VII. INTERNATIONAL MAARIF PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

The International Maarif Photography Contest is an artistic competition organized with the participation of students, teachers, and staff from Maarif Schools and Educational Centers. The contest aims to enable participants to present visual content and photographic compositions in line with a specified theme on an international platform, while fostering their interest in the art of photography.

THEME

The VII International Maarif Photography Contest will be held under the theme of “Kindness.”

OBJECTIVES

Our objectives are to:

  • Discover the visual talents of students, teachers, and staff
  • Develop aesthetic, critical, and visual awareness
  • Encourage engagement with the art of photography
  • Promote a culture of competition within the educational process
  • Raise awareness on the designated theme

GOALS

The International Maarif Photography Contest is intended to be held annually as an international competition with the participation of our students and staff. It aims to support participants in improving their artistic and visual perspectives in the field of photography.

SCOPE

Organized annually around a specific theme, the contest includes students, teachers, and staff within Maarif Schools and Educational Institutions, as well as all employees working at the Foundation Headquarters.

APPLICATION METHOD

The contest consists of two categories: Students and Staff.

Participants can apply online by completing the application form and uploading their photographs via:
www.eyesofmaarif.com

CONTEST PROCESS

1. Announcement and Application

  • The contest will be announced through school notice boards, social media accounts, and internal communication channels.
  • Participants will be informed about the rules, participation requirements, and deadlines.
  • All applications will be submitted via the website: eyesofmaarif.org

2. Evaluation of Applications

  • Evaluation criteria will include technical quality, aesthetic value, and relevance to the theme.
  • After the application deadline, submissions will be evaluated by the jury.

3. Selection of Winners

  • The top three photographs will be selected based on evaluation results.

4. Award Ceremony and Exhibition

  • Winning photographs will be prepared for exhibition within the school.
  • An award ceremony will be held, and the winners will be announced.
  • Awards will be presented and selected works will be exhibited.

CENTRAL EVALUATION PROCESS

  • Applications will be reviewed by the Foundation Headquarters.
  • A preliminary jury will conduct the initial evaluation.
  • Selected photographs will be forwarded to the main jury for final evaluation.
  • The evaluation process will be finalized by the project coordination team.

Final Selection

  • Finalist photographs will be determined.
  • Awards (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and honorable mentions) will be granted in two categories.
  • Exhibition preparations will be completed.

Awards and Exhibition

  • Exhibition preparations will be finalized.
  • Procurement processes for awards will be completed.
  • Winners will be announced, awards presented, and photographs exhibited.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PHOTOGRAPHS

  • Resolution and Size: Minimum 300 dpi, at least 1920×1080 pixels (landscape/portrait)
  • Format: JPEG, PNG or similar formats
  • Color: Color or black-and-white submissions are accepted
  • Editing: Photos must be submitted in their original, unaltered form
  • Content: Must align with the theme and demonstrate strong narrative quality
  • Originality: Must be original and not previously submitted to other competitions
  • Copyright: Award-winning works’ publication and usage rights are jointly owned by the artist and the Türkiye Maarif Foundation and cannot be transferred to third parties

TERMS OF PARTICIPATION

  • Open to Maarif students and staff
  • Each participant may submit up to three (3) photographs
  • Participants are free in artistic expression within the theme framework
  • Accurate and complete personal information must be provided
  • Previously submitted works to other competitions are not accepted
  • Manipulated or composite images are not allowed
  • Minor edits (cropping, color, contrast) are acceptable within reasonable limits
  • Copyrights of submitted works are deemed transferred to the Türkiye Maarif Foundation
  • Required permissions must be obtained for identifiable individuals in photographs
  • Content must not violate privacy, copyrights, or ethical standards
  • Deadline: June 12, 23:59 (GMT+3)
  • Participants waive all rights to awarded works and transfer them to the Foundation
  • The Foundation reserves the right to modify prize specifications

AWARDS

Main Awards

  • 1st Prize: DSLR Camera
  • 2nd Prize: DSLR Camera
  • 3rd Prize: Digital Compact Camera

 

Honorable Mention Awards

  • Instax Compact Camera

 

CONTEST CALENDAR – 2026

  • Announcement to Countries: April 29
  • School Announcements: April 29
  • Application Period: April 29 – June 12
  • Application Deadline: June 12
  • Preliminary Jury Evaluation: June 17
  • Professional Jury Evaluation: June 24
  • Announcement of Results: July 3