1. Basic conditions
Anyone with a digital camera can participate. You must bring an empty memory card and charged batteries. All photos must be taken during the Fotomarathon day within the given hours for the day´s competition (12 hours for a full fotomarathon, 9 or 6 for a shortened version) Please check your camera date settings -make sure your time is set to Berlin time (Central European Time). The photos should not be retouched or processed and must be taken in the order given in the theme lists. We will control the EXIF data through a special programme when we download the photos. There should only be 12 (or 9 or 6 for the shorter versions) photos in the memory card by the time they are downloaded. Regarding our analog-section, please see the tab on rules for the analogue section.
2. Themes: 12 Photos (or 9 or 6 for the shorter versions) + Follow the sequence
All photos must follow the given sequence, theme after theme. There should only be 12 (or 9 or 6 for the shorter versions) photos on the memory card by the time they are downloaded, including the first photo which should display your start number. Should the photo series contain more photos, it will be disqualified.
3. Your Start number as photo Nr. 1
Every participant is allocated an individual start number, that must appear on the first photo, so each series can be identified. You can be creative to include the number: house numbers, signs, etc. The photo with the start number must be one of the 12 (or 9 or 6 for the shorter versions) photos handed in at the end -not an extra photo. Again, there should only be six photos in the memory card at the end.
4. The Format and Settings
Only JPG formats will be accepted. Please be sure that your camera has been set on “high quality” JPG format and photo format.
Should you want to take RAW photos as well, please make sure your camera takes JPG and RAW photos at the same time. We will not have time or capacity at the end station to make any conversions. Your series risks to be excluded from the competition if you only shoot RAW. If you shoot RAW and JPG, our software will just read and download the JPGs.
Due to the way in which the photos will be shown in the exhibition, we recommend that (a) you set your format to 2:3 format or 4:3 if your camera does not have 2:3. Should this not be possible in your camera, when shown in the exhibition, there may be a white border, and that (b) you shoot in landscape format.
Every photo series will be shown in the exhibition as a 1.70m long strip (during a real-life-exhibition) or a PDF Poster (in the 3-D online exhibition). Attention: Due to the variable lighting conditions along the day, it is advisable to bring a flash or a tripod.
5. Punctuality
Special Rules for 2020: The “opening shot” of the Fotomarathon takes place at 10.00am on Saturday 24 October 2020. The Fotomarathon Team will be welcoming participants online via a YouTube live streaming session, to announce the theme, explain the programme for the day and answer questions from participants. The team will be back online at 14.00 to announce the rest of the themes and answer further questions.
Regular Rules:
For the exact location, see the Registration page. Participants must be at the latest 30 min before the start at the starting point, and come punctually in the agreed times at the stations -otherwise they will be excluded from the competition. The same applies to the ending station at 23.00 hours (or at 11am for the 24h version) and to the intermediate stations as well. Since all participants need to receive their start number and have their memory cards checked, it is strongly recommended that participants arrive on time or earlier. The Fotomarathon team will be present at 10.00 at the starting point.
6. Starting capital
Special rules for 2020: A start number, which identifies you as Fotomarathonist will be emailed to you. You will receive your start number via email, together with a template for you to paint your number in it.
Regular Rules: A start number, which identifies you as Fotomarathonist will be provided at the starting point. At 11.00 you will receive a sheet with the first individual themes, and the hints to arrive at the following station.
7. General theme & choice of themes
The Fotomarathon has a general theme. This helps to keep the general idea in mind, and transform it into individual photographs. The key is to transform the individual photos in a series that consistently reflects the overall theme. The Fotomarathon is a witness of current time, for this reason we welcome many portraits of interesting moments in Berlin, however sometimes there have also been some “living room studio” photos. In short, anything you can think of is allowed. A Jury will select their favourite 10 series and will receive an award –whether in black and white or colour. Additionally, three series will be chosen among the analog participants, and they will also receive prizes.
8. Intermediate Stations
Special rules for 2020: To remain a contact free, location independent event, there will be no meeting points in 2020. Instead,the second batch of topics will be emailed to the participants. The organising team will be online via YouTube live stream to answer any questions.
Regular Rules: Usually stations are within Berlin´s city limits (S-Bahn ring) and take place every four hours. They are easily accessible with public transport or bicycle. After stamping the start number and receiving a new list of themes, participants return to the big city jungle. Only those coming to the stations in person will receive the new list of themes and the instructions on where to find the next station…so do not miss the appointment.
9. Additional requirements
The start number must be carried in a visible manner during the duration of the competition. Minors under 18 years can also participate, in company of an adult and under the agreement of their tutors or guardians.
10. End of the day
Special rules for 2020: You need to take all of the photos by 19.00. You will have until midnight on 24.October to upload your photos to a dedicated link which will be shared with participants via email.
