Mono Orbit Awards 2026 focuses on a part of everyday life that photography can easily overlook: the systems, surfaces and structures people build around themselves. Its first edition is a monochrome open call devoted to the built environment, with the theme Emission. Entries remain open until November 30, 2026, and the award is available worldwide to photographers aged 18 or older.
Each entry consists of one photograph. The image may approach the theme through architecture, infrastructure, industry, construction, energy, transport, public space or another human-made environment, but it must work in monochrome and make its connection to Emission visible without relying entirely on a title or description. Documentary and conceptual approaches are reviewed together rather than divided into categories, giving this black and white photography contest a single curatorial frame.
Three awards provide a combined €2,100: €900 for First Prize, €700 for Second Prize and €500 for Third Prize. Honourable Mentions may also be named, while awarded and selected work can receive presentation through the Winners Showcase, editorial features, certificates and official social channels. The fee is €20 per photograph. For photographers comparing wider photography competitions, the essential points are international eligibility, a one-image format and a tightly defined built-environment brief.
Prizes
The Mono Orbit Awards 2026 edition combines cash prizes with editorial and online recognition.
- First Prize: €900. The overall winner will also be invited to an interview or editorial feature about their practice and relationship to the built environment.
- Second Prize: €700.
- Third Prize: €500.
- Honourable Mentions: Selected photographs may receive an Honourable Mention and an official digital certificate.
- Awarded and selected work: Photographs will be presented in a dedicated Winners Showcase and may also appear through social media features or later editorial content.
Selected work may also be considered for future photobooks, publications and exhibitions in Europe, subject to the development of those projects.
Related Photo Contests
Categories or Themes
There are no separate categories. Every eligible photograph enters one shared selection under the theme Emission, with observational, interpretive and other photographic approaches considered together.
The theme examines what the built environment releases, produces or leaves behind: physically, socially, visually or symbolically. Although the call overlaps with an architecture photography competition, its scope also covers roads, factories, transport systems, power infrastructure, construction sites, public space and human-made landscapes. Monochrome should contribute to structure, atmosphere and meaning rather than serve only as an effect.
Dates and Entry Fees
Entries for Mono Orbit Awards 2026 close on November 30, 2026. Each photograph requires an individual submission and a separate entry fee.
- Submission deadline: November 30, 2026.
- Entry fee: €20 per photograph.
- Multiple entries: Photographers may submit more than one image, with a separate form and payment required for each photograph.
How to Enter
- Create an account on the Mono Orbit Awards website.
- Select one monochrome photograph that responds clearly to the current theme.
- Prepare the photograph as a JPG in the sRGB color space. It must be no more than 3,000 pixels on its longest side and no larger than 6 MB.
- Remove watermarks, logos, borders and identifying text from the submitted file.
- Complete the submission form, upload the photograph, pay the €20 fee and submit the entry. A confirmation email should follow once the submission has been received.
Digital and analogue photography are accepted, provided the uploaded file meets the stated digital specifications.
Why Enter Mono Orbit Awards?
The format is concentrated: one theme, one photograph and one shared selection. It may be relevant to photographers examining built structures, industry, infrastructure, energy or public space without requiring a complete series or a choice between numerous prize categories.
For readers comparing the best photography competitions through Deartline, the concrete outcomes include €2,100 in announced awards, a dedicated Winners Showcase, a possible editorial interview for the overall winner, certificates and official presentation of selected work. Worldwide eligibility also places it among current international photography contests.
Rules and Copyright
The following summary covers the main participation rules and image rights. Photographers should review the complete terms before submitting their work. If you are interested in participating in this Mono Orbit Awards we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Rules
- Entrants must be at least 18 years old and may enter from any country. People directly involved in administering or selecting the current edition are excluded.
- Every entry must be an original monochrome photograph made by the entrant. Multiple photographs may be entered as separate paid submissions.
- Black and white, grayscale and consistently toned monochrome images are accepted. Images using several distinct colours or selective-color effects may be rejected.
- AI-generated imagery is prohibited. Standard adjustments such as exposure, contrast, tone, cropping, monochrome conversion, sharpening, noise reduction and minor sensor-dust removal are permitted.
- The organizer may request a RAW file, unedited source file, film scan or other evidence of photographic origin and authorship.
- Entrants must hold the necessary rights and permissions for identifiable people, private property, artworks, trademarks and other protected material shown in the image.
Copyright and Image Usage
Copyright remains with the photographer. Entry grants Mono Orbit and Mono Orbit Awards a non-exclusive, worldwide and royalty-free license to use the submitted work for administering and promoting the award, presenting results, producing the Winners Showcase and publishing related editorial features. The license also covers the organizer’s websites, social media, newsletters, press coverage and award-related promotional or archival material.
Ownership is not transferred. An individual photograph will not be sold, licensed or commercially exploited as a standalone work without a separate agreement with the photographer. Credit will be provided where reasonably possible.
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For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
