aliases are not permitted). The entrant permits the sponsors to reproduce all or part of the entered material free of charge for publication and/or display in media related to the exhibition. This may include low resolution posting on a website. Note: Entrants who indicate that their images may not be reproduced or used 'will not be eligible for awards' or inclusion in audio-visuals of the exhibition 'and could be subject to disqualification' by the exhibition sponsors.
By submitting an entry, the entrant certifies legal Age, and own all rights to these images, including copyright or parents or guardians gives permission on his/her behalf if he/she is not of Legal Age. The exhibition assumes no liability of any misuse of copyright. Images may be altered, either electronically or otherwise, by the maker. All final image must be on photographic film, or on electronic file, or on photographic or electronic print material, mounting excepted.
No title or identification of the maker shall be visible anywhere on the face of an image, print mat or mount.

Photographs must be in JPEG format, with dimensions 1920x1080 pixels at 300, JPEG compression (if Photoshop used for export): 7-12, file size maximum 4 Mb. Each image must have a unique title. Titles must not include file extensions such as .jpg or .jpeg (or any other camera capture filenames). No title or identification of the maker shall be written anywhere on the face of an image.
The photographs of participants with the application are submitted in these ways:
- uploading thought our website: undefined
- by e-mail: [email protected]

The judging will be done by remote online judging. All judges will be using equipment capable of displaying images at 100% of the image resolution. Judges will be using color calibrated equipment. Target Range will be max 30%.

By entering this contest, the participant explicitly consents to the personal details supplied, including physical addresses and email addresses, being held, processed and used by the contest organizers for purposes associated with this contest. The participant also explicitly consents to such information being sent to organizations that have accorded official recognition, patronage or accreditation to this contest. The participant acknowledges, agrees and accepts that by entering this contest, their participation status, which includes first and last name, name of the country used during registration at the contest, number of sections entered and number of photos entered in those sections, will be made public in a published status list, and that the results of the entry shall be made public in the exhibition gallery and the exhibition catalog.

• Jan Hammerstad; EPSA EFIAP/s GPUCr3 NSMiF/p MSDF/b (Denmark)
• Athula Ranaraja; fnpas (Sri Lanka)
• Aleksey Puchkovskiy; (Russia)

The judges of the event will present the following awards:
12 x IAAP Gold E-Certificate, 12 x IAAP Silver E-Certificate, 12 x IAAP Bronze E-Certificate, 36 x IAAP Honorable Mention E-Certificate
12 x CPG Gold E-Certificate, 12 x CPG Silver E-Certificate, 12 x CPG Bronze E-Certificate, 36 x CPG Honorable Mention E-Certificate
Total 144 awards. The organizer reserves the right to adjust the number of awards based on the total number of entrants.

All entries shall conform to the stricter of these definitions for acceptances to be validated by all the international organizations granting recognition or patronage.

[General conditions]
● Every image is the work of the author, made from the author's own photographs.
● A section accepts both colour and monochrome work unless its name or the rules of the event say otherwise.
● Unless the definition restricts it, post-processing is free, but the subject must remain recognisable as the stated theme.
● Where a section is also entered as a FIAP or PSA division, the FIAP or PSA definition prevails over the text given here.
● Whether an image meets the theme is decided by the judges. An image outside the theme may be rejected before judging or left unscored, and the rules of the event say which of the two happens.
● An organizer may narrow a definition and must then publish the narrowing. An organizer may not widen one while keeping the standard section name.
● Images generated wholly or partly by generative artificial intelligence are not photographs and are not eligible in any section defined here.


[IAAP · Monochrome]
Black and white photography is an image that displays a range of shades from black to white, encompassing various tones of gray. Such an image focuses on the nuances of light, shadow, and contrast without incorporating any colors. If the entire image is toned in a single hue, it remains within the black and white category. However, if it is modified by partial toning or the addition of any color, it becomes a color work and no longer qualifies as a black and white photograph.


[IAAP · Nature]
A nature photograph records all aspects of the natural world, both animate and inanimate. The primary subject of a nature photograph should be animals and elements of nature, though human and human-made elements are allowed as long as they do not dominate the scene. The image must convey the truth of the scene and be presented honestly, without unethical practices to manipulate the subject or setting. High technical standards are expected, and the photograph should look natural. Human activity or objects are permissible only if they are a necessary part of the nature story being told.


