For 75 years, we have set the standard in collegiate photojournalism.

Each year, most of the 500-plus students from over 120 colleges and universities worldwide who enter CPOY hope to win a prestigious award and have their work recognized. CPOY's 75-year mission has been to recognize the best in collegiate photojournalism and set the standards. However, our greatest value is educational, as it encourages still and multimedia photographers to evaluate their best work and share it with their peers and the esteemed working professionals who judge the contest each year.

The College Photographer of the Year competition was founded by Cliff and Vi Edom in 1945. The University of Missouri administers the contest with continuing support from its co-sponsor, Nikon Inc., whose generosity allows CPOY to offer free entry to college students worldwide. We thank them for their 14-year dedication.

Who may enter

Undergraduate or graduate students enrolled for at least one semester between September 2019 and December 2020 may enter. Those who have worked two years or more as full-time professional photographers, videographers or web producers (including paid internships) are not eligible.

You must submit the name and contact information for a faculty member or advisor who can verify your eligibility.

Key dates

Contest entrants will submit their work to the CPOY contest online through Picter.com. The CPOY servers will open on August 22, 2020 and will close on September 21 at Noon/12PM CDT. The contest will be judged virtually from October 23 through November 2 in Columbia, MO, and winners will be announced and contacted shortly thereafter. Please stayed tuned to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @collegephotog for judging updates.

Awards

College Photographer of the Year - Gold Portfolio Winner

Nikon Digital SLR Camera set, an internship with National Geographic Magazine, a National Press Photographers Foundation scholarship award honoring the memory of Colonel William J. Lookadoo and a plaque

Runner-up College Photographer of the Year - Silver Portfolio Winner

Nikon Digital SLR Camera, Photography at the Summit fellowship, a National Press Photographers Foundation scholarship award honoring the memory of Milton Freier and a plaque

Sports Portfolio - Gold Winner

Summit Sports Photography Workshop fellowship and a certificate

Documentary - Gold Winner

Tuition to the Missouri Photo Workshop and a certificate

Multimedia: Online Storytelling - Gold Winner

A plaque awarded in the name of the college or workshop

Multimedia: Group Story or Essay - Standalone - Gold Winner

Tuition to One Day MediaStorm Workshop and certificate

Multimedia: Individual Story or Essay - Standalone - Gold Winner

A Nikon Digital SLR Camera and a certificate

Multimedia: Documentary Short - Gold Winner

Tuition to One Day MediaStorm Workshop, Simple Pass to the True/False Film Festival and certificate Simple Pass to the True/False Film Festival

Other Awards

Certificates will be awarded to all winners in individual categories. One certificate will be awarded to each group entry, with a PDF of the certificate available to groups for additional printing.

All recognized entries will be featured at CPOY.org.

Categories

01 Spot News (Singles)
A picture of an unscheduled or breaking event for which no advance planning was possible. Examples: fires, accidents or natural disasters.

02 General News (Singles)
A picture of a scheduled political, social or cultural event for which advance planning was possible. Examples: demonstrations, staged promotional or political events and other daily news.

03 Feature (Singles)
A candid picture of a "found situation" with strong human interest, a fresh view of the ordinary, a celebration of life or humor. In all cases the dignity of the subject must be respected.

04 COVID (Singles)
A single picture that captures the experience of COVID. The photograph can be spot / general news, sports feature / action, a feature or a portrait. This category is NOT open to illustrations, to digital alteration of content through the use of post capture editing software or to images created with the use of software capture filters.

05 Sports Action (Singles)
A picture that captures peak action and the competitive spirit of team or individual sports. Should increase understanding of and appreciation for sport.

06 Sports Feature (Singles)
A sports-related picture with strong human interest or pictorial quality that celebrates the role athletics play in the lives of athletes and fans. Examples: The joy of victory or agony of defeat, fan reaction and interaction, athlete portraits.

07 Portrait (Singles)
A picture of a person that reveals the essence of the subject's character.

08 Interpretive Eye (Singles)
A picture that showcases a photographer's distinctive perspective on the world. May express beauty, tension, harmony, chaos and other abstract concepts through composition, tonal and color relationships, or may be an abstraction or non-traditional photograph. This category is open to images created with the use of software capture filters (such as those used by Instagram) or non-traditional analog processes and equipment. However, this category is NOT open to digital alteration of content through the use of post capture editing software.
*If you used software filters in the creation of an image, please indicate that in your captions.

