Hymyilevä Oulu 26 – Photography Competition
Instructions for participating in the photography competition
Participation rules and technical guidelines
Each participant may submit a maximum of 4 black-and-white photographs.
Send the photos by email to:
hymyilevaoulu26kilpailu@gmail.com
Email subject:
Hymyilevä Oulu 26 – competition photo
Submission period:
1 January – 31 March 2026
We are looking for black-and-white, smiling, and touching portraits of people who belong to minorities or who live in loneliness.
It is recommended that the photograph be taken specifically for this competition and that it reflects a genuine encounter or moment.
Send the photos in JPEG format as email attachments.
Do not use WeTransfer or other file transfer services.
The email must include:
– your name and the name you wish to appear in the exhibition (for example, first name or artist name)
– your age (optional)
– your contact details
– a short description: who appears in the photo and why this image is meaningful to you
(the text will be used in the exhibition alongside the photograph)
Image format and style
Portrait of one person or several people (a selfie is also allowed)
Image up to waist level, not full body
Vertical format (portrait)
Aspect ratio 4:3
Black and white (you can select it on your phone or convert the image later)
JPEG format, original size
(do not crop, compress, or resize)
Black and white (two possible methods):
Choose a black-and-white filter directly on your phone, or remove the saturation from the image to convert it to black and white.
Try different settings and adjust the contrast, brightness, and shadows until you achieve an image that you like and feel connected to.
Best possible quality – iPhone
Settings → Camera → Formats → select Most Compatible (JPEG)
Settings → Camera → Photo Mode → 24 MP
(or 48 MP if ProRAW & Resolution Control is enabled)
Open the Camera → tap the arrow at the top → check aspect ratio 4:3
Turn off Live Photo
Shoot in vertical orientation
Ensure good lighting (natural light or additional lighting)
Best possible quality – Android (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, etc.)
Camera → Settings → Image size / Resolution →
select the highest possible size with aspect ratio 4:3 (for example, 12 MP, 50 MP)
Shoot in vertical orientation
do not use square or 16:9 format or wide-angle mode
Disable beauty filters and optimizations
Select black-and-white mode or convert the image later
Ensure good lighting so the face and gaze are clearly visible
Shooting situation
Hold the phone vertically (4:3)
Ensure good lighting
Avoid strong backlighting and shooting in low-light conditions
Take part in the photography competition – every image tells a story
Participating in the competition is easy. You do not need special skills or a professional camera — you can photograph with your mobile phone. What matters most is not technical perfection, but emotion, connection, and the story behind the image.
The theme of the competition is minorities and people living in loneliness.
You can take a photo of yourself (selfie) if you feel you belong to the theme, or photograph another person,
for example a neighbor or someone you know.
Ask for permission to take the photo and pause in the moment.
The goal is to show real encounters and people who often remain invisible.
We are looking for black-and-white, smiling, and touching portraits that speak about humanity, minorities, and loneliness — but above all, about hope.
Everyone can participate.
You can be the photographer, the person photographed, or both.
Usage rights
By submitting photographs to the competition, you grant permission to use the images in exhibitions, marketing, communication, and social media related to the Hymyilevä Oulu 26 project.
At the same time, you confirm that you have the consent of the person photographed for the use of the image.
The photographs are not for sale and will not be used for commercial purposes.
