To enter, you will need to complete a two-part submission process.

Part I: Complete the form below

(Contest is open to legal residents of the United States, who are at least 21 years of age.)

Canon Emerging Photographers Contest

Official Rules

Canon Emerging Photographers Contest (the "Contest") is sponsored by Canon U.S.A., Inc. ("Sponsor").

Eligibility:  The Contest is open to (a) legal residents of the United States, (b) who are at least 21 years of age as of January 31, 2020, and (c) are current full-time students or recent graduates (within 36 months) of an undergraduate or master’s visual arts program at an accredited institution in the United States, or professional photographers with less than 3 years of professional photography experience.  "Professional photographers" (herein defined as those earning 51% or more of their annual income by taking, selling or marketing photographs) with more than 3 years of professional photography experience are not eligible. Employees of Sponsor and its parent, subsidiaries, affiliated companies, dealers, and any judging and promotion agencies involved in the development and administration of the Contest, and their immediate family members (parent, child, sibling and spouse of each) and those living in the same households of each (whether related or not) are not eligible.  Sponsor will determine winner’s eligibility in its sole and absolute discretion.

Entry:

• To enter, complete in its entirety a "Canon Emerging Photographers Contest" entry form and essay, available on usa.canon.com/emergingatpspf.  Each Entrant will then be directed to raise.usa.canon.com to create an account on Canon’s RAISE platform or log into one if Entrant already has an active RAISE account. Account log in or creation is necessary for the upload of the Images (defined below) and entry into the Contest. Creating an account is free.

• Entry must include six (6) photographic images (each an “Image”, collectively, the “Images”), captured with any brand camera, that were taken in the last twelve (12) months plus one (1) written essay submitted by the entrant (the “Entrant”) that satisfy the entry requirements set forth below (the “Entry”). 

• Essay submission must answer the following question: What inspires you to capture images? Essay must be completed in the field indicated on the entry form and must not exceed 150 words. Any Entry submitted without an essay will be disqualified.   

• The six (6) Images submitted should work collectively as a single group to best demonstrate the Entrant’s vision, talent, point of view and potential as a photographer.  Images from any genre are acceptable, including (but not limited to) portrait, landscape, fashion, documentary, still life, commercial and other fine art categories. Any images submitted in excess of the first six (6) will not be considered as part of the Entry.

• Each Image must be submitted as digital file in the JPEG format and must not exceed 5 MB maximum file size*. The EXIF metadata must not be removed from any of the Images.  Any Entry submitted with Images that do not contain the EXIF metadata will be disqualified. When uploading the Images into the Entrant’s RAISE account, Entrants must create a collection and title it "Canon PSPF 2020 Contest" and save the Images to this collection.  The Entrants must then use the “Share” tab and follow the on-screen instructions to share the Images with the email address pspf@cusa.canon.com to complete the entry process.

• Entry must include all of the following information: (a) Entrant’s name; (b) Entrant’s email address; (c) Entrant’s primary telephone number; and (d) Entrant’s home address.  Incomplete Entries will be rejected.  Only one Entry per Entrant permitted.  Multiple entries by the same Entrant will be rejected. No changes to an Entry are permitted after submission.

• Entry Period: Entries must be submitted in their entirety between 12:00 a.m. ET on March 5, 2020 and 11:59 p.m. E.T. on July 12, 2020.

• No Entry shall include any representation of a person unless he/she (or his/her parent or legal guardian, if a minor) has agreed to appear in the Entry. Entrants will be required to provide a release for any individual appearing in the Entry, signed by such individual (or his/her parent or legal guardian, if a minor).