09 Illustration (Singles)
A food, product, still life, fashion or concept picture demonstrating tight control of lighting, esthetics and purpose. Each entry must have a title. Digital alteration through post capture editing software or software capture filters is allowable in this category.
*If you used post-capture editing software or software filters in the creation of an image, please indicate that in your captions.

10 Domestic Picture Story
A narrative picture story or thematic essay photographed in your home country that either reports on significant events, celebrates life, portrays sport or explores environmental, social, economic or political topics. 8 photos maximum per story.

11 International Picture Story
A narrative picture story or thematic essay photographed in a foreign country that reports on significant events, celebrates life, portrays sport or explores environmental, social, economic or political topics. 8 photos maximum per story.

12 The COVID Experience
A narrative picture story, thematic essay or interpretive project that covers COVID-19 and its impact. Examples are a COVID news story, daily life during the pandemic or portraying a personal experience related to the virus. 12 photos maximum per entry.
*See information about Interpretive Projects under Category 13.
*If you used software filters in the creation of an image, please indicate that in your captions.

13 Interpretive Project
A photographic essay, story or series that showcases a photographer's distinctive perspective on the world and in which that vision creates cohesion and voice in the multiple image presentation. This category is open to images created with the use of software capture filters (such as those utilized by Instagram) or non-traditional analog processes and equipment. However, it is NOT open to the digital alteration of content through the use of post capture editing software (12 photos maximum per entry).
*If you used software filters in the creation of an image, please indicate that in your captions.

14 Documentary
A long-form photographic essay or extended narrative story which portrays important contemporary concerns or social issues. To encourage long-term projects, images from previous years’ work may be included, provided none of them have previously won a CPOY award. Half of the photographs in the entry must have been taken between August 23, 2019 and August 22, 2020. 12 photos maximum per entry.

15 Sports Portfolio
Demonstrates versatility and includes at least three different sports. No stories. Eight images maximum.

16 Portfolio
A body of work that demonstrates versatility, expertise and depth and showcases a photographer's vision. Minimum Requirements: Must include at least one entry from a multiple picture category (10-14) and entries from at least two still image categories (1- 9). 50 images maximum. Multimedia stories (17-20) may not be included. Organize the portfolio with the individual photos first, followed by the projects (anything eligible for categories 10-14). Insert a black image (.jpg) at the beginning of the projects and between each essay to separate them. No text should be included in these black separator slides. Organize category 16, Portfolio, in the order you want it viewed by judges. Start with the individual photos first, followed by the projects (anything eligible for categories 10-14). Insert a black image (.jpg) at the beginning of the projects and between additional projects to separate them. No text should be included on these black separator images.
*Multiple image entries within the portfolio are limited to 12 images.

17 Multimedia: Online Storytelling (Enter thumbnail on page one, URL on page two)
A website or collection of stories utilizing multiple mediums (still photography, video, audio, etc.). This category is open to work produced in a class or workshop setting with input and supervision by faculty or collaboration with other students, but outside professional help is not allowed. Judges will evaluate projects based on the strength of individual story components, editing, user interface, and overall effectiveness. This category is not intended for personal online portfolios.
*Detailed project credits must be submitted with each entry. Open to individuals or groups.
*Entrant(s) must be the authorized holder of the copyright for all components of the entry, or entrant(s) must have copyright permission or have licensed the work from the copyright holder.

18 Multimedia: Group Story or Essay – Standalone (Enter thumbnail on page one, URL on page two)
A single standalone story or essay created by a group of students, which uses more than one form of reporting (still image, video, audio) and where the media choice and its utilization enrich and enhance the understanding of the subject. Each entry should have a short run time (flexible up to about 8 minutes). No more than one story per entry. This category is for groups of 2 to 5 students, and all photography, audio, video and multimedia production must be solely the work of eligible students. May be a single component of category 17, Online Multimedia Storytelling. However, it may not be entered in any other category, and significant portions of this entry may not be used in entries in categories 19 or 20. * Detailed project credits must be submitted with each entry.
*Entrant(s) must be the authorized holder of the copyright for all components of the entry, or entrant(s) must have copyright permission or have licensed the work from the copyright holder.

