Eligibilility Criteria
UPDATED – January 10, 2026
By virtue of submitting a photographic image into a CAPA Competition, the photographer asserts and agrees to the following:
DEFINITION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE
For the purposes of our competitions, a photographic image is defined as being a captured image on a light-sensitive device (e.g. film camera, digital camera, smartphone, tablet, etc.) and recorded on film or in a digital format.
ORIGINALITY AND AUTHORSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Original Capture and Creation
All components of the submitted image are the creator’s original work and does not contain elements created or captured by others. The entrant must hold and will retains the copyright for the image submitted into our competition.
Post-Processing
All editing, manipulation, and post-processing of the image must be performed personally by the entrant. This work cannot be delegated to or performed by any other person(s) or AI-generative system.
Inspiration vs. Replication
It is acceptable to draw inspiration from other photographers or artists. However, if the inspiration results in similarities in colour, composition, elements, perspective, angle, subject, and tone to the original, then the work is not considered the photographer’s original creation.
Street Art and Graffiti
Images featuring graffiti or street art are eligible for our competition ONLY when they demonstrate substantial creative input beyond mere documentation, such as unique perspective, composition, inclusion of external elements or context that transforms the viewer’s experience.
PROHIBITED AI-GENERATIVE TECHNIQUES
Images that have been created or modified using specific AI-generative techniques or AI-systems are not permitted for submission into our competitions. This includes:
- In-painting: Where AI fills in generated elements not captured by the photographer or removes and replaces elements from a photograph with AI-generated content
- Out-painting: Where AI extends beyond the original boundaries of the photograph using generated elements
- Image-to-image AI: Where AI transforms an entire photograph based on text prompts or style references
- Text-to-image: Where images are generated from scratch based on text entered into a prompt description
These restrictions apply whether or not text prompts are used in the AI generation process.
PERMITTED AI-ASSISTED ADJUSTMENTS
Presets and AI-assisted adjustment tools are permitted in CAPA competitions when they adjust existing pixels without generating or removing content.
Regular Presets: Saved combinations of development adjustments (exposure, contrast, color grading, etc.) that modify existing pixel values are fully compliant. Whether adjustments are made manually or applied via preset, the result is identical—no pixels are added, removed, or generated.
Adaptive Presets: Adaptive presets that use AI technology are also permitted. The AI analyzes the image to create intelligent masks and determine optimal adjustment values, essentially automating subject/area selection and slider positioning. The adjustments themselves still operate on existing pixels through traditional development tools (exposure, highlights, shadows, etc.). No new content is generated; the AI functions as a sophisticated selection and adjustment tool, not as a generative tool.
The key distinction: Tools that adjust existing pixels are permitted. Tools that generate or remove content require Content Credentials or are prohibited. Presets that add pixels or elements not captured by the submitting photographer are not permitted.
However, presets are not permitted if they add synthetic pixels or elements not captured by the submitting photographer.
COMPOSITE IMAGES
Composite images are permitted in all our competitions, with the exception of Nature/Wildlife, Photojournalism and Minimal Manipulation competitions. All elements of a submitted image must be photographed by the entrant and cannot any synthetic pixels or elements captured by someone else.
IMAGE PRESENTATION REQUIREMENTS
Identification Marks
Entrants must not place identifying text, their signature or any other distinctive mark on the front or facing side of any submitted image.
Trademarks
Trademarks are allowed if not likely to mislead viewers about sponsorship.
DUPLICATE AND SIMILAR SUBMISSIONS
Substantially identical images may not be entered in the same competition category, as both a club and individual submission, or in subsequent competitions if previously awarded. Slight variations are still considered the same image. An image that has been rotated, flipped, re-formatted or converted to monochrome or infrared will be deemed substantially the same image.
PREVIOUSLY AWARDED IMAGES
An image, or substantially the same image, that has previously received a CAPA Award (medal, medal certificate, merit award, or honourable mention) in any CAPA competition or salon is ineligible for entry into any future CAPA competition or salon. This restriction applies across all competition categories and types.
LEGAL COMPLIANCE AND LIABILITY
Legal Compliance
The image must not violate any Canadian laws. CAPA and prize sponsors are not liable for any claims arising from the competition outcome or legal/regulatory violations.
Indemnification
The photographer indemnifies CAPA and sponsors against losses from any third-party intellectual property infringement. CAPA accepts no liability for copyright or trademark breaches by the entrant.
IMAGE USAGE RIGHTS
CAPA may use the image for non-commercial purposes like exhibitions, publications, promotions, and education. Permission will be sought before including the image in international competitions or CAPA managed presentations.
COMPETITION ADMINISTRATION
Image Withdrawal
CAPA reserves the right to withdraw an image before, during and shortly after the commencement of judging, if it has been found to have failed to meet the conditions of the competition.
