COVERS FROM LAST YEAR’S CONTEST

ENTRY PERIOD BEGINS THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026

IT’S OUR 31st ANNUAL WINNING IMAGES PHOTO CONTEST!

 Win cash prizes, get published in our annual Winning Images issues on June 18, see your work in an online gallery, and be part of the show displayed at The Photo Shop in San Luis Obispo!

Follow these easy steps to start entering your images.

Once you select the submit button, you will need to create a (FREE) account with Zealous, if don’t have one already. With the account created you can enter as many images as you want while entering your personal and payment information once. The number of entries selected determines the final cost. You will return to upload page after each completed entry. You can also come back to change or enter more images using your account credentials. When naming your images, please use the category selected and image title in the file name (Category_Title.jpeg, example: In Motion_Flying fish.jpeg). Do not put photographer’s name in file name. You can fill out the name and description fields right after upload of image.

ENTRY PERIOD BEGINS THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026

THE RULES

Entry divisions are either ADULT or YOUTH (photographers who are under 18)

ADULT

  • Categories are: Animals, Flora, Land/Seascapes, People, Travel, Open and In Motion which can include any interpretation of action or motion.
  • All images must be submitted digitally via our online entry form, where the category can be selected.
  • A completed online entry form MUST be submitted for EACH photo entered.
  • Entrants are asked to submit a high-quality digital file of their image (jpeg format, at least 300 dpi) on the submission form.
  • Photos submitted in previous years are ineligible.
  • All photos must be the original, creative work of the submitting photographer.
  • All photographs must be taken within the boundaries of San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara counties – except submissions to the Travel and Open categories – for which photos may be taken anywhere.
  • Entries are $10 per photo. Discounts for mulitiple entries. 3 entries for $20, 5 entries for $40, and 10 entries for $75. Platorm will keep track of your entries.
  • You can enter and pay for photo entries online.. You may also mail a check (made payable to New Times) to: Winning Images, c/o New Times, 1010 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. Be sure to include your name, address, email, and a brief description of the photo(s) entered online.
  • Photos must be received and entry fees must be paid in full by 5 P.M. ON MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026, to be considered officially entered.
  • Entry in the contest constitutes permission to use the photo in the paper, online, and for display.
  • Judges have the right to reassign categories for mislabeled or misfiled photos at their discretion.

YOUTH

(PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OLD)

  • This is an OPEN category. Photographs can be of any subject of the entrant’s choosing, but must have been taken within the boundaries of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
  • Entrants must be younger than 18 years old as of June 18, 2026, and must be enrolled in any school (including a home school) that’s not a college. A winner’s legal guardian will be required to sign a release form.
  • All other rules from the adult categories apply. Winning photos will be published in the Thursday, June 18, 2026, issues of New Times and the Sun.