“Wind’s Child” by Chen-Hung Lin (Taiwan). Nature & Landscape category Outstanding Technique Award winner at the Fourth NTD International Photography Competition. Courtesy of the NTD International Photography Competition
We seem to live in an edited world. Photographers often distort and manipulate the natural state of their subject matter to fit the fashion or agenda of the day.But as U.S. photographer Ansel Adamssaid, “I believe that there is beauty in everything, and that nature has the ability to inspire us all.”
Refreshingly, there’s an international photography competition that celebrates nature and the craftsmanship of photography outside of the editing suite. The NTD International Photography Competition (NIPC) focuses on photographers’ technical skills and manual dexterity, including hand-eye skillswhen setting up a shot.
The NIPC, hosted by The Epoch Times’ sister outlet, NTD, is one in a series of international art and cultural competitions that celebrate time-honored traditions. The competition’s mission is to “preserve traditional aesthetics,” so each entry must be free of digital editing. However, photographers can adjust the brightness, sharpness, and color balance of their images.
Now in its fifth iteration, the NIPC invites photographers around the world to enter uplifting images of “beautiful moments.” Amateur and professional photographers can compete for the $5,000 Gold Award or $5,000 worth of photography products and equipment.
The competition encourages entrants to submit luminous, naturalistic images that depict beauty and kindnesss, which can be entered into one of two competition categories. The first is Social Relations & Humanity, with themes including culture, the natural world, and traditional values. In previous years, the work of NIPC finalists depicted people at work and during family moments.
The second competition category is Nature & Landscape. As accomplished English photographer Michael Kenna once said, “Landscape photography is the most transcendental way of capturing the quiet beauty and energy of the world.”
Finalists’ work will be featured online and in an exhibition in New York City from Jan. 25 through Jan. 31, 2026. Competition entrants might take inspiration from Swiss American photographer Robert Frank, who once said, “There is one thing the photograph must contain: the humanity of the moment.”
Photographers have until July 31, 2025, to register.
“Morning Scene” by Chee-Eam Chua (Malaysia). Nature & Landscapes category Gold Award winner of the Fourth NTD International Photography Competition. Courtesy of the NTD International Photography Competition
“Peak” by Yuan-Kuei Chen (Taiwan). Nature & Landscape category Silver Award winner of the Fourth NTD International Photography Competition. Courtesy of the NTD International Photography Competition
“The Twelve Apostles” by Allen Li (Australia). Nature & Landscape category Outstanding Technique Award winner at the Fourth NTD International Photography Competition. Courtesy of the NTD International Photography Competition
“Love” by Wen-Hsien Lin (Taiwan). Nature & Landscape category Outstanding Technique Award winner at the Fourth NTD International Photography Competition. Courtesy of the NTD International Photography Competition
“Yosemite Valley” by William Lee (United States). Nature & Landscape category Outstanding Technique Award winner at the Fourth NTD International Photography Competition. Courtesy of the NTD International Photography Competition
“Longing” by Wai-Leong Yap (Malaysia). Society & Humanity category Gold Award winner at the Fourth NTD International Photography Competition. Courtesy of the NTD International Photography Competition
“Protection” by Ting-Hsin Chen (Taiwan). Society & Humanity category Silver Award winner at the Fourth NTD International Photography Competition. Courtesy of the NTD International Photography Competition
“Love” by Choo-Kia Ng (Malaysia). Society & Humanity category Bronze Award winner at the Fourth NTD International Photography Competition. Courtesy of the NTD International Photography Competition
“Memorial Day” by Willis Zhoe (United States). Society & Humanity category Outstanding Technique Award winner at the Fourth NTD International Photography Competition. Courtesy of the NTD International Photography Competition
“Brickcave Workers” by Anthony Miu Kwok (Hong Kong). Society & Humanity category Outstanding Technique Award winner at the Fourth NTD International Photography Competition. Courtesy of the NTD International Photography Competition
“More Butter Tea, Please” by Stanley Wong (Canada). Society & Humanity category Outstanding Technique Award winner at the Fourth NTD International Photography Competition. Courtesy of the NTD International Photography Competition
“Fall Over” by David Wong (Australia). Society & Humanity category Outstanding Technique Award winner at the Fourth NTD International Photography Competition. Courtesy of the NTD International Photography Competition
“Computer Literacy” by Sudipto Das (India). Society & Humanity category Outstanding Technique Award winner at the Fourth NTD International Photography Competition. Courtesy of the NTD International Photography Competition
“Falun Dafa Is Good” by Vida Sun (Taiwan). Society & Humanity category Outstanding Technique Award winner at the Fourth NTD International Photography Competition. Courtesy of the NTD International Photography Competition
What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to [email protected].
Lorraine Ferrier
Author
Lorraine Ferrier writes about fine arts and craftsmanship for The Epoch Times. She focuses on artists and artisans, primarily in North America and Europe, who imbue their works with beauty and traditional values. She's especially interested in giving a voice to the rare and lesser-known arts and crafts, in the hope that we can preserve our traditional art heritage. She lives and writes in a London suburb, in England.
