Click here for the results of the 2025 contest
New Acropolis presents: Philophoto - International Philosophy Contest
Selected photos from 2025 contest: From Darkness to Light
PhiloPhoto Contest
The Spirit of the Contest
The 3rd edition of the Philo-Photo Photography Awards will open on June 15th 2026!
The Philo-Photo Contest invites all photographers aged 18 and over to submit their most striking single images that reflect this year’s theme, Recurring Patterns in Life (Nature and Humanity).
For this open contest, each photographer may enter up to three images of any type and category related to this year’s theme.
Open for Entries: June 15, 2026
Closed for Entries: August 15, 2026
Participation Fees: From 22 USD for one image to 45 USD for three images.
PhiloPhoto Contest
Recurring Patterns in Life (Nature and Humanity)
The 2026 edition of PhiloPhoto, where philosophy and science meet the art of seeing. This year’s theme invites you to explore the rhythms that echo through all forms of life — from the spiral of a galaxy to the beat of a heart. Reveal the harmony hidden within diversity and the beauty of repetition that leads to change. Through your lens, capture the living patterns that connect nature and humanity — a celebration of the intelligence woven through existence
PhiloPhoto Photography Contest
ABOUT US
Join us in celebrating the profound artistry and unique perspective that photography brings to life in the Philo-Photo Contest.
Are you seeking depth and meaning in your photographic journey? Do you yearn to convey wisdom and beauty through your visual creations? Participating in this contest is not just an opportunity to share your art but also a chance for personal growth and self-expression.
The Philo-Photo Contest delves into the synergy between the wisdom of the heart and the wisdom of the eye—between our intuition and the ability to connect to the essence of our being and the technique. It embraces this union of heart and eye, where photography becomes a channel for expressing our essence and the beauty surrounding us. This contest is an ode to the ideals of beauty and wisdom cultivated within and reflected in our artistry.
ABOUT NEW ACROPOLIS
The contest was created by New Acropolis, a School of Philosophy that promotes culture and practices volunteering. The school proposes an ideal of permanent values to contribute to individual and collective evolution.
This contest invites photographers worldwide to embark on a journey of philosophical exploration through the lens.
PhiloPhoto Photography Contest
ARTISTIC CONCEPT
Where Philosophy Meets Photography
In this interplay, the concept doesn’t describe the image, nor does the image illustrate the concept. Instead, they coexist in a relationship of contrast and harmony, revealing profound connections between immediacy and contemplation.Photography captures the instant—a global, instantaneous perception. Philosophy, in contrast, unfolds over time, inviting reflection and analysis. Together, they create works that are familiar yet enigmatic, understood but not fully resolved—like water mingling with oil, forming a beautiful, ever-shifting paradox.PhiloPhoto challenges photographers to create images that provoke questions and spark an inner journey for the viewer. This is not just about creating art—it’s about exploring the balance between personal expression and universal meaning.True art transcends pure subjectivity. While no artistic creation can be entirely objective or perfect, pursuing this balance brings us closer to understanding beauty as a universal language. Through PhiloPhoto, we reveal this relationship between the Artistic and Philosophical Ways, inviting you to explore the profound potential of your lens and heart.Join us in this journey of discovery. Submit your work and become part of an extraordinary movement that merges thought and vision.
PhiloPhoto Photography Contest is proud to present:
The winners of the 2025 contest –
“From Darkness to Light”
Hope
Child in rural environment, South Africa
1st Place
Robert Korkisch
The Fishing Boys
In the dim stillness of the mangrove forest, shadows envelop the scene until beams of sunlight pierce through the canopy. In this light, boys work side by side, passing their catch from hand to hand. What was once hidden in darkness…
2nd Place
PyaePhyoThetPaing
The Birth of Light
Stav-Or was born into war. She was named “OR”, meaning “Light”, with the hope she would carry the beacon of light for a brighter future and a better life.
3rd Place
Doron Adar
KIND WORDS FROM OUR SUPPORTERS
Bertrand Vergely (France)
Philosopher
“I support the international photography contest Philo-Photo of New Acropolis.
The coincidence between the eye that sees and what is seen: the magic of photography. The coincidence between the One and the many: the light of life.”
Renata Teodori (Peru)
National Secretary of Youth SENAJU, of the Ministry of Education
“I congratulate New Acropolis for the beautiful PhiloPhoto contest, I consider it to be an artistic expression of great value.
