Photo Contest Finalists Celebrate Traditional Photography

Beginner | February 5, 2026

✨ Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your tutor.

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Traditional Photography Competition Finalists and the “No Heavy Editing” Rule

These days, a lot of photos get polished with strong filters and digital effects. This story follows the traditional photography competition finalists who were chosen for a contest that rewards real-world skill over flashy edits. But one international competition is going in the opposite direction. The NTD International Photography Competition says it wants to “preserve traditional aesthetics.” In simple terms, the photos should look natural and realistic, with a focus on beauty, kindness, and a clear story. (The Epoch Times)

Finalists Announced in New York City

In January 2026, the organizers announced the finalists for the 5th competition. They selected works from 110 photographers across 24 countries. (The Epoch Times) The finalists’ photos will be shown in the Skylight Gallery & Parlor at the Salmagundi Club in New York City from January 27 to January 31, 2026. The exhibition is open to the public and free to attend. (Salmagundi Club)

What “Traditional” Means Here

The head judge, Bing Dai, has worked as a photographer for over 40 years and says many modern contests reward “odd” or overly abstract images. This competition asks photographers to avoid digital editing that changes the reality of the scene. However, small adjustments like brightness, sharpness, and color balance are still allowed—basically, clean-up work, not “make-believe” work.

How Judges Choose the Winners

The judging process is pretty practical. First, the judges ask: What’s the theme? Dai says the theme is “the soul” of a photo. Then they look at skill—things like composition, clarity, and resolution. In other words, the photo needs a strong message and strong technique.

Prize Money and Special Awards

The competition has a total prize fund of $38,000, including two $5,000 gold awards and three $2,000 special awards (or an equivalent value in photography products/equipment). (The Epoch Times) This year also includes special awards for Best Chinese Photographer, Best Sports Photography, and Best Work Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of American Independence. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on January 29, 2026 at the Salmagundi Club. (NTD Photo Competition)

Why Traditional Photography Competition Finalists Matter (Even If You’re Not a Photographer)

Here’s the business-casual takeaway: the traditional photography competition finalists show that in a world full of “perfect-looking” content, authentic work still stands out. in a world full of “perfect-looking” content, authentic work stands out. This contest is basically saying, “Don’t hide behind editing—show the real moment.” That’s a helpful lesson for English learners too: you don’t need perfect English to communicate. You need a clear message and solid fundamentals.

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Vocabulary

1. finalist (noun) – a person chosen as one of the best in a competition.
   Example: She became a finalist after the judges reviewed thousands of photos.
2. aesthetics (noun) – the style or visual beauty of something.
   Example: The contest focuses on traditional aesthetics instead of trendy filters.
3. naturalistic (adjective) – looking realistic and true to real life.
   Example: The photos are naturalistic and not overly edited.
4. preserve (verb) – to keep something safe and unchanged over time.
   Example: The organizers want to preserve traditional photography values.
5. exhibition (noun) – a public show where art or products are displayed.
   Example: The exhibition runs from January 27 to January 31.
6. composition (noun) – how parts of a photo are arranged.
   Example: Good composition helps the viewer understand the story quickly.
7. clarity (noun) – how clear and easy something is to see or understand.
   Example: The image had great clarity, even in low light.
8. resolution (noun) – the level of detail in an image.
   Example: High resolution makes the photo look sharp and professional.
9. adjustment (noun) – a small change to improve something.
   Example: He made a small adjustment to brightness before submitting the photo.
10. award ceremony (noun) – an event where winners receive prizes.
    Example: The award ceremony will take place on January 29.

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Discussion Questions (About the Article)

1. Why does this competition prefer “traditional” photography instead of heavily edited images?
2. What details surprised you most (countries, photographers, dates, prizes)?
3. Do you agree that a clear theme is the “soul” of a photo? Why or why not?
4. What is the difference between small adjustments (brightness) and heavy digital editing?
5. How could this “authenticity” idea apply to your English speaking practice?

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Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

1. Do you trust photos online today? Why or why not?
2. When is editing helpful, and when does it become misleading?
3. What is one “authentic” skill you want to improve this year (English, fitness, work, etc.)?
4. How do social media trends influence what people think is “beautiful”?
5. If you entered a photography contest, what would you photograph and why?

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Related Idiom

“Back to basics” – returning to simple, foundational skills.

Example: This contest is a “back to basics” moment for photography—less editing, more real skill.

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This article was inspired by

• The Epoch Times
• Salmagundi Club
• NTD Photo Competition

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