[IAAP · Photojournalism]
A photojournalism photograph is an image that captures a moment or event in a way that tells a factual story, intended to inform and convey truth to the public. It should document real events, people, and places without staging or manipulation, ensuring the authenticity of the scene. The primary aim is to provide an accurate and unbiased representation of the subject matter, often related to news, social issues, cultural events, or significant moments in history. Ethical standards are crucial in photojournalism, prohibiting any alterations that could mislead the viewer or distort the reality of the captured moment.


[Standard section definitions]

[Portrait]
Portrait photography focuses on a person or a small group, with particular attention to the face, gaze, expression or character. The people portrayed must be the main subject and shown as individuals, rather than simply as figures within a scene. Posed and candid portraits are equally welcome, including self-portraits and head-and-shoulders, three-quarter or full-length views. Environmental portraits are also accepted when the surroundings help convey the subject's character. Images in which people are incidental to a landscape, street scene or architectural study do not qualify. Neither do crowds without an identifiable subject or abstract studies that do not portray an individual.


[Woman]
This section focuses on a woman or girl as the main subject of the photograph. Her presence must define the image and dominate the composition, rather than share equal importance with other subjects. Accepted approaches include portraits, character studies, figure studies within the limits stated by the event, and documentary images of women at work, at home or in public life. The theme is defined by the subject, not the photographic approach: colour and monochrome, studio and candid work are equally welcome. Images centred on a male subject, or mixed groups in which no female subject dominates, do not qualify. When an event offers both Woman and Man sections, an image may be entered in only one of them.


[Landscape]
Landscape photography presents natural or cultivated land through its form, light or atmosphere. Mountains, plains, valleys, forests, deserts and agricultural land are all accepted subjects. The sky, weather and seasonal light may contribute to the scene. People and human-made features may appear, but the land must remain the main subject. Urban views belong in Cityscape, while images in which the sea or shore fills the frame belong in Seascape. Close studies of plants, rocks or the ground belong in Macro. These subjects fall outside the Landscape section.


[Nude]
Nude photography explores the unclothed or partly unclothed human body through form, line, light or expression. Full and partial nudes are accepted, including classical and contemporary figure studies, abstract studies of the body, and images that treat the body as a form or landscape. Photographs may be made in a studio, an interior or a natural setting. Every person shown must be an adult who has consented both to being photographed and to the image being exhibited. The author must be able to confirm this on request. Pornographic, sexually explicit or otherwise offensive images are not accepted. Any depiction of a person under eighteen years of age is not eligible in this or in any other section.


[Child]
This section focuses on a child or children as the subject of the photograph. Portraits and character studies are welcome, as are candid images of play, school, street scenes and family life. Documentary photographs of children at work or facing difficult circumstances are also accepted. The author is responsible for obtaining parental or guardian consent for exhibition whenever this is required by the laws of the author's country or the organizer's country. Images in which a child is merely incidental to another subject do not qualify. Images that sexualise a child or expose a child to harm or ridicule are not eligible in this or any other section.


[Animals]
The Animals section focuses on an animal as the main subject of the photograph. Unlike Nature, it does not exclude animals because they are domesticated or captive, or because people and human-made features are present. Pets, farm and working animals, and animals in zoos, sanctuaries and reserves are accepted. Wild animals may also be entered when the event does not offer a separate Nature or Wildlife section. This section provides a place for the domestic, farm and zoo subjects excluded from Nature sections. Taxidermy, models and toys do not qualify. Neither do images in which an animal is incidental to another subject.


[Contrast]
The Contrast section explores visible differences or opposing elements within an image. These may involve tone, colour, scale, age, texture, mood or meaning. Accepted approaches include tonal contrast, from high-key to low-key treatments, opposing or complementary colours, and contrasting subjects placed together. Examples include old and new, rich and poor, large and small, or stillness and movement. The contrast must be evident in the photograph, not explained only by its title. Images without clear opposing elements do not qualify.


[Man]
This section focuses on a man or boy as the main subject of the photograph. His presence must define the image and dominate the composition. It is the counterpart of the Woman section. Accepted approaches include portraits, character studies, figure studies within the limits stated by the event, and documentary images of men at work, at home or in public life. Images centred on a female subject, or mixed groups in which no male subject dominates, do not qualify. When an event offers both Man and Woman sections, an image may be entered in only one of them.

Notification cards will be sent by email.

Ceylon Photo Group,
Sri Lanka

email: [email protected]
website: