1. Honorary Distinction

The distinction Honorary Master of Light (h MoL) is awarded to authors having a distinctive artistic style or approach, who have reached the highest of artistic achievements in photography and have left a specific personal mark in this art form. This distinction is not given by application. The Master of Light PA Artistic Council chooses the deserving authors and confers this distinction on them, by invitation, as a token of recognition of their contribution to the field of art photography.

This distinction may also be awarded to individuals, who through their work, have significantly contributed to the development of the Master of Light Photographic Association.

2. Competitive Distinctions

Competitive distinctions are awarded to authors, who have achieved notable results through their participation in international photographic exhibitions (salons).

This line of distinctions has 4 levels. It starts with Competitive Master of Light (c MoL), proceeds to one-starred Competitive Master of Light (c* MoL) and goes up to three stars (c*** MoL) based on the performance of an individual in international exhibitions and display of mastery in art photography.

It is mandatory for an author to apply for c MoL and obtain it first, before going to further levels of distinctions.

All requirements for the Competitive distinctions are cumulative, meaning that the numbers of photographic works, countries, salons, and diplomas/medals calculated for achieving the lower Competitive Master of Light distinctions also count towards the higher ones, except the requirement of sending the accepted and awarded pictures with the application of each level, as applicable.

The accompanying pictures must be different for each level.

2.1 Distinction in recognition of mastery of light in the field of photographic art: c MoL

The Competitive Master of Light (c MoL) distinction is granted to authors who provide evidence of having achieved the following results through their participation in international photographic exhibitions:

1. At least 20 different photographic works by the author have been accepted at international exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA.
2. At least 5 of the total photographic works have at least 3 acceptances in the exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA.
3. At least 5 of these international exhibitions have been held in different countries, under the patronage of the Master of Light PA.

An applicant to this distinction must, along with the application, submit 5 photographic works each of which have been accepted in at least 3 exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA. These works must be submitted in digital format and each image size shall be 1920×1080 pixels.

After successful verification of the application and received works, the Competitive Master of Light (c MoL) distinction may be awarded to the applicant.

The next stage in the progress of an author is the first star (c* MoL).

However, an author has the option to bypass c* MoL and apply directly for one of the following:

• c** MoL by sending 10 different photographic works meeting the Master of Light standards, along with the application, provided other criteria are met.
• c*** MoL by sending 20 different photographic works meeting the Master of Light standards, along with the application, provided other criteria are met.

The Master of Light PA Artistic Council evaluates each work separately and then the whole collection. Artistic Council will evaluate with special care technical standards, author’s signature style and integrity of the collection.

The successful author will be granted the star distinction applied to.

Please read the respective star distinction section below for further details.

Fee for author whom bypass one stage is 100€ and for bypass two stage is 200€

2.2 Distinction in recognition of notable mastery of light in the field of photographic art: c* MoL

The Competitive * Master of Light (c* MoL) distinction is granted to authors who hold the c MoL distinction and provide evidence of having achieved the following results through their participation in international photographic exhibitions:

1. At least 50 different photographic works by the author have been accepted in international exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA.
2. At least 6 of the photographic works have minimum 3 acceptances each, in the international exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light. Works must be different from 5 works given for c MoL distinction.
3. At least 10 of these international exhibitions have been held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA, in different countries.
4. Have won at least a Master of Light diploma or medal.

An applicant to this distinction must, along with the application, submit 6 photographic works that have at least 3 acceptances each, including a work that has won the MoL diploma or medal, in the exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA. These works must be in digital format and each image size shall be 1920×1080 pixels.

If the Master of Light PA Artistic Council determines that the author meets all the criteria, then it grants the One-starred Competitive Master of Light (c* MoL) distinction to the author.

In case the Artistic Council refuses the distinction, next chance for application is after 6 months from the date of application.

The next stage in the progress of an author is the two-star (c** MoL).

However, an author has the extraordinary option to bypass c** MoL and apply directly for c*** MoL distinction by providing evidence for the criteria 1) to 4) listed in section 2.4 below and submitting 20 photographic works meeting the Master of Light standard.

Submitted works must be in digital format and have the size of 1920×1080 pixels.  The Master of Light PA Artistic Council evaluates each work separately and then the whole collection. Artistic Council will with special care evaluate technical standards, author’s signature style and integrity of the collection.

If the Artistic Council determines that the author meets all the criteria, then it grants the Three-starred Competitive Master of Light (c*** MoL) distinction to the author. In case the Artistic Council refuses the distinction, next chance for application is after 1 year from the date of application.

Fee for author who bypasses c** MoL and goes directly to c*** MoL is 100€

2.3. Distinction in recognition of outstanding mastery of light in the field of photographic art: c** MoL

The Competitive ** Master of Light (c** MoL) distinction is granted to authors who hold the c* MoL distinction and provide evidence of having achieved the following results through their participation in international photographic exhibitions:

1. At least 100 different photographic works by the author have been accepted in international exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA, in 15 different countries.
2. At least 20 of these international exhibitions have been held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA.
3. At least 7 of the photographic works have at least 3 acceptances each, in the international exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA. Works must be different from 5 works given for c* MoL distinction.
4. Have won at least 3 Master of Light diploma or medal.

An applicant to this distinction must, along with the application, submit 7 photographic works that have at least 3 acceptances each including the photographic works that have won a Master of Light diploma or medal, in the exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA.

