Minimalism Photography Competition by The Motif Collective

The Minimalism Photography Competition by The Motif Collective is a fresh chance to prove that simplicity can be just as powerful as spectacle. This December edition asks photographers to strip a scene down to what matters most, then make that quiet core feel unforgettable. The key is choosing fewer elements and letting each one carry real weight.

Submissions are open now and close on January 7, 2026. Winners are announced on January 14, 2026. The top three photographers receive cash awards that grow with participation, with a possible total payout of up to $10,000. First place also receives ON1 Photo RAW, and all three winners get Retouch4Me retouching plugins. For photographers browsing Deartline’s photo contest list, this is a focused monthly call that rewards calm composition, strong seeing, and confident restraint.

Entry is simple and priced by the number of images, starting at $12 for one photo and going up to $36 for six. Images are judged on creativity, composition, originality, and how clearly they interpret the theme. It is a natural fit for artists who already enjoy minimalist photo contests, and for anyone curious about what happens when a single line, shadow, or gesture is allowed to do all the talking.

The Minimalism Photography Competition by The Motif Collective Prizes

The prizes mix a flexible cash structure with editing tools for the winners, and the totals rise as more photographers take part.

1st Place Winner: a cash award equal to 25 percent of all entry fees collected for this theme. The overall prize pool grows with participation, up to a stated maximum of $10,000 across the top three winners. First place also receives a free copy of ON1 Photo RAW.

2nd Place Winner: a cash award equal to 15 percent of all entry fees collected for this theme.

3rd Place Winner: a cash award equal to 10 percent of all entry fees collected for this theme.

Additional winner benefits: first, second, and third place winners each receive three paid Retouch4Me retouching plugins. Winning and shortlisted images are shown in The Motif Collective Artists Showcase Winners Gallery and promoted through the collective’s channels.

The Categories of the Minimalism Photography Competition by The Motif Collective

This competition revolves around one clear theme, it’s a minimalism photography competition. Entries can range from realistic scenes to more interpretive or abstract readings, as long as the photograph keeps distractions out and highlights the strength of a few deliberate choices. Judges look for negative space used with purpose, clean framing, and a feeling that every part of the image belongs.

Minimalism Photography Competition by The Motif Collective Dates and Entry Fees

The contest follows a monthly rhythm with one submission window and quick results.

Entry fees depend on how many images are submitted:

• 1 entry: $12.
• 2 entries: $18.
• 3 entries: $24.
• 4 entries: $28.
• 5 entries: $32.
• 6 entries: $36.

How to Enter:

Entries are submitted online through The Motif Collective entry form. Files must be JPG format, no larger than 1MB, and sized around 1200 by 900 pixels. Watermarks are not allowed. Post processing is welcome when it supports the minimalist feel and does not add clutter. Each image must be original photography made by the entrant.

Why Enter Minimalism Photography Competition by The Motif Collective?

There is something refreshing about a contest that knows exactly what it is looking for. With one theme and a clear brief, photographers are not competing against every possible genre or style. They are meeting the same creative challenge, and that makes strong minimalist work easier to notice. The growing cash pool adds a friendly, communal edge too, because the rewards rise as the monthly community grows.

Winners and shortlisted artists are also featured in The Motif Collective gallery and shared with its audience. That matters for minimalism, since quieter work often needs the right context to land well. For photographers who enjoy polishing an idea until it feels effortless, this is a good place to show that skill. It also sits nicely alongside other minimalist photo contests and broader international photography contests on Deartline, especially for anyone building a steady rhythm of monthly submissions.

Rules and Copyright

This section about the rules and image rights of the Minimalism Photography Competition by The Motif Collective has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.

Rules

Participants must be at least 18 years old and cannot be staff of The Motif Collective or immediate family of staff. Entries must follow the monthly theme and be submitted online by the stated cut off date. Only JPG files are accepted, with no watermarks. Images must be created from the entrant’s own photographs. AI generated images or AI elements added into photographs are not allowed. The Motif Collective may request original files to confirm authenticity. An image that has already won a cash award in a previous Motif Collective competition cannot win another cash award.

Copyright and Image Usage

Photographers retain full copyright and moral rights. By entering, they grant The Motif Collective a non exclusive, revocable license to use submitted images for judging, display on the competition website, and promotion of this and future Motif Collective contests. Any wider use beyond contest promotion would require separate permission. Winners receive cash awards through PayPal, and fees related to currency transfer may be deducted from the award amount.

For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.

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