Camera
Showcase your skills: 8 photography contests to enter in May

The month of May brings new opportunities to get your work seen by a large, international audience. While they sometimes get flak, photography competitions, when judged fairly and conducted with integrity, offer exposure to industry decision-makers, an opportunity to get your work published or exhibited and recognition that can elevate your career.
As we’ve learned, not all competitions are created equal. Some have been exposed as cash grabs at best and content farms at worst. We waded through a long list of open calls and came up with this list of eight competitions worth considering. From Pop Art to Landscape and Black & White, there is a genre for every type of photographer.
We’ll lead with the free-to-enter competitions and follow with contests that require an entry fee. No matter the contest, it’s essential to read the rules and terms and conditions closely. As a former judge, I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to disqualify a promising submission because a watermark was left on or the photo was formatted incorrectly. Reading the requirements will at least get your foot in the door.
We wish you the best of luck if you decide to enter any of these competitions. While there is no guarantee that your work will be selected, and rejections are always discouraging, taking steps to get your work out there is always valuable. If any noteworthy contests are missing, let us know.
The CEWE Photo Award
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Image: CEWE Photo Award |
Deadline: May 31st
Entry Fee: Free
CEWE is a leading photo printing company based in Europe. Its annual competition offers €250,000 in prizes, including vacations and photography gear. Participants can enter up to 100 photos, taken on anything from a full-frame camera to a smartphone. CEWE also donates €0.10 for every entry to the SOS Children’s Villages International. There are 10 categories to enter, including Travel & Culture, Landscape, Food and Macro/Close-up.
Banff Mountain Photo Essay Competition
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Image: Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity |
Deadline: May 5th
Entry Fee: Free
The Banff Photo Essay Competition emphasizes storytelling through a curated series of images that delve into mountain culture, natural history, adventure, wildlife, sports and the environment. Open to amateur and professional photographers, you must submit three to five images that can stand independently but also combine to create a narrative. A prize of CAD 3000 and a showcase at the Banff Centre of Mountain Film and Book Festival will be awarded to one Grand Prize Winner.
Photometria Awards Open Call, “Non Stop Pop”
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Image: Photometria |
Deadline: May 31st
Entry Fee: The first image is free or €5 for up to 3 photos
This competition invites professional and amateur photographers to explore the influence of pop culture on modern society. Submissions will be judged by Magnum photographer Alec Soth, who is looking for compelling and original interpretations. The overall winner will receive Nikon gear and the top 25 images will be exhibited during the 17th Photometria International Festival in Ioannina, Greece.
The Motif Collective: Black and White Photography Competition & Sunrise and Sunset
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Image: The Motif Collective |
Black and White deadline: May 7th
Sunrise and sunset deadline: June 7th
Entry Fee: $12 to $36, depending on the number of submissions
The Motif Collective currently has two contests: Black and White and Sunrise and Sunset. April’s contest, which closes on May 7, focuses on the art of monochrome imagery. The May contest is dedicated to sunrises and sunsets and closes on June 7. Both are open to professionals and amateurs worldwide; participants can submit up to six images. The prize pool scales with the number of entries and can reach up to $10,000 in total cash rewards. There will also be an artist showcase gallery promoted across its social media channels.
International Garden Photographer of the Year Macro Art Photo Project
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Copyright: © Zsolt Varanka |
Deadline: May 6th
Entry Fee: €16 for up to 4 single images
The Macro Art Photo Project from International Garden Photographer of the Year asks that photographers from all over the world capture the fine details of plants, insects and other natural forms. Only single entries are accepted as the judges aren’t looking for a series of images. Winners will get international exposure through exhibitions and publications.
reFocus Awards: Black & White Photo Contest
Image: reFocus |
Deadline: May 13th
Entry Fee: Anywhere from $12 to $50 for single images and series
The reFocus Black & White Photo Contest is open to student, amateur and professional photographers. Individual entries or a series of two to five monochrome images can be submitted. Winners receive $4000 in cash prizes, custom-engraved trophies and features in the reFocus Artist Directory. There is also a People’s Vote Award, which allows the public to select standout work.
