How Can I Register?
To register for PhotoMarathon Istanbul 2025, click here and complete the process via the Biletino ticketing platform. After selecting the categories you wish to participate in, you can complete your registration by making your payment. You can participate in multiple categories at the same time.
What is Included in the Participation Fee?
Name badge.
PhotoMarathon T-shirt or Photographer’s Vest.
Special shooting permission in the metro.
Film, development, and scanning fees for analog participants.
The chance to win valuable prizes.
The chance to meet the juries and Theme Setters.
Free participation in the award ceremony.
Free participation in PM25 for Theme Winners and Exhibitionists.
Can I Register on PhotoMarathon Day?
You can register at the registration desk on PhotoMarathon day. Due to the materials provided to participants, a 50 TL difference fee is charged to those who register on the day of the event. Credit card payments are accepted.
Can I Participate in the Category of My Choice? Are There Any Restrictions?
Yes, participants can choose the category they wish to participate in. Participants will not encounter any problems as long as they comply with the rules of each event. Separate tickets must be purchased to participate in the Digital Category, Mobile Category, Analog Category, and Video Category. In previous years, many people participated simultaneously and won.
What Should I Do on the Morning of the PhotoMarathon?
On the morning of the PhotoMarathon, you must visit the registration desk early. You must fill out the commitment form that will be shared with you beforehand. Name tags, vests, or t-shirts will be distributed to participants at the registration desk. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. The registration desk closes at 12:00 p.m., and the themes are announced.
After receiving your badge and products, you can visit the sponsor companies’ stands or enjoy refreshments until the themes are announced. Although t-shirts are available in all sizes, some sizes may run out early. For this reason, T-shirt distribution is on a “first come, first served” basis.
Film for analog category participants will be provided by the organization.
Are the Theme Setters Also the Judges?
No, the theme setters only announce the themes and provide guidance at the stations. In every PhotoMarathon, theme setters and juries are separate. Both juries and theme setters are listed separately on the relevant PhotoMarathon pages. In the Mobile and Video categories, theme setters and juries are the same names unless otherwise specified.
Where Are the Photos Taken?
There are no regional restrictions for taking photos for PhotoMarathon events. You can take photos anywhere within the province where the PhotoMarathon takes place. However, you can develop your own strategies to ensure you reach the next station on time.
Are there any camera restrictions?
You can participate in PhotoMarathon events with any brand/model of camera you wish. There are no restrictions. Photos taken with a mobile phone or tablet can be entered in the Mobile category.
There is no special permission for drone use during the event.
Can I Use More Than One Device?
No. You can only take photos with one device for the Digital, Analog, and Mobile categories. Although you can participate in PhotoMarathon events with any device, you cannot use more than one device. On a different note, you can use more than one SD card with the same device.
What Should Be the Size and Format of the Photos?
You must submit your photos in JPG (JPEG) format. Those whose cameras do not have a JPG feature can shoot in RAW/JPG. Only JPG format is accepted for submission. The size of the photos can be the standard size of the cameras.
How Are Photos Submitted?
Submissions for the Digital and Mobile categories are made via photomaraton.com.
Note: Participants entering both the digital and mobile categories at the same time can submit their photos in a single submission via the same form.
The 9 photos taken for the digital category + 3 icon photos must be uploaded to the form, which will remain open until November 9, 2025, at 11:59 AM. You must upload your photos for each theme and the station proof photos to the relevant form. They must be submitted in the following order: Sirkeci Icon + Sirkeci 3 Theme + Beyazıt Icon + Beyazıt 3 Theme + Şişhane Icon + Şişhane 3 Theme.
The 3 photos taken in the mobile category + 3 icon photos must be uploaded to the form, which will remain open until November 9, 2025, at 11:59 PM. You must upload your photos for each theme and station proof photos to the relevant form. They must be submitted in the following order: Sirkeci Icon + Sirkeci Theme + Beyazıt Icon + Beyazıt Theme + Şişhane Icon + Şişhane Theme.
