Photo & Video Competition Submission - Terms and Conditions
Rules & Regulations
CATEGORIES ( Total: 5 )
Each contestant may submit a maximum of two entries across any of the five categories.
1. Underwater Wide Angle
Capturing the beauty of Terengganu’s underwater world, from expansive seascapes to marine life interacting in its natural habitat.
2. Underwater Macro
Revealing the intricate details of marine life through macro photography.
3. Nature & Wildlife
Showcasing Terengganu’s biodiversity, from forested landscapes and coastal ecosystems to the wildlife that inhabits them.
4. Heritage, Culture & People
Celebrating Terengganu’s people, traditions, craftsmanship, cultural practices, and everyday life.
5. Short Film
Telling stories through cinematic visuals, using underwater, aerial, land-based, or mixed footage to showcase Terengganu’s beauty and diversity.
RULES & REGULATIONS
Entry Fees
There is no entry fee. Participation is free of charge.
Eligibility
The competition is open to amateur, semi-professional, and professional photographers and videographers.
Employees of the organizer and judges, together with their respective immediate family members, are not eligible to participate.
Employees of sponsors and their immediate family members may participate, provided they meet all competition requirements and have no involvement in judging or administering the competition.
Definition of Immediate Family Members:
For the purposes of these regulations, immediate family members include spouse, parents, children and siblings.
Image & Video Usage Rights
By submitting an entry, participants grant the organizer a non-exclusive right to use the submitted image or video to promote the competition and Tourism Terengganu events. This may include use on websites, social media, in print materials, and at exhibitions.
Eligible Images & Videos
All entries must have been captured in Terengganu between 1 January 2026 and 11.59pm, 31st March 2027.
Maximum Submissions Per Contestant
Each contestant may submit a maximum of two entries across any of the five categories.
Submission Requirements
Each entry must include:
• Photographer’s Name
• Nationality & ID/Passport Number
• Email address
• Category
• Title of image/video
• Caption describing the image or film (50–100 words). The caption should provide relevant context or tell the story behind the entry.
• Date Taken (must match the file metadata)
• Location where the image or footage was captured
• Name of hotel, resort, or dive centre (if applicable)
• Camera & lens used
Each contestant may submit a maximum of two entries across any of the five categories.
1. Underwater Wide Angle
Capturing the beauty of Terengganu’s underwater world, from expansive seascapes to marine life interacting in its natural habitat.
2. Underwater Macro
Revealing the intricate details of marine life through macro photography.
3. Nature & Wildlife
Showcasing Terengganu’s biodiversity, from forested landscapes and coastal ecosystems to the wildlife that inhabits them.
4. Heritage, Culture & People
Celebrating Terengganu’s people, traditions, craftsmanship, cultural practices, and everyday life.
5. Short Film
Telling stories through cinematic visuals, using underwater, aerial, land-based, or mixed footage to showcase Terengganu’s beauty and diversity.
RULES & REGULATIONS
Entry Fees
There is no entry fee. Participation is free of charge.
Eligibility
The competition is open to amateur, semi-professional, and professional photographers and videographers.
Employees of the organizer and judges, together with their respective immediate family members, are not eligible to participate.
Employees of sponsors and their immediate family members may participate, provided they meet all competition requirements and have no involvement in judging or administering the competition.
Definition of Immediate Family Members:
For the purposes of these regulations, immediate family members include spouse, parents, children and siblings.
Image & Video Usage Rights
By submitting an entry, participants grant the organizer a non-exclusive right to use the submitted image or video to promote the competition and Tourism Terengganu events. This may include use on websites, social media, in print materials, and at exhibitions.
Eligible Images & Videos
All entries must have been captured in Terengganu between 1 January 2026 and 11.59pm, 31st March 2027.
Maximum Submissions Per Contestant
Each contestant may submit a maximum of two entries across any of the five categories.
Submission Requirements
Each entry must include:
• Photographer’s Name
• Nationality & ID/Passport Number
• Email address
• Category
• Title of image/video
• Caption describing the image or film (50–100 words). The caption should provide relevant context or tell the story behind the entry.
• Date Taken (must match the file metadata)
• Location where the image or footage was captured
• Name of hotel, resort, or dive centre (if applicable)
• Camera & lens used
PHOTO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
• File Format: JPG (edited)
• Color Mode: RGB
• Resolution: 300 dpi
• File Size: 5–15MB
• JPG Compression: High Quality (Low Compression)
• Contestants must be prepared to provide the original, unedited files upon request by the judging panel. These files must retain their original metadata and be provided in their native format
• Only edited photographs will be published
PHOTO EDITING GUIDELINES
Post-processing is an integral part of photography. However, this competition prioritizes ethical practices and authenticity. Editing may enhance an image but must not compromise the integrity of the original scene.