2.4. Distinction in recognition of exceptional mastery of light in the field of photographic art: c*** MoL

The Competitive *** Master of Light (c*** MoL) distinction is granted to authors who hold the c** MoL distinction and provide evidence of having achieved the following results through their participation in international photographic exhibitions:

1. At least 200 different photographic works by the author have been accepted in international exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA or Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique (FIAP) or the Photographic Society of America (PSA), in at least 20 different countries.
2. At least 30 of these international exhibitions have been held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA, in at least 15 different countries.
3. At least 20 of the photographic works have at least 3 acceptances each, in the international exhibitions held under the patronage of MoL PA.
4. Have won at least 3 Master of Light medals.

An applicant to this distinction must, along with the application, submit 20 photographic works that have at least 3 acceptances each, including the works that have won the Master of Light medals, in the exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA.

3. Artistic Distinctions

The Artistic Distinctions are the next level after Competitor level distinctions. To be eligible for the Master of Light Artists distinctions, authors must have the highest Competitor distinction (c*** MoL) for at least one year.

3.1. Distinction in recognition of remarkable artistic merit in the field of art photography

Authors who have completed at least one year after achieving the c*** MoL distinction may apply for the Master of Light Artist (MoL) distinction, by providing evidence of having at least 5 Master of Light medals in the exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA, not including those won in the period leading to the achievement of the highest competitive distinction.

Authors fulfilling these requirements are granted the right to submit to the Artistic Council of the Master of Light Photographic Association, a collection of 10 works on paper (30×40 cm) and in digital format (1920×1080 pixels)

To be awarded the Master of Light Artist (MoL) distinction, the collection of works submitted by the author must receive a 4:1 or 5:0 vote by the Artistic Council.

3.2. Distinction in recognition of superior artistic merit in the field of art photography: MoL *

Authors who have completed at least one year after achieving the Master of Light Artist (MoL) distinction may apply for the Master of Light Artist * (MoL*) distinction, by providing evidence of having at least 10 Master of Light medals, of which at least 5 are gold medals, in the exhibitions held under the patronage of MoL PA, not including those won in the period leading to the achievement of the Artist distinction.

Authors fulfilling these requirements are granted the right to submit to the Artistic Council of the Master of Light Photographic Association, a collection of 30 works on paper (30×40 cm) and in digital format (1920×1080 pixels). All woks must be different than those submitted for Master of Light Artist distinction.

To be awarded the Master of Light Artist * (MoL*) distinction, the collection of works submitted by the author must receive a 4:1 or 5:0 vote by the Artistic Council.

3.3. Distinction in recognition of outstanding artistic merit in the field of art photography: MoL **

Authors who have completed at least one year after achieving the Master of Light Artist * (MoL*) distinction may apply for the Master of Light Artist ** (MoL**) distinction, by providing evidence of having at least 10 Master of Light gold medals, in the exhibitions held under the patronage of MoL PA, not including those won in the period leading to the achievement of the Master of Light Artist * distinction.

Authors fulfilling these requirements are granted the right to submit to the Artistic Council of the Master of Light Photographic Association, a collection of 50 works on paper (30×40 cm) and in digital format (1920×1080 pixels)

To be awarded the Master of Light Artist ** (MoL**) distinction, the collection of works submitted by the author must receive unanimous favouring vote by the Artistic Council.

3.4. Distinction in recognition of highest artistic merit in the field of art photography: MoL **

Authors who have completed at least one year after achieving the c***MoL distinction may apply for the Master of Light Artist *** (MoL***) distinction, by providing evidence of having at least 20 Master of Light gold medals, in the exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA, not including those won in the period leading to the achievement of the Master of Light Artist distinction.

Authors fulfilling these requirements are granted the right to submit to the Artistic Council of the Master of Light Photographic Association, a collection of 100 works on paper (30×40 cm) and in digital format (1920×1080 pixels)

To be awarded the Master of Light Artist *** (MoL***) distinction, the collection of works submitted by the author must receive unanimous favouring vote by the Artistic Council.

Author can’t bypass stages in artistic distinctions.

Author’s Collection

A collection of photographic works must possess an author’s distinctive artistic signature, rendering the author’s photographs distinguishable and recognizable among a myriad of others. The collection must be compact in its visual form, as well as in its format and technical execution. The content of the collection (the story narrated by the photographs in the collection) must have a common thread, connecting and uniting them. Whether the submitted collection is on a topic that the author has been working on thoroughly in the past, or the collection represents a brand-new project, is of no consequence to the assessment of the collection. In addition to the collection’s content, the Artistic Council will also judge the technical level of the submitted photographs and, thus, of the author. The photographic technique and the genre are completely open.

Photographic works submitted in digital format must be in JPEG format in sRGB colour space, with 1920 pixels on the longer edge and 1080 pixels on the shorter edge.

Photographic works submitted in print format where applicable, must be 30 cm x 40 cm in size and unmounted.

While sending the applications for Competitor distinctions, ensure that you do not list more than 5 acceptance per photographic work, in the application form.

Artistic Council

The Artistic Council of the Master of Light Photographic Association is an international body, consisting  five members. Each member of the Council is a respected author, bearing the highest distinctions in the world of photography, and an expert in the area that the author has been summoned to judge.

The names of the members of the Artistic Council are revealed only after the contest for the distinctions has been closed.

The Artistic Council convenes once a year. Decision of the Artistic Council is final, and no appeal will be entertained.

Payment of Fees

For each Competitive distinction (c MoL, c*MoL, c**MoL, c***MoL), a fee of €50 has to be paid after the application is approved.

In case an author holding the c MoL or a higher-level competitive distinction wishes to bypass one level and go to the subsequent level in the series, then the applicable fee is €100. In case the author wishes to bypass two levels, then the applicable fee is €200. These fees must be paid after the application is approved.

For each Master of Light Artist distinction (MoL, MoL*, MoL**, MoL***), a fee of €100 has to be paid after the application is approved.