At the same time, mobile category participants must upload photos for the 3 announced themes to their public Instagram accounts with the hashtag “#photomaraton25” and the “theme number” by November 9, 2025, at 11:59 a.m. If you do not have an Instagram account, you can create a new one. Photos that are not shared on social media will not be submitted to the jury. PM icon (station) photos do not need to be uploaded to Instagram.
Participants in both the digital and mobile categories at the same time only need to upload one station proof photo to the form on photomaraton.com.
For the analog category, films must be delivered to Karaköy Fotoğrafçı by 6:00 PM. (Keep the box.) They will be developed at Karaköy Fotoğrafçı and the photos will be sent to participants via email.
Video category participants must share the audio/musical video they prepare based on the video theme announced at Sirkeci station, lasting no more than 3 minutes, publicly on YouTube or Vimeo with the title “Name Surname / #photomaratonistanbul” by 12:00 PM on November 10, 2025 (within 48 hours of the theme announcement) with the title “First Name Last Name / #photomaratonistanbul” on YouTube or Vimeo platforms for public viewing.
How Much Time Do I Have to Take Photos After the Last Station?
In 2025, you will have 3 hours for the first 3 themes, 3 hours for the second 3 themes, and 3 hours for the last 3 themes. In this case, you will only have 3 hours for the 3 themes to be announced at the Şişhane station at 6:00 PM. Photos taken after 9:00 PM will not be shared with the jury. The same applies to the mobile category.
Do I have to take and submit photos for all themes?
Yes. PhotoMarathon events accept as many photos as there are announced themes. If there are 9 themes, you must take 9 photos and submit them along with the PM Icon photos to prove your presence at the station. The same applies to the analog and mobile categories.
If you have a particular time constraint and do not want to take photos for the themes announced at the last station, you must still take a blank photo that fits the theme time and upload it to the form.
What is the Deadline?
The deadline varies for each province. The deadlines are clearly stated on the relevant PhotoMarathon pages. In PhotoMarathons where you compete against time, you must reach the submission point at the specified time. The doors of the submission point will close 30 minutes after the announced submission time.
For example, in 2025, submissions for the digital and mobile categories will be accepted via the website until 11:59 p.m. on November 9, 2025. The analog category must be submitted at Karaköy Fotoğrafçı starting at 6:00 PM.
I Don’t Want to Delete My Photos. What Should I Do?
Note: There will be no delivery station in 2025. Since all deliveries will be made online, you do not need to delete any of your photos.
How Do I Find the Name of the Photo I Will Submit?
In 2025, only one photo per theme will be accepted for photo submissions. You can upload the photo you are sending to the relevant field on the form without altering it or even changing its name.
Can I Get a Refund if I Cannot Participate?
No. The participation fee is non-refundable. The participation fee is only refunded in case of event cancellation.
I am under 18. Is that a problem?
Participants aged 18 and under can participate in PhotoMarathon with the written permission of a parent or guardian, to be submitted to the staff at the registration desk on the day of PhotoMarathon. PhotoMarathon is open to everyone.
It’s raining. Will the event be postponed?
PhotoMarathon is an event that can be held under any conditions. Therefore, events are not postponed due to weather conditions. You can participate prepared for the weather conditions.
Is Photoshop Banned?
Manipulating photos and adjusting colors is prohibited in PhotoMarathon events. It also goes against the spirit of PhotoMarathon. The official PhotoMarathon program can detect whether photos have been manipulated.
It is very clear which device was used, at what time, which programs were used for manipulation, and even whether the EXIF information has been altered. Since the photos in question are considered non-compliant, they are not shared with the jury.
Only the original versions of the photos stored on the SD card are accepted or uploaded to the form. When you review the PhotoMarathon results, you will see that no manipulated photos have won or will win.
Can I Use My Camera’s Features?
