The annual Carl Zeiss Photography Competition has just started. This year’s theme is “Every moment tells a story” Photographers and photo enthusiasts from anywhere in the world are invited to approach and capture this contest theme from their own unique perspective.

For its 2011 photography competition, Carl Zeiss is looking for that moment in which you do not see a subject, but a story. “We’re looking for images of that very special moment,” says Martin Dominicus, Head of Marketing for the Carl Zeiss Camera Lens Division. “Every life, every situation and every place is full of stories that take place in a split second. The ability to capture that in such a way that you recognize the story behind it — this is, and has always been, the high art of photography.

The pictures can be about anything. They can show people telling a story through their facial expressions or charm. They can depict a story in nature, whether shown through the sun, water, mist or frost. In exploring the theme, photographers can go to the limits of their imagination. There are also no rules in terms of style. The images can show bizarre, mysterious, funny or romantic situations. Photographic techniques such as the conscious play with focusing or blur can be used, as well as light/shadow or black and white photography. The most decisive requirement for this competition is that the photographer captures a magical moment that has character and tells a story.