Portrait, Landscape and Environmental Awards

Last Updated: 2-06-23

These Terms & Conditions will be upheld by the person submitting work (Applicant) to the Head On Photo Awards 2023 (Awards) and Head On Foundation Ltd (ABN 46 127 619 149) (Head On).

By entering the competition, you agree to the following Terms & Conditions:

  1. INTRODUCTION
  2. HEAD ON PORTRAIT AWARDS
  3. HEAD ON LANDSCAPE AWARDS
  4. HEAD ON ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS BY AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC
  5. APPLICATIONS & JUDGING
  6. FINALISTS SEMI-FINALISTS (ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS)
  7. SPECIFICATIONS FOR UPLOADING THE HIGH-RESOLUTION FILE
  8. EXHIBITING/PUBLICATION
  9. AWARD-WINNING IMAGES
  10. PROMOTION
  11. DISPUTES
    APPENDIX A – Key dates & specifications
    APPENDIX B – Benefits for Finalists

1. INTRODUCTION

  1. The Head On Photo Awards are competitive photographic awards across Portrait, Landscape, Student and Environmental categories
  2. The Head On Environmental Awards by Australian Geographic 2023 is a new competitive photographic award produced as part of the Head On Photo Awards
  3. The Head On Environmental Photo Awards by Australian Geographic recognises environmental and conservation photography, providing photographers with a global platform to raise awareness of the urgent environmental issues facing our planet
  4. The Head On Photo Awards are open to Applicants residing anywhere in the world (not restricted to Australia)
  5. Three images in each category (Portrait, Landscape and Environmental) will earn prizes
  6. Copyright in the images remains the property of the image creator/photographer
  7. Head On will use personal information collected in the process of submission to contact applicants, which will be handled according to the Privacy Act and otherwise in accordance with an applicant’s consent
  8. Each Applicant acknowledges and agrees that as part of the application process they will provide personal information (such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses)
  9. Head On will add the Applicant’s email address to its e-newsletter database in order to maintain contact with the Applicants. An Applicant may opt-out of receiving the e-newsletter at any time
  10. The Applicant should check all email folders (such as inbox, junk, clutter etc.) to ensure they receive and read correspondence from Head On
  11. The Applicant agrees to indemnify Head On Foundation Ltd, Head On Photo Festival and Australian Geographic for any possible loss or legal action against them
  12. By entering the Awards, you confirm to Head On Foundation and Australian Geographic that you are the Creator and owner of the work, that you have the permission of the subject or, where appropriate the subject’s parent or guardian, that the work does not infringe copyright, or Indigenous cultural and intellectual property, the image was not taken in circumstances of trespass or invading anyone’s legal right of privacy, confidentiality, breach of industrial law or applicable industry code and does not to the best of your knowledge defame anyone nor was your conduct in taking the image likely to be misleading or deceptive and that you agree with the these Terms & Conditions
  13. All Terms & Conditions may be updated at Head On’s discretion
  14. Head On is entitled to exclude or remove from the Awards and/or Head On Photo Festival 2023 any Applicant who has submitted false information or who does not comply with all Terms & Conditions set out by Head On

2. HEAD ON PORTRAIT AWARDS

  1. The image must feature or reflect the essence of a person or group of people and must be created by the Applicant
  2. Group portraits, self-portraits and collages will be accepted
  3. The judges will be looking for portraits of high technical quality which demonstrate a high level of engagement with the subject/s and invoke a high level of engagement with the viewer

3. HEAD ON LANDSCAPE AWARDS

  1. Head On’s approach to ‘Landscape’ is very broad and encompasses ‘large vista’ images of the natural environment (land or sea), urban or industrial settings. It may include people, but these should be ‘incidental’ rather than the main subject matter

4. HEAD ON ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS BY AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC

  1. The Head On Environmental Photo Awards by Australian Geographic supports visual storytellers to explore the issues and challenges affecting the well-being of our environment. These include, but are not limited to, human-induced climate change, biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, unsustainable development, feral invasive species, pollution, ocean acidification and climate-change-induced extreme weather events. We hope that photographers will harness their passion, curiosity, talent and creativity to capture images that address today’s most urgent environmental issues and, by doing so, foster greater awareness, encourage action, and ultimately bring about change.  We are seeking images that highlight problems, document solutions, and shine a light on sustainable practices.
  2. Applicable subject matter includes:
    1. Wildlife
    2. Aquatic environments
    3.  Flora
    4.  Eco-systems
    5.  Micro-diversity
    6. Scientific pursuit
    7. Outdoor activity
    8. Environmental destruction
    9. Anthropological insights
    10. Conservation
    11. And more

5. APPLICATIONS & JUDGING

  1. The Head On Photo Awards (Portrait, Landscape and Environmental) are open to Applicants residing anywhere in the world (not restricted to Australia)
  2. The deadline for entries is Sunday 16 July 2023
  3. Images must be produced by a photographic device (including mobile devices) that captures images (experimental processes welcome), in colour and/or black & white. Applicants may enhance the image and apply filters.
  4. AI computer generated images will not be accepted. If requested, Applicants must provide original RAW files and film to Head On to verify image authenticity
  5. Collages will be accepted
  6. There is no time restriction on when an image was made
  7. Applicants may submit images to the Awards that were entered into other Head On Photo Awards categories or Head On Photo Festival as part of an exhibition submission or accepted into other competitions
  8. Entry fees for the Awards
    1. AUD$30 (approx. US$20 or €19) per image
    2. AUD$25 (approx. US$17 or €16) per image – subscribers to Head On Foundation
    3. Payment (in Australian dollars) can only be made online via Head On’s secure payment gateway.
    4. Please retain/print a copy of the receipt as no other tax invoice will be issued. Note: subscriber’s discount is applied at the end of the checkout process
    5. Entry fees are non-refundable. Any entry not accompanied by payment will not be eligible for the competition and/or exhibition
  9. Applicants may enter an unlimited number of images into each category
  10. Images can only be entered online via the Head On website and must comply with the following:
    1. Taken using a device (including mobile devices) that captures an image
    2. Resized to 2400 pixels on the widest side (72dpi)
    3. Preferably saved in sRGB colour space
    4. Saved in jpg format with a file size less than 2mb, preferably at compression level 8 (or 70% quality)
    5. Image title must be added during the submission process
    6. Include a short description (up to 100 words) added during the entry process
  11. Deadline for entries is 11.59pm 16 July 2023 (Australian Eastern Standard Time)
  12. All images entered will be available to the category judges for consideration, however, the artists’ names are removed during judging, so the selection of images is made based on the power of the photograph rather than the celebrity of the subject or photographer
  13. The judges will be looking for images of high technical quality that demonstrate a high level of engagement with the subject/s and invoke a high level of engagement with the viewer
  14. The category judges and Head On Photo Festival Director Moshe Rosenzveig OAM will select 20-40 images per category for printed exhibitions, and the creators of these works are the Finalists
  15. Head On reserves the right to substitute judges
  16. The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into
  17. At Head On’s discretion further images from the Portrait and Landscape categories will be selected to be exhibited in a slide-show during the exhibition, and the creators of these images known as Semi-finalists
  18. Head On will advise successful Applicants by phone and/or email (date TBC) that they have been selected as Finalists. If Head On has not received a response to any email or phone message within five days of the first notification, an alternate Finalist may be selected
  19. We will notify unsuccessful Applicants by email

6. FINALISTS

  1. Finalists will be advised by phone and/or email (exact date TBC)
  2. If Head On has not received a response to any email or phone message within five days of notification an alternate Finalist may be selected
  3. Finalists are responsible for providing Head On with current/updated information to Head On such as names and contact details of artist/s
  4. Confirmation for Finalists is dependent on the quality of the high-resolution file. Finalists will be required to upload a high-resolution file and final text as specified below and Appendix A to the Head On server (exact date TBC). Failure to do so may result in forfeiting the Finalist’s inclusion in the exhibition