40th AOP Photography Awards
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Image: AOP Photography Awards |
Deadline: May 15th
Entry Fee: Anywhere from £50 to £90 for a single image or project
The Association of Photographers (AOP) deems its awards competition as the “Oscars” of the photography world. While this competition is only open to AOP members, everyone from students to assistants and professionals at any stage in their career can apply for inclusion. The 10 open categories include Documentary, Portrait, Best Moving Image and Still Life. Winners will be exhibited and featured in a book.
Nature Photographer of the Year
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Image: Nature Photographer of the Year |
Deadline: May 25th
Entry Fee: Free for Youth Category and £34 to £49.50
NPOTY features 12 categories including Birds, Landscapes, Underwater and Natural Art. There’s also a Youth category for photographers under 18 and the Fred Hazelhoff Award for Best Portfolio submission. The total prize pool is £25,000 with the overall winner receiving £3000. Winning images are displayed at the Nature Talks Photo Festival and receive international recognition in publications and exhibitions.
Camera
Neewer's powerful Q6 outdoor flash is available for pre-order

Image: Neewer |
Neewer announced that its new outdoor studio flash, designed to overpower even midday sunlight and fill large softboxes, is available for pre-order. The company says the Neewer Q6 offers 600Ws output, a consistent 5700K color temperature, fast recycle times, TLL/HSS support, smartphone app control and a quartz flash tube.
The Q6 weighs 3kg (6.6 lbs) without the handle and is 195 x 185 x 170mm (7.7 x 7.3 x 6.3″), roughly the size and weight of a small dumbbell. If you’ve fitted your camera with a a compatible flash or wireless trigger, it can use Canon E-TTL, Nikon i-TTL, Sony TTL and Fujifilm TTL systems. It also supports Manual and Multi (Stroboscopic) modes. Neewer has equipped it with features like front/rear curtain sync, a “masking” mode that exposes the subject and background separately, making it easier to separate them while editing, burst modes for continuous shooting and timelapse capabilities from 0.01 to 30 seconds.
Main Specs:
- Color Temperature: 5700K (+/-150K)
- Full Power Flash: 400 (with modeling light off)
- Flash Duration: 1/20400s max
- Recycling Time: Approx. 0.01-0.9s
- Flash Mode: TTL/M/MULTI/BURST MODE
- Stroboscopic Flash: 1-100Hz, 1-100 times
- Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC): -3EV to 3EV, 1/3 EV increments
- Sync Mode: High-speed sync, front/rear curtain sync
- Delay Flash: 0.01-30s
Neewer promises a constant 5700K (±100K) color temperature across power levels for color accuracy, an essential element for product and commercial photography. Flash power is adjustable in 0.1-stop increments, from 1/512 all the way up to full power (1/1), giving users precise lighting control.
It features a durable quartz flash tube (rated for 300,000 flashes), two TFT color screens, color-coded groups, and an intuitive layout designed for easy control. A smartphone app allows you to adjust flash modes, tweak settings and update firmware directly from your phone.
It can also connect to Neewer’s sold-separately 2.4G wireless QZ or QPRO triggers, with five groups and 32 channels for flexible multi-flash setups. This lets you control your flashes from up to 100m (328 ft.). A 3.5mm sync port adds compatibility with other triggers.
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Image: Neewer |
Powered by a 28.8V/3000mAh lithium battery, the Q6 can deliver up to 400 full-power flashes per charge. Fast recycling times (0.01-0.9 seconds) and freeze mode allow you to shoot high-speed subjects, such as cars or cyclists, with precision. It supports up to 1/8000s high-speed sync (HSS), ideal for dance or fashion with movement, and ultra-short flash durations from 1/209 to 1/10989 seconds.
