Can I still enter Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 (LOBA)?

No. Entries for the 2026 edition closed on February 28, 2026. Check the official site for the next edition, or look at contests that are currently open.

Does Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 (LOBA) allow AI-generated images?

No. Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 (LOBA) does not permit AI-generated images in its competition entries.

When is the Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 (LOBA) entry deadline?

Entries for Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 (LOBA) close on February 28, 2026.

How much does it cost to enter Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 (LOBA)?

Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 (LOBA) is free to enter.

In judgingLeica Camera AG

Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 (LOBA)

The Leica Oskar Barnack Award is one of the longest-running documentary photography awards in Europe, founded in 1979 and named after the inventor of the 35 mm camera. The 2026 cycle introduces a parallel LOBA Women Grant for projects by professional female photographers, separate from the nomination-based main award. The 2026 jury was announced in April; winners are presented at Photokina-adjacent events later in the year. Submissions must be projects of 10 to 12 photographs documenting the relationship between people and their environment.

AI banned

Deadline: February 28, 2026
Entry fee: Free entrySee all free photo contests 2026

Official site Read full rules

The 2026 edition has ended

Entries closed on February 28, 2026. The information on this page describes this edition and stays available as a reference for the rules and the results.

Still open for entries

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Authenticity policy

AI policy

Submitted photos must not have been manipulated or altered other than standard image optimizations such as colour intensity or cropping.
Source: https://www.leica-oskar-barnack-award.com/en/applying/contest-rules.html

RAW files

Not specified

Editing rules

Standard image optimizations such as colour intensity adjustments and cropping are explicitly permitted; any further manipulation or alteration is not. The wording predates the generative-AI debate but the constraint to standard optimizations is generally understood to exclude generative AI tools and significant content alteration.

Verified on June 12, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Can I still enter Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 (LOBA)?: No. Entries for the 2026 edition closed on February 28, 2026. Check the official site for the next edition, or look at contests that are currently open.
Does Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 (LOBA) allow AI-generated images?: No. Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 (LOBA) does not permit AI-generated images in its competition entries.
When is the Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 (LOBA) entry deadline?: Entries for Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 (LOBA) close on February 28, 2026.
How much does it cost to enter Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 (LOBA)?: Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 (LOBA) is free to enter.

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