UK-China International Photography Competition 中英国际摄影大赛

Photography can reveal our common humanity, promoting mutual understanding in UK-China relations.

中文版

In partnership with Creative Manchester, the Manchester China Institute launched its inaugural amateur UK-China International Photography Competition in 2019.

2023 Competition 

ENTER: Email your submissions to: competitions.mci@manchester.ac.uk

The 2023 competition is open for submissions now! This year's theme is "Family Treasures" ("传家宝") and will run until April 12, 2023. 

This year's edition is supported by the School of Arts, Languages, and Cultures of the University of Manchester and the Manchester Museum.

Brief

MCI how to enter the International Photography Competition Play

Do you own an object with a special personal meaning? Is there something with a unique story lying around your home? Do you possess something that has passed through the generations? Has someone taught you a valued skill or talent? Whatever 'treasure' means to you, try to capture that essence in your photograph, and tell its story. 

Use a smartphone camera (no professional photography) to capture your object and email your photograph to us. Your image must include a person(s) as well as address the theme. Your submission should feature a title of no more than 10 English words or 30 Chinese characters and a caption of no more than 50 words/75 characters.

Preference will be given to photographs that are not digitally edited. However, colour photos converted to black and white are fine. 

The accompanying caption is an opportunity to explain the nature/origin of 'treasure', so make the most of these 50 words. 

Email your submissions to: competitions.mci@manchester.ac.uk

Criteria

Submissions will be judged on their concept, creativity, and composition:

  • Concept: How effective is the submission in capturing the theme, in both the image and accompanying caption? 
  • Creativity: Does the submission capture the essence of the theme in a unique and surprising way?
  • Composition: How technically competent is the submission? Have composition, lighting, contrast, and mood been considered?

This is not a professional photography competition. Digital editing of smartphone photos should be kept to an absolute minimum. The emotional impact of the photo will outweigh its technical quality. And please remember to include people in your photo!

Prizes

International Photography Competition Prizes - English banner

By entering, participants agree that their submissions can be used for marketing and/or communications purposes. If under 16, please mention this in your emailed submission. 

Previous Competitions

'Home' was the subject of the 2022 competition. The UK and China winners were announced at the exhibition opening ceremony on 30 May 2022 alongside the unveiling of the Top 30.

View the results of the 2019, 2020 and 2021 competitions.

Judging panel

2022 International Photography Competition

The 2022 competition standard was very high - see which photographs won, view a gallery of the runners-up and find out more about what made the competition so successful.

Read more