The deadline for participation is midnight on 10 June 2026!
Photo contest
THEME OF THE 2026 CONTEST:
Journey to the centre of the earth, perspectives of underground lines
This contest is free and open to anyone who wishes to contribute to illustrating the adventure, fantasy and mystery of underground spaces.
To do so, take a fresh look at underground spaces, their architecture, the places where the underground emerges or enters the earth, construction sites as landscapes, underground stations as living spaces, and entrances to basements, both functional and welcoming. These urbanised or natural underground areas are places of transformation, passage and storage that are reinventing and rediscovering themselves as unknown spaces.
Free contest open to all The deadline for participation is midnight on 10 June 2026!
SELECTION CRITERIA AND AWARDS
Selection Jury composed of 5 people: 2 professional photographers and 3 members of the congress organizing committee.
Selection made during the summer of 2026. 20 photographs will be selected by the jury.
Selection criteria: 1. Consistency with the theme of the contest, 2. Aesthetic qualities, 3. Originality of the photograph.
The following photographs will be excluded from the contest: 1. Those of a clearly commercial nature, 2. Those in clear violation of the law and these rules.
20 photographs will be selected and : 1. Printed in large format, portrait or landscape, A0 type 2. Exhibited during the AFTES 2026 Congress, held at Lille Grand Palais from 12 to 14 October 3. Displayed on screens during the 2026 AFTES Congress 4. Featured in the TES - Tunnels et Espace Souterrain magazine.
Awards: Of the 20 photographs selected, the top three will be honoured at the conference's Gala Evening on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. Their authors will receive the following prizes: • 1st prize: €500 • 2nd prize: €350 • 3rd prize: €200
COPYRIGHT AND IMAGE RIGHTS
By confirming their participation, the participant certify on their honour that: 1. They are the author of the images submitted, hold the rights to use the images, and that these images are not subject to any exclusivity clause. 2. They have a written document signed by the persons recognisable in the photos submitted, authorising their use in the context of this competition. 3. They authorise AFTES to use the 20 photographs selected in the context of its communication activities relating to the Congress and its Photo Competition for a period of 10 years.
