Wellcome Photography Prize judges

Chaired by Sumitra Upham, Associate Director of Curatorial and Public Practice at Wellcome Collection, the panel combines expertise in visual storytelling, science and communication.

Additional judges will be announced soon. Sign up for updates on deadlines, judges, winner’s announcements, and other prize news.

The story behind an image and the reasons why it was created are as important as the image itself.

Our judges are looking for three things:

1. Creativity and visual impact 

• Strong visual impact that leaves a memorable impression
• Thoughtful composition and creative interpretation
• Purposeful use of colour, tone, light, scale or form

2. Storytelling and relevance

• Tells a compelling story about how health and science influence our lives, communities and futures.
• Links to mental health, infectious disease, climate change, or new knowledge that expands our understanding of life, health and wellbeing.
• Provides clear context that helps audiences understand why the image matters.
• Shows sensitivity to the people, places or subjects represented, particularly where work involves lived experience, illness, inequality or communities affected by health challenges.

3. Technical excellence

• High standard of technical execution appropriate to the medium, subject and imaging technique used.
• Clearly described, appropriate and skilful editing, processing or image manipulation where applicable.
• High-resolution image quality suitable for print.
• Meets the competition requirements and terms and conditions.