Contest Rules and Frequently Asked Questions

The goal of the DC Bad Lighting Photo Contest is to raise public awareness about light pollution in Washington DC and to foster awareness of the difference between good outdoor lighting and bad outdoor lighting.

For over 15 years, DarkSky DC — an official chapter of DarkSky International — has advocated for improvement in the quality of outdoor lighting in the Nation’s Capital, whether the source is streetlights, commercial lighting or residential lighting.

The best outdoor lighting will follow DarkSky International’s Five Principles For Responsible Outdoor Lighting, which state that lighting should be (1) Useful, by having a clear purpose, (2) Targeted, by being directed downward, (3) Low-level, by being not too bright, (4) Controlled, through use only when needed, and 5) Warm-colored, by avoiding harmful blue light.

Outdoor lighting that complies with the Five Principles (1) saves taxpayer money, (2) reduces energy consumption, (3) furthers the City’s goal of reaching “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2060, (4) safeguards the health of residents by keeping “trespassing” light pollution our of our homes at night, (5) mitigates harm to migratory birds, other urban wildlife, and DC’s forested ecosystems that results from bad outdoor lighting, and (6) promotes and preserves the wonder of the starry night sky in the District.

Entries are open to participants worldwide.

Each participant may submit up to two photographs.

Images must present problem lighting in Washington DC. 

We see problem lighting as lighting that does not comply with DarkSky International’s Five Principles for Outdoor Lighting.

The images can be old or new, but must represent current conditions.

For each photo entry, you will need to specify:
— The camera (or smartphone) you used for the photo.
— The location of the photo in Washington DC.
— A short statement as to why you find the lighting depicted objectionable.

Photos must be submitted in medium-resolution JPEG format (file size: Up to 10MB).

No faces, license plate numbers, or other personal identification information may be depicted. Entries must not depict violence or explicit content.  

Allowed Image Types:
— Single Exposure – One image captured in a single shot.
— Focus stacks to increase depth of field.
— Panorama – Stitched from multiple images taken during the same night, from the same
position, using the same focal length.

Prohibited Image Types:
— Mixing focal lengths. 
— Watermarks are not allowed.
— AI-generated, AI-assisted, or heavily Photoshopped  images that significantly alter or generate scene elements.  

DarkSky DC reserves the right to request original out-of-camera images and/or original Exif data.

Entries may be submitted beginning 8:00am ET on April 22 (Earth Day), 2026.

Entries close at 11:59pm ET on July 1, 2026.

Winners will be notified by July 15, 2026. 

Winners will be announced by August 1, 2026

Three prizes will be awarded:
First Place - $300
Second Place - $200                                
Third Place - $100

Yes!

CONTEST RULES: 

1. Entries may be submitted beginning 8:00am ET on April 22 (Earth Day), 2026.

2. Entries close at 11:59pm ET on July 1, 2026.

3. Winners will be notified by July 15, 2026.  These prizes will be awarded:

First Place - $300

Second Place - $200

Third Place - $100.

4. Winners will be announced by August 1, 2026.

5. By submitting an entry, each participant agrees to these official rules and confirms that their entry complies with all requirements noted in the rules.

6. Entries are open to participants worldwide. 

7. There is no entry fee.  (Donations to cover prize money may be made — if interested, send an email to DarkSkyDCphotos@gmail.com).

8. Images must present problem lighting in DC.  Refer to DSI’s Five Principles. 

9. For each entry, you will need to specify:
 - the camera you used for the photo.
 - The location of the photo.
 - A short statement as to why you find the lighting depicted objectionable.
 - Any additional information you’d like to share.

10. Images can be old or new, but must represent current conditions.

11. DarkSkyDC Board Members, and this year's contest judges are not eligible to submit entries. Judgments are final.

12. Each participant may submit up to two photographs. 

13. Photos must be submitted in medium-resolution JPEG format (file size: 500k - 3MB)

14. No faces, license plate numbers, or other personal identification information may be depicted.   
Entries must not depict violence or explicit content.  

15. Allowed Image Types:
    Single Exposure – One image captured in a single shot.
    Focus stacks to increase depth of field.
    Panorama – Stitched from multiple images taken during the same night, from the same
position, using the same focal length.

16. Prohibited Image Types
    Mixing focal lengths. 
    Watermarks are not allowed.
    AI-generated, AI-assisted, or heavily Photoshopped  images that significantly alter or
generate scene elements.  

17. DarkSky DC reserves the right to request original out-of-camera images and/or original Exif data.

18. Rights & Ownership 
- Participants must be the sole creator of their submitted images.
- Licensing of approved submissions: 
- By submitting a photograph to the DC Bad Lighting Photo Contest, participant grants
DarkSkyDC the non-exclusive, perpetual right to use, reproduce, publish, and distribute my
submitted image(s) for promotional, educational, and advocacy purposes. This includes, but is
not limited to, use in print and digital publications, social media, press releases, websites,
exhibitions, and other outreach materials produced by or on behalf of DarkSkyDC.
- DarkSkyDC will credit the photographer when winners are announced and whenever
reasonably possible thereafter; however, future credit cannot be guaranteed.
- By submitting photos, participants waive all rights to compensation. 

If you have a question about the photo contest, please write us at DarkSkyDCphotos@gmail.com. Note: Do not submit photo context entries to this email address. All photo contest submissions must be made through the online form linked below under “Submit Here.”