SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, runs this photo contest each year to mark the International Day of Light and show how light shapes culture, the economy and society.
Photographers submit images of light: how it behaves in nature and materials, technologies such as lasers and LEDs, pictures made with telescopes or microscopes, and people living with light. The 2026 round has closed; a new round is expected in 2027.
Benefits & funding
- First prize US$2,500; second US$1,000; third US$500.
- A separate Judges’ Choice for Best of Science prize of US$1,000.
- Full prize terms are set in the year’s official rules (PDF).
Eligibility
- Amateur and professional photographers may both enter.
- Entrants must be adults aged 18 or older (2026 official rules).
- The contest page names no nationality or residence limit; ineligible groups and entry caps are set in the official rules PDF, so check it before entering.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
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We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Read the official rules for the current year; entering means accepting them.
- 2Submit images through the contest page while the round is open (16 May to 16 September in 2026).
- 3Send questions to CustomerService@spie.org.
Program timeline
Contest opened
16 May 2026
Entries closed
16 September 2026
Winners notified
16 October 2026
Winners announced
30 October 2026