I am sure that once again New Acropolis contributes to culture”
His Excellency Vishal V. Sharma (India)
Ambassador & Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO
“A photo captures an infinitesimal moment from the almost infinite passage of time and saves it for eternity.
I congratulate New Acropolis for having organised the PhiloPhoto contest. Recently, UNESCO organised the World Conference on Culture And Arts Education to celebrate it as a unifying force that inspires an individual to unite with entire humanity.”
Soledad Santelices (Ecuador)
Director-Film Producer
“While cinema is the possibility of sculpting in time (Tarkovsky), photography is all the frames in a single impact, it is the ability to condense reality in a single shot, that decisive Instant (Cartier Bresson).
Congratulations to New Acropolis for this contest that will allow us to participate in that moment capable of transmitting Unity Through Diversity. Philosophical and artistic exercise increasingly necessary in such a turbulent world.”
Paula Gómez Jorge
(Dominican Republic)
Art historian and independent curator
“Photography as an artistic language has a unique capacity to transmit stories, emotions and experiences.
The Philo -Photo Photography Contest is extremely meaningful in celebrating the richness of cultural diversity and highlighting our shared human experiences.”
Professor TRINH XUAN Thuan (France)
Professor Emeritus of Astronomy at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States.
“As a sky photographer, I approve the initiative of this photography contest.”
PRIZES
We have a wide variety of prizes
MEET OUR
TEAM OF JUDGES
Ruti Halabi
Stills and video photographer, fourth generation in a family of photographers. Specializing in portrait and atmospheric photography, for businesses and individuals. Director and owner of a professional photography school - Gavra Studio, located in Tel Aviv
Bruno PAGET
Bruno Paget focuses on street photography, which shows people in their surroundings and also on photographing architecture wrapped by the lights of the city.
Pedro Alencar Carvana de Hollanda
Television and Cinema Director, specializing in reality shows, docudramas and fiction. Director of Productions TV Globo, Big Brother Brasil. Emmy Awards nominee for the dramaturgy direction of the episode ”Césio 137” – Linha Direta Justiça Especial.
Maria Pashchevska
Jury member of the "Philosophy of Trust" photo contest (New Acropolis Ukraine, 2016). Leader of educational trainings on photojournalism for volunteers (New Acropolis Ukraine, 2015 – 2023).
Volunteer photojournalist at New Acropolis Ukraine (2009 – 2024).
Alex Konovalov
Photographer with 30 years of experience in the Altair project.
Loved photography since childhood. Specializing in reportage photography and photography of architectural monuments. Mostly loves photographing people and events around the world – Egypt, Europe, South America and India.
Max Ladygin
Documentary filmmaker, cameraman, photographer and philosopher.
Worked as a film director at the State TV company “Culture”. Since 2000 he has been working at “Altair-TV”.
Director and cameraman of documentaries about ancient cultures (Egypt, Peru, Etruscans), European cities (Florence, Rome, Prague), historical personalities (Marcus Aurelius, Ludwig of Bavaria). Participant and winner of international film festivals.
Azim Khan Ronnie
Azim Khan Ronnie was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Now lives in France. He has an utter passion for photography, and photography has been his passion. As a photographer, his essential aim is to capture the moments of life and give them significance by making them static in time. He loves to travel and be in different places, meet new people, and enjoy the experience that photography offers to capture Earth's beautiful and awe-inspiring moments. He also loves to experiment with his photography. He has participated in many International Photography contests and has now won over 800 international photography awards.
Sam M. Estrella
Sam M. Estrella is a photographer, philosopher, and workshop leader for children, teenagers, and adults. She is a beauty lover, a committed advocate for popular education, and a builder. Here I am: en'Vie!' Sam loves the way banality can be captured and sublimated. Photography is an art that fascinates her because of its ability to be an active observer: seeing the beauty hidden around us and within us, because we are aware that it exists. It is the art of blending in with the subject to bring out the best, its essence.
Joachim Bergauer
With over 130 international awards, including "Photographer of the Year" (TiFA), Joachim Bergauer is one of the most exciting photographers of his generation. His works, such as "Life in a Leper Village" and "Endstation Dhaka," combine artistic depth with a humanistic approach. He views photography as a philosophical tool that visualises dignity, suffering, and hope. His images touch, challenge, and provide ethical perspectives on human existence.
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