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Mensa International Photographer of the Year 2018

  • Mar 27, 2018
A man walking through an enclosed concrete hall is temporarly exposed through a hole in the wall's exterior
Since 2004, the Mensa Convergence Project has sought entries from around the Mensan world for the International PhotoCup competition. Dag Thrane, from Norway, took home the 2017 title for his image, "Border Wall." (Credit Dag Thrane)

The art of photography is an area where Mensans from more than 50 countries with different languages, customs, and traditions can converge with a single, visual language. Use your creativity, skills, and technical expertise to produce your entry in this year’s PhotoCup competition.

The theme for 2018 is “What a Wonderful World.” Let your imagination run wild!

American Mensans can participate by submitting up to three photos no later than July 15. Photos should be in .jpg format. All entries must be the sole work of the entrant. The top three winners will be sent to the International competition to compete with other Mensan entrants from around the world.

Complete rules

  1. This competition is organized by American Mensa as part of the International Project Convergence.
  2. The theme for 2018 is “What a Wonderful World.”
  3. There is no fee for entry into the Competition. The entrant must be a financial member in good standing of American Mensa for the duration of the competition.
  4. Entries in the national competition must be received by July 15, 2018.
  5. Name, membership number, and title of photograph should be included in the photo information/label or in the text of the email.
  6. The photos should be in .jpg format and emailed to photocup@americanmensa.org.
  7. Each entrant may submit up to three images only.
  8. All entries must be the sole work of the entrant.
  9. The three best entries in the national competition will be selected by a locally organized judging panel. Entries will be judged on the effectiveness of how they convey the theme as well as composition, technical, and other considerations. The decision of the judging panel is final. The national winner will win the title of American Mensa Photographer of the Year 2018.
  10. The three best entries in each national Mensa competition will be included in the Mensa World PhotoCup competition run under the supervision of Mensa International.
  11. The closing date for the (International) Mensa World PhotoCup is Aug. 20, 2018. The International winner (MIL Photographer of the Year) will be selected by a professional judging panel which will include the Mensa International Chairman ex-officio.
  12. Winning photographs will become part of the “Mensa IPC Collection” and will be exhibited at the Annual Gatherings and otherwise publicized, inside and outside Mensa.
  13. Entrants will retain copyright of their photos but will grant Mensa non-exclusive rights for publication in Mensa journals, on Mensa websites, on Photo SIG posters, for display in exhibitions, or other appropriate places as part of the Mensa IPC Collection without any financial reward to the contestant.
  14. Contestants agree that their name and country may be published nationally and internationally.
  15. By submitting entries for the competition, the entrant accepts all the conditions listed above.