7. SEMI-FINALISTS

  1. Semi-finalists will be advised by phone and/or email (exact date TBC)
  2. If Head On has not received a response to any email or phone message within five days of notification an alternate semi-finalist may be selected
  3. Semi-finalists are responsible for providing Head On with current/updated information to Head On such as names and contact details of artist/s
  4. Semi-finalists are not awarded prizes or a printed exhibition; their work will be shown on screen only
  5. Semi-finalists will only need to supply a high-resolution file on request

8. SPECIFICATIONS FOR UPLOADING THE HIGH-RESOLUTION FILE (FINALISTS ONLY)

  1. The image should be:
    1. The largest original size. Do NOT upsize through Photoshop
    2. WITHOUT borders (no surrounding black or white)
    3. In Adobe RGB 1998 colour space
    4. Saved in 8 bit (not 16 bit)
    5. Saved as JPG compression level 12
    6. Named with your First_Name_Surname_Catagory_ImageTitle.jpg (e.g. John_Smith_Portrait_MonaLisa.jpg)
    7. Uploaded using www.wetransfer.com with the provided email address in the ‘To’ field
  2. Have your First Name, Last Name and Category in the ‘Subject’ field
  3. Put the image title in the ‘Enter Message’ field and any other info you wish to include

9. EXHIBITING/PUBLICATION

  1. Finalists’ images will be exhibited in print at a key venue during Head On Photo Festival 2023, online at www.headon.org.au and may tour Australia and internationally at no extra cost to Finalists
  2. Head On will cover all production and promotion costs: curating, printing, mounting/framing, slide-show/s, venue costs and publicity (Finalists are not required to supply prints)
  3. Head On manages all printing and production, and Head On Photo Festival Creative Director Moshe Rosenzveig OAM will lead the curation
  4. Head On is not liable for any costs the Applicant incurs in providing Head On with image files
  5. If, due to unforeseen circumstances, Head On Photo Festival 2023 does not take place as scheduled, alternative measures for the Awards exhibitions may be arranged
  6. Head On will retain Finalists’ prints for a period of 5 years and may exhibit these prints in retrospective shows during that time. At the end of this period, if the Creator has not contacted Head On, the prints (other than the prints of the winning images) will be destroyed
  7. Head On may choose to produce one paper print of each Finalist’s image for archival purposes
  8. The exhibition prints or paper prints of the winning images will be retained by Head On Foundation in perpetuity and added to the ‘Head On Collection’
  9. Environmental Awards Finalists’ work is available to Australian Geographic at no charge for publication on the Australian Geographic website and in printed material
  10. Finalists’ exhibited work can be made available for sale during and post-festival – artists will receive proceeds, and Head On will receive a commission under terms to be negotiated with the Finalists
  11. Head On will endeavour to notify artists whenever their work has been selected for exhibitions post-festival or publication in Australian Geographic
  12. Head On will exercise all reasonable care with the works submitted but will not be responsible for any loss or damage while in its custody or in transit or being transferred or reproduced by any means, including digital copying and online transmission
  13. Head On will notify the Creator of any potential commercial opportunity, such as sales

10. AWARD WINNING IMAGES

  1. The allocation of prizes will be as determined by the judges, and no correspondence will be entered into
  2. Head On will award prizes for three images in each category
  3. Award-winners will be announced in Sydney, Australia at the Launch of Head On Photo Festival 2023 and will be notified as soon as possible after the announcement
  4. Winners across all categories will share a prize pool worth approximately $70,000 – a complete list of awards can be found on https://www.headon.org.au/awards
  5. The first award-winner in each category is responsible for providing an invoice and details of their bank account so that Head On can make payment to them. In the event that the first award winner fails to provide this information and an invoice within three months of receiving a request by Head On to provide this information, they forfeit their entitlement to the prize money
  6. The other two prize-winners in each category are responsible for providing Head On a mailing address for the goods to be sent to. In the event this information is not provided within three months of receiving a request by Head On to provide this information, they forfeit their entitlement to the award
  7. Head On will convey prize winners’ contact details to sponsors providing prizes for the purpose of distributing the prizes
  8. Head On will cover the administrative costs of preparing the awards for distribution to the winners
  9. Winners will cover the costs of delivery of their awards, including shipping, insurance, applicable taxes (e.g. import duties) and any related bank fees
  10. Head On, may contact each winner on behalf of Head On, Australian Geographic, their sponsors or agents to request an interview, to photograph or film the winner
  11. If a winner consents to be interviewed, photographed or filmed, there is no obligation that any images or footage of winners will be used, but if it is, the winner consents to the use of their name, likeness, image and/or voice in any media for the purposes of publicity and promotion of he exhibition, Head On Photo Festival, Head On Foundation, Australian Geographic and/or sponsor (as the case may be)

