Entry Information

Entrant Criteria

The Nikon Photo Contest International is open to all photographers, professional or amateur, from any part of the world.

Notes

• Only original photographs that have not been previously published, for which the entrant possesses all necessary rights will be accepted as valid entries. Photographs that have won awards or have been subjected to any previous form of judging process will not be accepted.
• Employees of Nikon Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "the organizer"), its subsidiaries and its affiliates are not eligible for entry.
• The organizer reserves the right to disqualify entries that violate any Japanese or other relevant national law or standard, and entries considered to be indecent.
• All entrants, particularly minors (those under the age of 18 in many jurisdictions), are responsible for ensuring their submission is in compliance with the legal requirements of their country.

Categories

(A) Free subject: Works that convey your unique perspective and creativity.

(B) Energy: Works that capture the energy of sights and subjects that inspire, motivate or excite you or viewers.

Notes

• The same photograph may not be submitted into both categories.

Entry Period

• Wednesday, September 1st to Tuesday, December 9th, 2010.
• Entries will be accepted until 1:00, Thursday, December 9th, 2010, Japan time.

How to Apply

One person can submit up to 2 JPEG images for each category (a total of 4 images). Please fill out the online entry form on the Nikon Photo Contest International 2010-2011 website (http://www.nikon-npci.com) and submit it along with the JPEG images. Please access the website for further details.

Notes

• Submitted images will not be returned under any circumstances.
• Entrants will not be notified of receipt of their entries.
• Entries are accepted only in accordance with the procedures mentioned above.
• All data submitted to the contest via the Internet, including image data and personal information, will be managed by PhotoHighway Japan in accordance with the directions of the organizer.

Details on JPEG images submitted via the Internet

Accepted JPEG images are graphic files taken with digital still cameras (not including medium or large format digital cameras) and scanned data of photographs taken with 35mm film cameras or Advanced Photo System (APS) film cameras. Images that have been digitally edited with software are also accepted. Both color and black-and-white images are accepted.

Notes

• Maximum size per JPEG image: 10MB (within 2,048 x 1,536 pixels or 1,536 x 2,048 pixels) If the image is larger than the size mentioned above, please compress the file to a maximum of 10MB before submitting.
• File Format: JPEG only
• Multiple photographs may not be submitted as one picture number.
• sRGB will be applied as the standard color space during the judging process.
• Winners may later be requested to submit JPEG images with higher resolution for winning works, for such purposes as the production of publications and exhibitions related to the contest. Submitted images and storage media, such as CDs, will not be returned.

For further details, visit:

Nikon Photo Contest International Website 2010-2011

http://www.nikon-npci.com

Entry Rules

• Maximum size per JPEG image: 10MB
• If the image is larger than the size mentioned above, please compress the file to a maximum of 10MB before submitting.
• File Format: JPEG only.
• Multiple photographs may not be submitted for one picture number.
• sRGB will be applied as the standard color space during the judging process.
• Winners may later be requested to submit JPEG images with higher resolution for winning works, for such purposes as the production of publications and exhibitions related to the contest. Submitted images and storage media, such as CDs, will not be returned.

Awards and Prizes

The Grand Prize will be awarded for the most outstanding photograph out of all the entries, regardless of category. A total of 33 winners will receive awards, ranking from the Grand Prize to 1st through 3rd place prizes. A further 20 entrants will also be selected as winners and runners-up for the Emerging Talent Award, which credits those aged under 30 (born on or after January 1st, 1981) for work that possesses outstanding expressive power and conveys the energy of youth.

Note: Prizes are subject to change without notification and cash alternatives are not available.

• *1An exhibition of the work of the Grand Prize winner, Emerging Talent Award winners and runners-up will be held on the Nikon Photo Contest International 2010-2011 website. Winners will have the chance to show photographs other than their winning photographs for which they possess the copyrights. Winners will therefore be invited to submit photographs in addition to their winning works. The winner agrees to allow the organizer to use the winner's works and any other works sent by the winner to the organizer at no charge to the organizer. All costs, fees and charges will be the sole responsibility of the winner. Winners may be required to provide Nikon with relevant tax information and to prepare relevant tax documentation prior to receiving the prize. Winning status will not be revoked if a winner does not, for any reason, submit work for the exhibition.
• *2Winners of the Emerging Talent Award will be requested to submit official confirmation of their date of birth. In the event that such documentation is not provided, winning status will be revoked.