A 30W bi-color LED modeling lamp (2700-6500K) allows for real-time previewing or serves as a continuous light for video. The Bowens mount makes it compatible with a wide range of modifiers, including reflectors, softboxes, snoots and beauty dishes.
Neewer’s Q6 aims to be an asset for location shoots where consistent, natural-looking light is critical. It is available for pre-order at a special price of $499.99 (regularly $699.99). The company warns that the US price may increase soon due to tariffs. Shipping is estimated to start on May 18th.
Camera
This Chinese camera company has halted shipments to the US – it may not be the last

Photo: Yinwei Liu / Moment via Getty Images |
QHYCCD, a Chinese astronomy camera company, recently announced on its Facebook page that it will no longer ship cameras to the US because of the tariffs. “This was not an easy decision for us, and we deeply regret any inconvenience it may cause. If you’re in the U.S., we encourage you to reach out to local distributors — they may still have stock available,” the post says.
It may be a sign of what’s to come, as the US tariffs that have been such a hot-button issue over the past month start to go into effect. Many economists predicted that the US tariffs would have a broader impact on goods coming into the United States beyond higher prices. Justin Wolfers, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the University of Michigan, explained, “If there’s equipment from highly-tariffed nations – like China – the tariffs may make them so uncompetitive that retailers drop the brand altogether rather than importing cameras they won’t sell.” Unfortunately, those predictions are becoming a reality.
“the tariffs may make them so uncompetitive that retailers drop the brand altogether”
The cessation of shipments is already being felt in other industries, too. For example, keyboard company Keyboardio announced in April that it would be pausing all US orders starting on April 23. That date was chosen to ensure orders would arrive in the US before the tariffs take effect on May 2. Keyboardio’s post on its website details the reasoning behind this, explaining that DHL has already stopped taking packages that require formal customs clearances coming into the US. The company also cites the overall lack of clarity regarding future fees and delivery times as additional reasons for pausing orders.
Additionally, popular video game controller brand 8Bitdo originally announced on April 30 that it would no longer ship to the US. It has since walked back that statement, saying it is only pausing orders from May 1 to May 5 for Chinese Labor Day. Still, as with many aspects of these tariffs, the situation is in flux and can change on a day-by-day basis.
As with many aspects of these tariffs, the situation is in flux and can change on a day-by-day basis.
The US tariffs are also affecting more well-known brands in the camera industry. PetaPixel reported today that the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has jumped in price to $800 and is listed as out of stock on most websites, including Amazon, B&H and DJI’s own site. A DJI spokesperson told PetaPixel that “Due to local market conditions and industry environment, including trade-related policies, we may experience extended delays in restocking, and have had to adjust our pricing strategy.”
It seems unlikely that major brands like Sony, Nikon and Canon will pause shipments to the US, though Canon has said that its prices will increase. It’s also very feasible that smaller accessory brands will decide to pause orders to the US, just as gaming and computer accessory brands have started to do. Once stock that’s already in the US runs out, that could be it for some of these products for those in the US.
Thank you to DPReview reader Fervent Astronomy for the tip about QHYCCD’s announcement.
Camera
Leica is celebrating its 100th anniversary with limited edition M11 cameras

Leica will be releasing limited edition M11 cameras in six cities for its 100th anniversary.
Image: Leica |
Leica is no stranger to limited edition cameras. It celebrated 70 years of the M series with a $23,000 platinum-plated kit and has released a black and gold Q2 in collaboration with Daniel Craig and Greg WIlliams, a streetwear-themed version of the D-Lux 7 and a $50,000 gold-plated M10-P, among a long list of others. It should come as no surprise that the company is releasing a special edition for its 100th anniversary, then.
As part of the 100 Years of Leica celebrations happening in a handful of cities worldwide, Leica is releasing limited edition M11 cameras. These special M11s feature engravings on the top plate for each city where events are hosted throughout the year. The cameras feature a “premium glossy black paint finish” and “stylish black cowhide armouring.” The buttons and dials on the top of the camera are silver-chromed. Leica is only releasing 100 units per city, and the top of the camera will feature the serial number. Otherwise, it is the exact same as the standard Leica M11.
