Procedures, Categories and Awards

Photo by Pete Pallagi/ Image Used with permission of the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Entry Fees

Enter BioImages as a BCA Member

  • 1-2 entries | Cost $0 | Benefit for BCA members
  • 1-4 additional entries | Cost $20 | Allows up to 4 additional entries

Enter BioImages as a Non-BCA Member

  • 1-6 entries | Cost $80 | Flat rate for up to 6 entries

Corporate | Group Pricing is Available

Contact us to inquire about corporate pricing

Payment

Payment must be made at the time of submission. The entry fees will be listed each year when the submission portal is open. Entry fees are payable by credit card.

Downloading Images

All rights reserved. No part of this Exhibition may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by and electronic or mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrival system, without permission in writing from the maker of each image contained in the exhibition.

 

  

BioImages Categories

Still Image Division

Biomedical (human and animal)
Still images taken of biological subjects, either live or fixed, whose primary focus is the biology of human or animal health and disease. Relevant fields include the generic study of biomedical sciences and biology to more specialized subject areas such as physiology and human nutrition. It is supported by relevant basic sciences including anatomy and physiology, cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, and immunology. Examples of images in this category include, but are not limited to, clinical, surgical, veterinary, dental, specimen, and ophthalmic.

Natural Science Photography
Still images taken of subjects, locations or processes directly observable in nature. Relevant scientific branches include both the life sciences and physical sciences and subject matter can include, but is not limited to, specimens related to general biology, ecology, zoology, entomology, botany, environmental science, agriculture, geology, physics, chemistry, and astronomy. Examples of images in this category include wildlife and live animals, fossils, geologic specimens, laboratory experiments in physical sciences, underwater, landscape, aerial, astrophotography and meteorological phenomena.

Magnified Imaging
Still images or short clips acquired of subjects, both biological and physical, where the final display image is significantly larger than the original object. In general, fine details shown in the image would not be observable to the unaided eye. Short video clips (less than 20 seconds) of still specimens, demonstrating multidimensional movement (i.e. 3D rotation) will also be acceptable in this category starting in 2022. Examples of images in this category include, but are not limited to, close-up imaging and photomacrography, photomicrography, and images acquired with scanning electron microscopy, confocal and 2-photon microscopy.

General Illustrative - Assignment Photography
Still images of any subject taken as part of an assigned professional project. These images are examples of the wide range of imaging techniques required for a university/medical/research institution or similar commercial organization or may represent freelance assignments for clients with related concerns. Examples of images in this category include public relations and marketing, portraiture, architecture, environmental, and equipment.

Image Series
Multiple still images of any subject taken and presented as a unified collection or organized to demonstrate a single concept or sequence of events. A series can include up to 6 images produced as a body of work for either professional or personal reasons and submitted as a composite. A minimum of 2 images is required and submitted as a composite file.  Examples in this category include images that might be an image other categories in BioImages.

Personal Work / Self-Directed
Single pieces of photographic work that are not professional but rather directed by personal interests and inspirations. These images include a variety of techniques and artistic expression and are not limited to defined subject or technique categories. Examples in this category include any subject or imaging technique and incorporate both Documentary and Fine Art methods.

Illustration and Graphic Media Division

Graphic Design Media 
This category includes finished art work and/or pages where an illustration has been integrated into more complex articles, infographics or for other  larger completed visual graphic posters. Images in this category can be produced using traditional or digital media and not optical devices.  Examples of images in this category include journals, annual reports, magazines or other print publications related to medicine or science. Other examples in this category are pamphlets, circulars, posters and info graphics, and data visualized. 


Medical Illustration  
Images in this category contain only illustrations of medical subjects as a stand alone media. Images that are integrated into a more finished piece should be entered into the graphic media category. Images in this category can be produced using traditional or digital media and not optical devices.  Examples of images in this category are figure(s) of surgery or other medical subjects. Entries in this category may contain more than one panel.

Natural Science Illustration 
Illustrations of subjects, locations, or processes directly observable in nature or from natural science collections. Relevant scientific branches include both the life sciences and physical sciences and subject matter can include, but is not limited to, specimens related to general biology, ecology, zoology, entomology, botany, environmental science, agriculture, geology, physics, chemistry, and astronomy. Images in this category are stand alone illustrations and not used as a part of a designed layout. Images in this category can be produced using traditional or digital media and not optical devices.  Examples of images in this category include figure(s) created for the illustration of a species or process relating to Natural Science including genus and species

Multimedia, Interactive Learning, and Website Division 

The Multimedia, Interactive Learning and Websites Division is characterized by video, animation, and other short and medium platform work that features medical and scientific subject matter. Examples of work in this category include biomedical instructional videos, animations, documentary, marketing, and educational.

File Submission Criteria

Still Media
Submit an RGB or Grayscale JPEG file (maximum quality) with a minimum size of 1,000 pixels and a maximum size of 2,500 pixels in the long dimension. Entries will be rejected if they don't fall within this resolution range. If the minimum is not possible it should be noted on the submission form. Suggested color profiles | Adobe RGB or sRGB

Moving Media
File type: MP4
Resolution: 2K
Maximum data rate: 2500 kbps
Maximum file size: 200 MB
Maximum run time: 5 minutes 

Alternative Media
Where entries do not align well with submission requirements, a .pdf is acceptable. Please submit a representative RGB or Grayscale JPEG file (maximum quality) with a minimum size of 1,500 pixels for the longest dimension to be used as a placeholder image. Include a link to your submission in the description field in the entry form. 

 

Awards

Awards will be given in all three Divisions: Still Image Division, Illustrations and Graphic Media Division, and Multimedia, Interactive Learning, and Website Division.

  • Premier Award is awarded to the entry that achieves the highest standard of achievement in each category - includes a $100 US award.
  • Award of Excellence is awarded to the entry that achieves the next highest standard of achievement in each category - includes a $50 US award.
  • Image of Distinction is awarded to the entry that achieves the third highest standard of achievement in each category - includes a $25 US award.
  • Judge’s Choice Award is awarded one per judge and will receive a Certificate.
  • Image of Merit - Images that are included in the Exhibition will be designated as Images of Merit.

Best of Show

Bioimages judges will select a Best of Show, the most outstanding entry selected from ALL of the Premier Award winners and includes a $750 U.S. award and a one year free membership to the BCA.

Special Merit Awards

Merit Awards are sponsored categories that reflect the achievement of a high caliber of proficiency in a specific area.

  • BCA Medical Education - best medical teaching aid in each division - includes a $50 US award.
  • Charles Foster Memorial Citation - best digital color photomicrograph in the exhibition - includes a $50 US award.
  • Graham Eddy Endoscopic Award - demonstrates the most successful use of endoscopic equipment - includes a $50 US award.
  • Canadian Founders Natural Science Award - best entry in the Natural Science Photography category - includes a $50 US award.
  • Best Student Entry - for the best entry in the Still Media Division by a full-time photography student - includes a $50 US award.
  • Warren Sturgis Motion Media Award - for an outstanding motion media entry - includes a $50 US award.

History of BioImages

The BioImages Exhibition – originally called the Print Salon – was proposed by the Biological Photographic Association [founded in 1931] to engage new members. The first Salon was held in 1934 at the newly formed Association's annual meeting. Today the Exhibition’s goals have not changed since those early beginnings. BioImages seeks to identify and showcase the best still and moving biological and medical images made from across the world each year.

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