You Keep Copyright
The photographer remains the copyright owner. Alpha 8 receives only the permissions stated in the active rules.
Fair · Clear · Photographer-First
COMPETITIONRULES.
Please read these competition rules together with the requirements shown on the relevant active competition page.
Official RulesALPHA 8
✓ Copyright protected
✓ Anonymous judging
✓ Clear AI policy
✓ Fair membership
Eligibility
Editing & AI
Copyright
Judging
Essential Principles
The rules protect photographers, judges and the credibility of Alpha 8.
These principles apply across Alpha 8 Awards competitions.
Independent Judging
Free, Pro and future Elite accounts receive no scoring advantage or guaranteed selection.
AI Must Be Declared
Generative AI is not permitted unless an active competition explicitly allows it.
Specific Rules Apply
File size, editing limits, dates, entry limits and voting methods can differ by competition.
Full Rule Structure
Open each section to review the competition rules.
- Each photographer should use one genuine personal account.
- Account information must be accurate and may require identity verification for finalists or winners.
- The first local edition may limit entry to eligible Sri Lankan participants.
- Age restrictions and guardian consent must be stated where applicable.
- Judges, employees or conflicts of interest may be restricted from specific competitions.
- The entrant must be the photographer and copyright owner.
- Submitting another person’s image, stock image or unauthorized composite is prohibited.
- Required model, property and location permissions remain the entrant’s responsibility.
- Alpha 8 may request RAW files, metadata or supporting evidence.
- Accepted format, dimensions, colour space and file-size limits will appear on the active competition page.
- Watermarks, logos, borders or identifying marks may be prohibited for anonymous judging.
- Each photograph must be entered into the correct category.
- Entry limits depend on the competition and account allowance.
- Incomplete, corrupted or incorrectly uploaded files may be rejected.
- Normal exposure, colour, contrast, cropping, sharpening and noise reduction may be permitted.
- Removing or adding major subjects may be restricted in documentary, wildlife and street categories.
- Composites, sky replacement and advanced manipulation must follow category-specific rules.
- Generative fill, text-to-image generation or synthetic replacement must be declared and may cause disqualification.
- Alpha 8 may request source files or editing evidence.
Proposed default: normal photographic editing is allowed; generative AI imagery is not allowed unless the active competition explicitly permits it.
- Images obtained through illegal, dangerous, abusive or deceptive conduct may be rejected.
- Wildlife must not be harmed, baited or intentionally distressed.
- Entries must respect privacy, dignity and applicable consent requirements.
- Hate content, exploitation and unlawful material are prohibited.
- Alpha 8 may remove content when serious legal or ethical concerns arise.
- Administrators may approve, reject or request clarification before judging.
- Rejection may occur for rule violations, wrong category, poor file quality or ownership concerns.
- Submission status and available review information are shown through the photographer account.
- Administrative approval does not guarantee finalist or winner selection.
- Monthly and annual entries may be shown anonymously to assigned jury members.
- Each authorized juror may submit one recorded score for each assigned entry.
- Public voting must be clearly labelled and protected against duplicate or automated votes.
- Public Choice results remain separate from professional jury awards unless the competition rules state otherwise.
- Final results require authorized administrative confirmation.
- Entries or accounts may be disqualified for fraud, plagiarism, vote manipulation or false information.
- Finalists or winners may lose recognition if later evidence proves ineligibility.
- A limited appeal or clarification process may be offered within a stated period.
- Alpha 8 may correct genuine technical or administrative errors.
- The photographer keeps copyright ownership.
- Entry may grant Alpha 8 limited permission for administration, judging, results and reasonable competition promotion.
- Photographer credit is shown where appropriate after anonymous judging ends.
- Image sale, unrelated commercial licensing or unlimited advertising use requires separate permission.
- Any required image-use permissions are stated in the rules accepted at submission.
- Certificate eligibility depends on the competition result and certificate type.
- Verified certificates may include a unique number and QR verification link.
- Magazine or exhibition selection is separate from ordinary entry.
- Selected photographers must approve publication and provide the requested high-resolution files.
- Printing costs, complimentary copies, royalties or sales terms must be stated separately.
- Free account access and entry limits are stated before submission.
- Membership or competition fees never influence judging standards or guarantee recognition.
- Competition fees, subscriptions, renewal terms and refund conditions must be shown before payment.
- Cancelled competitions should follow a published refund or credit policy.
- Only information required for accounts, submissions, results, payments and compliance should be collected.
- Photographer contact details should not be sold to advertisers.
- Public profile fields must be separated from private account information.
- Users should receive clear options for competition notices and marketing communication.
Competition Standards
These standards apply unless an active competition states otherwise.
Any competition-specific exceptions are stated on the relevant competition page.
Authenticity
Generative AI Not Permitted
Entries must originate from camera capture. Fully generated or substantially replaced generative-AI imagery is not permitted unless explicitly allowed.
- AI noise reduction may be permitted
- Generative replacement must be declared
- Any AI-permitted category will state this clearly
Judging
Identity Hidden from Jury
Photographer identity is hidden during professional scoring where anonymous judging applies.
- Anonymous entry view
- One score per assigned juror
- Administrative result approval
Copyright Ownership
Photographer Retains Copyright
Alpha 8 receives only the limited permissions necessary to operate and promote the competition.
- No automatic copyright transfer
- Separate magazine permission
- Separate commercial licensing agreement
Image Rights Workflow
Competition display rights and commercial use are handled separately.
Separate permission is required for publication or external commercial licensing.
Competition Display
The entrant permits administration, judging and display related to the competition.
Winner Promotion
Finalists and winners may be promoted with photographer credit under the competition terms.
Magazine Permission
Print publication requires separate editorial confirmation and a high-resolution file.
Separate Licensing
Image sale or external commercial licensing requires a separate agreement.
Important Competition Information
Please read these rules together with the requirements shown on the relevant competition page. Entry dates, category requirements, image rules and any additional conditions shown for that competition also apply.
Understand the rules before you submit.
The active competition page shows the applicable category, editing, entry and voting requirements.