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The 2018 Photobox Instagram Photography Awards attracted more than 180,000 entries in less than three weeks, making it one of the largest social-media photography competitions reported at the time. Entrants submitted photographs by posting them to Instagram with #thepipas2018.
How the 2018 Photobox Instagram Photography Awards worked
Photobox launched the competition in July 2018 and kept the entry window open for three weeks. The submission process was built around Instagram rather than a separate upload form:
- Create or select a photograph.
- Post it on Instagram during the competition period.
- Add the official hashtag #thepipas2018 so the entry could be identified.
This hashtag-led format reduced submission friction and allowed the organizers to handle a very large volume of entries through the social network.
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What categories could photographers enter?
The awards divided submissions into 10 categories, combining established photographic genres with themes that reflected Instagram’s more personal, informal style.
#1 Best Overall
- 16MP Sensor: Captures detailed photos with a CMOS sensor for everyday shooting
- Optical Zoom: 4x optical zoom with a 27mm wide angle lens for flexible framing indoors or outdoors
- Full HD Video: Records 1080p video for travel clips, family moments, or simple vlogging
- Memory Support: Works with Class 10 SD, SDHC, or SDXC cards up to 512GB
- LCD Screen and Battery: 2.7in LCD screen with 2 AA alkaline batteries for convenient on-the-go use
| Category | What it represented |
|---|---|
| Travel | Photographs made while travelling or documenting places |
| Animals | Animal subjects and wildlife-related images |
| Sport | Action, competition and sporting moments |
| Landscape | Natural and built environments viewed as scenes |
| Fashion | Fashion-focused portraits, styling and editorial images |
| Festival | Celebrations, events and festival atmosphere |
| Family | Personal and domestic family moments |
| Art/Culture & Style | Images connected with creative, cultural or stylistic subjects |
| #Love | Images expressing affection, relationships or emotional connection |
| #NoFilter | Unstaged or deliberately unpolished smartphone-style images |
The final two themes were especially Instagram-native: they rewarded the intimate and spontaneous visual language associated with everyday social-media photography alongside more conventional subjects such as landscape and fashion.
Who judged the awards?
The judging panel included senior magazine and newspaper picture editors. It included Farrah Storr, then editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan, and Eamonn McCabe, former picture editor at The Guardian. Their backgrounds brought mainstream editorial photography experience to a contest built on social-media submissions.
Rank #2
- 16MP Sensor: Captures detailed photos with a CMOS sensor for everyday shooting
- Optical Zoom: 5x optical zoom with a 28mm wide angle lens for flexible framing indoors or outdoors
- Full HD Video: Records 1080p video for travel clips, family moments, or simple vlogging
- Memory Support: Works with Class 10 SD, SDHC, or SDXC cards up to 512GB
- LCD Screen and Battery: 2.7in LCD screen and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for on-the-go use
Who won the first Instagram photography competition?
Darren William Hall (@darrenwilliamhall) won the overall award with a photograph of his miniature poodle, Ted. Category winners and shortlisted photographs ranged across travel scenes, landscapes, fashion, sport, animals, family life and street photography, as well as casual smartphone images.
Why the inaugural event mattered
The awards illustrated how Instagram contests could operate at a scale that was difficult for traditional, form-based competitions to match. A single public hashtag opened participation to a broad community, while the category structure gave the entries an editorial framework. The result was a mix of polished photographic work and candid, intimate images rather than a contest limited to one professional style.
Rank #3
- Latest Digital Camera Built-in Fill Light : This compact digital camera is paired with a powerful CMOS processor and image stabilization to help you take & record the most exciting moments in 44 MP quality images & FHD 1080P quality videos anywhere, anytime. Plus, there is also a built-in fill light to help you take high quality pictures even in low light&dark settings, making this the perfect camera for all indoors/outdoors situations.
- Long-Lasting Battery Life & 16X Digital Zoom :This point and shoot camera will retain its battery charge even after long use. The controls and functions are easy to operate making this the perfect choice for children, teens and younger. This kids camera supports 16x digital zoom, you can zoom in or out the subject by pressing the W/T button for taking still photos to zoom in or out on distant objects and capture all the details you need.
- Multifunctional & Portable Digital Camera: This cheap digital camera is slim enough to fit in your pocket. You'll easily be able to take it with you on all your indoor/outdoor activities and adventures and ideal for beginners, children and teenagers. This kids digital camera is equipped with 20 filters, anti-shaking, self-timer, continuous shooting, date stamp, time-lapse recording, smile capture, internal MIC and speaker (recording sound videos), great for your daily photography needs.
- WEBCAM & PAUSE FUNCTION : More than just a FHD 1080p digital camera, it also works as a webcam for video calls and vlogging. Connect the camera to the computer, press shutter and power button at the same time and the camera will automatically turn on webcam mode for all your video calling and live streaming needs. The pause function allows you to pause when seeing playback videos.
- A Must Have Photography Device : This digital camera with SD card made from high-quality materials, this retro camera is safe and durable. Perfect for all ages to develop & improve their photographic abilities and observation skills. Our dedicated and experienced 24/7 support team is available for all after purchase troubleshooting, questions and technical help.
Contemporary reporting described the event as the world’s largest social-media photography competition at that time. Photobox representative Rory Scott said the company was surprised to receive the volume of entries in its first year, highlighting how quickly a low-friction Instagram call for submissions could gain reach.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is not documented about the 2018 contest?
The available reporting establishes the launch date, entry method, categories, judges and overall winner, but it does not specify prize terms. It is therefore safer to treat the event’s significance as participation and exposure rather than assume a particular cash prize, equipment award or publication deal.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 16MP Sensor: Captures detailed photos with a CMOS sensor for everyday shooting
- Optical Zoom: 5x optical zoom with a 28mm wide angle lens for flexible framing indoors or outdoors
- Full HD Video: Records 1080p video for travel clips, family moments, or simple vlogging
- Memory Support: Works with Class 10 SD, SDHC, or SDXC cards up to 512GB
- LCD Screen and Battery: 2.7in LCD screen and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for on-the-go use
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