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The limited edition Leica M11s feature an engraving on the top plate reflecting the city where they are sold, and the edition number out of 100.
Image: Leica |
Leica kicked off the special edition M11 in Dubai on January 22, followed by Milan, Italy at the beginning of April. New York is the third city in the lineup, launching today, with the “NEW YORK USA” engraving. Each version is sold exclusively in the respective country. If you’re itching for the New York edition, be prepared to spend $10,695 – a mere $1500 more than the standard M11.
Leica M11 100 Years of Leica “NEW YORK USA”
Leica Honors 100th Anniversary of the Leica I with Exclusive Special Edition Release, Limited to 100 Units
NEW YORK, May 2nd, 2025 – As part of Leica’s centennial celebrations in New York occurring on May 3rd, 2025, one of the standout highlights is the launch of the new Leica M11 100 Years of Leica “NEW YORK USA”. Celebrating the Leica I, the first mass-produced 35mm Leica camera, this innovation revolutionized the world of photography at the Leipzig Spring Fair a century ago, unlocking a world of new possibilities with its compact design and versatility. To honor this standout moment, Leica has released an exclusive Leica M11 100 Years of Leica “New York USA” edition, which will be available on May 3rd 2025 and offered only in the United States. With a limited production run of just 100 units, this special edition is engraved with the city’s name, making it a true rarity.
About the Leica M11 100 Years of Leica “NEW YORK USA”
This special edition includes several unique features that make it a true collector’s item. An individual engraving on the top plate spells out “NEW YORK USA” in combination with the traditional “Leica” engraving. This exclusive anniversary edition of the legendary rangefinder camera comes in a premium glossy black paint finish, inspired by the historical M-Cameras, which creates a distinctive patina over time– an unmistakable feature reflecting the individual story of each and every camera. A harmonious look is achieved thanks to the combination of silver-chromed control elements such as the shutter release, the on/off switch, and the ISO and speed dials, which are decorated with elaborate cross knurling.
The stylish black cowhide armouring lends a certain elegance to the camera, and its distinctive texture is a throwback to the legendary vulcanite leathering of earlier models. Details such as the black chrome-plated hot shoe cover with the anniversary logo “100”, a subtle black screw instead of the red logo, the special serial number from 001/100 to 100/100, and a certificate of authenticity emphasize the uniqueness of this special edition.
The Leica M11 100 Years of Leica “NEW YORK USA” model will be sold exclusively in the United States, at select Leica store locations, starting on May 3rd. The price of this model is $10,695.00.
The Leica M11 100 Years of Leica will also be released in five other distinctive country versions—each limited to just 100 units. Every select country edition will feature unique engravings and special serial numbers, making them true collector’s items. The M11 100 Years of Leica will also be launched in “MILAN ITALY”, “DUBAI UAE”, “SHANGHAI CHINA”, “TOKYO JAPAN” and “WETZLAR GERMANY”. Each of these releases will be limited to just 100 units and available exclusively for purchase in their respective countries.
100 years of Leica: Witness to a century
In 2025, Leica Camera AG is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Leica I, the first 35mm camera to be mass-produced, which was introduced to the public at the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1925. This groundbreaking camera exceeded all expectations with its compact, portable design, unlocking new possibilities in photography. Under the theme 100 Years of Leica: Witness to a Century, Leica Camera AG commemorates this milestone that transformed photography worldwide. Throughout the year, Leica will host international events in major cities including Dubai, Milan, New York, Shanghai, and Tokyo, showcasing cultural projects and exclusive special product editions. The highlight of the celebration will be the anniversary week in June at the company’s headquarters in Wetzlar. Additionally, the global Leica Gallery network will feature high-caliber exhibitions showcasing works by renowned photographers.
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