The Photographers Giving Back Photo Award was founded in Sweden in 2008. The purpose of this event is to enhance journalistic photography and to strengthen the position for the professional photographer.

The PGB Photo Award will give donations to causes which are reflected in the award winning pictures.

Both professional and amateur photographers are welcome to compete in The PGB Photo Award.

PHOTOGRAPHERS GIVING BACK
Many photographers, if not all, have a wish to be part in changing the world to a better place. So do we! That’s why we have started the Photographers Giving Back program.

The contest is open from December 15, 2009 until January 31, 2010, at 23:59 Central European Time. Entries should be uploaded to the website as instructed on or before the closing date. Simply log onto the website and follow the online instructions to upload images. Only electronic entries will be accepted.

Participating pictures must have been taken during the year 2009.

They do not need to have been published. Pictures taken outside the year 2009 are automatically disqualified. Entry fees will not be refunded.

For each submitted picture there is an entry fee of US$10

You may enter as many single pictures and picture stories as you like in each category. You may also submit the same picture to several categories. The jury has the right to move a picture from one category to another. They may also award a single picture selected out of a picture story.

1. PICTURE OF THE YEAR Singles category

You cannot sign up for the Picture of the Year category. Qualification is automatic when you enter the contest The Photo Award. The jury will select one picture from all submitted entries.

The Award carries a cash prize of $10.000 USD and a bronze statue.

2. SPOT NEWS PICTURE OF THE YEAR Singles category

The category Spot News Picture – refers to a single image of an unscheduled event where no advance planning is possible. The image should not be staged or arranged.

The Award carries a cash prize for the 1st prize winner of $1.000 USD and a bronze statue. 2nd and 3d prize winners will receive the honorable bronze statue.

3. GENERAL NEWS PICTURE OF THE YEAR Singles category

The category General News Picture – refers to a single image of an event that is planned or organized. The Award carries a cash prize for the 1st prize winner of $1.000 USD and a bronze statue. 2nd and 3d prize winners will receive the honorable bronze statue.

4. FEATURE PICTURE OF THE YEAR Singles category

Feature Picture – refers to a picture without news character. It can show an everyday situation or be arranged. It can be taken in a home setting or at work. The Award carries a cash prize for the 1:st prize winner of $1.000 USD and a bronze statue. 2nd and 3d prize winners will receive the honorable bronze statue.

5. PICTURE STORY OF THE YEAR Picture story category

The category Picture Story – The story should contain at least three pictures in each picture story. There is no maximum limit for the picture story. The picture story has to be taken during the year of 2009. No pictures taken before 2009 are allowed in the picture story. The Award carries a cash prize for the 1:st prize winner of $1.000 USD and a bronze statue. 2nd and 3d prize winners will receive the honorable bronze statue.

6. PORTRAIT OF THE YEAR Singles category

A portrait picture refers to a picture of one or more people. The picture can be close-up, half or whole figure and with or without surroundings. The Award carries a cash prize for the 1:st prize winner of $1.000 USD and a bronze statue. 2nd and 3d prize winners will receive the honorable bronze statue.

7. SPORTS ACTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR Singles category

The category Sports Action Picture of the Year refers to a picture taken at a sports event at the venue where the competition is held. The picture cannot be arranged and the photographer cannot have influenced the situation. The Award carries a cash prize for the 1:st prize winner of $1.000 USD and a bronze statue. 2nd and 3d prize winners will receive the honorable bronze statue.

8. SPORTS FEATURE PICTURE OF THE YEAR Singles category

The category Sports Feature Picture refers to a sports picture taken outside of a sport venue and outside of the exact moment of competition. The picture may be arranged. The Award carries a cash prize for the 1:st prize winner of $1.000 USD and a bronze statue. 2nd and 3d prize winners will receive the honorable bronze statue.

9. SPORTS PICTURE STORY OF THE YEAR Picture story category

The category Sports Picture Story of the year refers to a picture story from the world of sports. At least three pictures have to be included in the picture story. There is no maximum limit for the picture story. The picture story has to be taken during the year of 2009. No pictures taken before 2009 are allowed in the picture story. The Award carries a cash prize for the 1:st prize winner of $1.000 USD and a bronze statue. 2nd and 3d prize winners will receive the honorable bronze statue.

10. NATURE PICTURE OF THE YEAR Singles category

The category Nature Picture refers to a picture with nature elements. A picture where animals and/or nature dominate rather than people.

The Award carries a cash prize for the 1:st prize winner of $1.000 USD and a bronze statue. 2nd and 3d prize winners will receive the honorable bronze statue.

11. NATURE PICTURE OF THE YEAR ENVIRONMENTAL Singles category

The category Nature Picture Environmental refers to a picture with nature and environmental elements. A picture where environmental issues are in focus. The picture must consist of a caption explaining the background of the issue.

The Award carries a cash prize for the 1st prize winner of $1.000 USD and a bronze statue. 2nd and 3d prize winners will receive the honorable bronze statue.

12. NATURE PICTURE STORY OF THE YEAR Picture story category

The category Nature Picture Story of the year refers to a picture story from the world of Nature. Could be either landscape, animal or environmental. There is no maximum limit for the picture story. The picture story has to be taken during the year of 2009. No pictures taken before 2009 are allowed in the picture story. The Award carries a cash prize for the 1:st prize winner of $1.000 USD and a bronze statue. 2nd and 3d prize winners will receive the honorable bronze statue.

The PGB Photo Award may choose to eliminate categories if the number of entries is less than 1000 pictures. There will not be a refund since the picture will still be in the running for Picture of the Year.