• Entry cannot (i) be sexually explicit or suggestive, unnecessarily violent or derogatory of any ethnic, racial, gender, religious, professional or age group, profane or pornographic, contain nudity or any materially dangerous activity; (ii) promote alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, firearms/weapons (or the use of any of the foregoing), any activities that may appear unsafe or dangerous, or any particular political agenda or message; (iii) be obscene or offensive, endorse any form of hate or hate group; (iv) defame, misrepresent or contain disparaging remarks about Sponsor or its products, or other people, products or companies; (v) contain trademarks, logos or trade dress owned by others, or advertise or promote any brand or product of any kind, other than Sponsor’s, without permission, or contain any personal identification, such as license plate numbers, personal names, e-mail addresses or street addresses; (vi) contain copyrighted materials owned by others; (vii) communicate messages or images inconsistent with the positive images and/or goodwill to which Sponsor wishes to associate; or (vii) depict, or itself be, in violation of any law.

• Entries that have been previously published or have won a prize in any other contest are ineligible.

• Sponsor reserves the right to verify the validity and originality of any Entry that does not comply with these Official Rules. Failure by the Sponsor to enforce any of its rights at any stage does not constitute a waiver of those rights.

• By submitting an Entry, Entrants consent to receiving emails from Sponsor and/or its licensees and assignees, including but not limited to its agents, relating to the Contest. Entry into the Contest is free.

• Incomplete Entries, including but not limited to those Entries that do not meet the requirements set forth in these Official Rules, will not be eligible. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated or improper means and Entries made by any means which subvert the participation process will be voided in Sponsor’s sole discretion.*Winners will need to provide Sponsor with full-sized files for publication purposes.

Judging:

First round judging will be performed by a qualified panel of judges of Sponsor’s choosing. Judging of the essay will be based on the following criteria: substance (0-25 points), originality (0-25 points), adherence to the question (0-25 points) and ability to convey your story (0-25 points). Judging of the Images collectively will be based on the following criteria: creativity (0-20 points), composition (0-20 points), personal style (0-20 points), narrative (0-20 points) and technical ability (0-20 points). The essay criteria and the Images criteria are collectively referred to herein as the “Criteria”. Essay scores and Images scores will be added together to get a total score (the “Total Score”) for each Entry. First round judging will narrow down all Entries to 10 finalists (collectively the “Finalists”) which will be the Entries with the top ten (10) highest Total Scores. In the event of a tie, the Entry with the higher total Images score for the first round of judging will be the finalist. If there is still a tie, the Entry with the highest points in the creativity category of the Images scores in the first round of judging will be the finalist. (Any further tiebreakers, if necessary, for the Finalists will be decided based of the highest points in the next succeeding category herein listed in the Images scores of the first round of judging.)  Once the Finalists have been determined, their Total Scores from the first round of judging will be reset to zero and the second round of judging will begin.    

Second round judging will be performed by the Palm Springs Photo Festival Portfolio Review faculty. Three (3) grand prize winners, two (2) second place prize winners, and five (5) third place prize winners (collectively the “Winners”) will be selected from amongst the Finalists based on the Criteria. The grand prize winners will have the top three (3) Total Scores from the second round judging, the second place prize winners will have the next two (2) highest Total Scores from the second round judging and the third place prize winners will be the remaining five (5) finalists Total Scores from the second round judging. In the event of a tie, the Entry with the higher total Images score for the second round of judging will be the winner. If there is still a tie, the Entry with the highest points in the creativity category of the Images scores in the second round of judging will be the winner. (Any further tiebreakers, if necessary, for the Winners will be decided based of the highest points in the next succeeding category herein listed in the Images scores of the second round of judging.)     

Finalists/Winners:

The ten (10) Finalists will be selected on or about July 19, 2020 as described above. Winners will be selected from amongst all Finalists on or about July 26, 2020 and will be notified by phone or e-mail at the contact information provided on the Entry Form.  Winners gives the Sponsor, its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates and their respective legal representatives, licensees and assigns (collectively the “Canon Parties”), rights to the Entry as further specified herein.  Eligibility will be verified by Sponsor. If a potential Winner cannot be reached or does not respond within twenty-four (24) hours of the initial notification attempt, or fails to complete and return to Sponsor any required Affidavit and Release and/or license forms by the date specified by Sponsor, or if a potential Winner fails to comply with any of the Contest requirements, or if any prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable or is otherwise unclaimed, such Winner shall forfeit his/her prize and an alternate winner may be selected based on the Criteria. If a Winner cannot or does not accept or participate in any portion of the prizes listed below, he/she shall forfeit the entire prize and no replacement prizing or compensation will be given.

