Détails pour soumettre vos images, règles et catégories en français : Français PDF
Ensure that you submit your image in the most appropriate category.
WPC Categories
Images that become part of the Best of the Best internationally MUST set the highest standard and demonstrate a strong photographic foundation supported by post production enhancement opportunities. Images, to become part of the Top Ten in each category must be of unsurpassed quality in ALL aspects of original capture, retouching and creative enhancement (where allowed), technical and artistic excellence.
The WPC is a PHOTOGRAPHIC competition, all elements used in images or composited images must be made by the submitting photographer. All images/image elements must be created by the submitting photographer. The use of stock images or image elements created using AI/CGI are not permitted. Image Editing Tools that are based on machine learning to retouch or modify images are allowed, when using elements created by the same photographer. No modification or use of third party images not captured by the submitting photographer is allowed.
The WPC International Validation committee will review images before judging begins. The committee may at any time (before, during and after the competition) request original files (RAW or JPG that include original Camera EXIF data) and an explanation of the circumstances under which the image(s) were made. ALL Top 10 and Best of Nation images will be require to submit files to confirm eligibility. WPC Team Canada requires RAW file(s) for all images that move on to Round 2 of curation.
Images created under the direction of an instructor, photography coach or at a photographic workshop are not allowed.
Scoring will be based on two criteria, each of the 2 criteria will contribute a maximum of 50% of the total score:
Impact and Visual Language
Technical excellence / composition
World Photographic Cup Winners
We also suggest you visit the International World Photographic Cup website to see past year’s category images for an understanding of what the world judges find impactful.
Sample images below are from our Canadian Team Submissions.
Commercial
Images with an intended use by a commercial client to promote or brand a product or company. Advertising, fashion, beauty, still life, food, events, architecture, corporate and industrial photography are all included in this category.
Composite and Non-composite images and highly manipulated images (Photoshop or similar) are allowed. AI or CGI elements are not permitted.
The WPC Team Canada committee will request original files (Raw or JPG) of all images that move on to Round 2 of curation.
Illustration/Digital Art
An illustration/Digital Art entry is a graphic depiction of any concept or subject. The main principle of an illustration is to convey a concept, story, or activity in such a way as to provide a visual representation.
Composite and non-composite images and highly manipulated images (Photoshop or similar) are allowed in this category. AI or CGI elements are not permitted.
The WPC Team Canada committee will request original files (Raw or JPG) of all images that move on to Round 2 of curation.
Nature - Landscape
This category is for photography that is devoted to displaying natural elements such as landscapes, cityscapes, plants, flowers, trees and close ups of natural scenes and textures. Aerial, macro and astrophotography are included in this category.
Minor adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black-and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
Composite images are allowed through photo stitching, focus stacking and multiple exposure shot at the same time and in the same place.
It is NOT permitted to add, delete, or move elements by cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools.
The WPC Team Canada committee will request original files (Raw or JPG) of all images that move on to Round 2 of curation.
Nature - Wildlife
Images must illustrate the astonishing diversity of wildlife from all parts of the world in a natural habitat. Images made in a controlled environment (e.g. a zoo) or using “baiting techniques” are not allowed. Note: the rarity of the animal will not override the fact that Impact/Vision are key elements.
Minor adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black-and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
Composite and highly manipulated images are not allowed. It is NOT allowed to add, delete or move elements by cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools. Images created by “baiting” the animal are not allowed.
The WPC Team Canada committee will request original files (Raw or JPG) of all images that move on to Round 2 of curation.
Illustrative Portrait
Images where styling, creative photo techniques, extensive makeup or props are allowed and highly technical postproduction techniques are encouraged and may be an essential part of the final story in the photograph.
Entries in this category can include composite images and images that have been highly manipulated or stylized. All contributing elements must be made by the submitting photographer. Stock images are not permitted as elements within the final image. AI or CGI elements are not permitted.
The WPC Team Canada committee will request original files (Raw or JPG) of all images that move on to Round 2 of curation.
Natural Portrait
Images where lighting, posing, and highlighting of the person’s (including domestic animals) NATURAL appearance, essence, personality and character is the goal in this category. Images must tell a story about the personality of the subject(s) including their culture and/or traditions if applicable.
Images that use distinct makeup, enhancement, excessive skin retouching or props to transform the natural appearance must be entered in Illustrative portrait or Illustration/Digital art categories.
Images with distinct makeup or props that support a natural cultural statement are allowed. Fashion/beauty images must be entered in the Commercial category. AI or CGI elements are not permitted.
Postproduction techniques are not to be an essential part of the final story in the photograph.
The WPC Team Canada committee will request original files (Raw or JPG) of all images that move on to Round 2 of curation.
Reportage/Photojournalism
Images that illustrate an actual public or non-public event (excluding sports). Images that display life, human interest, news telling or record of events. Successful images will likely have high impact and lasting emotional response.
Adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black- and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
It is NOT allowed to combine several photos into one image (panorama, multi-exposure, etc), or add, delete or move elements by, for instance, cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools.
The WPC Team Canada committee will request original files (Raw or JPG) of all images that move on to Round 2 of curation.
Sports
Images must be from a sports activity that illustrates an actual sporting event (public or non- public). Staged images are not allowed. This category is for all sports related photography featuring any competitive or recreational sport.
Adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black- and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
It is NOT allowed to combine several photos into one image (panorama, multi-exposure, etc.), or add, delete or move elements by, for instance, cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools.
The WPC Team Canada committee will request original files (Raw or JPG) of all images that move on to Round 2 of curation.
Wedding Open
Images must be photographed in connection with an actual wedding event. Images must include some visual reference(s) that define the wedding event.
Composite images are allowed so long as each element used was shot at the same wedding. All elements used must be created by the submitting photographer.
Commercial, Illustrative and Fashion images are not permitted in the wedding category and must be entered into Commercial or Illustration/Digital categories.
In instances where an image is questioned about being from a real wedding event, the Team Captain will be asked to provide additional supporting images confirming the image was taken from a real wedding event (e.g. bride and groom, groups, ceremony etc).
The WPC Team Canada committee will request original files (Raw or JPG) of all images that move on to Round 2 of curation.
Wedding Documentary (Reportage/Photojournalism)
Images must be captured at an actual wedding documenting the event without posing, prompting, or intervention of any kind from the photographer.
Adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black- and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
Only single capture images will be accepted. Composite and multiple exposure images will not be accepted.
It is not permitted to add, delete or move elements by, for instance, cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools.
The WPC Team Canada committee will request original files (Raw or JPG) of all images that move on to Round 2 of curation.