LUMINA WORLD is international contest of art photography, organized by ProspettivaGroup from Milan, Italy.

The contest is divided into the following sections:
• Open Color
• World in Focus
• Contrast
• Still Life
• Open Monochrome
• Nature
• Photojournalism
• Portrait
• Woman
• Animals
• Birds
• Architecture

Closing date: November 24, 2026
Judging date: December 6, 2026
Notification date: December 16, 2026
Delivery date: December 31, 2026
Gallery publish date: December 31, 2026

The entry fee depends on the number of sections the participant enters. The fees are as follows:
• 1-3 sections = 6 EUR
• 4-6 sections = 11 EUR
• 7-9 sections = 16 EUR
• 10-12 sections = 21 EUR

The entry fee can be paid in the following ways:
• through our website: https://theiaap.com/e/luminaworld
• PAYPAL ACCOUNT: [email protected]

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

• Irene Ehrenreich; MPSA 2, EFIAP/G, GPU CR3, GPU VIP4 (Austria)
• filiz KOPRULU; (Turkiye)
• Dejan Kocev; (North Macedonia)

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 PROSPETTIVA Gold E-Certificate, 12 x PROSPETTIVA Silver E-Certificate, 12 x PROSPETTIVA Bronze E-Certificate, 36 x PROSPETTIVA - Honorable Mention E-Certificate
12 x SALON Gold E-Certificate, 12 x SALON Silver E-Certificate, 12 x SALON Bronze E-Certificate, 36 x SALON Honorable Mention E-Certificate
Total 216 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.
● 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.


[Architecture]
Architectural photography focuses on a built structure or part of one, showing its form, construction, surface, geometry or function. Both interiors and exteriors are accepted, regardless of the structure's age or condition. Subjects may include complete buildings, individual features, bridges, towers, engineering works, construction sites and ruins. Architectural details and abstract images derived from built forms are also welcome. A broad city view without a dominant structure belongs in Cityscape. A street scene centred on people belongs in Street Photography. Neither falls within the Architecture 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.


[Birds]
The Birds section focuses on a bird or birds as the main subject of the photograph. Birds may be shown in flight or at rest, or engaged in nesting, feeding, courtship or flocking behaviour. Portrait-like studies of individual birds are also welcome. Captive and domestic birds are accepted unless the event states otherwise. The main subject must be a bird. Photographs showing only feathers, eggs or an empty nest are excluded unless the event expressly allows them.


[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.


[World in Focus]
World in Focus shows the world and its life as the photographer finds it. The subject may be a place, its people, their culture, an event or the surroundings in which they live. The theme is as broad as a general open section, but each image must relate to a real subject. Documentary and reportage photographs, landscapes, urban scenes with or without people, and cultural or environmental subjects are all accepted. Montages and other constructed images do not qualify. Studio arrangements without a connection to a real place or event are also excluded.


[Still Life]
Still Life photography focuses on a group of inanimate objects, with the composition and lighting shaped by the photographer. The objects may be deliberately arranged or photographed as the photographer finds them. Food, objects and materials are accepted subjects, whether photographed in a studio or in natural light. Images centred on a living subject do not qualify. Documentary photographs of objects in use belong in Life or Culture rather than Still Life.

Notification cards will be sent by email.

Patrizia Bernardini
Milan, Italy

email: [email protected]