Prizes:

Three (3) grand prize winners will each be awarded an experience at  CONNECT 2020: THE 15th ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS PHOTO FESTIVAL (“PSPF”) from September 20-25, 2020, which will include:

• One (1) Round-trip airfare to/from an airport of Sponsor’s choosing near the winner’s home and Palm Spring International Airport in Palm Springs, California. Winner must be able to depart on September 20, 2020 and return on September 25, 2020. Exact travel times to be determined (“TBD”) solely by Sponsor.

• Five (5) nights’ hotel accommodations beginning September 20, 2020. (Exact hotel/room accommodations TBD solely by Sponsor)

• Daily meal stipend of $50.00

• Ground transportation to and from Palm Spring International Airport and the hotel

• One (1) fully paid attendance to the PSPF from September 20, 2020

• One (1) paid 3 - 4 day PSPF workshop (exact workshop TBD solely by Sponsor and is based on availability)

• Welcome reception

• Welcome Swag Bag

• Daily coaching and mentorship onsite at PSPF with a member of the Canon staff

• One hour group conversation with PSPF Founder and Organizer, Jeff Dunas (date and time TBD by Sponsor)

• Winner and his/her work may be profiled at PSPF, on Sponsor and PSPF social media,  and may be featured in an online gallery on Sponsor’s website(s) and on the Sponsor’s sponsorship page of the PSPF website (at Sponsor’s sole discretion)

• One (1) portfolio review session with a member of the PSPF Portfolio Review faculty (reviewer to be selected by Sponsor)

• Access to the Open Portfolio Show

• One (1) PSPF “All Seminar Pass”

• Access to all evening presentations, symposiums, and networking parties

• One (1) Invitation to the PSPF Networking Dinner

• Canon camera equipment loans and technical training at PSPF

• Canon sponsored hands-on events and photo walks at PSPF

• One (1) Canon EOS R RF 24–105mm F4 L IS USM Camera Kit

• One (1) year Canon CPS Gold membership

Approximate retail value (“ARV”) of each grand prize - $7,649.00 USD

 Two (2) second place prize winners will each be awarded:

• One (1) Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 Professional Photo Printer – ARV $1,299.00 USD

Five (5) third place prize winners will each be awarded:

• One (1) Canon EOS M50 EF-M 15-45 IS STM Camera Kit – ARV $799.00 USD

Prizes are nontransferable and no substitution for cash or otherwise is allowed except by Sponsor, who reserves the right to award a prize of equal or greater value if the advertised prize is unavailable. Acceptance of a prize constitutes permission to use Winner's name and likeness for promotional purposes without further compensation, except where prohibited by law. Taxes, if any, shall be the responsibility of each Winner.   All expenses and costs associated with the acceptance or use of the prize that are not expressly specified in these Official Rules as being part of the prize (including without limitation, all costs associated with product upgrades, incidentals, baggage fees, insurance and food, and any necessary transportation) are the responsibility of the recipient. Prizes are not transferrable and may not be redeemed for cash.  Gift card prizing, if any, is subject to the terms and conditions of the issuer. No substitution of a prize is permitted, except in the discretion of Sponsor, which reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if the original prize or part thereof becomes unavailable.  All federal, state/provincial and local taxes on the prize value, if applicable, are the responsibility of the Winner.  An IRS form 1099 will be issued to the Winner if required by law.  Travel prize value may fluctuate depending on airfare cost at time of booking. All travel arrangements for travel prizing will be made by Sponsor or its agents.  The specific dates, times, locations, seating assignments, room assignments and all other prize details (including the specific Canon product(s) to be awarded and the features thereof) will be determined by Sponsor in its discretion.  Travel itinerary and reservations may not be sold or transferred.  Additional terms and restrictions may apply. 