Details regarding the giving of prizes and exhibition on the Nikon Photo Contest International website will be sent directly to winners.

Judging

Photographers and experts from around the world who work in the photography industry will be appointed by the organizer as judges to undertake the selection of the winning photographs.

Neither the organizer nor the judges will discuss or respond to any inquiries or comments regarding the appointment of judges or the contest results.

Announcement of Winners

The winners are planned to be announced on the Nikon Photo Contest International website (http://www.nikon-npci.com) by the end of June 2011.

Notification to Winners

The winners will be notified via email by the organizer, a local Nikon office or authorized Nikon distributor by the beginning of June 2011.

• Winners will be requested to consent to the terms provided in the organizer's website, which is linked from the email, by the date stated therein. Should this not be received by the organizer by the requested date, winning status may be revoked. In order for winners to receive this notification, entrants are strongly recommended to make updates to his or her email address on the Nikon Photo Contest International website (http://www.nikon-npci.com) after his or her entry.
• The organizer reserves the right to contact the photographer by telephone or other method in order to confirm information in the entry form or for any other purpose considered necessary.
• Winners may later be requested to submit high-resolution JPEG images for such purposes as the production of publications and exhibitions related to the contest. Submitted work and storage media, such as CDs, will not be returned.

Disclaimers

Agreement

• At the time of entry, entrants are deemed to have read, understood and be in agreement with all rules and conditions. The organizer reserves the right to rule on any issue(s) not covered by this pamphlet. In the event that an entrant should disagree with any decision made by the organizer, that entrant will have the right to withdraw his or her entry/entries. All related expenses incurred shall be borne solely by the entrant.
• In the event that the efficiency, security, selection procedure, fairness of the contest or any related operations are deemed to have been compromised by forces beyond the control of the organizer ? such as troubles relating to computer networks, computer virus infections or unauthorized computer access ? then the receipt of some or all entries may be postponed or discontinued.

Notes regarding entry

• Entrants are entirely responsible for all costs which include computer systems and transmission fees, etc.
• Winners will be entirely responsible for any taxes or charges related to the receipt of any prize.
• The decisions of the judges are final. No correspondence will be entered into.

Responsibility

• Though the organizer will attempt to treat all submitted work with the utmost care, the organizer is not responsible for any damage or loss that may occur during the sending of entries via the Internet.
• The organizer is not responsible for any problems or damages experienced by the entrant due to forces beyond the control of the organizer, such as troubles relating to computer networks, computer virus infections or unauthorized computer access.
• Except in proven cases of malice or gross negligence, the organizer is not responsible for any unfortunate or unwelcome occurrences and/or damages that may befall entrants as a result of entry to the contest.
• Entrants must possess the exclusive rights to each entered work and are responsible for having obtained any necessary permission relating the subject/subject matter. The organizer will not be responsible for any claims or complaints against infringement of rights or damages from third parties relating to the subject/subject matter of entries, and the entrant agrees to indemnify and hold the organizer harmless in such cases.
• A photograph which displays an identified or identifiable person may infringe on such person's right of privacy or may disclose such person's personal information. Entrants shall use due care to avoid any infringement of personal rights including but not limited to obtain necessary permission from such person.
• The above terms and conditions relating to the responsibility of the organizer will apply equally to local Nikon offices, authorized Nikon distributors, third parties cooperating in the operation of the contest, and contest judges, as if they stood in the place of the organizer.

Rights of entrant

• Entrants retain all copyrights and other equivalent rights to entered photographs, however the organizer will possess rights as stated below in "Rights of the organizer."

