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The Master of Light Photographic Association (MoL PA) offers three types of distinctions:
1. HONORARY DISTINCTION: Awarded upon evaluation and invitation by Master of Light PA.
It is not an obligation for the Master of Light PA to award distinctions, nor is it a right of an author to be granted a distinction upon applying. The Master of Light PA (Artistic Council) reserves the right to award or deny any distinction to an applicant.
The Honorary Master of Light (h MoL) distinction is bestowed upon authors with a distinctive artistic style or approach who have achieved the highest levels of artistic excellence in photography and have made a specific, personal mark in this art form. This distinction is not granted through application. The Master of Light PA Artistic Council selects deserving authors and bestows this distinction upon them through invitation as a token of recognition for their significant contributions to the field of art photography. This distinction may also be awarded to individuals who, through their work, have made significant contributions to the development of the Master of Light Photographic Association.
Competitive distinctions are awarded to authors, who have achieved notable results through their participation in international photographic exhibitions (salons).
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 under the patronage of the Master of Light PA:
At least 20 different photographic works by the author have been accepted at international exhibitions.
(Note: One work may have a maximum of 5 acceptances. After the 5th acceptance, this work may be listed in accepted works at various photo contests, but it will not be calculated for the distinction.)
At least 5 of the total photographic works have received at least 3 acceptances in exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA.
At least 5 of these international exhibitions have been held in different countries under the patronage of the Master of Light PA.
Applicants for this distinction must, along with their application, submit 5 photographic works, each of which has 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, with each image sized at 1920×1080 pixels.
Upon successful verification of the application and the received works, the Competitive Master of Light (c MoL) distinction may be awarded to the applicant.
However, authors have the option to bypass c* MoL and apply directly for one of the following distinctions:
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 entire collection. The evaluation involves careful consideration of technical standards, the author’s signature style, and the integrity of the collection.
The successful author will be granted the star distinction applied for. Please refer to the respective star distinction section below for further details.
The fee for an author bypassing one stage is €100, and for bypassing two stages, it is €200.
The Competitive One-starred Master of Light (c* MoL) distinction is granted to authors who hold the c MoL distinction and can provide evidence of achieving the following results through their participation in international photographic exhibitions under the patronage of the Master of Light PA:
At least 50 different photographic works by the author have been accepted in international exhibitions. (Note: One work may have a maximum of 5 acceptances. After the 5th acceptance, this work may be listed in accepted works at various photo contests, but it will not be calculated for distinction.)
At least 6 of the photographic works have a minimum of 3 acceptances each in the international exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light. These works must be different from the 5 works submitted for the c MoL distinction.
At least 10 of these international exhibitions have been held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA, in different countries.
The author must have won at least one Master of Light diploma or medal.
Applicants for this distinction must, along with their application, submit 6 photographic works, each having at least 3 acceptances, 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, with each image sized at 1920×1080 pixels.
If the Master of Light PA Artistic Council determines that the author meets all the criteria, it grants the One-starred Competitive Master of Light (c* MoL) distinction. In case the Artistic Council refuses the distinction, the next opportunity for application is after 6 months from the date of the initial application.
However, authors have the extraordinary option to bypass the Two-starred Competitive Master of Light (c⭐⭐ MoL) and apply directly for the Three-starred Competitive Master of Light (c⭐⭐⭐ MoL) distinction by providing evidence for the criteria listed in section 2.4 below, and submitting 20 photographic works meeting the Master of Light standard.
The submitted works must be in digital format with a size of 1920×1080 pixels. The Master of Light PA Artistic Council evaluates each work separately and then the entire collection. The Artistic Council gives special attention to technical standards, the author’s signature style, and the integrity of the collection.
If the Artistic Council determines that the author meets all the criteria, it grants the Three-starred Competitive Master of Light (c⭐⭐⭐ MoL) distinction. In case the Artistic Council refuses the distinction, the next opportunity for application is after 1 year from the date of the initial application.
The fee for an author who bypasses the Two-starred Competitive Master of Light (c⭐⭐ MoL) and goes directly to the Three-starred Competitive Master of Light (c⭐⭐⭐ MoL) is 100€.
The Competitive Two-starred Master of Light (c⭐⭐ MoL) distinction is granted to authors who hold the c⭐ MoL distinction and provide evidence of achieving the following results through their participation in international photographic exhibitions under the patronage of the Master of Light PA:
At least 100 different photographic works by the author have been accepted in international exhibitions. (Note: One work may have a maximum of 5 acceptances. After the 5th acceptance, this work may be listed in accepted works at various photo contests, but it will not be calculated for distinction.)
These works have been accepted in exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA in at least 15 different countries.
At least 20 of these international exhibitions have been held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA.
At least 7 of the photographic works have a minimum of 3 acceptances each in the international exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA. These works must be different from the 6 works submitted for the c⭐ MoL distinction.
The author must have won at least 3 Master of Light diplomas or medals.
Applicants for this distinction must, along with their application, submit 7 photographic works, each having at least 3 acceptances, including the works that have won a Master of Light diploma or medal, in the exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA.
If the Master of Light PA Artistic Council determines that the author meets all the criteria, it grants the Two-starred Competitive Master of Light (c⭐⭐ MoL) distinction. In case the Artistic Council refuses the distinction, the next opportunity for application is after 6 months from the date of the initial application.
