Photos by our community: @roshan_m_j, Tdot Mike and @pkphotography.ca.
Welcome. Our 2026 photo contest is on the way! We start Oct.1 and run until Nov. 15. Please read on for details about the the contest. Please spread the word on your socials. On Instagram we are @tdot_shots.
We held an amazing contest last year! View our contest blog post for 2025 winner and runner-up photo selections!
📸 COLOUR CITY 2026: 6 WEEKS • 6 EVENTS • 6 PRIZES IN THE 6IX 🎨
Tdot Shots and Tdot.cc present COLOUR CITY 2026, supported by London Drugs Photolab / Prolab Canada + Tdot.com Design Media 🍁✨
This autumn, capture the vibrant light, drama, and movement of the City of Toronto through photo and video. Join our event series, shoot the city, and compete for $1,000 in total prizes, including professional printing credits and Tdot.com creative services!
Colour City
Overview: Dates, Categories, Prizes, Formats and Rules
DATES: Oct. 1 – Nov. 15
The contest runs for six weeks from beginning of October to mid November. Plenty of time for you to snap some sweet pics or craft some compelling videos. Please submit only images or media taken in the City of Toronto during the contest period.
🎨 CONTEST CATEGORIES
1️⃣ COLOURSCAPE — Selective colour, vibrant grading, and HSL manipulation that makes urban tones pop.
2️⃣ MOODY VIBE — Atmospheric light, shadows, contrast, and dark/contemplative tones. B&W welcome!
3️⃣ VIDEO / REEL — Short-form video under 60 seconds. Any Instagram-supported format is eligible. Audio is not judged — visuals, framing, and colour grade only!
🏆 PRIZES ($1,000 Total Value)
1st Prize Winners
Winners receive:
$100 Prolab Canada Print Credit +
$100 Tdot.com Service Credit
(1 per category)
2nd prize Winners
Winners:
$50 Prolab Canada Print Credit +
$50 Tdot.com Service Credit
Bonus: All prize winners receive profiles and interviews across Tdot Shots websites and social media!.
Event Participation Note: We encourage everyone to join our photo walks and workshops! Judges shortlist entries strictly based on artistic and technical merit. When evaluating final selections across all categories and prize tiers, priority or tie-breaker consideration will be given to entries from event participants
💻 Tdot.com Service Credits may be used toward web design, media creation, or consulting services. Credits are non-transferable and valid through November 2027.
🖨️ Prolab Canada Print Credits are redeemable online via Prolab Canada (shipped to Canadian addresses only).
🗓️ FALL EVENT SCHEDULE
Events are for community, learning, and shooting together – and you can enter your event shots in the contest!
Register + Attend our Fall Events
Come out and shoot with us!
Our events are fun and productive. Learn something new, meet some new people, and in this year’s contest your participation increases your chances to win in the photo contest. We will prioritize event photos in the case that we need a tie breaking vote.
1️⃣ Oct 11: U of T Architecture & History Photo Walk (Free)
2️⃣ Oct 18: Harbourfront to Trillium Park Photo Walk (Free)
3️⃣ Late Oct: Torontohenge Sunset Alignment Shoot (Free, TBA)
4️⃣ Oct 24: Downtown Long Exposure Workshop w/ Paul Flynn ($15 / Max 15 spots)
5️⃣ Oct 31: Halloween Downtown Street Photography Walk (Free)
6️⃣ Nov 22: Community Awards Meetup & Photo Walk (Free) — winners announced!
🎟️ Register on tdot.cc — attending an event is a great way to meet the community.
📋 HOW TO ENTER
1️⃣ Post a NEW photo or Reel to your public Instagram feed between Oct 1 – Nov 15, 2026. (Grid posts & Reels only — Stories are not eligible.)
2️⃣ Tag @tdot_shots directly ON the post and use #colourcitytoronto.
3️⃣ Follow @tdot_shots + @prolabcanada
4️⃣ Write a short caption sharing location, gear, editing process, or story behind the shot — and mention the contest!
5️⃣ Multiple entries welcome. Each eligible post is judged separately. Only the first image in a carousel is judged.
In-person event participants please a) Register a free account at Tdot.cc + b) Sign up for events
⚖️ EDITING & JUDGING
Judged by a panel of GTA photographers on artistic and technical merit. Our panel of expert judges include: Michele Thompson, @magpie_n_moo, Eddie Chan @eddiemarkhampyro, and Chris Noronha @chrisnoronhaphoto (our coordinator Mike @tdot_mike acts as a tie breaker). Huge thanks to all of you!
Strictly no AI-generated imagery, sky replacement, or heavy compositing. In the spirit of real photography, only normal editing, exposure adjustments, and colour grading are permitted.
Shortlisted entrants may be asked to provide original files (photo or video) as part of our verification process — please keep your original files handy!
✅ ELIGIBILITY
Open entry — no age or residency requirement. Accounts must be public for the duration of the contest. (Note: London Drugs Photolab print credits are redeemable in Canada only). You must be the original sole author of any images or media you enter into the contest (copyright holder). In the spirit of the contest entries should be shot and edited during the contest period.
By entering, you grant Tdot Shots permission to feature your entry (with full credit) on any Tdot Shots owned or managed websites and social channels. Entries will not be used outside of the context of the contest.
🤝 VOLUNTEERS & COMMUNITY
Want to help coordinate fall events or support the Tdot Shots community team? DM @tdot_shots or reach out via email!
🔗 Full rules & event RSVPs: tdot.cc/colour-city and tdot.cc/events
Suggested hashtags: #tdot_shots #colourcity2026 #londondrugs
Credits + Thank you
Volunteers: We are grateful to volunteers including our judges @eddiemarkhampyro and @magpie_n_moo.
Sponsors: London Drugs Photolab and Prolab Canada + Tdot.com
Contributors: Kotsy aka @itsonlykotsy for the main promotional images photography.
Events
Don’t forget to attend the events throughout the fall season. The 2nd place winners will be specifically selected based on attendance at our walks (attend one event be eligible for prizes!).
Photo Walk Awards Meetup
In 2025, we held a photo walk to celebrate the finalists and winners. View photos from the walk in our 2025 year-end wrap-up post.
Be sure to check out our Tdot.cc current events including the awards meetup for 2026. Good luck if you enter the contest and see you at an event!