11. PROMOTION

  1. Head On promotes the Awards exhibitions through various channels (see Appendix B) at no extra cost to Finalists
  2. Finalists nor Sem-finalists will not be announced before the opening of the exhibitions and slide-shows
  3. Finalists nor Sem-finalists must not promote the image selected for the Awards before the opening of the Head On Photo Awards exhibitions
  4. Finalists and Sem-finalists may, however, promote themselves as Finalists or Semi-finalists when Head On confirms their inclusion
  5. Publicity by Finalists and Semi-finalists, including media releases, must be coordinated with Head On
  6. Portrait and Landscape Awards Finalists grant Head On a non-exclusive irrevocable worldwide licence to reproduce, exhibit and publish the Finalist’s image(s) at no charge for inclusion in Head On Photo Festival exhibitions, to be included in the exhibition catalogue(s) and publicity and promotion of the exhibition, Head On Photo Festival and Head On Foundation in print media for a period of five years from the date of first exhibition (and indefinitely as part of a reprint or digital copy of print media first published during the initial five years) at the discretion of the organisers
  7. Portrait and Landscape Awards Finalists grant Head On a non-exclusive licence to reproduce the Finalist’s image(s) at no charge for publicity and promotion of the exhibition, Head On Photo Festival and Head On Foundation in all electronic media for a period of five years from the date of the first exhibition(and indefinitely as historic posts or archive) at the discretion of the organisers including on Head On’s website, electronic communications and social media
  8. Environmental Awards Finalists grant Head On and Australian Geographic a non-exclusive irrevocable worldwide licence to reproduce, exhibit and publish the Finalist’s image(s) at no charge for inclusion in Head On Photo Festival exhibitions, to be included in the exhibition catalogue(s) and publicity and promotion of the exhibition, Head On Photo Festival, Head On Foundation  and Australian Geographic in print media for a period of five years from the date of first exhibition (and indefinitely as part of a reprint or digital copy of print media first published during the initial five years) at the discretion of the organisers and Australian Geographic
  9. Environmental Awards Finalists grant Head On and Australian Geographic a non-exclusive licence to reproduce the Finalist’s image(s) at no charge for publicity and promotion of the exhibition, Head On Photo Festival and Head On Foundation in all electronic media for a period of five years from the date of the first exhibition(and indefinitely as historic posts or archive) at the discretion of the organisers and Australian Geographic including on Head On’s and Australia Geographic’s websites, electronic communications and social media
  10. Head On will credit the photographer whenever Head On uses their work. Head On will supply the photographer’s name to third parties (such as newspapers and magazines) and use Best Endeavour to ensure that images are credited. Head On will maintain the integrity of the work and will not make any changes without first obtaining the photographer’s permission unless reasonable in the circumstances to do so
  11. Head On or Australian Geographic will contact the Finalist to negotiate any useage of the Finalist’s image not already permitted under the paragraphs above

12. DISPUTES

  1. In the event of any dispute arising between Head On and the Finalist or Semi-finalist, the parties will endeavour to resolves these through negotiation, mediation, independent expert appraisal or any other alternative dispute resolution technique
  2. In the event of any dispute arising between Australian Geographic and an Environmental Awards Finalist, Head On will refer the dispute to Australian Geographic and the parties will endeavour to resolve these through negotiation, mediation, independent expert appraisal or any other alternative dispute resolution technique
  3. If the dispute is not resolved by such agreement within fourteen (14) days of written notice by one party to the other of the dispute, either party may refer the dispute to arbitration
  4. Any expenses associated with the arbitration will be shared equally by both parties

