Photo Contest

ISTFA 2026 Photo Contest

Open to the Global Failure Analysis Community

The ISTFA 2026 Photo Contest invites members of the failure analysis community to share their most compelling and visually striking images. This competition celebrates the intersection of science, discovery, and visual storytelling—recognizing images that highlight both the technical depth and the artistic beauty of failure analysis.

Selected entries will be displayed on-site at the 2026 International Symposium for Testing and Failure Analysis (ISTFA) in San Antonio, where attendees can view and vote on outstanding submissions.

 

Contest Categories

Participants may submit no more than one image per category. Final category details will be confirmed closer to the submission opening but are expected to include:

I. Color Images Only
(Optical Microscopy)

II. Black & White Images Only
(Optical Microscopy, SEM, TEM, X-Ray, UV Micrographs, and other advanced imaging methods)

III. False Color Images Only
(SPM, SAM, Photon Emission, and related techniques)

 

Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated using a balanced scoring approach based on:

  • Failure analysis relevance

  • Aesthetics and visual impact

  • Novelty of technique or failure mechanism

Awards & Recognition 

Prize details for the ISTFA 2026 Photo Contest will be announced closer to the event. Recognition is expected to include:

  • Awards for top placements in each category

  • On-site display of selected finalist entries

  • Post-conference promotion through ISTFA and EDFAS communication channels

 

Submission Details 

Final submission instructions will be posted once the contest window opens. In general, participants should expect the following guidelines:

  • Submissions will be accepted digitally

  • One image per category per participant

  • Standard image formats (PNG, JPG/JPEG, TIFF, BMP, etc.)

  • High-resolution images strongly encouraged

  • Each submission must include:

    • Name of submitter

    • Title of image

    • Category

    • Contact information

    • Brief description of the micrograph (typically 50 words or fewer)

Images must not contain embedded contact information.

 

Original Work, Copyright & Permissions

All submitted images must be original work and may include only properly authorized content. Entrants are responsible for securing all necessary permissions prior to submission.

By submitting an entry, participants grant EDFAS and ASM International the right to exhibit, reproduce, and distribute submitted images for conference-related and promotional use. Entries will not be returned.
Submissions created or altered using artificial intelligence (AI) will not be accepted.

 

Important Dates & Entry Limits (Coming Soon)

Submission deadlines, display details, voting procedures, and winner announcements will be posted once finalized. Participants are encouraged to visit this page regularly for updates.

 

Share your work. Be recognized. Inspire the failure analysis community through imagery at ISTFA 2026.