Release/Publicity Rights: By participating in the Contest and/or accepting a prize, a Winner (or his/her parent or legal guardian if Winner is a minor) agrees to allow Sponsor and Sponsor’s designee the perpetual right to use his/her name, biographical information, photos of Winner, and/or likeness, and statements for promotion, trade, commercial, advertising and publicity purposes, at any time or times, in all media now known or hereafter developed, worldwide including, but not limited to, on the Internet, without notice, review or approval and without additional compensation to the Winner (or his/her parent or legal guardian if Winner is a minor), except where prohibited by law.

Representations/License: 

By entering the Contest, Entrant represents, acknowledges, and warrants that: (i) the Entry is his/her own, original work; (ii) he/she is the sole creator and copyright owner of the Entry; (iii) he/she has the right and full power to make the grant of rights contained in these Official Rules; and (iv) the Entry does not infringe on the copyrights, trademarks, moral rights, rights of privacy/publicity, or intellectual property rights of any person or entity, and that no other party has any right, title, claim or interest in the photographs.

By entering the Contest, each Entrant grants Sponsor and Sponsor’s designee a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, irrevocable license to display, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works of the Entry, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or later developed, for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising and promotion of Sponsor, its products and services. Subject to the rights granted herein, each Entrant (or his/her parent or legal guardian if entrant is a minor) retains all copyrights in their Entry. Any Image reproduced will include a photographer credit as feasible. Neither Sponsor nor the Canon Parties will be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such uses.

Miscellaneous:  All Entrants release the Canon Parties and each of their agents, advertising and promotion agencies, subsidiary, affiliated companies, prize suppliers, and all of their respective affiliated companies, employees, officers, directors and shareholders, from and against all claims and damages arising in connection with each Entrant's participation and/or entry in the Contest and/or their receipt or use of any prize awarded in this Contest. By participating in the Contest and/or accepting the Prize, Winners agree to allow Sponsor and/or Sponsor’s designee the perpetual right to use his/her name, biographical information, photos, and/or likeness, and statements for promotion, trade, commercial, advertising and publicity purposes, at any time or times, in all media now known or hereafter developed, worldwide including, but not limited to, on the Internet, without notice, review or approval and without additional compensation to the winner, except where prohibited by law. No Entrant may win a prize in any of Sponsor's "Canon Emerging Photographers Contest" more than once. Sponsor will collect each Image’s metadata upon entry. Any missing metadata may result in disqualification of the associated Entry. Sponsor is not responsible for any incorrect information submitted by Entrants, technical malfunctions, failures, omission, interruption, deletion or defect of any telephone network, computer online systems, computer equipment, server providers or software, including any injury or damage to Entrant's or any other person's computer relating to or resulting from access to or alteration of Entries, Entries that are processed late or incorrectly or are incomplete due to computer or electronic malfunction or traffic congestion on the Internet or printing, human or other errors and any Entries which are lost, late, incomplete, illegible, stolen, misplaced, misdirected or any combination thereof. Proof of online submission is not considered proof of delivery or receipt. Neither Sponsor nor any of its agents assumes any responsibility for damages, losses or injury resulting from acceptance or use of any prize. This Contest shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York and is subject to all federal, state and local laws. Void where prohibited by law.

By entering the Contest, Entrants fully and unconditionally agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which will be final and binding in all matters relating to the Contest.

Privacy: Please see Sponsor’s Privacy Statement, located at http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/about_canon/standard_display/abtcan_lgl_privacy_misc  for details of Sponsor's practices regarding the collection and use of personal information in connection with this Contest.  By participating in the Contest, Entrants hereby agree to Sponsor’s collection and usage of their personal information and acknowledge that they have read and accepted Sponsor’s Privacy Statement.      

Winners List Requests: To receive a copy of the Winners List for this Contest (available after October 31, 2020) send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to “Winners List Request, Canon Emerging Photographers Contest” c/o Corporate Communications Department, One Canon Park, Melville, NY 11747 (no later than December 31, 2020).

Sponsor: Canon U.S.A., Inc., One Canon Park, Melville, NY 11747