Power can be defined as a complex and multi-faceted force that has been a source of pride and honour throughout history. It is a fundamental human desire, difficult to fully capture due to its broad scope and diverse meanings. Power drives change and transformation - an engine for progress. It can also inspire or instill fear, making it a dynamic and influential force in human life.
We invite photographers from around the world to explore and capture the concept of power through artistic, technical and/or human perspectives. This category welcomes all forms of photography including aerial, photojournalism, and even abstract, to highlight the philosophical and aesthetic dimensions of power.
This season, we are also introducing the ‘Drone (Video)’ category, in recognition of these specialised tools that have enhanced the creators’ artistic control and produce exceptional ideas that have shaped the photography industry and influenced various fields.
The’ Sports Photography’ category has now become a permanent category due to popular demand. This dynamic category celebrates sports enthusiasts who skillfully capture the energy, drama and spirit that make sports thrilling to watch - and even more exciting to photograph.
For the ninth consecutive season, the ‘Portfolio’ category continues to thrive in the competition, showcasing great works from photographers that must create a powerful, unified series that engage and connect the hearts and minds of the audience in a way a single photograph cannot.
Last but certainly not least, the ‘General’ Category (Colour and Black & White) offers photographers a limitless platform to unleash their creativity and explore new artistic horizons without boundaries or constraints.
‘Power’, a multi-faceted theme, is not just something we can see or measure; it is also something we feel and engage with. It exists in many forms, each with its own dimensions and meanings.
Whether in the raw force of nature, the creativity and innovation of humankind, the complexities of social and political conflict, or humanity’s attempts to control nature through technology, power manifests in countless ways.
Power is found in technological influence, as well as in the destructive forces that shape our world like wars, pollution and climate change. Power drives change and transformation - in ways both inspiring and unsettling.
We invite photographers from around the world to explore and capture the concept of power through artistic, technical and/or human perspectives. This category welcomes all forms of photography including aerial, photojournalism, and even abstract, to highlight the philosophical and aesthetic dimensions of power.
Photographers have reached new creative heights using specialised tools to enhance their artistic control and produce exceptional ideas that have shaped the photography industry and influenced various fields.
This category invites photographers to present their artistry; showcasing content that combines creativity, emotion, and originality.
From intense competition to moments of victory and defeat, Sports offer a dynamic blend of emotion, movement and storytelling.
Back by popular demand, this category invites photographers to capture the energy, drama and spirit that make sports thrilling to watch - and even more exciting to photograph.
A challenging category for photographers to the art of visual story-telling, where each image weaves into a compelling narrative.
Photographers must create a powerful, unified series that engage and connect the hearts and minds of the audience in a way a single photograph cannot.
Each year, thousands eagerly await the return of the General Category, a cornerstone for photographers to showcase their artistry that is not defined under a specific category.
This category has consistently attracted over one-third of total submissions; which continues to evolve in both quality and creative diversity.
Photographers can submit entries into two sub-categories: Black & White - evoking the timeless elegance of monochrome; and Colour - celebrating the rich tapestry of hues.
The photography industry has many passionate individuals who tirelessly strive for excellence. These dedicated professionals offer their skills and expertise selflessly, playing a crucial role in shaping the photographic community.
The ‘Photography Appreciation Award’ honours individuals or groups who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to advancing the art of photography. Through this award, HIPA aims to express a small token of respect and gratitude for their invaluable contributions.
Service to photography goes beyond capturing stunning images; it includes editors, publishers, bloggers, researchers, inventors, promoters, and all content creators - both print and digital - who have made a positive impact on the industry and contributed to its evolution.
The ‘Photography Content Creator Award’ acknowledges and celebrates the dedication and passion of those whose work has shaped the photography world in profound ways.
Introduced in 2024, the ‘HIPA Photographer of the Year Award’ celebrates an exceptional photographer whose creative achievements over 12 consecutive months have resulted in a remarkable portfolio of visual masterpieces and ground-breaking photographic projects.
To participate, photographers must present their accomplishments from the past year, including current projects and future creative visions. Submissions should feature iconic images that define their artistic journey during this period.
Photographers meeting these criteria can submit their entries in accordance with the detailed guidelines.
HIPA Photographer of The Year 80,000
The Photography Content Creator Award 50,000
Photography Appreciation Award 100,000
All the Prize money will be in US Dollars
Please read these rules (the Rules) before submitting your photo(s) and/or video (the Photo(s)) to HIPA’s Fourteenth season’s Competition ‘POWER’ (the Competition). By participating in the Competition, you (You/ Your/ the Participant) understand, acknowledge and fully, irrevocably and unconditionally agree to abide and be bound by the following Rules:
The Competition, your Submission(s) and the Rules shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Emirate of Dubai and the applicable federal laws of the United Arab Emirates, and any aspects or disputes arising out of or in connection with the Competition and/or your Submission(s) will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Dubai courts (as established by Law No. (3) of 1992 and Law No. (13) of 2016).
This contest is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Apple Inc. The participants understand that they are providing information to HIPA and not to Apple Inc. Any questions, comments, or complaints regarding the contest should be directed to HIPA and not to Apple Inc.
