Brutalist Architecture at the Barbican, London

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Last updated: July 2026

1. ORGANISER

Mono Orbit Awards is an international monochrome photography award dedicated to the built environment.

The award is organised by Mono Orbit, an independent creative platform based in Ireland and developed internationally.

By submitting an entry, the entrant confirms that they have read, understood and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.

2. ELIGIBILITY

Mono Orbit Awards is open to photographers worldwide who are 18 years of age or older at the time of submission.

Both professional and non-professional photographers are eligible to enter.

Employees, contractors or individuals directly involved in the administration or final selection of the current edition may not enter.

3. THEME AND SUBMISSIONS

Each edition of Mono Orbit Awards is centred on one theme.

All eligible photographs are considered together through one shared selection process. There are no separate categories.

Each entry must consist of one monochrome photograph responding to the current edition theme.

Multiple entries are permitted. Each photograph must be submitted separately and requires a separate entry fee.

The relationship between the photograph and the theme should be visible within the work itself. Titles and descriptions may provide additional context but should not be required to establish relevance.

4. ORIGINALITY AND AUTHORSHIP

All submitted work must be the entrant’s own original photography.

The entrant must be the sole copyright holder or possess all rights and permissions necessary to submit the photograph and grant the permissions described in these Terms and Conditions.

The entrant is responsible for obtaining any necessary permissions relating to identifiable individuals, private property, artworks, trademarks or other protected material appearing within the photograph.

Mono Orbit Awards accepts no responsibility for disputes arising from copyright infringement, unauthorised use or the absence of required permissions.

5. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Submitted photographs must meet the following specifications:

- Monochrome photography only

- JPG format

- Longest side: up to 3000 px

- Maximum file size: 6 MB

- Colour space: sRGB

- No watermarks, logos, borders or identifying text

- Both digital and analogue photography are accepted.

- Entries that do not meet the technical requirements may be excluded from consideration.

6. MONOCHROME DEFINITION

For the purposes of Mono Orbit Awards, a monochrome photograph is an image presented primarily in black and white, grayscale or a consistent monochromatic tone.

Images using multiple distinct colours or selective colour effects may be considered ineligible.

The final determination of eligibility remains at the discretion of Mono Orbit Awards.

7. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

AI-generated images are not permitted.

Submitted work must originate from a photograph made by the entrant.

Artificial intelligence may not be used to generate, replace or substantially create people, objects, structures, environments or other visual elements within the image.

Standard photographic editing is permitted, including adjustments to exposure, contrast, tone, cropping, monochrome conversion, sharpening, noise reduction and the removal of minor sensor dust.

The use of editing tools must not result in an image that is substantially generated or constructed through artificial intelligence.

Mono Orbit Awards may request an original RAW file, unedited source file, film scan or other evidence of authorship and photographic origin.

Failure to provide reasonable evidence when requested may result in disqualification.

8. ENTRY FEE

The entry fee is:

€20 per photograph

Each photograph is treated as a separate entry.

Entry fees contribute to the administration and development of Mono Orbit Awards, including financial awards, editorial presentation and opportunities for awarded and selected photographers.

Entry fees are non-refundable, except where required by applicable law or where an entry cannot be accepted due to an error attributable to Mono Orbit Awards.

Payment of an entry fee does not guarantee selection, publication, recognition or an award.

9. SELECTION PROCESS

All eligible submissions are reviewed through the selection process described on the Editorial Perspective page.

The selection considers the relationship to the theme, originality, visual clarity, photographic intention, use of monochrome and the overall strength of the work.

The initial review is conducted by the Mono Orbit Awards editorial team.

External photographers, editors, curators or other visual professionals may be invited to contribute to the final selection.

All decisions are final and no correspondence regarding individual selection decisions will be entered into.

Mono Orbit Awards is not required to provide individual feedback or evaluation for submitted photographs.

10. AWARDS

The current edition offers:

First Prize - €900

Second Prize - €700

Third Prize - €500

Honourable Mentions may also be awarded at the discretion of Mono Orbit Awards.

Cash awards will be paid using an available payment method agreed with each recipient.

Award recipients are responsible for any taxes, charges, declarations or other obligations applicable in their country of residence.

