About Science in Focus (SIF)
Science in Focus (SIF) is the science photography and illustration competition of the India Science Festival, designed to ignite the visual creativity of students, researchers, and professionals. In this edition of the competition, we invite all science enthusiasts to explore pressing contemporary themes and convey their unique scientific insights through captivating images, illustrations, and science humor sketches. Tell us your compelling science stories and simplify complex ideas that words alone can’t do justice to. Let your creativity soar and contribute to a genre that not only enlightens but also inspires people to engage with science.
The top 30 entries will be evaluated by jury members in each category. The scores will be averaged out to determine the top 3 entries from each category, which will receive cash prizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who can participate?
The competition is open for all to participate. You must have access to an Indian Bank account to participate.
Q. Do I have to be a professional photographer or science imaging expert to participate?
No, the competition is open to all.
Q. Do I need to have professional camera equipment to participate?
No, you can use any photography equipment, including DSLR, digital camera, mobile phone, light microscope, electron microscope, or telescope. Entries can also be submitted in black and white or greyscale.
Q. Will ISF get the copyright for my photograph/ illustrations?
No, the photographer retains the copyright of their entries. Neither FAST India nor ISF will claim copyright over the photographs.
Q. Can I enter a photograph/illustration that I have submitted for other competitions?
No.
Q. Can I submit this photo/ illustration for other competitions?
Yes, if your photograph/image did not get selected among the top 30 entries, you are free to enter it in other photography/image competitions.
Q. Can I participate in teams for this competition?
No, only individuals are allowed to participate.
Have more questions? Feel free to contact us at indiasciencefestival@fast-india.org
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Internal Jury
Anjali Singh
Anjali is a photographer and museum professional based in Bangalore, whose work sits at the intersection of the personal, the documentary, and the scientific. Working primarily with film and analog processes, they are as drawn to the chemistry and science behind the medium of photography. Their practice is rooted in the everyday, treating the physical act of making a photograph as inseparable from its meaning.
Rafeeque Mavoor
Rafeeque Mavoor is a scientific illustrator and the founder of scidart.com and labcanvas.io. A chemistry graduate from IISER Thiruvananthapuram, he works at the intersection of science, art, and technology, crafting high-impact scientific illustrations and journal cover art for researchers and academic institutions worldwide.
Rafeeque has trained over 2,500 researchers in the art of scientific visualization. His professional background includes serving as a Science Illustrator at IISER Pune and JoVE, as well as a Medical Illustrator at Novo Nordisk. Learn more about his work at rafeeque.com