‘POWER’ is the main theme of the Fourteenth Season of competition. Other categories are: Drone (Video), Portfolio (Story-Telling), Sports Photography and General (Colour and Black and White).
The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) is a prestigious global photography competition founded in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with the aim of promoting and celebrating the art of photography worldwide.
We invite all individuals aged 18 and above, from anywhere in the world, to participate.
Participation in the Special Awards is by exclusive invitation from HIPA.
Yes, you are eligible to participate.
No, nominations cannot be made on your behalf.
There are no fees involved; the competition is completely free to enter.
Please click here for a full list of the all the categories.
You may submit one (1) photo in each relevant category of the competition, including the subcategories under the General category. In the Portfolio category, you must upload 5 to 10 photographs. Additionally, you can submit one video under the Drone (Video) category.
You can submit photos through the official HIPA website at https://hipa.ae/members/login/ .
Registration is available on the HIPA website at https://hipa.ae/members/login/. Please ensure you read and accept all the rules before registering.
You can check the uploaded submissions from the Dashboard.
Please check your Spam or Junk mail folders for any emails from HIPA. Additionally, make sure to add noreply@hipa.ae to your email safe list to avoid missing future communications.
Please click here for the prize breakdown of all the categories.
No, you cannot submit any photo(s)/video that have already won any HIPA award or any other competition.
Yes, you can, as long as you hold the copyright for the content and it did not win any moral or material prizes.
No, photo(s)/video that have been used for commercial purposes are not eligible for submission.
‘Commercial purposes’ refers to the use of a photograph for the following:
Yes, you can participate with photo(s) and video that has been shared on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, etc.
You can participate with photo(s) taken using either digital or analogue cameras; however, all submission must be made digitally online. If submitting analogue photographs, you will need to scan them before submission.
Yes, you can, as long as it complies with the rules.
Yes, a brief description of at least 150 words must be included with each submission in all categories. For the ‘Portfolio’ category, you need to provide a description for the entire photo series.
Photo descriptions can be submitted in either English, Arabic or both languages only.
Yes, you can delete or replace your photo(s)/video, but this must be done within three (3) days of the original upload.
If you encounter any issues with uploading your photo(s)/video, you can contact the team at Helpdesk@hipa.ae for assistance.
Participants are not required to submit should upload their photo(s)/video in RAW format initially. However, if shortlisted, they must upload the RAW or camera original file(s) in any format. Our system supports up to 38 different RAW file types.
Yes, you can use Photoshop or other photo-editing software, but the editing should not compromise the authenticity of the photo(s)/video.
Yes, submitted photo(s) must be in JPEG format, with high quality and resolution. The minimum file size should be 5 MB, the longest edge must be at least 2000 pixel and the resolution should be no less than 30dpi and suitable for publication.
Yes. For detailed specification of the Drone (Video) category, please refer to the official rules.
Yes, there is no restriction on the date that submissions were taken.
Yes, you can, except in the Colour subcategory of the General Category.
No, that is not allowed.
Yes, a model release form will be required if requested by HIPA upon reaching the final judging stage.
Yes, it is allowed.
We recommend using Google Chrome.
You can edit or update all your details, except your name and email address, by logging on to your member page on the HIPA website.
Yes, you can view your submitted photo(s)/video as soon as they are uploaded.
To reset your password, click this link http://members.hipa.ae/ForgotPassword
Yes, you will be notified in advance.
There are four (4) stages of judging at HIPA.
The identities of judges will remain anonymous until the completion of the current season.
We have a system for judgment based on four (4) main stages:
The process begins with screening (filtration) of received photo(s)/video. In this stage, judges review all submissions to ensure they comply with our rules. Photographs are then marked either as qualified or not qualified.
Qualified photographs then proceed to the first stage of actual judging, where a group of judges evaluates them. Typically, there are three groups of three judges, each responsible for a specific category. The judges assign scores to the photographs, ranging from 1 to 100, based on their assessment of the selected images.
A percentage of the photo(s)/video (the exact percentage varies depending on the total number of submissions) will advance to the third judging level, where all the judges (between 6 to 9 judges) will assign another score, ranging from 1 and 100.
During this stage, the verification process for participants will also begin within a specified timeframe. This includes requesting legal documents such as model release forms, ownership statements, copies of identification cards and/or passports. The verification process ensures compliance with all terms and conditions, and the results of this stage determine the winners in each category.
Yes, the judging is anonymous. Judges do not have access to participants’ names or details.
It means you may be a winner, and your photo(s) could be published in our annual book or featured in our website gallery, depending on the score you achieved.
Yes, you will be notified.
No, only participants whose photographs are published in the annual book of the respective season will receive a copy.
No, your photo(s) will not be used. All photo(s) that do not reach the final stage or in which participants have not completed the legal and technical requirements outlined in the competition conditions will be destroyed.
Yes, you can. However, winners will be required to sign an undertaking letter that grants HIPA or its partners the right to use the winning photos in publications and for non-commercial purposes.
Yes, you can. However, HIPA retains the right to use the photo as outlined in the undertaking letter.
You will be notified via the email address you provided during registration. If you are selected as a finalist, you will be asked to submit necessary documents to verify your personal details. Additionally, the results will be visible in your user panel on the HIPA website.
Please contact helpdesk@hipa.ae and we will try our best to assist you.