Rights of entrant

• The organizer reserves the permanent nonexclusive right to publish, reproduce, display, distribute, and show on screen any winning photograph on websites, photo exhibitions, tradeshows, or any other media which is under the management of the organizer for the purpose of promoting the contest. In all cases where such photographs are used, the organizer reserves the right to do so without obtaining the further prior permission of the winner and without offering any further compensation in any form.
• The organizer reserves the permanent nonexclusive right to give permission to its subsidiaries and affiliates to publish, reproduce, display, distribute, and show on screen any winning photograph on websites, photo exhibitions, tradeshows, or any other media which is under the management of the subsidiaries and affiliates of the organizer for the purpose of promoting the contest. In all cases where such photographs are used, the organizer reserves the right to do so without obtaining the further prior permission of the winner and without offering any further compensation in any form.
• With regard to the preceding clause, the organizer, its subsidiaries and/or affiliates reserve the right to (a) display some or all parts of winning works accompanied by additional effects, such as computer graphics, sound effects or music on websites managed by the organizer, its subsidiaries and/or affiliates and (b) to reproduce some or all parts of the winning works for the purposes of producing announcement posters, tickets, brochures, etc. for photo exhibitions and other events. Winners may not exercise any copyright or personal rights to the photographs used.
• A separate agreement will need to be reached should the organizer, its subsidiaries or affiliates wish to publish a submitted photograph for purposes other than the promotion of the contest.
• The organizer, its subsidiaries and affiliates will announce names of winners and titles of winning works on the Nikon Photo Contest International website, other websites related to the contest and at exhibitions and other related places. Entrants are encouraged to refer to "Use of Personal Information" in this pamphlet.
• In the event that an entry is found to contravene the entry requirements stated by the organizer, that entry will be disqualified. Entrants will, however, not be notified of such a judgment. The organizer reserves the right to revoke winner status and revoke any awarded prize in the event that an entrant is found to be unsuitable after the prize is awarded.
• All terms and conditions regarding entry to the contest shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of Japan.
• It is not the responsibility of the organizer to ensure that the contest entry requirements and use of personal information do not contravene the laws and regulations of the country or region from which the entry is being submitted. For the aforementioned reason, all responsibilities relating to the submission of entries to the contest will be borne by the entrant who, it is understood, has submitted such entries under their own responsibility and at their own risk. In the event that any misfortune or damage should be experienced on the side of the entrant, the organizer will not be responsible. Such damages will therefore be the sole responsibility of the entrant.
• Should any conflict arise between an entrant and the organizer, the case will fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Tokyo District Court and will be handled and settled accordingly.

Use of Personal Information

• On entering the contest, entrants are required to fill out the entry form correctly, including the spaces for personal information, and submit it to the organizer. Personal information may be given at the entrant's discretion, however failure to provide necessary information may prevent the entry from being accepted by the organizer.

Purposes

• Personal information will be used for the undertaking of the following actions by the organizer, local Nikon offices or authorized Nikon distributors.
  • Notification to winners
  • Notification of other elements relevant to the contest
  • Inquiries to entrants regarding entries

Notes

• Names of the winners will also be published on websites related to the contest, printed materials and other media where winning photographs are displayed.

Disclosure to third parties

• Where absolutely necessary, the organizer will provide personal information relating to entrants to local Nikon offices, authorized Nikon distributors, the third parties cooperating in the operation of the contest and the contest judges to the extent necessary for operation of the contest.
• In the event of such a necessity, however, the organizer shall establish an agreement including non-disclosure terms with the recipient of the entrant's personal information. This agreement will ensure minimal disclosure of information. The agreement will clearly state the permitted nature and extent of the usage of such information.

Management of personal information

All responsibilities relating to the prevention of leaks, abuse, and falsification regarding personal information will be borne by the organizer. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology or other equivalent means are used by the organizer for personal information received via the Internet in order to guard against unauthorized access by a third party.

Amendment of personal information and other inquiries

In the event that a necessity should arise for the amendment of personal information acquired through entry to the contest, please contact your local NPCI Information Center listed in this pamphlet. Any necessary actions, such as amendments, will be undertaken accordingly. Please direct any inquiries regarding entry to the contest to your local NPCI Information Center.

Rights of entrant

Except in the case of winners and entrants whose entries will be used for purposes other than promotion of the contest (hereafter referred to as "winners and some other entrants"), the organizer will initiate the disposal of all personal information acquired through contest entry in data accompanying entries, and any other electronic form relating to the contest ? from the end of November 2011 (hereafter referred to as "date of disposal"). After this date of disposal, no further amendments, research or other actions will be conducted in any way that may relate to the personal information of entrants other than the entrants referred to above as "winners and some other entrants".

The application period for the contest has been closed as of 1:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time on December 9th, 2010. We appreciate all the entries that have been submitted.