IBWPA CATEGORIES
All categories are for single images only except for the series category. Images in a series should tell a story that can’t be expressed by a single image. Please keep in mind that a single “weak” image can significantly impact the judging of an otherwise stellar series. Please read our blog article on creating a series for competition. NEED A LINK TO THE ARTICLE
IBWPA PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES
ARCHITECTURE

Buildings
Cityscapes
Historic
Interior and Interior Design
Industrial
Other
ADVERTISING

Beauty
Fashion
Food and food products
Music
Product
Public Transportation, Hotels & Resorts
Real Estate
Sports
Other
FINE ART

Collage
Landscape
Nudes
Portrait
Still Life
Other
MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY

Architecture
Editorial
Event
Fine Art
Nature
People
Street Photography
NATURE

Flowers
Landscapes
Pets
Seasons
Sunset
Trees
Underwater
Wildlife
Other
PEOPLE

Culture
Family
Lifestyle
LGBTQ+
Portrait
Self-Portrait
Senior portraits
Wedding / engagement
Other
SERIES

Architecture
Children
Feature Story/ Photo Essay
Fine Art
Nature
People
Wedding / engagement
STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Busted (getting caught taking a candid shot, subject reacting to you taking their picture)
Freezing time (moving vehicle, people blurred on bikes, …)
Gatherings (political, rallies, protests)
Geometric (lines, forms, shadows are more important than the human element)
Steal a moment (capturing a “private” moment)
Parades and events
Multiples ( as in a group of marines, construction workers, replicated reflections, … )
Up close and personal ( getting that in your face moment where they’re too surprised to say, I caught you)
SPECIAL

Mobile
Silhouettes
Chiaroscuro
Sepia Tone
Selenium tone
Multiple Exposure
Night Photography
Photo-manipulation / Special Effects
Panoramic
Travel / Tourism
Other
PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES
All categories are for single images only except for the series category. Images in a series should tell a story that can’t be expressed by a single image. Please keep in mind that a single “weak” image can significantly impact the judging of an otherwise stellar series. Please read our blog article on creating a series for competition. NEED A LINK TO THE ARTICLE
ADVERTISING:
Automotive
Beauty
Fashion
Food and food products
Music
Product
Public Transportation, Hotels & Resorts
Real Estate
Sports
Other
ARCHITECTURE:
Bridges
Buildings
Cityscapes
Historic
Interior and Interior Design
Industrial
Other
EDITORIAL:
Environmental
Feature Story
General News
Personality
Political
War / Conflict
Other
EVENT:
Competitive Events
Social Cause
Sports
Traditions and Cultures
Wedding
Other
FINE ART:
Abstract
Collage
Landscape
Nudes
Portrait
Still Life
Other
Mobile Photography:
Images in this category must be taken with a mobile device such as a mobile phone or tablet. Finalists will be required to submit proof of origin.
Architecture
Editorial
Event
Fine Art
Nature
People
Street Photography
NATURE:
Aerial
Flowers
Landscapes
Pets
Seasons
Sunset
Trees
Underwater
Wildlife
Other
PEOPLE:
Children
Culture
Family
Lifestyle
LGBTQ+
Portrait
Self-Portrait
Senior portraits
Wedding / engagement
Other
Series:
Advertising
Architecture
Children
Feature Story/ Photo Essay
Fine Art
Nature
People
Wedding / engagement
Street Photography:
Abstract
Busted (getting caught taking a candid shot, subject reacting to you taking their picture)
Freezing time (moving vehicle, people blurred on bikes, …)
Gatherings (political, rallies, protests)
Geometric (lines, forms, shadows are more important than the human element)
Steal a moment (capturing a “private” moment)
Parades and events
Multiples ( as in a group of marines, construction workers, replicated reflections, … )
Up close and personal ( getting that in your face moment where they’re too surprised to say, I caught you)
SPECIAL:
Long Exposure
Mobile
Silhouettes
Chiaroscuro
Sepia Tone
Selenium tone
Multiple Exposure
Night Photography
Photo-manipulation / Special Effects
Panoramic
Travel / Tourism
Other
NON-PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES
All categories are for single images only except for the series category. Images in a series should tell a story that can’t be expressed by a single image. Please keep in mind that a single “weak” image can significantly impact the judging of an otherwise stellar series. Please read our blog article on creating a series for competition. NEED A LINK TO THE ARTICLE
ADVERTISING:
Automotive
Beauty
Fashion
Food and food products
Music
Product
Public Transportation, Hotels & Resorts
Real Estate
Sports
Other
ARCHITECTURE:
Bridges
Buildings
Cityscapes
Historic
Interior and Interior Design
Industrial
Other
EDITORIAL:
Environmental
Feature Story
General News
Personality
Political
War / Conflict
Other
EVENT:
Competitive Events
Social Cause
Sports
Traditions and Cultures
Wedding
Other
FINE ART:
Abstract
Collage
Landscape
Nudes
Portrait
Still Life
Other
Mobile Photography:
Images in this category must be taken with a mobile device such as a mobile phone or tablet. Finalists will be required to submit proof of origin.
Architecture
Editorial
Event
Fine Art
Nature
People
Street Photography
NATURE:
Aerial
Flowers
Landscapes
Pets
Seasons
Sunset
Trees
Underwater
Wildlife
Other
PEOPLE:
Children
Culture
Family
Lifestyle
LGBTQ+
Portrait
Self-Portrait
Senior portraits
Wedding / engagement
Other
Series:
Advertising
Architecture
Children
Feature Story/ Photo Essay
Fine Art
Nature
People
Wedding / engagement
Street Photography:
Abstract
Busted (getting caught taking a candid shot, subject reacting to you taking their picture)
Freezing time (moving vehicle, people blurred on bikes, …)
Gatherings (political, rallies, protests)
Geometric (lines, forms, shadows are more important than the human element)
Steal a moment (capturing a “private” moment)
Parades and events
Multiples ( as in a group of marines, construction workers, replicated reflections, … )
Up close and personal ( getting that in your face moment where they’re too surprised to say, I caught you)
SPECIAL:
Long Exposure
Mobile
Silhouettes
Chiaroscuro
Sepia Tone
Selenium tone
Multiple Exposure
Night Photography
Photo-manipulation / Special Effects
Panoramic
Travel / Tourism
Other