Permitted Editing:
• Adjustments to exposure, contrast, white balance, sharpness, clarity, and vibrance
• Color correction and tonal adjustments
• Lens distortion correction
• Noise reduction and sharpening
• Cropping (see limits below)
• Removal of backscatter and minimal distractions
Not Permitted:
• Adding, removing, replacing, or rearranging elements within the frame
• Cloning or healing tools that significantly alter the scene
• Artificial blurring, reversing, mirroring, or distorting any part of the image
• AI-generated content or enhancements
• Insertion of frames, borders, or watermarks
• Any editing that misrepresents the original context or violates ethical photography practices
Cropping Limit:
• Cropping is permitted, provided that no more than 25% of the original image area is removed. Excessive cropping that reduces image quality may affect judging.
• File Format: JPG (edited)
• Color Mode: RGB
• Resolution: 300 dpi
• File Size: 5–15MB
• JPG Compression: High Quality (Low Compression)
• Contestants must be prepared to provide the original, unedited files upon request by the judging panel. These files must retain their original metadata and be provided in their native format
• Only edited photographs will be published
PHOTO EDITING GUIDELINES
Post-processing is an integral part of photography. However, this competition prioritizes ethical practices and authenticity. Editing may enhance an image but must not compromise the integrity of the original scene.
Permitted Editing:
• Adjustments to exposure, contrast, white balance, sharpness, clarity, and vibrance
• Color correction and tonal adjustments
• Lens distortion correction
• Noise reduction and sharpening
• Cropping (see limits below)
• Removal of backscatter and minimal distractions
Not Permitted:
• Adding, removing, replacing, or rearranging elements within the frame
• Cloning or healing tools that significantly alter the scene
• Artificial blurring, reversing, mirroring, or distorting any part of the image
• AI-generated content or enhancements
• Insertion of frames, borders, or watermarks
• Any editing that misrepresents the original context or violates ethical photography practices
Cropping Limit:
• Cropping is permitted, provided that no more than 25% of the original image area is removed. Excessive cropping that reduces image quality may affect judging.
SHORT FILM SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
• Duration: Each short film must be between 3 and 5 minutes, inclusive of the opening title and closing credits.
• Format and Resolution: Films must be submitted in MP4, MPEG or MOV format at a minimum resolution of 1080p.
• Submission Method: Films may be submitted either as a video file or via a YouTube link set to “Unlisted”. The submission link must remain accessible to the judging panel throughout the judging period. Entrants are responsible for ensuring that the link is valid and the film can be viewed without requiring special access permission.
• Language and Subtitles: Films may be in any language. Films in English must include Bahasa Malaysia subtitles, while films in Bahasa Malaysia must include English subtitles. Films in any other language must include both English and Bahasa Malaysia subtitles.
• Copyright and Ownership: Entrants must own or hold the necessary rights and permissions for all footage, music, images and other materials used in their films.
• Branding: Commercial branding, logos or product placements must not be the primary focus of the film.
• Original Files: The organizer reserves the right to request a high-resolution version or original video files for verification or judging purposes.
• Content: Films containing offensive, inappropriate or unlawful content may be disqualified at the organizer’s discretion.
Wildlife Ethics
• The competition promotes ethical wildlife photography and respect for all animals, both terrestrial and marine.
• Animals must be depicted in their natural environment and alive, except in cases where the composition intentionally features carcasses or deceased animals as part of a documented narrative, ethical storytelling, or environmental commentary. Submissions should respect the dignity of wildlife and avoid staged or exploitative portrayals.
• Images depicting natural behaviour—such as predation or recently deceased prey—are allowed as long as the scene is not staged, baited, or manipulated in any way.
• Direct interaction with animals is prohibited. This includes touching, restraining, repositioning, feeding, or disturbing them for the purpose of taking a photograph or filming.
• Entries showing harassment of, distress to, or interference with animals or their ecosystems will be disqualified.
Cultural Representation of Female Subjects in Photography
For images featuring female subjects, participants are encouraged to ensure that attire reflects modesty and respect for local customs. Clothing should cover the body from elbow to ankle, in keeping with the region’s heritage and traditional norms.
Judging & Disqualification
• Entries will be judged on technical quality, composition, creativity, and compliance with the competition’s ethical standards.
• Images or films that breach the editing restrictions or ethical guidelines will be disqualified.
• The decisions of the judging panel and organizer are final. No appeals or further correspondence will be entertained.
Submission Deadline
All entries must be submitted by 23:59 Malaysia Time on 31st March 2027.
ORGANIZER'S RIGHTS
The organizer reserves the right to amend the prizes, terms, conditions, or regulations at its discretion and without prior notice. The organizer’s decisions on these matters are final.
Prizes: Availability and Cancellation
All prizes are provided through voluntary sponsorships in good faith and are subject to availability.
