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MPP THROUGH THE LENS 2026

Photography Competition Terms & Conditions

These terms apply to registration and participation in Padawan Through The Lens 2026.

1. Eligibility

  1. 1.1 The competition is open to all Malaysian citizens and permanent residents.
  2. 1.2 Participants may enter under either:
    • Open Category
    • Student Category (participants must possess a valid student identification card at the time of submission).
  3. 1.3 Employees of the Organiser, judging panel and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.

2. Competition Categories

Participants may submit photographs using either of the following:

  • DSLR / Mirrorless Camera

Entries may be submitted under any of the official storytelling themes published by the Organiser. The themes are intended as creative guidance and do not constitute separate award categories.

3. Submission Period

Entries must be submitted within the official competition period. Late submissions will not be accepted.

4. Entry Requirements

  1. 4.1 All photographs must be captured within the Padawan Municipal Council area.
  2. 4.2 Photographs must be taken during the official competition period unless otherwise specified by the Organiser.
  3. 4.3 All entries must be the original work of the participant.
  4. 4.4 Participants may submit multiple entries.
  5. 4.5 Each submission should include:
    • Photograph title
    • Location
    • Brief description or story (optional but encouraged)

5. Image Editing & Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

The Organiser encourages creative post-processing while maintaining the authenticity of the original scene.

The following editing techniques are permitted:

  • Exposure adjustment
  • White balance correction
  • Colour grading
  • Contrast and tonal adjustment
  • Cropping
  • Dodging and burning
  • HDR blending using the participant's own exposures
  • Focus stacking
  • Panorama stitching
  • Removal of sensor dust
  • Perspective correction
  • Sharpening
  • Noise reduction
  • Creative compositing using photographs captured by the participant
  • Digital blending techniques

AI-assisted editing is permitted ONLY for image enhancement purposes.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Adobe Lightroom AI Denoise
  • Adobe Lightroom AI Masking
  • Adobe Photoshop Generative Remove (object removal only)
  • Evoto AI
  • Topaz Photo AI
  • DxO DeepPRIME
  • ON1 AI
  • Luminar AI enhancement tools

These tools may only be used to improve image quality or remove minor distractions and must not alter the authenticity or factual content of the original photograph.

The following are strictly prohibited:

  • Images wholly or substantially generated using Artificial Intelligence.
  • AI-generated artwork or illustrations.
  • AI-generated backgrounds.
  • AI-generated people, animals or objects.
  • AI-generated landscapes.
  • AI-generated image expansion or outpainting.
  • Adding elements that did not exist in the original capture.
  • Replacing skies or major components using AI-generated content.
  • Any photograph that is no longer a truthful representation of the original scene captured by the photographer.

The Organiser reserves the right to request the original RAW file or original unedited image for verification.

Failure to provide the requested files may result in disqualification.

6. File Specifications

  • JPEG format
  • Minimum 2,000 pixels on the longest side
  • sRGB colour profile preferred
  • Maximum file size as specified in the submission portal

Participants must retain the original RAW file (or original image file) until the competition concludes.

7. Authenticity Verification

The Organiser reserves the right to request:

  • RAW files
  • Original JPEG files
  • Metadata (EXIF)
  • Editing workflow or supporting files

Failure to provide the requested files within the stipulated timeframe may result in disqualification.

8. Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated based on:

  • Storytelling
  • Creativity and originality
  • Relevance to the contest theme
  • Technical excellence
  • Composition
  • Visual impact
  • Emotional connection

The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entertained.

9. Copyright & Usage Rights

Participants retain full copyright ownership of all submitted photographs.

By participating in the competition, participants grant Padawan Municipal Council and the Organiser a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use the submitted photographs for:

  • Competition promotion
  • Public exhibitions
  • Roadshows
  • Official publications
  • Educational materials
  • Social media
  • Official websites
  • Tourism promotion
  • Annual reports
  • Marketing and publicity materials
  • Coffee table books (subject to the photographer's prior permission)

Where reasonably practicable, the photographer will be credited whenever the image is used.

10. Commercial Use

The Organiser shall not sell, resell, licence or monetise any submitted photograph for commercial purposes without first obtaining the photographer's written consent.

Should any future commercial use arise, a separate agreement shall be entered into between the Organiser and the copyright owner.

11. Model & Property Releases

Participants are responsible for obtaining any necessary permissions from identifiable individuals, private property owners or restricted locations where required by law.

The Organiser accepts no responsibility for disputes arising from unauthorised photography.

12. Ethical Photography

Participants are expected to practise responsible and ethical photography at all times.

Photographers must not:

  • Disturb or endanger wildlife.
  • Damage natural habitats or cultural heritage sites.
  • Trespass onto private property without permission.
  • Endanger themselves or others while capturing images.
  • Stage or manipulate scenes in a manner that misrepresents wildlife, people or cultural practices.

Entries found to violate ethical standards may be disqualified.

13. Disqualification

The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify any entry that:

  • Contains false or misleading information.
  • Infringes copyright or intellectual property rights.
  • Includes prohibited AI-generated content.
  • Fails authenticity verification.
  • Contains offensive, defamatory or unlawful material.
  • Does not comply with these Terms & Conditions.

14. Liability

Participants undertake all photography activities at their own risk.

The Organiser shall not be liable for any injury, accident, loss or damage incurred during participation in the competition.

Participants are expected to comply with all applicable laws, safety regulations and site-specific rules.

15. Acceptance

Submission of an entry constitutes full acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.

The Organiser reserves the right to amend these Terms & Conditions where necessary. Any amendments will be announced through the official competition channels.

Padawan Municipal Council
MPP Through the Lens 2026
"Capturing the Identity, Diversity and Future of Padawan."

By ticking the agreement checkbox during checkout, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these terms and conditions.