Three award winning photos. One of a man driving a trolly underground, another if a researcher in clean room garv mask and PPE climbing a steep ladder, the third a drift with rails underground at SURF.
SURF 2018 Photowalk finalists (from left) include images by Matt Kadlick, Bonny Fleming, Chris Yushta

2025 Physics Photowalk

Join photographers from around the world for a unique opportunity to document the excitement of Neutrino Day and go behind the scenes at the Sanford Underground Research Facility.

Register here

What is the SURF Photowalk?

The SURF Photowalk is part of the Interactions Global Physics Photowalk, a worldwide initiative that invites amateur and professional photographers to capture the beauty of physics and the places where it happens. SURF’s two-phase event offers participants a chance to explore both the public face of science and the rarely seen underground laboratories.

Header image: 2018 Sanford Lab Photowalk finalists (from left): Matt Kadlick, Bonny Fleming, Chris Yushta

Three Phases of Participation

Phase 1: Neutrino Day Photowalk

  • Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
  • Location: Various Neutrino Day activities throughout Lead, South Dakota
  • Who Can Join: Open to amateur and professional photographers

How It Works:

  • Register in advance
  • Attend Neutrino Day and photograph the festival
  • Submit up to three images for jury review

Phase 2: Exclusive Underground Photowalk

  • Date: TBD (August 2025)
  • Location: Underground laboratories at SURF
  • Eligibility: Up to eight photographers selected from Phase 1 submissions
  • Access: Guided tour underground to photograph SURF’s unique science spaces
  • Submission: Selected photographers may submit images from either phase for the global competition

Phase 3: Global Physics Photowalk

SURF is proud to be one of the international laboratories participating in the 2025 Global Physics Photowalk. The top three images from SURF’s local competition will be submitted for global judging, with a chance to be featured in the CERN Courier and Symmetry.

  • Submission Deadline: September 8, 2025
  • International jury pool
  • Follow the global story with #PhysPics25

How to Register

Spots are limited. Submit your registration today:

Register Here

All participants will receive a Photographer Briefing Document outlining safety, logistics, and submission guidelines. Waivers and photo release forms are required.

FAQs

The SURF Photowalk is a two-phase photography event that invites amateur and professional photographers to photograph the unique science, people, and places of the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). It begins with a public photowalk during Neutrino Day on July 12, 2025, and leads to an exclusive underground photowalk for selected participants.

The second phase will be scheduled between late July and mid-August 2025, with exact dates coordinated with selected photographers. SURF’s global submissions are due by September 8, 2025.

Anyone 18 years or older with an interest in photography may register. You do not need to be a professional photographer to participate.

Yes. Participants must provide and carry their own photography equipment. SURF does not provide cameras, lighting, or accessories.

Yes. By participating, you agree to allow SURF to use submitted images for promotional, educational, and outreach purposes, with credit provided when feasible.

Yes and no. You retain rights to your photos. However, submitted images require assignment of rights to SURF for use in the global photowalk competition and beyond.

No. There is no fee to register. However, participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and related expenses.

Please submit high resolution JPEGs suitable for printing at 300 DPI.

Submission form will open on July 12, 2025.

Resources

Links

Documents coming soon