19 Multimedia: Individual Story or Essay - Standalone (Enter thumbnail on page one, URL on page two)
A single standalone story or essay created by one student, which uses more than one form of reporting (still image, video, audio) and where the media choice and its utilization enrich and enhance the understanding of the subject. No more than one story per entry. Each entry should have a short run time (flexible up to about 8 minutes). All photography, audio, video and multimedia production must be the work of a single student. May be a single component of category 17, Online Multimedia Storytelling. However, it may not be entered in any other category, and significant portions of this entry may not be used in entries in categories 18 or 20 * Detailed project credits must be submitted with each entry.
*Entrant(s) must be the authorized holder of the copyright for all components of the entry, or entrant(s) must have copyright permission or have licensed the work from the copyright holder.

20 Multimedia: Documentary Short (Enter thumbnail on page one, URL on page two)
A single, short documentary film with extended run time of roughly 8 to 30 minutes that uses more than one form of reporting (still image, video, audio) in pursuit of enriching and enhancing the understanding of the subject. This is not open to a collection of stories or multi-chaptered websites. Documentary storytelling is grounded in truth, and docu-dramas, re-enactments, or television news reports are not allowed. This category is open to individuals or to groups of up to 5 students, but the content, production, and presentation must be done without the input or guidance of outside professionals. May be a single component of category 17, Online Multimedia Storytelling. However, it may not be entered in any other category, and significant portions of this entry may not be used in entries in categories 18 or 19.
*Detailed project credits must be submitted with each entry. * Entrant(s) must be the authorized holder of the copyright for all components of the entry, or entrant(s) must have copyright permission or have licensed the work from the copyright holder.

All entries must have been created between August 23, 2019 and August 22, 2020 and may not have been previously entered in this competition. (There are some exceptions for Category 14 – Documentary, see the category information).

A single image may not be entered in more than one single image category, but an image may be entered in a single category, one multiple image category and a portfolio category. For example, a single image may be entered in General News, Domestic Picture Story and Portfolio, but not in both the General News and Portrait categories.

A story may only be entered in one multiple picture category, although it can also be entered in the Portfolio category.

All entries or components of entries must be publishable. The work is not eligible if you invaded someone's privacy, promised it would not be published or did not obtain informed consent in the case of people of diminished capacity.

Ethics Clarifications

College Photographer of the Year is a journalistic competition. Digital alteration or deceptive modification of entry materials is strictly prohibited, with the exception of Category 9 - Illustration.

Images made with the use of software capture filters may only be entered in Category 8 - Interpretive Eye, Category 9 – Illustration, Category 12 – COVID Experience and Category 13 - Interpretive Project.

Digital alteration:

• CPOY accepts only color or black and white images
• black and white images - should display a full grayscale range and may not contain color information. Conversion to black and white that does not alter content is permitted. (please see instructions for image file specifications)
• color images - routine image correction for color toning, white balance, and exposure is acceptable; desaturation, over saturation, high dynamic range or other painterly toning is not.
• film edges are only permitted if the original photograph was shot on film (negative or transparency) or Polaroid, and the border is the true nature of the medium.
• the following are ineligible: diptychs, triptychs, double exposures, in-camera multiple exposures, stitched panoramas, added masks, borders, backgrounds, text, handwritten notes, or other artistic effects (except in category 9 - Illustration).
• the following digital content alterations are prohibited: adding, deleting, rearranging or distorting people or objects in the image is manipulation and not allowed (except in category 9 - Illustration).

As a journalistic competition, CPOY does not allow deceptive modification of entry materials. Staging and re-creations are prohibited. You may not deliberately arrange a scene or direct subjects to re-create or rearrange a scene. Exceptions are categories 9 - Illustrations and 7 – Portrait.

CPOY reviews every still photograph and multimedia entry in advance of judging. CPOY may contact photographers whose images seem to conflict with these standards and provide them with the opportunity to resubmit the photograph before judging begins. Once judging begins, judges may disqualify entries deemed manipulated or over controlled. At any point, CPOY may contact photographers to request original RAW images or unedited JPGs for image verification.

Words of advice: Before submitting your images, compare them to the original files as shot in camera to verify that your toning is within these journalistic guidelines.

