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"Harmony & Peace" Photo Contest Rules

Hsi Fang Temple (University Heights, San Diego)

1. Objective

To celebrate and deepen awareness of harmony and peace within and around Hsi Fang Temple and the University Heights community, through the eyes of photographers. This contest invites participants to capture moments, scenes, and relationships that reflect the peaceful coexistence of people, nature, and daily life as inspired by Buddhist values.

2. Co-Organizers

  • Hsi Fang Temple (University Heights, San Diego)
  • Buddha's Light International Association, San Diego Chapter
  • University Heights Community Association (UHCA)

3. Eligibility

All who enjoy photography are welcome to participate regardless of age, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, sex, gender identity, or any other status.

4. Photography Theme

"Harmony and Peace" — interpreted broadly, but centered on:

  • Interpersonal harmony (families, friendships, community)
  • Peaceful coexistence with nature (temple grounds, park, garden, local green and blue spaces)
  • Peace in action (temple programs, community events, volunteer work, community service)

5. Time Period for Photos Taken

Photos must be taken between January 1st, 2025 to June 7th, 2026.

6. Submission Categories

  • Camera: Entries taken with digital or traditional cameras. Limit 3 entries per person.
  • Mobile: Entries taken with mobile phones or tablets. Limit 3 entries per person.

7. Copyright & Entry Rules

  • All entries must be the contestant's own original creation.
  • Contestants must own full copyright to the artwork and retain full ownership of their images.
  • Entries must not violate portraiture rights or include the name or work of another person.
  • Photos must be original and must not be winning entries or previously exhibited works from other photo contests.
  • If a third party disputes a winning entry and the organizer confirms the dispute is valid, the contestant will be disqualified.
  • In such cases, no replacement winner will be selected and any reward will be forfeited.
  • Contestants bear sole responsibility for any copyright or legal violations. The organizer assumes no liability for such issues.
  • Photos must be in landscape format only.
  • Each entry must include a brief concept or caption (approximately 20–30 words) explaining how the photo relates to the "Harmony and Peace" theme.
  • Every entry must specify its "notion of creation" and must not convey false or misleading impressions.
  • Digital file names should match the Entry Title exactly. Example: An entry titled "Buddha Light Babies" must be saved as "Buddha Light Babies.jpg."
  • Participants grant Hsi Fang Temple a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use submitted photos for publications, websites, social media, newsletters, displays, and exhibitions.
  • This license does not transfer ownership; photographers retain full copyright.

8. Technical Requirements

a) Camera category requirements

  • Entries taken using traditional or digital cameras.
  • The photo file size should be between 2MB and max 5MB, and the format must be JPG. The recommended dimensions are 3600x2400 pixels (width x height) with a resolution of 300 dpi. A maximum of three photos may be submitted. Please ensure the file name is correct before uploading.
  • The work must be completed in one shot. Only brightness, contrast, color saturation, sharpness, and color shift corrections can be adjusted. Continuous operation, plagiarism, decoration, additive color, heavy exposure, modification, grid placement, and synthesis (including increasing or decreasing the elements of the original image), etc. will not be accepted.

b) Mobile phone category requirements

  • Works taken with mobile phone or tablet, including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android mobile phone and tablet, and Windows mobile phone.
  • It is permissible to use the APP on the mobile device to edit the basic necessary images. Only brightness, contrast, color saturation, sharpness, and color shift corrections can be adjusted. Continuous operation, plagiarism, decoration, additive color, heavy exposure, modification, grid placement, and synthesis, including increasing or decreasing the elements of the original image, etc. will not be accepted.
  • Other special effects or synthesis using PC are prohibited.
  • Do not over-compress the picture.

★ All entries should comply with the contest theme and entry specifications mentioned above, otherwise the entry will not be accepted.

10. Consent / Releases

  • If people are recognizable in the photos, participants must have their permission (model release).
  • By submitting, entrants confirm they have the right to submit the image and that it does not infringe on any third-party rights.

11. Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated by a judging panel (appointed by Hsi Fang Temple) on:

  • Main Theme Relevance (50%): How well the photo expresses "Harmony & Peace."
  • Creativity, Aesthetics & Impact (30%): Composition, originality, emotional resonance.
  • Photography Quality (20%): Lighting, clarity, color, and photographic technique.

12. Awards

  • Award categories: First Place, Second Place, Third Place, and Honorable Mentions.
  • Prizes could be: Buddha's Light Bookstore gift certificates & other local business gift certificates.
  • Optionally, there are three "People's Choice" awards (voted by the community).

13. Submission Process

Participants submit via an online form (or email) including:

  • Their name and contact info
  • Category (Camera or Mobile)
  • Title of the photo
  • Concept / caption statement
  • Photo file
  • (Optional) RAW file (for camera entries)
  • Model release (if needed)

Deadline: June 7, 2026, 11:59 PM (Pacific Time)

14. Notification & Exhibition

  • Winners will be announced on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 10:30am during the Opening Ceremony of the Harmony & Peace Photo Exhibit at Buddha's Light Bookstore.
  • Selected photos (winners + finalists) will not only be displayed at the Buddha's Light Bookstore, there will be a possibility to be submitted to an international photo contest organized by the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Headquarter in 2027.

15. Rights & Disclaimers

  • The organizing committee reserves the right to disqualify entries that do not comply with contest rules.
  • Submitted images may be used by Hsi Fang Temple for non-commercial, promotional purposes (as described above).
  • The temple is not responsible for lost, corrupted, or unusable digital files.
  • By entering, participants agree to all the contest terms and conditions.

16. Contact Information

For questions, submissions, or more details:

Email: sd.edu@ibps.org
Attn: Harmony & Peace Photo Contest

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