The Competitive Three-starred Master of Light (c⭐⭐⭐ MoL) distinction is granted to authors who hold the c⭐⭐ MoL distinction and provide evidence of achieving the following results through their participation in international photographic exhibitions under the patronage of the Master of Light PA, Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique (FIAP), or the Photographic Society of America (PSA), in at least 20 different countries:
At least 200 different photographic works by the author have been accepted in international exhibitions. (Note: One work may have a maximum of 5 acceptances. After the 5th acceptance, this work may be listed in accepted works at various photo contests, but it will not be calculated for distinction.)
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. At least 20 of the photographic works have a minimum of 3 acceptances each in the international exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA.
The author must have won at least 3 Master of Light medals. Applicants for this distinction must, along with their application, submit 20 photographic works, each having at least 3 acceptances, including the works that have won the Master of Light medals, in the exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA.
If the Master of Light PA Artistic Council determines that the author meets all the criteria, it grants the Three-starred Competitive Master of Light (c⭐⭐⭐ MoL) distinction. In case the Artistic Council refuses the distinction, the next opportunity for application is after 6 months from the date of the initial application.
The Artistic Distinctions represent the next level after Competitor-level distinctions. To be eligible for the Master of Light Artists distinctions, authors must have held the highest Competitor distinction (c⭐⭐⭐ MoL) for at least one year
Authors who have completed at least one year after achieving the c⭐⭐⭐ MoL distinction may apply for the Master of Light Artist (MoL A) distinction by providing evidence of having earned at least 5 Master of Light medals in exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA, excluding those won during the period leading to the attainment of the highest competitive distinction.
Authors meeting these criteria are granted the right to submit a collection of 10 works on paper (30×40 cm) and in digital format (1920×1080 pixels) to the Artistic Council of the Master of Light Photographic Association.
For the author to be awarded the Master of Light Artist (MoL A) distinction, the collection of works submitted must receive a 4:1 or 5:0 vote from the Artistic Council.
Authors cannot bypass stages in artistic distinctions.
Authors who have completed at least one year after achieving the Master of Light Artist (MoL A) distinction may apply for the Master of Light Artist ⭐ (MoL⭐A) distinction by providing evidence of earning at least 10 Master of Light medals, including a minimum of 5 gold medals, in exhibitions held under the patronage of MoL PA, excluding those won during the period leading to the attainment of the Artist distinction.
Authors meeting these criteria 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 works must be distinct from those submitted for the Master of Light Artist distinction.
To be awarded the Master of Light ⭐ Artist ⭐ (MoL⭐A) distinction, the collection of works submitted by the author must receive a 4:1 or 5:0 vote from the Artistic Council.
Authors who have completed at least one year after achieving the Master of Light Artist ⭐ (MoL⭐A) distinction may apply for the Master of Light ⭐⭐ Artist (MoL⭐⭐A) distinction by providing evidence of having earned at least 10 Master of Light gold medals in exhibitions held under the patronage of MoL PA, excluding those won during the period leading to the achievement of the Master of Light Artist ⭐A 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⭐⭐A) distinction, the collection of works submitted by the author must receive a unanimous favorable vote from the Artistic Council.
Authors who have completed at least one year after achieving the MoL⭐⭐A distinction may apply for the Master of Light ⭐⭐⭐ Artist (MoL ⭐⭐⭐A) distinction by providing evidence of having earned at least 20 Master of Light gold medals in exhibitions held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA, excluding those won during the period leading to the achievement of the Master of Light Artist⭐⭐ distinction.
Authors meeting these criteria 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⭐⭐⭐ A) distinction, the collection of works submitted by the author must receive a unanimous favorable vote from the Artistic Council.
A collection of photographic works must bear the distinctive artistic signature of the author, making their photographs easily distinguishable and recognizable amid a multitude of others.
The collection should not only be visually compact but also exhibit coherence in format and technical execution. The content of the collection, conveying a narrative through the photographs, must exhibit a common thread that connects and unites them. Whether the submitted collection delves into a topic the author has extensively explored in the past or represents a completely new project is inconsequential to the evaluation of the collection.
In addition to assessing the collection’s content, the Artistic Council will also evaluate the technical proficiency of the submitted photographs, reflecting the skill level of the author. The photographic technique and genre are entirely open for consideration.
Photographic works submitted in digital format must be in JPEG format in the sRGB color space, with dimensions of 1920 pixels on the longer edge and 1080 pixels on the shorter edge.
Photographic works submitted in print format, where applicable, must be sized at 30 cm x 40 cm and unmounted.
When submitting applications for Competitor distinctions, ensure that the application form does not list more than 5 acceptances per photographic work.
The Artistic Council of the Master of Light Photographic Association is an international body comprised of five members.
Each member of the Council is a distinguished author, holding the highest distinctions in the field of photography and possessing expertise in the specific area they are called upon to judge.
The names of the Artistic Council members are disclosed only after the contest for the distinctions has concluded.
The Council convenes annually to assess submissions and make decisions. It’s important to note that the decisions of the Artistic Council are final, and no appeals will be entertained.
For each Competitive distinction (c MoL, c⭐MoL, c⭐⭐MoL, c⭐⭐⭐MoL), a fee of €50 must be paid after the application is approved.
If an author holding the c MoL or a higher-level competitive distinction desires to bypass one level and advance to the subsequent level in the series, the applicable fee is €100.
If the author wishes to bypass two levels, the applicable fee is €200. These fees must be paid after the application is approved.
For each Master of Light Artist distinction (MoL A, MoL⭐ A, MoL⭐⭐ A, MoL⭐⭐⭐ A), a fee of €100 must be paid after the application is approved.