These guidelines may not be exhaustive, but CPOY expects you to live within the spirit of the competition, which awards honest and straightforward photojournalism.

Copyright

Entrants must own the copyright (or the right to copyright) all submitted material. In the case of multimedia categories, the entrant must be the authorized holder of the copyright for all components of the entry, or entrant must have copyright permission or have licensed the work from the holder.

Entry Instructions

Please pay close attention to these instructions and the competition rules above, as most of the information and many categories have changed.

Image Captions, dates and Information

Captions can be critical during judging — write and enter your image captions carefully. Please do not put your name in the caption. You will also be required to submit Story Descriptions for Multiple Picture Categories. Please write these carefully, and include them in the caption field for the first image of the story or essay.

IPTC data may be embedded into images using Photoshop, Photo Mechanic, Aperture, Lightroom and other image editing solutions. You must include the correct capture date and location information. Please verify that capture dates are correct so you remain eligible. Once you have uploaded your files, any preexisting IPTC data will be automatically extracted and displayed for review and eligibility verification.

The following IPTC fields are required:

• DOCUMENT TITLE is the image title (NOTE: We have a new naming convention)
• AUTHOR is the photographer's name
• DESCRIPTION is the caption
• CAPTURE DATE verify that this field is correct. If any images are outside eligible entry dates your entry will be rejected. IMPORTANT: If your IPTC date is incorrect for some reason, you are able to edit the date during entry. Please contact us with any issues.
• LOCATION INFORMATION including location (if applicable), city (or nearest city), state/province, country and three character ISO country code
• COPYRIGHT name of copyright holder

Image Naming Convention

Each image must be named according to the following guidelines:

For Single Image Categories: C75-category#-first four letters of your last name and first initial-entry number. For example: C75-03-BellJ-02 (“02” indicates that this is my second image to enter in category 3). I would also have C75-03-BellJ-01

For Multiple Image Categories: C75-category#-first four letters of your last name and first initial-entry number by letter of alphabet-image number. For example: C75-14-BellJ-B-04 (“B” indicates that this is my second story to enter in category 14. “04” is the fourth images in the series). I will also have C75-14-BellJ-B-01 (02, 03, etc), as well as C75-14-BellJ-A-01, etc.

Please sequence the images in the order you wish them to appear.

Image File Specifications

• Images may only be submitted as JPEG formatted files
• Recommended JPEG compression setting is between 10-11 and no less than 9 (for Adobe Lightroom users, 100 on the compression slider is preferred, minimum is 90)
• The minimum accepted image size is 3000 px on the longest side (contact CPOY with issues/concerns on this limitation)
• The maximum accepted image size is 5000 px on the longest side
• Do not upsize or interpolate your submissions
• All images must be submitted in 8Bit AdobeRGB (preferred) or sRGB colorspaces, including black and white images.

Multimedia Submissions

For all Multimedia categories, you will submit a URL. Double check the URL that you provide. If your site is down we cannot judge your entry. If a URL submission is modified after the entry period closes on September 21, 2020 it will be disqualified.

If your entry wins, you will be asked to provide a file of the project after judging so that we can display it on the CPOY website.

Portfolio Submissions

Organize category 16, Portfolio, in the order you want it viewed by judges. Start with the individual photos first, followed by the projects (anything eligible for categories 10-14). Insert a black image (.jpg) at the beginning of the projects and between additional projects to separate them. No text should be included on these black separator images. Include your story summary in the image description field and the metadata of the first image for each story.

Advisor Verification

After the September 21 deadline, CPOY will begin to review entries. If we have questions about your student or professional status, we may reach out to the faculty or advisor you listed to verify your eligibility.

Use of Submitted Material

By entering this competition, you declare that you meet the eligibility requirements stated in the rules of the competition and that you are authorized by the holder of the copyright (or the right to copyright) to submit photos and multimedia entries to the 75th annual College Photographer of the Year (CPOY) competition. You grant permission to the University of Missouri to use my submitted photographs in an exhibition, on the web site and for promotional, educational and historical record purposes concerning the competition, including but not limited to print and electronic mediums. Winning photos become a part of the permanent CPOY collection.

Juror information

Juror information, including names and affiliations, will be announced shortly before judging. Please See www.cpoy.org and @collegephotog for details.