Pulitzer Prize Board Announces Significant Revisions to Photography Eligibility Requirements

The Pulitzer Prize Board today announced significant revisions to the definitions of the Breaking News Photography and Feature Photography categories and to the entry guidelines and eligibility requirements for these categories.

The changes are being publicized well in advance of the opening of the 2024 competition later this year to facilitate ease of compliance before the contest deadline.

“Technological innovations have made it easier to manipulate photographs and Pulitzer wants to ensure that we are honoring original work that has not been significantly altered,” said Marjorie Miller, administrator of the Prizes. “These changes reflect the best practices of photojournalism today, and are consistent with those of other journalism contests.”

The new definitions for the photography prize categories are: 

For a distinguished example of Breaking News Photography, which may be a single photograph or series of photographs of an event that occurs with no advance notice and requires spontaneous coverage in the moment, Fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).

For a distinguished example of Feature Photography, which may be a single photograph or series of photographs of general news that may be taken over time and that illuminate a subject in great depth, Fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).

The entry and eligibility guidelines for 2024 are:

No photographs should be manipulated in ways that significantly alter the original image. Standard cropping and editing are permissible and acceptable.

Multiple exposure photographs are not permitted.

Entries in Breaking News Photography and Feature Photography must include original, unedited (i.e. as recorded by the camera) versions of submitted images. 

Screenshots will not be accepted in lieu of original images. A new prompt on the entry form will enable entrants to submit folders with the camera-recorded images.

Judges will compare the entry photo or photos with the original frame or frames to determine whether the editing process is within the bounds of reasonable cropping and editing. Among their considerations:

• Has the editing resulted in the removal or reordering of some aspect of the original?
• Has the editing either highlighted or obscured some aspect of the image to such an extent that it alters the character of the photo in a significant way?

If the judges believe either of these seem to hold true, then the photograph has been altered to a significant degree.

All camera-recorded and entered photos must include original metadata. No screenshots of metadata will be accepted.

As always, any photo submitted in the competition must have been published online or in print. Proof of publication must be provided for an entry to be eligible.  

Proof includes publication by an eligible U.S.-based newspaper, magazine or news site that updates regularly during the calendar year.

A blog or news site operated by a U.S.-based agency or wire service would satisfy the publication requirement. Agencies or wire services based outside the United States must continue to submit proof of publication from eligible U.S.-based newspapers, magazines and non-broadcast news sites that update regularly during the calendar year.  The availability of a photo for purchase on a site does not constitute publication under the new rules.

The Pulitzer Journalism competition and entry site will open in December 2023.

The Pulitzer Office stands ready to assist with any inquiries as entrants begin to consider potential submissions. Please contact us at pulitzer@pulitzer.org or (212) 854-3841 if you have any questions.