• 2026 Scientific Photography Contest

     

  • SPC’s mission is to engage high school students around the globe in the exploration of scientific concepts through the art of photography. We strive to create an international platform where young minds can express their fascination with science, showcasing their unique perspectives through the camera's eye. This contest aims to blend artistic expression with educational discovery, challenging students to communicate complex scientific ideas visually. We endeavor to inspire a lifelong engagement with science, enhance cross-cultural understanding, and celebrate the diverse ways in which the wonders of science can be captured and shared. By nurturing the talents of these young photographers, we hope to foster a global community that values science communication, critical thinking, and the visual arts as tools for learning and connection.

  • SPC Guidelines

    High school students who are in the 9th to 12th grades (or the international equivalent) are eligible to participate in the contest.

    Submissions are accepted annually from July 1st through October 1st for the contest of that particular year.

    1

    Key Dates

    Submission Deadline: September 15th 2026

    Award Announcement: October 15th 2026

    2

    Submission Requirements:

    There is a limit of 1 entry per category per student each year. Each photo should also include a description under 150 words

    3

    Entry Fee：

    30 USD/ 200 CNY. All income will be used for project operations and other non-profit activities.

    4

    Awards：

    First Prize 150 USD + Certificate

    Second Prize 100 USD + Certificate

    Third Prize 50 USD + Certificate

  • Category Descriptions

     

    • Natural Photos: This category includes photographs capturing real-life scenarios that illustrate various science principles.
    • Contrived Photos: In this category, photographs are intentionally composed to demonstrate a specific science principle or a group of related principles.

     

     

    Precautions 

     

    • Artwork created by artificial intelligence is not permitted.
    • Imagery must be produced through the use of smartphones or digital cameras
    • Please specify the photographic methods when you submit your work.
    • When submitting to the Awards, the focus should be on selecting a photograph that best represents originality, technical skill, and a personal style or voice.

  • Contrived Photo Sample

    By Zhanhe Wang

    However, a blood moon is merely a stage of a lunar eclipse, also known as totality. A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes into Earth’s shadow and can no longer fully reflect sunlight, creating a spectacle unlike that of an ordinary moon. According to the degree of shadow and the sequence of the event, a lunar eclipse is divided into the following stages: penumbral eclipse begins → partial eclipse begins → totality (blood moon) → partial eclipse ends → full moon returns → penumbral eclipse ends

    However, a blood moon is merely a stage of a lunar eclipse, also known as totality. A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes into Earth’s shadow and can no longer fully reflect sunlight, creating a spectacle unlike that of an ordinary moon. According to the degree of shadow and the sequence of the event, a lunar eclipse is divided into the following stages:penumbral eclipse begins → partial eclipse begins → totality (blood moon) → partial eclipse ends → full moon returns → penumbral eclipse ends

    Thus, the blood moon arises because Earth’s atmosphere filters sunlight, allowing only copper-red light to fall upon the moon’s surface. It is not a portent but a breathtaking astronomical wonder—one to be admired with awe, not fear.

    This photo was taken with a Nikon D800 using a 200mm telephoto lens, which is not particularly long. A low ISO and long exposure produced a sharp image. There was no post-processing—only a simple crop to bring out the moon—presenting the most original and authentic view. The image captures the progression from full moon to penumbral eclipse, first contact, and totality.

  • Natural Photo Sample 

    By Wilson Sun

    This was a photo taken at the Tengger Desert. It was shot with a digital phone; the shutter speed needs to be relatively slow (more than 15 seconds) when filming a motionless object such as the star. Adding to the difficulty, I had to hold my device completely still while filming. On the left-hand side, you can see two Perseid meteors; they flew by in a blink, but very fortunately, I got to capture them in my photo album. Since light pollution produces “skyglow, which is the excessive artificial light that brightens the sky, the faint light from the stars was overshadowed, immensely reducing the contrast we needed to see them. To prevent it, we turned off the excessive lights at the campsite and used only warm colored LED light as a light source in the camp. In that way, we were able to film the crystal-clear sky.

  • SPC Committee

    Section image

    Robert Wyman

    Yale University

    Professor Emeritus of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology

     

    Section image

    Gong Xiaobo

    Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Naval Architecture, Ocean & Civil Engineering

    Professor

    Deputy Head of Department of Engineering Mechanics

    Section image

    Oren A. Scherman

    University of Cambridge

     Professor of Supramolecular & Polymer Chemistry / Director of the Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis

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