Mono Orbit Awards reserves the right to withhold, withdraw or reassign an award if an entry is found to be ineligible, to infringe third-party rights or to breach these Terms and Conditions.

11. WINNERS SHOWCASE AND EDITORIAL PRESENTATION

Awarded and selected photographs may be presented through:

- the Mono Orbit Awards Winners Showcase

- the Mono Orbit Awards website

- editorial features and interviews

- In Focus presentations
- Mono Orbit and Mono Orbit Awards social media channels

- newsletters and digital communications

- press and promotional materials relating to the award

Awarded photographers may be invited to provide additional information, including a biography, portrait, artist statement, project description, interview responses and links to their website or wider practice.

Mono Orbit Awards may edit written material for clarity, grammar, length and presentation while preserving its intended meaning.

12. COPYRIGHT AND LICENCE

By submitting a photograph, the entrant grants Mono Orbit and Mono Orbit Awards a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to reproduce, display, publish and communicate the submitted work solely in connection with:

- the administration and promotion of Mono Orbit Awards

- the presentation and announcement of entries, selected works and results

- the Winners Showcase

- In Focus and other editorial features

- Mono Orbit and Mono Orbit Awards websites

- social media

- newsletters

- press coverage

- promotional and archival materials relating to the award

This licence does not transfer ownership of the photograph.

Mono Orbit Awards will not sell, license or commercially exploit an individual photograph as a standalone work without a separate agreement with the photographer.

Where reasonably possible, the photographer will be credited when their work is published.

13. IN FOCUS

Selected submissions may be invited for presentation through In Focus during the submission period.

Inclusion in In Focus is an editorial feature only. It does not indicate finalist status, guarantee an award or influence the final selection.

Mono Orbit Awards is not required to feature a specific number of submissions.

14. FUTURE PUBLICATIONS AND EXHIBITIONS

Awarded and selected photographs may be considered for future publications, photobooks, exhibitions, events or other editorial and cultural projects developed by Mono Orbit.

Such opportunities are subject to development, funding, venue availability and partnerships.

Consideration or selection for an award does not guarantee inclusion in a future publication or exhibition.

Where additional permissions, files or licensing arrangements are required, photographers will be contacted separately.

15. PARTNERS AND ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Additional awards, recognition, benefits or opportunities may be introduced through selected partnerships.

Any additional benefits will be announced only after they have been confirmed.

Mono Orbit Awards reserves the right to amend or expand partner-supported opportunities where necessary.

16. DISQUALIFICATION

Mono Orbit Awards reserves the right to reject or disqualify any entry that:

- does not meet the eligibility or technical requirements

- does not respond meaningfully to the edition theme

- contains AI-generated or substantially AI-created visual content

- infringes copyright or other third-party rights

- contains false, misleading or incomplete information

- raises reasonable concerns regarding authorship or authenticity

- breaches these Terms and Conditions

If a breach is identified after an award has been announced, the award may be withdrawn and reassigned.

17. CHANGES, CANCELLATION AND FORCE MAJEURE

Mono Orbit Awards reserves the right to make reasonable changes to deadlines, schedules, selection procedures, presentation formats or other operational details where necessary.

In exceptional circumstances, including events beyond the reasonable control of the organiser, an edition may be postponed, modified or cancelled.

Any significant changes will be communicated through the Mono Orbit Awards website or relevant communication channels.

18. DATA PROTECTION

Personal information submitted in connection with Mono Orbit Awards will be used for the administration, communication, selection and promotion of the award.

Personal data will be processed in accordance with the Mono Orbit Awards Privacy Policy and applicable data protection law.

Entrants may receive communications directly related to their submission, the selection process and the results.

Marketing communications will be sent only where appropriate consent has been provided or where otherwise permitted by applicable law.

19. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By submitting an entry and completing payment, the entrant confirms that:

- they meet the eligibility requirements

- the submitted photograph is their own original work

- the information provided is accurate

- they possess all necessary rights and permissions

- the work complies with the policy on artificial intelligence

- they agree to these Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions apply from the date of submission.

20. CONTACT

Questions regarding entries, eligibility or these Terms and Conditions may be submitted through the contact details provided on the Mono Orbit Awards website.