“When artistic processes reveal the hidden landscapes of matter”

A3TS is launching the latest edition of its traditional photo contest! It is open to all students enrolled in heat treatment and surface treatment programs. Grain structures, temper colors, microstructures, surface finishes… Get your cameras ready to reveal the unexpected beauty of processed materials.

For the 2026–2027 academic year, the competition is supervised by Imane Dhaouadi (Physics and Chemistry Teacher), Frédéric Meunier (Senior Project Engineer, Production Technology, Oerlikon), Frédéric Raulin (Vice President, A3TS), Séverine Roger (Administrative Assistant, A3TS), and Fabrice Turpin (Professor of Industrial Engineering Sciences), with the participation of our sponsor Lam Plan, represented by Jérôme Seureau.

Prizes: Several awards, presented directly to the winners’ class or school in the form of metallographic preparation supplies. Donated by Lam Plan and the A3TS, they have a total value of between €3,500 and €4,000.

Awards Ceremony: The winners will be honored in front of the entire industry at Mattris '27, the A3TS Annual Conference and Trade Show, June 2–4, 2027, in Orléans.

1. 2026–2027 CONTEST THEME

The theme of the competition is defined each year. The photographs submitted must illustrate the theme and follow the presentation guidelines set out in the rules.

This year's theme is:“When Processing Techniques Reveal the Hidden Landscapes of Matter”

2. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

The competition is open to high school pupils and students of full age and minors in heat treatment and surface treatment courses (permission to take part to be provided by the legal representative if the minor is not under the supervision of a teacher).

Each individual or group participant presents one and only one photograph.

This photograph may not be retouched (with the exception of the transition from color to black and white) or edited using photo software.

3. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

The contest is openuntil May 6, 2027.

All entries from the same school must be submitted by a single "referent" teacher for this competition.

For each participant wishing to compete, it is expected:

¤ the following completed form, including the signature sheet covering image rights: https: //forms.gle/t8XHbbmG4QDapXWk9

¤ Your work sent by email in pdf format, formatted as follows (+refer to the attached document template):

Only one document may be attached to this e-mail (to s.roger@a3ts.org)(must be in pdf format).

This pdf file will include on a single page in A3 format :

• The photo: its definition will be established to allow quality printing in A3 format (as a rough guide, an image resolution of 250 dpi is a good choice). This A3 format will be the one displayed on the A3TS congress forum.

• A scale if relevant

• The title you have chosen for your work

• The author(s) (first name(s) + last name(s))

• The name of the school and the course followed

• In the box provided (maximum size 10 cm * 20 cm), a text (minimum font size 12) describing :

o A general description of the experimental procedure(s) performed.
o Technical and scientific information.
o The nature of the materials and any associated treatments
o Any preparations made for this laboratory procedure.
o Any other additional points deemed necessary

The generic model of the expected work is presented in the appendix.

4. COMPETITION JURY AND SELECTION CRITERIA

A jury of material processing professionals is formed each year to select the photographs. Under the presidency of a member of the A3TS, the jury will evaluate the photographs presented by the candidates.

Photographs will be judged on the following aspects:

- Relevance of the subject,
- Originality,
- Artistic interest,
- Technicity in relation to the professions of materials science, heat treatment and surface treatment,
- Interest in terms of communication in the industrial or academic sectors of heat treatment and/or surface treatment.

The organizer reserves the right to invalidate or cancel all or part of an entry if it appears that fraud or malfunctions of any kind have occurred during participation in the contest. It also reserves the right to exclude images that may infringe public order, public decency or the rights of a third party.

The decision of the jury is final and will not be justified under any circumstances.

5. PRIZES AND AWARDS

A prize will be awarded to the authors of the photograph selected in the following categories:

• Winner of the "1er Prix" competition

• Aesthetics Awards

• Technicality award (in this case, the elements provided by the image and the content of the explanatory text will be taken into account)

• Originality Award

• Communication awards (the target audience here is the next generation)

The winners' home establishments will receive equipment from A3TS and Lam Plan (sponsor of the competition).

The prizes will be awarded in public at the A3TS Congress, in the presence of members of the Jury.

The winners will have their pictures published on the website and in the A3TS magazine.

For the 2026 competition, for informational purposes, the total prize amount of €2,000 was awarded directly in the form of a gift certificate for LAM Plan metallurgical preparation products.

6. PERSONAL DATA

In accordance with the provisions of article 34 of the French Data Protection Act 78-17, participants are hereby informed that the personal information collected by A3TS is necessary for their participation in this competition and will be processed electronically.

To find out more about how your personal data is managed and to exercise your rights, please refer to the privacy policy here: https: //www.a3ts.org/politique-de-confidentialite

7. RIGHT TO IMAGE

Participants declare and guarantee that they are the authors of the photos submitted and, consequently, that they are the exclusive holders of all literary and artistic property rights, in particular the right to the name, the right of reproduction and the right of public representation of the said photos. As such, they agree that these photos may be exhibited and/or published on any A3TS communication medium. The name(s) of the author(s) will appear each time the photographs are published.

They also represent and warrant that they have obtainedprior written consent from any individuals who may be identifiable in thesubmittedphotosor from the owners of the property depicted.Under no circumstances shallthe organizerbe held liablefor the use of such photos.

Participation in the contest implies full acceptance of the present rules, with no possibility of complaint regarding the results.

Sponsored by :