What is the game all about?
As can be seen from the name, the object of the game is to hunt for good pictures to take. This is a competition based on creativity, where fantasy and imagination score highly, and time is not taken into consideration. Participants receive several tasks, usually around 7-10. For each task, the objective is comprised of a phrase or word, which they should use as a guideline for taking a picture. Even though the main objective of the game is generating creative ideas, the quality of the pictures is also important. An SLR camera with macro-mode, fish-eye lens and a lens with 300mm optical-zoom ability improve your chances of getting better pictures for each task; you can shoot things that would be impossible to capture with a regular camera.

A possible sequence for carrying out missions could be:
– At the beginning of the game, you receive the task from the web site;
– During the next few hours (6, 7, 8...) you will attempt to take a creative picture based on the description;
– As the game progresses, it will be necessary to upload the pictures to the server;
– During the next hours, the pictures are scored and the winner is chosen. Afterwards, the winner is announced and the final table of results is published.

During the game, you will be required to think and possibly search the area for inspiration. The most difficult part is when it comes to the idea “WHAT” to shoot. Thinking about “WHERE” and “HOW” will be a lot easier. Anyone can press a button on a camera, but the real challenge lies between original ideas for the shots.

It doesn’t matter how you make a particular picture; or whether it’s accidentally-taken or set-up on the street. It is important that your shot is emotional.

Examples of missions and shots taken

Task: "Web-design in the old park"

An example of a picture that has been taken for this task:


Task: "Yes/No"

An example of a picture that has been taken for this task:


Task: "Technical progress"

An example of a picture that has been taken for this task:


Task: "Crime"

An example of a picture that has been taken for this task:




When are the games held?
Usually in the daytime on Sundays. PhotoHunt is the perfect way of spending a day off. Sometimes games take place at night time, where the tasks require more liberal pictures, such as eroticism :)

What is required for participation?
– Internet connection to receive tasks and submit solutions (Can be done via laptop, PDA or even mobile phone)
– High-speed internet connection for uploading high-quality pictures to the server
– Digital camera.

A 3.2 megapixel camera will be enough for the game. However a good SLR camera along with different lenses may give you an advantage over other players The transport you use for travelling through the city is up to you. You could use your own transport as well as walking through the city.

Who is the winner?
Photos may be judged using two systems: “Self-rating” and “Board of judges”

«Self-rating» -- Teams that have participated will rate the photos for each task taken by their opponents. Of course, the team cannot rate their own pictures, but they have to rate all of the others.

«Board of Judges» -- The photos are rated by Board of judges on scale from 1 to 10. The judges are appointed and announced beforehand. Usually judges are professional photographers or creative individuals. The author of the game is included to the Board of judges.

Each shot is rated separately on a scale from 1 to 10. Thus each judge's opinion on the photos is guided by their own impression of how the pictures correspond with:
– Ideas incorporated into the picture
– How well the picture matches the task
– The quality of the picture taken
– Artistic qualities of the picture
– Personal preferences of the judge

All shots are displayed in the aspect ratio of 3:2 (or 2:3 if the picture is portrait). Therefore, the size of an uploaded picture should not be less than 1024 x 683 (683 x 1024 if portrait). All normal digital cameras take shots at the ratio of 4:3. Therefore before uploading pictures, they should be converted into the correct aspect ratio (3:2/2:3), the picture will then look tidier and fill all the space provided for publishing it.

Who invented PhotoHunt?
The person who came up with the idea of taking photos for the given task cannot be traced. Various cities in different countries played games very similar to the official version over the time. However, the rapid spread of this idea can be attributed to Alexey Tkachev, who started to systematically hosting these games from 2004. The first game was held by him in Spring 2004 in Moscow.