All effects of a device are allowed before pressing the shutter button. If you want to use your camera’s filters (e.g., black and white), you should apply the filter before taking the photo to avoid any problems. Changes made using camera features after the photo is taken may alter the photo’s time stamp. Any photo with a time stamp that does not comply with the rules will not be shared with the jury.
Photos created by assembling multiple photos (collages), photos using HDR (High Dynamic Range) techniques, and photos generated by artificial intelligence are excluded from the rules.
Corrections can be made to the extent permitted by the camera. For example, cropping or rotating the photo is not prohibited. The relevant operations must be completed only within the theme announcement period. After a new theme is announced, no operations should be performed on photos for the current theme.
Is Photoshop also prohibited in the Mobile Category?
Photos taken should not be edited on a computer in any way. Editing can only be done using the device’s features. In the Mobile Category, you should also make all possible adjustments before taking the photo. Third-party photo editing applications (e.g., Snapseed, PhotoSuite) or photo filters downloaded to your phone can be used.
The most important point is that the relevant edits must be completed only within the theme announcement hours. For example, after the second theme is announced, no changes can be made to photos taken for the first theme. Similarly, for the third theme announced at the last station, you only have 3 hours (until 9:00 PM) to make edits.
What is a station? Where can we find out?
Stations are the areas where themes are announced. Participants learn their themes at the stations. Therefore, all participants must meet at the stations to continue the PhotoMarathon. Each station has a PM icon. After learning their themes, participants photograph the PM icons to prove they were there and continue the event.
Stations in 2025: Sirkeci (12:00 p.m.) – Beyazıt (3:00 p.m.) – Şişhane (6:00 p.m.)
I was late to the station. How can I learn the themes?
You can be up to 30 minutes late to the stations where the themes are announced. The organization team remains at the station for 30 minutes after the themes are announced. You may have missed the information or clues about the themes announced by the theme setters, but if you are at the station even 30 minutes after the meeting time, you can learn the new themes.
Even if you learn the themes from your friend without visiting the station, you will be considered out of bounds because you did not take the PM icon.
What is the PM Icon? Is it mandatory to take it?
The PM icon is the PhotoMarathon icon that must be photographed at each station. Photographing the icons proves that the participant was there. The icons may vary at each station and may also differ in PhotoMarathons held in different provinces. PM icons are explained at the stations. The icons are usually used as walls where theme cards are hung. In short, you have to take a photo to prove that you were at the station.
Do I lose the copyright to my photos?
No, PhotoMarathon events do not automatically acquire the rights to submitted photos, create databases, or resell or use these databases in any way without permission. Only the rights to award-winning photos (in accordance with the regulations) may be used by PhotoMarathon’s partners and the hosting municipal administration. All other photos will be part of the event’s permanent gallery and will always be accompanied by the name of the photographer who retains all rights to the photos. Photos selected by the jury may be used in exhibitions and books.
Can I Share My Photos on Social Media?
Photos submitted for selection in the PhotoMarathon event cannot be shared on social media, announced, or sent to jury members in any way until the results are announced. Any other behavior constitutes a violation of the rules. The mobile category is an exception.
Can I Delete the Photos I Shared in the Mobile Category?
Photos shared with the #hashtag on a public Instagram account should not be deleted until the results are announced. After the results are announced, you can remove any photo you want from your account. Archiving is recommended. The same applies to the video category.
How Do the Judges Make Their Selection?
There are as many judges as there are themes in PhotoMarathons. The judges cannot see any personal information about the participants (their name, phone number, email address, etc.). They only see the photos with the participants’ decrypted registration numbers. The judges are given separate folders containing the photos of the participants for each theme. Each jury first determines the winners for their own theme. Next, the photos recommended by each jury member for the relevant theme are collected in shared folders and evaluated collectively. Finally, the winning photos for each theme are determined. If a photo is deemed worthy of exhibition, it is also determined during the meeting.
The overall PhotoMarathon winner is determined from among the selected theme winners.
When Are the Winners Announced?