Judging Decisions
The decisions and scores provided by the Judging Panel are final and cannot be appealed.
Image Replacement
No replacement image will be permitted after the judging process has commenced.
UPDATED – January 10, 2026
By virtue of submitting a photographic image into a CAPA Competition, the photographer asserts and agrees to the following:
DEFINITION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE
For the purposes of our competitions, a photographic image is defined as being a captured image on a light-sensitive device (e.g. film camera, digital camera, smartphone, tablet, etc.) and recorded on film or in a digital format.
ORIGINALITY AND AUTHORSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Original Capture and Creation
All components of the submitted image are the creator’s original work and does not contain elements created or captured by others. The entrant must hold and will retains the copyright for the image submitted into our competition.
Post-Processing
All editing, manipulation, and post-processing of the image must be performed personally by the entrant. This work cannot be delegated to or performed by any other person(s) or AI-generative system.
Inspiration vs. Replication
It is acceptable to draw inspiration from other photographers or artists. However, if the inspiration results in similarities in colour, composition, elements, perspective, angle, subject, and tone to the original, then the work is not considered the photographer’s original creation.
Street Art and Graffiti
Images featuring graffiti or street art are eligible for our competition ONLY when they demonstrate substantial creative input beyond mere documentation, such as unique perspective, composition, inclusion of external elements or context that transforms the viewer’s experience.
PROHIBITED AI-GENERATIVE TECHNIQUES
Images that have been created or modified using specific AI-generative techniques or AI-systems are not permitted for submission into our competitions. This includes:
- In-painting: Where AI fills in generated elements not captured by the photographer or removes and replaces elements from a photograph with AI-generated content
- Out-painting: Where AI extends beyond the original boundaries of the photograph using generated elements
- Image-to-image AI: Where AI transforms an entire photograph based on text prompts or style references
- Text-to-image: Where images are generated from scratch based on text entered into a prompt description
These restrictions apply whether or not text prompts are used in the AI generation process.
PERMITTED AI-ASSISTED ADJUSTMENTS
Presets and AI-assisted adjustment tools are permitted in CAPA competitions when they adjust existing pixels without generating or removing content.
Regular Presets: Saved combinations of development adjustments (exposure, contrast, color grading, etc.) that modify existing pixel values are fully compliant. Whether adjustments are made manually or applied via preset, the result is identical—no pixels are added, removed, or generated.
Adaptive Presets: Adaptive presets that use AI technology are also permitted. The AI analyzes the image to create intelligent masks and determine optimal adjustment values, essentially automating subject/area selection and slider positioning. The adjustments themselves still operate on existing pixels through traditional development tools (exposure, highlights, shadows, etc.). No new content is generated; the AI functions as a sophisticated selection and adjustment tool, not as a generative tool.
The key distinction: Tools that adjust existing pixels are permitted. Tools that generate or remove content require Content Credentials or are prohibited. Presets that add pixels or elements not captured by the submitting photographer are not permitted.
However, they are not permitted if they add synthetic pixels or elements not captured by the submitting photographer.
IMAGE PRESENTATION REQUIREMENTS
Identification Marks
Entrants must not place identifying text, their signature or any other distinctive mark on the front or facing side of any submitted image.
Trademarks
Trademarks are allowed if not likely to mislead viewers about sponsorship.
DUPLICATE AND SIMILAR SUBMISSIONS
Substantially identical images may not be entered in the same competition category, as both a club and individual submission, or in subsequent competitions if previously awarded. Slight variations are still considered the same image. An image that has been rotated, flipped, re-formatted or converted to monochrome or infrared will be deemed substantially the same image.
PREVIOUSLY AWARDED IMAGES
An image or substantially the same image that has previously received a CAPA Award (medal, medal certificate, merit award or honourable mention) in any CAPA competition or salon is ineligible for entry into any future CAPA competition or salon. This restriction applies across all competition categories and types.
LEGAL COMPLIANCE AND LIABILITY
Legal Compliance
The image must not violate any Canadian laws. CAPA and prize sponsors are not liable for any claims arising from the competition outcome or legal/regulatory violations.
Indemnification
The photographer indemnifies CAPA and sponsors against losses from any third-party intellectual property infringement. CAPA accepts no liability for copyright or trademark breaches by the entrant.
IMAGE USAGE RIGHTS
CAPA may use the image for non-commercial purposes like exhibitions, publications, promotions, and education. Permission will be sought before including the image in international competitions or CAPA managed presentations.
COMPETITION ADMINISTRATION
Image Withdrawal
CAPA reserves the right to withdraw an image before, during and shortly after the commencement of judging, if it has been found to have failed to meet the conditions of the competition.
Judging Decisions
The decisions and scores provided by the Judging Panel are final and cannot be appealed.
Image Replacement
No replacement image will be permitted after the judging process has commenced.
