Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Entry Criteria Theme and Categories Entries in Print by Conventional Mail Entries as JPEG Images via the Internet Personal Information Judging Announcement of the Results and Exhibition of Winners

Q.1: What criteria must a person meet in order to enter? A.1: Nikon Photo Contest International is open to all photographers, professional and amateur, with no restrictions based on age, gender or nationality. However, employees of Nikon Corporation, its subsidiaries and its affiliates are not eligible for entry. All entrants, particularly minors (those under the age of 18 in many jurisdictions), are responsible for ensuring their submission is in compliance with the legal requirements of their country. Q.2: Is there an entry fee? A.2: No, entry is free. However, entrants must pay the postage, Internet connection charge and any other costs required to submit their entries. Q.3: Do entrants have to use Nikon equipment for entry works (photos/images)? A.3: No, there is no such restriction. (Note: Only photos and images taken using 35mm film cameras, APS cameras and/or digital still cameras, not including medium or large format digital cameras, will be accepted.) Q.4: I have read that photos and images previously published will not be accepted. What about photos or images that have been posted on a website? A.4: Such photos and images will be accepted, provided that they have only been posted for non-commercial purposes, on an online photo album or a personal website. (Please note that in all circumstances, entrants must possess copyrights and all necessary rights covering submitted photographs (images) for them to be accepted as valid entries. Photographs that have won any award, been published or have been submitted to any other photo contest are not eligible as entries.) Q.5: Is it possible to submit entries by conventional mail and via the Internet? A.5: Yes. One person can submit up to 8 entries: 2 for each category when entering in print (a total of 4 prints) and the same number when entering JPEG images (a total of 4 JPEG images). Q.6: Can one photograph be entered both by conventional mail and via the Internet? A.6: As the same photograph may not be submitted more than once, one photograph may only be submitted either by conventional mail or via the Internet. Q.7: Will submitted photographs be returned? A.7: No submitted photographs (images) will be returned. Q.8: Will I be notified upon receipt/acceptance of my entry? A.7: No, there will be no such notification. Please read the entry rules carefully, and make sure that you provide all of the required information on the entry form before you submit it.

Q.9: What is the meaning of the theme,"At the heart of the image"? A.9: "At the heart of the image" was the theme of the highly successful 31st contest, so we decided to use it as the theme for the 32nd contest, as well. These words are also the brand statement of Nikon Imaging Company, and we hope this theme will attract images expressing the emotions that are true to your heart. Q.10: What distinguishes the "My Planet" category from the "Free Subject" category? A.10: The "Free Subject" category calls for works that convey the photographer's unique perspective and creativity. The "My Planet" category calls for works that express your feelings about your world, whether that involves the environment, scenes from your daily life, or people and other things that stir your passions. Q.11: Can I make entries to both categories? A.11: Yes. One person can submit 2 photographs for each category when entering in print (a total of 4 prints) and 2 for each category when entering JPEG images (a total of 4 JPEG images). Q.12: Can I send one photograph to both the "Free Subject" category and to the "My Planet" category? A.12: No. If one photograph is submitted to either of the two categories, the same photograph may not be submitted to the other category.

Q.13: Where can I obtain the entry form? A.13: The entry form (in Japanese and English*) will be available from June 5, 2008 on the Internet as a PDF format at http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/activity/npci/npci2008-2009/ print.htm. Please download and print out the entry form in PDF format. In order to view files in PDF format, you will need to have Adobe Reader installed on your computer. You can download this software for free at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. ("Adobe Reader" is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.) * In addition to the Japanese and English versions, entry forms in 8 languages (German / Spanish / French / Italian / Portuguese / Korean / Simplified Chinese / Traditional Chinese) are scheduled to be available for download starting from mid-July. You may also find printed entry forms at your nearest Nikon office or authorized Nikon distributor. Please note that the number of printed entry forms available will be limited, so we recommend you that you inquire regarding availability before visiting your nearest office or distributor. (Note: Entry forms in printed format and in PDF form [to be printed out] are provided only for entries to be submitted by conventional mail. For entries submitted via the Internet, an entry form in print is not necessary.) Q.14: How many photographs can I submit? A.14: You may submit up to 2 photographs per category, thus a maximum of 4 photographs. Q.15: Can I submit photographs taken using a digital still camera (not including medium or large format digital cameras)? A.15: As long as the size of print is between 19 x 24cm (8 x 10 inches) and 28 x 36cm (11 x 14 inches), the entry will be accepted. Q.16: Can I submit a slide or a negative? A.16: No. We do not accept slides or negatives. Q.17: Is the questionnaire on the back of the entry form mandatory? A.17: No, it is not mandatory, but we would be very grateful for your input as it may have a direct effect on the continued development and improvement of our products and services. Q.18: What will happen if I submit an incomplete entry form? A.18: Failure to provide all required information may result in disqualification. Please make sure that you have provided all of the required information prior to submitting the form. (Note: Email, cellular phone number and fax number are only required if available.) Q.19: What should I enclose with the photograph? A.19: Please enclose the properly filled out entry form and be sure to protect the photograph(s) from being damaged in transit. Q.20: Where should I send my entry? A.20: Please send a completed entry form along with the photograph(s) to your nearest Nikon office or authorized Nikon distributor (please refer to the list of addresses on the Entry Form). Q.21: What will happen if I enter before September 1? A.21: Please be advised that entries received earlier than September will not be accepted and that such entries will not be returned.

