Parsippany, NJ—The professional photography competition, Hasselblad Masters, is officially open for submissions. Launched in 2001 as a celebration of photography, Hasselblad Masters competition aims to highlight exceptional photographic works to a large audience.
Moreover, the competition provides both well-known industry names and emerging talents with a valuable platform for acknowledgement and visibility on the global stage. Hasselblad invites entrants to showcase their most inventive and extraordinary images to vie for a place in the distinguished group of Hasselblad Masters.
Hasselblad Masters Competition
The current Hasselblad Masters features increased prizes for each of the six category winners. In addition to the title of Hasselblad Master, each photographer will receive their own Hasselblad 100-megapixel mirrorless medium-format camera and two XCD series lenses, as well as an expanded creative fund of $5,493 (EUR 5,000). 
Furthermore, with their Hasselblad cameras, the winners will take part in a collaborative project with Hasselblad. The project may also be published in the commemorative Hasselblad Masters book and digitally on all Hasselblad channels.
The 2023 competition features a grand jury with diverse experiences in the photography industry:
- Stefan Jensen (Jury Chair): Photographer and Curator at the Hasselblad Foundation
- Andy Saunders: Senior Vice President at Getty Images
- Anne Farrar: Assistant Managing Editor of Photography at National Geographic
- Aya Musa: Senior Curator at Foam
- Jianguo Feng: Professor, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University
- Kirstie Johnstone: Creative Production Partner at AMV BBDO
- Maria Svarbova: Hasselblad Master 2018
- Marine Merindol: Global Director of Strategy and Operations at Magnum Photos
What’s more, the jury will judge potential Hasselblad Masters on their photographic ability, creativity, compositional skills, conceptual strength and technique. Voting will then open up to the public in addition to the Hasselblad grand jury.
Hasselblad Masters Categories
Following are the six Hasselblad Masters competition categories.
Landscape
Entries in the landscape category focus on natural or urban landscapes and reflect the photographers’ unique point of view. The grand jury hopes to see works that bring novel perspectives or deeper concepts. The submissions should invite viewers to view landscapes from entirely new perspectives.
Architecture
Architectural photography is an art that transfers three-dimensional structures into two-dimensional space. It is both a homage to architects and constructors and a recreation of architectural aesthetics. The grand jury wants to see works that not only capture the structure of the building and its relationship to its surroundings but enrich the viewer’s understanding and appreciation of the social, cultural as well as historical aspects of architecture.
Portrait
Portrait photography can convey the emotions of the subject and the photographer, allowing viewers to reflect on their own experiences. The grand jury looks forward to works that express more than just emotions from facial features but break through to reveal in-depth processes.
Street
The most eye-catching street photography often isn’t carefully staged. Rather, it is a specific moment in time or a story was fatefully captured at the press of the shutter. The grand jury hopes to see works that allow viewers to experience the atmosphere of the streets and reflect on the bond between humanity and society.
Art
Photographers often use portraits, landscapes as well as still life as carriers for expression that spark viewers to question, reflect and empathize. The grand jury looks forward to works that break the norm, challenge existing standards and take viewers on a profound journey through their novel creations.
Project//21
This category makes the Hasselblad stage an accessible platform unconstrained by themes and genres for photographers under the age of 21. Entrants can be amateur photographers, students, assistants or young professional photographers. The grand jury is seeking works that demonstrate a photographer’s skill set and innovative talents. The work should allow viewers to appreciate the visual charm of free exploration and imagination.
Hasselblad Masters 2023 is open for entries between December 14, 2023, and February 29, 2024. Hasselblad will announce the finalists for each category on April 19, 2023. The public voting and grand jury review open on the same day as the release of the finalists, from April to June 2024. Hasselblad will announce the final winners on June 26, 2024.
You can submit entries for Hasselblad Masters here. In addition, a complete list of rules for the Hasselblad Masters competition is found here.
