I’m new. What is the North Shore Challenge?
The North Shore Challenge is an open-themed photographic competition of excellence featuring images entered by clubs and individuals based in British Columbia and the Yukon. Challenge 2026 culminates with a Gala Event on Zoom, on March 7, 2026. Competition images will be shown, winners announced and judges make comments on winning and selected images.
How long has the North Shore Challenge been around?
The North Shore Photographic Challenge was first held in 1985. Challenge 2026 is the 41st North Shore Challenge.
When is the next North Shore Photographic Challenge Gala Event?
Competition entries for this year are no longer being accepted. The Challenge 2026 Gala Event is March 7, 2026, 7:00 PM (Pacific) on Zoom.
What makes the North Shore Challenge unique?
There are two main reasons the North Shore Challenge is unique. First, it is a combined competition of images from individual photographers and images submitted by camera clubs. Most competitions are either one or the other. The second compelling reason is that during the live Gala Event, after all the images are shown and scores announced, each of the judges will be providing comments on selected images from the Challenge including all six medal winners.
My plans are very fluid and I don’t know if I can attend. How late can I buy a ticket to attend the North Shore Challenge Gala Event?
Tickets will be sold until 3 pm (Pacific) on Saturday, March 7th on the North Shore Challenge website.
I do not live in British Columbia or the Yukon. Can I attend the Challenge 2026 Gala Event on March 7?
Yes. Anyone with an Internet connection may attend on Zoom after purchasing a Gala Event ticket and receiving their unique login link and details.
Will there be a significant delay in obtaining judges’ scores and results on Gala Event night March 7th?
Judging for Challenge 2026 will be completed prior to the Gala Event and kept secret until March 7th. All tie breaks will be decided ahead of time as well. Gala Event night will therefore be devoted to displaying the images, announcing the winners and hearing judges’ comments on the winning and selected images, with no delays related to judging or scoring.
Is there a Guest Speaker, door/raffle prizes or People’s Choice for Challenge 2026?
The short answer is no.
The Guest Speaker was introduced during the pandemic in 2021, the first year of the Challenge being held online. It was a wonderful addition, but did make the event a very long evening, lasting about 6 hours. In response to concerns about the length of the event it has been eliminated.
Door/raffle prizes are also removed from the Gala Event to shorten the evening. The raffle was introduced pre-pandemic and was successful in raising funds for NSPS; however, with the online event our costs have been reduced and raising extra funds for NSPS is no longer necessary.
The People’s Choice is also eliminated in response to concerns about the length of the evening. Since it focused on images created by NSPS members, the Challenge Organizing Committee felt it could be better held at an NSPS members event.
What time can I expect the North Shore Challenge to end?
The Gala Event on March 7, 2026 is expected to end by approximately 9:45 pm (Pacific).
FAQs About Entering the North Shore Challenge Competition
When can I enter the North Shore Challenge 2026?
Entries for Challenge 2026 closed at 11:59 PM (Pacific) on January 18, 2026, and are no longer being accepted.
Can I enter a photograph that I enhanced using generative artificial intelligence (AI)?
No. Images created or modified using one or more AI tools will be disqualified. Please refer to the Challenge 2026 Artificial Intelligence FAQ's page for more details.
Can I submit an image into the North Shore Challenge that has been submitted in prior North Shore Challenges?
No, an image submitted to a past North Shore Challenge is not eligible for North Shore Challenge 2026.
I have won an award in CAPA or in another photographic competition with my image. Can I still submit it to the North Shore Challenge?
Yes, it is eligible so long as it has not been submitted previously to the North Shore Challenge.
Does image size matter?
Yes, size matters... it affects how your image will be displayed.
Image dimensions: Maximum width (horizontal) 1400 pixels. Maximum height (vertical) 1050 pixels. It is recommended that at least one dimension be the maximum pixels allowed.
All aspect ratios are allowed. Each image must be: in the sRGB colour space, and saved in jpg or JPG format (jpeg or JPEG file extensions won't work).
If I submit two images in the Individual category, when will I know which image will proceed to the Gala Event show?
All images entered are scored by a panel of judges. The highest scoring image proceeds to the show on March 7th. Where a photographer receives the same score for both submitted images, the judges decide which image is to proceed to the show.
Photographers who submitted two images will be advised by mid-February 2026 of the score of their image which did not advance to the Gala Event show.
If I have problems submitting my images or paying the entry fee, what do I do?
If you have questions, concerns or trouble with payment or uploading your images, please email: challenge2026@nsps.ca
Can two clubs enter images by the same photographer, even if different?
No... photographers who are members of multiple clubs may have their work submitted by ONLY one club to the North Shore Challenge. Where more than one club wishes to use a given photographer's work--even if different images--the photographer must decide which club may include their work in it's entry to the club-submitted category of the Challenge.
What happens if one of the images I submit to the Individual category is selected by my Club to be part of the Club submission?
No single image can be included in both the Club category and Individual category. If an image already submitted to the Individual category was chosen by your club for the Club category, please email: challenge2026@nsps.ca. You will be given the opportunity to submit a substitute image to the Individual category.
If I submit images, do I have to pay another fee to attend the Gala Event on Saturday March 7, 2026?
If you entered the Individual competition, your $20 entry fee includes admission to the Gala Event on Zoom on Saturday March 7, 2026. No other fee is required.
If my club includes one of my images as part of the Club submission, do I have to pay a fee to attend the Gala Event on Saturday March 7, 2026?
Yes. If you did not enter the Individual competition, you must pay the Gala Event fee of $10 to receive your unique Zoom login details.
Am I eligible to enter the Individual category of North Shore Challenge 2026 even if my photography club is not entering the club competition?
Every photographer who resides in British Columbia or the Yukon, or who is a member of a BC or Yukon photography club, was eligible to enter the Individual category of Challenge 2026.
I do not live in British Columbia or the Yukon. Can I enter the North Shore Challenge 2026?
Non-residents of BC or the Yukon are not eligible to enter Challenge 2026, unless they are a current member of a photography club based in BC or the Yukon.
Do you have a question we didn't answer here?
Please email your question to: challenge2026@nsps.ca