This contest is sponsored by Kenko Tokina Co., Ltd. and is open to photos that have been taken with the aid of a filter with the aim of expanding creative possibilities. Kenko Tokina Co., Ltd. looks forward to receiving your entries that explore the full expanse of the unknown possibilities of filters.
Theme
Photos that make effective use of filters.
- Filters may be from any manufacturer.
- Filters such as protectors whose effects cannot be seen in the photograph are not permitted.
- Photos that have been heavily edited using retouching software (color swap, etc.) cannot be accepted.
Application period
August 1 – October 31, 2023
Application Qualification
The competition is open to anyone regardless of age, gender or nationality.
Entries are restricted to unreleased and unpublished original photos for which the copyright is entirely owned by the applicant. Photos that have won prizes or are being screened in other competitions are not eligible. (Photos that have been entered in another competition but have not been awarded a prize are eligible.) Photos that have been published in non-commercial publications such as club exhibitions for which the photography was not remunerated, or websites operated by individuals are eligible.
Entries will be disqualified if the sponsor deems that the subject matter is in breach of the law, public order and morals, or the purpose of this contest.
Applicants who are under the age of 18 must obtain approval of their parent or guardian before applying. If an applicant is under the age of 18, it will be assumed they have already obtained approval of a parent or guardian.
Prizes
| Grand Prix | 1 | 500,000 yen (or U.S. dollar equivalent to 500,000 yen) *1 Certificate and photo panel of the work |
| Jury Special Prizes | 5 | 100,000 yen (or U.S. dollar equivalent to 100,000 yen) *2 Certificate and photo panel of the work |
| Kenko Tokina Special Prize | 1 | 50,000 yen (or U.S.dollar equivalent to 50,000 yen) *3 Certificate and photo panel of the work |
| Excellent works | 30 | Certificate and photo panel of the work |
*1,*2,*3 Please note that if a winner lives in a country other than Japan, the system or procedures unique to the winner’s home country may prevent overseas remittances. In this case, Kenko Tokina Group products of the equivalent value to the prize money will be sent instead.
Judges
Tatsuo Hata
 Born in Toyama-go, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture.
Worked in a car sales company and a motorbike shop. Later, in order to take over the family business, he started to study photography, believing in his own potential and aspiring to become a photographer. After working as an assistant to the photographer Toshinobu Takeuchi, he became independent. He was awarded the 8th Fujimoto Shihachi Photography Award for “Arabiru Dena”, which covered the “Shimotsuki Festival” of Yudate Kagura in his hometown. A photo book with the same title was published by Shinano Mainichi Shimbun. He has published many photo collections including “Yakushima: Mountain Island”, “Rainy Days Yakushima”, “Traces of Yakushima”, and essays such as “Rain, Rain, and More Rain: A Yakushima Story”. He sympathizes with novelist Jiro Nitta’s Buntaro Kato in “The Lonely Man” and admires Frank Yasuda in “Alaska Story”. Visit Tatsuo Hata’s homepage: https://www.photohata.com/ (Japanese) |
Christophe Anagnostopoulos
 Christophe Anagnostopoulos is an award-winning professional photographer and filmmaker based in Greece. His involvement with photography and filmmaking began at a young age, having as first incentives classical landscape photographs and experimental time-lapse/documentary films. He is not ceasing to experiment till this day, continuously evolving his techniques to keep up to modern day standards and needs.
Since 2017, he is a Global Ambassador of Tokina and HOYA, and he specializes in astrophotography, landscape photography, time-lapse, documentary filmmaking and commercial photography. Due to his technical knowledge, he also works professionally on testing and reviewing photographic equipment, providing valuable feedback to his clients. Visit Christophe Anagnostopoulos’ homepage: https://www.christopheanagno.com/ |
Stan Moniz
 Born and raised in Oahu, Hawaii, Stan was a child of the ocean. His passion for the waves led him to a career as a professional bodyboarder which transitioned into the creative space of capturing the beautiful moving ocean through photography and film.
Now living in Orange County, California, Stan is a published photographer with more than 15 years of experience. Surfing isn’t the only thing on his mind anymore. As a Sony ambassador that comes highly recommended, he continues to push his boundaries in the creative arts. With his infectious positive love for adventure, Stan has adapted a nature journalist approach to his content creation. Stan is also an educator at heart and he is leading workshops and presentations, helping to spark that fire for photography and filmmaking. Visit Stan Moniz’ homepage: https://www.stanmoniz.com/ |
谢墨 [Xie Mo]
 In 1999 Xie Mo was awarded the 4th China Photography Golden Image Award, and in the same year, he was awarded the Gold Medal at the 19th National Photographic Art Exhibition and the title of “The Third Top Ten Chinese Portrait Photographers”. In 2001 he was awarded one of the highest honors in the world of photography “Hasselblad Masters” and in 2005, he was named one of China’s top ten most influential landscape photographers by photography magazine “摄影之友” (PHOTOGRAPHERS’ COMPANION). In 2006 Xie Mo devoted himself to underwater and coastal photography, and became a nature photographer who advocates environmental protection and promotes the development of marine culture. Xie Mo has become an outstanding photographer excelling in three different genres in China’s photography industry: integrating portraits, landscapes and natural ecology. He is now the vice president of China Marine Photographers Association. |
Sponsor: Kenko Tokina Co., Ltd.
Partner companies: Slik Corporation, Kenko Professional Imaging Co., Ltd. Formatt Hitec Ltd. COKIN KT France s.a.s.u.