Deadline: February 28, 2026
The Rest of World Photo Contest 2026 invites photographers from around the globe to share compelling stories that showcase how technology shapes and transforms everyday life. Whether you’re an amateur or a professional photographer, this competition provides a unique platform to highlight innovation, creativity, and human connection through the lens.
About the Rest of World Photo Contest 2026
The Rest of World Photo Contest 2026 celebrates powerful visual storytelling that explores the relationship between people and technology in diverse cultural settings. The contest seeks thought-provoking images that capture how technology — old or new — is used in surprising, resourceful, or inspiring ways around the world.
This international photo contest welcomes photographers of all skill levels, offering the opportunity to gain global exposure and win exciting cash prizes.
Contest Categories
Participants can submit a single image to one of the following categories:
1. Surprising Screens
Images that show screens being used in unconventional, remote, or unexpected ways — from mobile phones in rural areas to innovative uses of digital displays in creative environments.
2. Inherited Innovation
Photographs that illustrate how older technologies continue to thrive through repair, adaptation, or re-use. This category highlights ingenuity and sustainability in the use of technology across generations.
3. Member’s Choice
Entries in this category will be voted on by Rest of World members, giving the audience a chance to choose their favourite image that best represents the theme of technology and humanity.
Prizes and Recognition
Winners of the Rest of World Photo Contest 2026 will receive the following awards:
- First place (each category): USD 750
- Honourable mention (each category): USD 250
Winning and shortlisted photographs will also gain exposure across Rest of World’s global platforms, reaching an international audience of readers, journalists, and tech enthusiasts.
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to photographers of any skill level and from any country.
- Each entrant may submit only one image.
- The photo must have been taken within the past two years.
This inclusive contest encourages photographers from all backgrounds to share authentic visual narratives about technology in everyday life.
Submission Guidelines
To participate, applicants must submit their entries via email following the instructions below:
- File Format: Submit a JPG image with a minimum of 2,500 pixels on the longest side.
- Submission Email: Send your photo to photo@restofworld.org.
- Email Subject Line:
PhotoContest 2026 + Category - Email Body: Include the following details:
- Your full name
- Your location
- A brief description of the photograph (when and where it was taken, and how it fits the chosen category)
Finalists may be contacted for additional information, and selected winners could be invited to a brief online session with the Rest of World community.
Tips for a Strong Submission
To stand out in the Rest of World Photo Contest 2026, photographers are encouraged to:
- Capture unique perspectives that showcase how technology interacts with culture, environment, and community.
- Tell a compelling story behind the image — explain the context, subject, and significance.
- Focus on human-centred storytelling, reflecting emotion, innovation, and adaptation.
Images that creatively highlight the intersection of technology and everyday life have the best chance of impressing the judges.
Application Deadline
All entries must be submitted by 28 February 2026 (Midnight GMT). Late submissions will not be accepted, so early participation is highly encouraged.
Apply for the Rest of World Photo Contest 2026
Ready to showcase your creativity and storytelling skills? Don’t miss the chance to share your vision of technology’s role in shaping the world around us.
👉 Click here to read more about the programme
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining and review.
