One of the world’s largest photo contests makes its exciting announcement for entries, contest details and categories, and announcement on the inauguration of Neville Brody as its Lead Judge

MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA – Nikon Middle East FZE is pleased to announce that entries for the Nikon Photo Contest 2016-2017 will be accepted between October 17, 2016 and 1:00pm (JST) on February 27, 2017.

• Nikon Photo Contest 2016-2017
www.nikon-photocontest.com

The Nikon Photo Contest has been one of the world's largest global photo contests since it was first held in 1969. The objective behind the contest is to nurture an aspirational community that supports photographers and filmmakers who wish to share important stories and influence the way people think through images.

The first new category, the Nikon 100th Anniversary category has been added to commemorate Nikon's celebration of its 100th anniversary in 2017. The Next Generation category, the other new category, open to those under the age of 30, has been added in response to the fact that roughly half of the entries in the previous contest were captured or recorded by those under the age of 30.

In addition, Nikon is proud to share world-renowned graphic designer and art director, Neville Brody, as the Lead Judge for this contest. With his appointment as Lead Judge, Brody also redesigned the Nikon Photo Contest logo. He had the following to say about his role as Lead Judge:

• A summary of Neville Brody’s comments:
The Nikon Photo Contest is recognized globally as a key place to discover new and rising talent, searching out new insights and rich imaginative power and inspiration. As Lead Judge, I feel that it is my responsibility to continue this great tradition by selecting works that express new ideas and superior quality for introduction to the world. With both excitement and trepidation, I hope that the work performed by other judges and myself will make this a Contest that satisfies all who participate. I am also looking forward to seeing just how participants express their wonderful ideas and creativity through the works they submit.

Neville Brody is known for serving in the 1980s as art director for a globally influential London-based magazine, which received the overwhelming support of a younger generation at that time. He currently serves as the Dean of the School of Communication at London's Royal College of Art*1, a fine-arts university active in the education and cultivation of the next generation of international artists. Brody is Nikon’s choice for Lead Judge due to his exceptional influence on many artists, including photographers, who will carry the next generation.

Just as with the previous contest, all Nikon Photo Contest 2016-2017 photography and video categories will accept entries recorded with any digital device, including smart devices^*2, and video entries with a length of 6 to 180 seconds will also be accepted.

Theme of Nikon 100th Anniversary Award

The theme for the Nikon 100th Anniversary Award^*2 is "Celebration". In commemoration of Nikon's 100th anniversary, the brand hopes that entries in this category will cast a light on the many joyful scenes to be found around the world. Nikon looks forward to receiving works of "Celebration" that are appropriate for Nikon's centennial, and tell a story that can only be expressed by the entrant.

Theme of Next Generation Award and Open Award

The theme for the Next Generation Award and the Open Award is "The Future". The future refers to a time that has not yet passed. However, this makes for infinite possibilities. What sorts of "futures" can be described to the people of the world through images? While no one can predict the future, we look forward to entries that provide a connection to the future of the image-making culture.

The announcement of the winners for the Nikon Photo Contest 2016-2017 is planned for July 2017, alongside an awards ceremony in Japan, the home of Nikon Corporation.^*3

¹ A public art and design university located in London, England. It is the only entirely postgraduate art and design university in the world

² Entries in the Nikon 100th Anniversary category must be captured or recorded with Nikon equipment

³ Location and date to be decided at a later date

Nikon Photo Contest 2016-2017 Overview

Eligibility
The contest is open to all, professional and amateur, regardless of age, gender, or nationality. All categories will accept entries captured with any digital device, including smartphones except for Nikon 100th Anniversary Award.

Entry categories
1. Nikon 100th Anniversary Award
- Theme: "Celebration"
- Entry format: Single photo
- Limited to Nikon equipment
- No age restriction

2. Next Generation Award
- Theme: "Future"
- Entry format: single photo, photo story (two to five images), video
- Any equipment can be used
- Entrants must be under the age of 30 (29 and younger)

3. The Open Award
- Theme: "Future"
- Entry format: single photo, photo story (two to five images), video
- Any equipment may be used
- No age restriction

Entry period
October 17, 2016 to February 27, 2017 (closes at 1:00pm JST)

How to enter
Enter the contest by providing the required information in the entry form on the Nikon Photo Contest 2016-2017 website (www.nikon-photocontest.com). This form will be available from the first date entries are accepted (October 17, 2016).

Visit the Nikon Photo Contest website at the following URL for additional details regarding contest eligibility, submission rules, judging, etc.

Awards and prizes
One entry each will be selected from all entries to receive the Nikon 100th Anniversary Prize, the Grand Prize, and the Award for the Most Popular Entry. In addition, a total of 63 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be awarded to entries in each of the Nikon 100th Anniversary, Next Generation, and Open categories, and winners will be presented with Nikon products of varying value.

In addition, all winners will be exhibited on the Nikon Photo Contest 2016-2017 Web Gallery, and on official Facebook and Instagram pages. We are also planning exhibitions at venues managed by Nikon, including the Nikon Museum. The following prizes will be awarded:

* A Grand Prize winner may not be selected.
* Prizes and privileges are subject to change without notice, and cannot be exchanged, transferred, or redeemed for cash.

About Nikon Photo Contest, one of the world's largest global photo contests

The Nikon Photo Contest (NPC) is one of the world's most prestigious global photo contests. Held since 1969, the goal behind the contest is to provide an opportunity for photographers around the world to communicate and to enrich photographic culture for professionals and amateurs alike. A total of 21,100 photographers from 164 countries and regions submitted 88,737 works in the previous (35th) Contest, marking a new record for the Contest in terms of the number of countries and regions from which entries were submitted.

About Nikon

Nikon. At the Heart of the Image. Nikon is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognised for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Middle East FZE  distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and system accessories; Nikon COOLPIX compact digital cameras; Nikon sports optics as well as the Nikon 1 advanced cameras with interchangeable lens system in over 50 countries. For more information, visit http://nikon-mea.com. Connect with Nikon and other photographers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NikonMea and get the latest news and information from Twitter by following @Nikonmea.