Regular Rules:
If you make it to the Finish line until 23.00 and all 12 photos are in memory card, then you have made it! There must only be 12 (or 24) photos on the card, otherwise you will be disqualified. Your start number will need to have the stamps of every station. Participants who fail to arrive to the Finish line at the agreed time (+ 30min flexibility) will be excluded from the final selection. Finally, we invite everyone to exchange ideas and chill out.
11. Exhibition and Award Ceremony
Special Rules for 2020: Photos will be displayed for two months in an online 3D exhibition around 4/6 weeks after the Fotomarathon. The exact link to the venue will be announced via our Newsletter and on the website.
Regular Rules: Photos will be displayed for a whole week-end in an exhibition around 4/6 weeks after the Fotomarathon. The exact venue will be announced later via our Newsletter and on the website. The winning series will be presented on Saturday at 18.00 and winners will receive their awards. The entry is free for all registered participants who bring their stamped Fotomarathon start number. Friends, fans and supporters need to buy a ticket (4 EUR, Concession 3 EUR)
12. Last but not least
We reserve the right to alter these Rules at any time. If the alterations constitute a material change to the Rules, we will notify you via e-mail according to the email address you provided at the time of registration. Photos reflecting pornography, hate speech, representations of violence or discrimination will not be shown in the exhibition.
SPECIAL RULES for the analog competition:
The general rules still apply. What is different? Participants must bring a 35mm film (colour or black and white, 12, 24 or 36 exposures). The film will be marked by the Fotomarathon team. Participants must hand it in at the finish station. There may be different intermediate stations for analog participants. More information will be shared at the start of the Fotomarathon.
We accept all 35mm black & white and colour negative films. Due to the processing that photos follow for the exhibition, and the way the photos are exhibited, this the only format we can accept. See Rule Nr. 4 in the Rules for the 12-24h Fotomarathon to understand why.
Other formats such as slide film, middle format (4 x 5) or small format (110mm) are not accepted.
Special Rules for 2020: Participants will need to send their film roll to a designated address by Monday 26. October 2020 (post-stamp will be used to confirm the date). The address will be sent to the participants via Email.
1. Basic requirements
Anyone with a digital camera can participate. You must bring an empty memory card and charged batteries. All photos must be taken during the Fotomarathon day within the given period of time hours. Please check your camera date settings. The photos should not be retouched or processed and must be taken in the order given in the theme lists. We will control the EXIF data through a special programme when we download the photos.
2. Themes: 9 Photos + Follow the sequence
All photos must follow the given sequence, theme after theme. There should only be 6 photos on the memory card by the time they are downloaded, including the first photo which should display your start number. Should the photo series contain more photos, it will be disqualified.
3. Your Start number as photo Nr. 1
Every participant is allocated an individual start number, that must appear on the first photo, so each series can be identified. You can be creative to include the number: house numbers, signs, etc. The photo with the start number must be one of the 6 photos handed in at the end -not an extra photo. Again, there should only be six photos in the memory card at the end.
4. Format and Settings
Only JPG formats will be accepted. Please be sure that your camera has been set on “high quality” JPG format. Attention: Due to the variable lighting conditions along the day, it is advisable to bring a flash or a tripod.
5. Punctuality
Participants shall be at the starting point at least 30 minutes before the start. The same applies to the last stop at 18.00. If you arrive after 18.30 you will be disqualified.
6. Theme sheet
At 14.00 you will receive a sheet with the 6 individual themes, and the details for the end station.
7. General theme & Choice of themes
The Fotomarathon has a general theme. This helps to keep the general idea in mind, while taking the individual photographs. The key is to transform the individual photos in a series that consistently reflects the overall theme.
The Fotomarathon is a witness of current time, for this reason we welcome many portraits of interesting moments in Berlin, however sometimes there have also been some “living room studio” photos. In short, anything you can think of is allowed.
8. End station
The end stations is within Berlin´s city limits (S-Bahn-Ring). It is easily accessible with public transport or bicycle.
9. Startnumber
You will receive a Startnumber which will identify as a genuine Fotomarathon competitor. The start number must be visibly carried during the duration of the competition.
10. End of the day
If you make it to the finish line and all 6 photos are on the memory card, then you have made it! There must only be 6 photos on the card *including the first photo with your start number*, otherwise you will be disqualified. Finally, we invite everyone to exchange ideas and chill out.
11. Exhibition and award ceremony
Usually there is no exhibition for the Mini-Fotomarathon. We just sit together at the end of the day, see the photos of all participants as a slideshow and have a good time together. However, on special occasions we may organise one. We will announce this at every event.
12. Last but not least
We reserve the right to alter these Rules of the Game at any time. If the alterations constitute a material change to the Rules of the Game, we will notify you via e-mail according to the email address you provided at the time of registration. Photos reflecting pornography or representations of violence or discrimination will not be shown in the exhibition.
Mini-Fotomarathon online:
www.facebook.com/Fotomarathon
www.twitter.com/FotomarathonBER