The organizer reserves the right to withdraw or cancel any prize if it becomes unavailable for any reason, including but not limited to product discontinuation, the closure of a hotel, resort or dive centre, the withdrawal of sponsorship, or any other unforeseen circumstances.
The organizer is not obliged to provide replacement prizes or compensation for any cancelled or withdrawn prize. Reasonable efforts will be made to notify affected winners.
The organizer’s decisions regarding prize withdrawal or cancellation are final.
Prize Collection and Redemption
Prizes shall be collected during the SMIPA 2026 Awards Ceremony or redeemed directly with the respective sponsors, as determined by the organizer and/or the relevant sponsors.
Winners will be informed of the applicable collection or redemption procedures. All prizes are subject to the respective sponsors’ terms and conditions, validity periods and availability.
Winners & Prizes Announcement
Shortlisted entries and winners will be announced on the official website and other designated communication channels.
Prizes: A participant may win up to two prizes, depending on the quality of their entries across the categories.
Awards Ceremony
The date and venue will be announced at a later stage.
• Duration: Each short film must be between 3 and 5 minutes, inclusive of the opening title and closing credits.
• Format and Resolution: Films must be submitted in MP4, MPEG or MOV format at a minimum resolution of 1080p.
• Submission Method: Films may be submitted either as a video file or via a YouTube link set to “Unlisted”. The submission link must remain accessible to the judging panel throughout the judging period. Entrants are responsible for ensuring that the link is valid and the film can be viewed without requiring special access permission.
• Language and Subtitles: Films may be in any language. Films in English must include Bahasa Malaysia subtitles, while films in Bahasa Malaysia must include English subtitles. Films in any other language must include both English and Bahasa Malaysia subtitles.
• Copyright and Ownership: Entrants must own or hold the necessary rights and permissions for all footage, music, images and other materials used in their films.
• Branding: Commercial branding, logos or product placements must not be the primary focus of the film.
• Original Files: The organizer reserves the right to request a high-resolution version or original video files for verification or judging purposes.
• Content: Films containing offensive, inappropriate or unlawful content may be disqualified at the organizer’s discretion.
Wildlife Ethics
• The competition promotes ethical wildlife photography and respect for all animals, both terrestrial and marine.
• Animals must be depicted in their natural environment and alive, except in cases where the composition intentionally features carcasses or deceased animals as part of a documented narrative, ethical storytelling, or environmental commentary. Submissions should respect the dignity of wildlife and avoid staged or exploitative portrayals.
• Images depicting natural behaviour—such as predation or recently deceased prey—are allowed as long as the scene is not staged, baited, or manipulated in any way.
• Direct interaction with animals is prohibited. This includes touching, restraining, repositioning, feeding, or disturbing them for the purpose of taking a photograph or filming.
• Entries showing harassment of, distress to, or interference with animals or their ecosystems will be disqualified.
Cultural Representation of Female Subjects in Photography
For images featuring female subjects, participants are encouraged to ensure that attire reflects modesty and respect for local customs. Clothing should cover the body from elbow to ankle, in keeping with the region’s heritage and traditional norms.
Judging & Disqualification
• Entries will be judged on technical quality, composition, creativity, and compliance with the competition’s ethical standards.
• Images or films that breach the editing restrictions or ethical guidelines will be disqualified.
• The decisions of the judging panel and organizer are final. No appeals or further correspondence will be entertained.
Submission Deadline
All entries must be submitted by 23:59 Malaysia Time on 31st March 2027.
ORGANIZER'S RIGHTS
The organizer reserves the right to amend the prizes, terms, conditions, or regulations at its discretion and without prior notice. The organizer’s decisions on these matters are final.
Prizes: Availability and Cancellation
All prizes are provided through voluntary sponsorships in good faith and are subject to availability.
The organizer reserves the right to withdraw or cancel any prize if it becomes unavailable for any reason, including but not limited to product discontinuation, the closure of a hotel, resort or dive centre, the withdrawal of sponsorship, or any other unforeseen circumstances.
The organizer is not obliged to provide replacement prizes or compensation for any cancelled or withdrawn prize. Reasonable efforts will be made to notify affected winners.
The organizer’s decisions regarding prize withdrawal or cancellation are final.
Prize Collection and Redemption
Prizes shall be collected during the SMIPA 2026 Awards Ceremony or redeemed directly with the respective sponsors, as determined by the organizer and/or the relevant sponsors.
Winners will be informed of the applicable collection or redemption procedures. All prizes are subject to the respective sponsors’ terms and conditions, validity periods and availability.
Winners & Prizes Announcement
Shortlisted entries and winners will be announced on the official website and other designated communication channels.
Prizes: A participant may win up to two prizes, depending on the quality of their entries across the categories.
Awards Ceremony
The date and venue will be announced at a later stage.
