Over the course of one calendar year, an author can obtain only one Master of Light distinction.
- HONORARY DISTINCTION
Distinction in recognition of notable contribution to the development of the Master of Light Photographic Association
The distinction honorary Master of Light (hMoL) is awarded to authors or individuals of 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 may also be awarded to individuals who through their work have significantly contributed to the development of the Master of Light Photographic Association.
- COMPETITIVE DISTINCTIONS
Competitive distinctions are awarded to authors who have achieved notable results through their participation in international photographic exhibitions under the patronage of the Master of Light PA, FIAP and PSA.
2.1. Distinction in recognition of mastery of light in the field of photographic art
All authors must apply for c Master of Light distinction first.
The right to bear the contestant’s 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 contests under the patronage of the Master of Light:
As of the year 2016, at least 20 different photographs by the author were accepted at contests of international ranking, held under the patronage of the Master of LightoL PA in at least 5 different countries, whereof each photograph was accepted at no more than five salons.
The next stage in the progress of each author is the first star.
If the author wants to go direct for 2 or 3 stars – then must, along with application send additional collection of 5 works if want to avoid one stage (go to the c** MoL distinction) or collection of 10 works if want to go straight to c*** MoL distinction. All works must be according Master of Light standards. After evaluation each work separate and then whole collection, Artistic Council will decide if candidate worthy stars.
In case to Artistic Council refuse collection, next chance for application for next regular level is after 6 months, and for two or three stars after one year.
2.2. Distinction in recognition of notable mastery of light in the field of photographic art
The right to bear the contestant’s * 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 contests under the patronage of the MoL PA, FIAP and PSA:
As of the year 2016, at least 50 different photographs by the author were accepted at contests of international ranking, held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA in at least 10 different countries, whereof each photograph was accepted at no more than five salons, and at least 10 of the total number of salons were held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA in different countries. If, in addition to these requirements, the author has won at least 1 Master of Light diploma or medal, he is entitled to the one-starred competitor’s Master of Light distinction (c * MoL).
2.3. Distinction in recognition of outstanding mastery of light in the field of photographic art
The right to bear the contestant’s ** 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 contests under the patronage of the MoL PA, FIAP and PSA:
As of the year 2016, at least 100 different photographs by the author were accepted at contests of international ranking, held under the patronage of the Master of Light PA in at least 15 different countries, whereof each photograph was accepted at no more than five salons, and at least 20 of the total number of salons were held under the patronage of the MoL PA. If, in addition to these requirements, the author has won at least 3 Master of Light diplomas or medals, he is entitled to the two-starred competitor’s Master of Light distinction (c ** MoL).
2.4. Distinction in recognition of exceptional mastery of light in the field of photographic art
The right to bear the contestant’s *** 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 contests under the patronage of the MoL PA, FIAP and PSA:
As of the year 2016, at least 200 different photographs by the author were accepted at contests of international ranking, held under the patronage of the MoL PA, FIAP or PSA in at least 20 different countries, whereof each photograph was accepted at no more than five salons, and at least 30 of the total number of salons were held under the patronage of the MoL PA, in minimum 15 different countries. If, in addition to these requirements, the author has won at least 3 Master of Light medals, he is entitled to the highest, three-starred competitor’s Master of Light distinction (c ***MoL).
All requirements for the competitor’s distinctions are cumulative, meaning that the numbers of photographs, countries, salons and diplomas/medals calculated for achieving the lower competitor’s Master of Light distinctions also count towards the higher ones.
- ARTISTIC DISTINCTIONS
In order to be eligible for the artist’s Master of Light distinctions, authors must have the highest competitor’s distinction (c *** MoL) for at least one year.
3.1. Distinction in recognition of remarkable artistic merit in the field of art photography
The right to apply for the artist’s Master of Light Artist (MoL) distinction is granted to authors who provide evidence of having won at least 5 Master of Light medals (not including those won in the period leading up to the achievement of the highest competitor’s distinction).
Each photograph may be accepted at no more than ten salons with Master of Light patronage.
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 x 40 cm) and in digital format.
In order to be awarded the artist’s Master of Light Artist (MoL) distinction, the author must receive a 4:1 or 5:0 vote by the Artistic Council in favour of the collection.
3.2. Distinction in recognition of outstanding artistic merit in the field of art photography
The right to apply for the artist’s Master of Light Artist * (MoL*) distinction is granted to authors who provide evidence of having won at least 10 Master of Light medals, of which at least 5 golden ones (not including those won in the period leading up to the achievement of the highest competitor’s distinction).
Each photograph may be accepted at no more than ten salons with Master of Light patronage.
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 x 40 cm) and in digital format.
In order to be awarded the artist’s Master of Light Artist* (MoL *) distinction, the author must receive a 4:1 or 5:0 vote by the Artistic Council in favour of the collection.
3.3. Distinction in recognition of highest artistic merit in the field of art photography
The right to apply for the artist’s Master of Light Artist ** (MoL**) distinction is granted to authors who provide evidence of having won at least 10 Master of Light gold medals (not including those won in the period leading up to the achievement of the highest competitor’s distinction).
Each photograph may be accepted at no more than ten salons with Master of Light patronage.
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 x 40 cm) and in digital format.
In order to be awarded the artist’s Master of Light Artist ** (MoL**) distinction, the author must receive the Artistic Council’s unanimous vote in favour of the collection.
3.4. The right to apply for the artist’s Master of Light Artist *** (MoL***) distinction is granted to authors who provide evidence of having won at least 20 Master of Light gold medals (not including those won in the period leading up to the achievement of the highest competitor’s distinction).
Each photograph may be accepted at no more than ten salons with Master of Light patronage.
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 x 40 cm) and in digital format.
In order to be awarded the artist’s Master of Light Artist *** (MoL***) distinction, the author must receive the Artistic Council’s unanimous vote in favour of the collection.
Author’s collection
A collection must possess an author’s distinctive artistic handwriting, rendering his 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 author submits to the Artistic Council a collection on a topic he 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 free.
Artistic Council
The Artistic Council of the Master of Light Photographic Association is an international body, consisting of at least 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 he 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, never before.
The Artistic Council convenes once per year.
Important Notice :
For applications received after Feb 1, 2019, the fee for each competitor distinction (c MoL) is 50€, to be paid after the application is approved.
For applications received after Feb 1, 2020, the fee for each Master of Light Artist distinction (MoL) is 100€, to be paid after the application is approved.