Q.22: What is "Entry via the Internet"? A.22: It is a method of entry in which you may submit JPEG image data captured using a digital camera by uploading it through the website of this contest. We do accept photographs that have been digitally edited with software and we are only able to accept works for which entrants hold the exclusive rights. For further details, please refer to http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/activity/npci/npci2008-2009/ imgdata.htm Q.23: In what size and format should I upload the data? A.23: The dimensions of the image should not exceed 10MB. If the image is larger than the size mentioned above, please compress the file to a maximum of 10MB before submitting. Q.24: How many images may I submit? A.24: You may submit 2 images per category, thus a maximum of 4 images in total. Q.25: Can I apply more than once? A.25: No, multiple entries will be disqualified. The information you provide on your entry form will alert us in the event of multiple submissions. Q.26: Can I cancel my entry and make a new entry instead if I decide I want to send a different image? A.26: No, you cannot cancel your entry. Q.27: Can I submit my entry directly to Nikon by Email? A.27: No, entries will only be accepted via the Nikon Photo Contest International 2008-2009 website. Please note that you will not be notified if you send your entry to the wrong location. Q.28: What will happen if I submit an incomplete entry form? A.28: If you attempt to submit an entry form that does not include all of the required information, a message will appear on your computer monitor notifying you that certain required information is missing. Q.29: What if my data is damaged or lost during uploading? A.29: Nikon will not be responsible for data that is damaged or lost during uploading. Please be sure to keep backup data in case such a problem should arise. Q.30: Can I send my JPEG data on a CD-ROM, or other media? A.30: No. Entries in JPEG format are only acceptable via the Nikon Photo Contest International 2008-2009 website. Q.31: I am unable to upload my images to the Nikon Photo Contest International 2008-2009 website. What should I do? A.31 Please read the instructions on the Web Entry Form again. If the problem persists, please contact: NPCI2008-9@2008-9.nikon-npci.com (on or after September 1, 2008). Q.32: What should I do if I wish to amend my personal information, such as my address or phone number? A.32: Those who have submitted entries via the Internet can amend their own personal information at any time during the entry period on the same site used for submitting entries. Q.33: What should I do if I encounter any difficulty while attempting entry via the Internet? A.33: Please write to the Email address stated below during the entry period. NPCI2008-9@2008-9.nikon-npci.com (on or after September 1, 2008).

Q.34: Can I change personal information such as my address? A.30: Please contact the nearest Entry Collection Point listed on the PDF entry form that you used to submit your work. Please also refer to Q32.

Q.35: Who are the judges? A.35: Judges will be professional photographers, working internationally, appointed by Nikon Corporation. Q.36: What is the NIKKOR 75th Anniversary Award? A.36: The NIKKOR 75th Anniversary Award, established to commemorate this year’s 75th anniversary of the NIKKOR brand lenses, will be awarded to the outstanding work that places second after the Grand Prize winner. Q.37: Will entrants under the age of 30 be awarded only with the Emerging Talent Award or as a Runner-up? A.37: No. The Grand Prize and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prizes are open to all entrants regardless of age.

Q.38: When and how will I know the results of Nikon Photo Contest International 2008-2009? A.38: Winners who made entry in print by conventional mail will be notified individually via registered mail or other form of recorded delivery, and the winners who made entry with JPEG images via the Internet will be notified via Email by the organizer, a local Nikon office or authorized Nikon distributor by the beginning of June 2009. The winners will then be announced on the Nikon Photo Contest International 2008-2009 website (http://www.nikon-npci.com/) by the end of July 2009. Q.39: In "Notes regarding entry", I have read that winners will be entirely responsible for any taxes or charges related to the receipt of any prize. In which cases might we have to pay taxes or charges related to the receipt of any prize? A.39: When receiving Nikon products as prizes in countries outside Japan, some winners may be subject to costs such as import taxes, customs expenses, etc. We will provide winners with detailed information with regards to this. Q.40: I have read on the "Rights of the organizer", that "a separate agreement will need to be reached, if the organizer, its subsidiaries or affiliates wish to publish a submitted photograph for purposes other than the promotion of the contest." In what cases might a submitted work be used? A.40: We may choose some photographs from among submitted work for the calendar which Nikon Corporation produces every year. In such cases, we will contact entrants by the end of July 2009, and if an agreement is reached, we will make the contract.