PhotoMarathon winners are announced in December at an awards ceremony, in order of theme. Winning photos are displayed in a presentation. Winning photos are not printed. Photos for each category are announced with the theme name and the winner’s name.
Can One Person Win More Than One Award?
While a person could win more than one award in 2018 and 2019, the relevant rule has been changed for 2020 and beyond. As of 2020, a person can win a maximum of one theme winner award.
If a participant has entered multiple categories, they can be the theme winner for each separate category and receive their respective awards.
A person can be a finalist with more than one photo.
How is the PhotoMarathon Award Determined?
Participants who come first in any of the specified themes are eligible to receive the PhotoMarathon award. Each theme winner is also awarded a theme winner’s cup. The awards are made possible by contributions from sponsoring companies. Awards may vary for each PhotoMarathon. PhotoMarathon awards are clearly stated on the relevant event page.
What is the Mobile Category?
The Mobile category is a format in which participants use any mobile phone or tablet with a camera feature. There are fewer themes in the Mobile category, and photos are submitted by sharing them on Instagram. Participants’ Instagram accounts must be public. When sharing, it is mandatory to use a pre-determined hashtag (e.g., #photomaraton25) and the theme name. Photos in the Mobile category can be manipulated using phone features. Participants take their photos between the specified times after the themes are announced. They then submit their photos and also share them on Instagram.
Photos for the Mobile category themes will be shared on Instagram and also submitted by filling out the form on photomaraton.com.
What is the Analog Category?
This is the format for participation using analog cameras. In the analog category, films are submitted at the registration desk by PhotoMaraton at no additional cost. Everyone is provided with the same film model.
Participants work on the themes with their films and submit them at the designated drop-off point (Karaköy Fotoğrafçı at 6:00 PM in 2025). The films are processed by the contracted company, and the photos are sent to the participant’s email address. The participant shares the photos they deem suitable for the themes with the photo name and theme name to “info@photomaraton.com” within a maximum of 1 week from the submission date. The relevant photos are shared with the jury members.
In 2025, scanning and washing processes will also be carried out by Karaköy Photo Studio.
What is the Video Category?
This format involves participating with audio and video content specific to the announced theme. Participation can be achieved using either a camera or a mobile phone. Multiple devices can be used for filming in the video category. Drone footage can be captured (no special permission is required from the organization; this is an individual choice). Gimbals can be used. Timelapse and hyperlapse techniques can be used along with video and transition effects. It is open to all kinds of use.
Shootings can only be carried out on the day of the event. Stock video usage is not permitted. Attention must be paid to music copyrights. The final audio/music video, up to 3 minutes long, is shared via public YouTube or Vimeo accounts under the title “First Name Last Name / #photomaratonistanbul”. Videos must be submitted within 48 hours of the theme being announced.
How will you know which photos I took in the Mobile PhotoMarathon?
The original photos taken in the mobile category are submitted at the time of delivery. Your Instagram username is also obtained via the form. It is verified whether the photos were taken with that phone, the time they were taken, and other details. If everything is correct, the winning photos are officially approved. During the award ceremony, the winning photos are announced along with the Instagram username.
When is the Appeal Process?
Participants can file an appeal regarding rule violations within 15 days after the announcement of the PhotoMarathon theme winners. Information such as Name, Surname, Phone Number, Email Address, and the subject of the complaint is sent to “info@photomaraton.com”. The prizes of those who are eligible to receive awards are shared after the appeal process.
Are Prizes Forfeited After an Appeal?
If a photo is determined to be in violation of the event’s terms and conditions during the appeal process, the relevant prize is canceled. The person’s ranking is canceled, and the prize to be awarded is not delivered to them. In the event of any cancellation, the ranking remains unchanged. Only the winner of the relevant theme is not awarded. Therefore, a person exhibiting in any theme continues to be exhibited.
Is There a Terms and Conditions Document?
Click here to review the 2025 event terms and conditions.