APPENDIX A

Key dates & specifications*

 

Dates (Sydney time) What How
Sunday 16 July 2023 Deadline to enter Head On Photo Awards 2023 www.headon.org.au/awards
August 2023 Head On notifies Applicants selected as Finalists Email and/or phone; Finalists must respond within five days of Head On’s notification
Friday 18 August 2023**

 

Deadline for Finalists to prepare and send their high-resolution image Prepare the image:

–         Use the largest original size. Do NOT upsize through Photoshop. WITHOUT borders (no surrounding black or white)

–         In Adobe RGB 1998 colour space

–         Save in 8 bit (not 16 bit)

–         Save as JPG compression level 12

–         Name the file: FirstName_Surname_Catagory_ImageTitle.jpg (e.g. John_Smith_Portrait_MonaLisa.jpg)

Send via www.wetransfer.com (http://www.wetransfer.com)

–         Use [email protected] in the ‘To’ field

–         Have your First Name, Last Name and Category in the ‘Subject’ field

–         Put the image title in the ‘Enter Message’ field (and any other info you wish to include

Friday 10 November 2023 Launch of Head On Photo Festival 2023 and announcement of winners of the Head On Photo Awards
Saturday 11 November 2023 Featured exhibitions and events of Head On Photo Festival 2023 commence
Sunday 3 December 2023 Head On Photo Festival 2023 closes

*The timeline may be updated at Head On’s discretion
**Head On and Australian Geographic may request high-resolution images and/or more images for marketing purposes

 

APPENDIX B

Benefits for Finalists

Head On Foundation (est. 2008) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting photographers’ work at all career stages, encouraging excellence and innovation, making photography accessible to all and raising awareness of important issues through photography. The Foundation’s main activities are Head On Photo Festival and Head On Photo Awards and an annual program of collaborative projects. Head On Photo Festival is a bridge between Australian and international photographic markets. The festival has toured in America, China, India, Europe and New Zealand, introducing the global photographic elite to Australia’s wealth of photographic talent. https://www.headon.org.au/

Australian Geographic celebrates Australia through compelling stories of its people, places, flora and fauna. We seek to inspire Australians to love and care for our country, and through the support of the Australian Geographic Society, we help empower individuals and organisations to tackle environmental challenges and find innovative solutions to the many threats faced by our natural world. Australian Geographic donates 100% of its profits to the Australian Geographic Society’s conservation and sustainability programs.

Benefits to Award Finalists (at no extra cost to Finalists)

  • Inclusion in the Head On Photo Festival 2023 program as part of a printed exhibition in a key venue
  • Publication of each image in the Festival catalogue and the Head On Photo Awards catalogue
  • Helpdesk and general administration
  • Promotion of the exhibition (including design, production and implementation) via
    • Exhibition webpage (www.headon.org.au)
    • Festival catalogue
    • Head On Photo Festival e-newsletters
    • Head On Photo Festival social media
    • Head On Photo Festival website
    • PR agency contracted by Head On Photo Festival
    • Online program/calendar/blog (www.headon.com.au (http://www.headon.org.au/))
    • -Online image gallery (post-festival)
  • Promotion of the exhibition via Australian Geographic channels
  • Australian Geographic may choose to publish the Finalists’ work
  • Other Head On services
    • Liaising with a PR team contracted by Head On
    • Exhibition management and administration
    • Curatorial services led by Head On Photo Festival Creative Director Moshe Rosenzveig OAM
    • Pre-production work such as preparing files for printing, liaising with printers
    • Exhibition design and infrastructure
    • Installation, de-installation, storage of prints
    • Management of any sales
    • Head On looks for further exhibition opportunities post-festival and manages all production requirements
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Head On Photo Awards 2024

Entries to the Head On Photo Awards 2024 open in May/June.

Image detail: Gary Ramage