Call for entries: Nikon’s World Photography Day Blue Hour Challenge is now open

The theme: blue hour

During blue hour, a period before sunrise and in the last stages of twilight, the sun sits below the horizon and casts a strong blue light. Depending on the season, the latitude of your location and whether the sun is between four and eight degrees below the horizon, blue hour lasts for 60 minutes. It often attracts photographers and videographers chasing moody and mysterious landscapes (that contrast with the warm glow of golden hour).

 

For World Photography Day, we invite you to capture the moments where the shadows dance, colours stretch and life winds down. To some, blue hour might mean a mighty landscape dotted with stars. To others, it’s a portrait of an animal that comes alive at this hour. What are the moments – and the stories – in between?

How to enter

Open to all amateur and professional photographers (excluding Nikon Family) across Europe, regardless of age, gender or nationality, submissions open on 19 August and close on 19 September at 23:59 CET. Participants must use a Nikon camera body and NIKKOR lenses.   

 

Tempted? Here’s how to enter:

 

1. Post your image on Instagram, tagging us @nikoneurope (and @nikondach or @nikonfr, if that’s your location) with the hashtag #NikonWorldPhotograpyDay2025. You must be following @nikoneurope
2. In your caption, mention this is your entry for Nikon’s World Photography Day 2025 and include 50-100 words with the story behind the image. You might include the location or the significance of the photo. If selected, this will be included in our magazine article.
3. Include your camera settings and your camera body and lenses. For example: Z9 + NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S, 14mm, f/20, 1/1000 sec, ISO 640.

The winners

All entries will be judged by the Nikon magazine team. In September, winners and shortlisted entries will be contacted to send a high-res image (minimum 3MB) to be featured in Nikon magazine. There will be three winners:

 

• Overall Winner for Nikon Europe
• Overall Winner for Nikon France
• Overall Winner for Nikon DACH

 

Winners and shortlisted entries will feature in the magazine.

FAQs

Can you use any camera?

DSLR, mirrorless or Coolpix – the choice is yours, as long as it’s a Nikon.

 

Which countries can enter?

The challenge is open to residents in Europe.

 

Instagram reel or photo?

Photos or a reel of photos, although a reel featuring video won’t be accepted on this occasion!

 

Can I post images taken before August 2025?

Sure! As long as they fit the prompt.

 

How many times can I enter?

As many as you like. Please follow the instructions above.

 

Anything I can’t photograph?

We won’t accept depictions of violence, offensive material, nudity or wildlife in distress.

 

Are joint entries permitted?

Photographers can’t submit the same photograph. However, if you have set the model of your photograph as co-creator on Instagram, for example, you’ll need to make clear who the main author of the post is.

 

Good luck!

 

Opening image: Lake Takapō, New Zealand, 30 minutes before sunrise on a summery day. The lupins in bloom made the perfect foreground. ©Nicolas Jægergaard