Surreal 2026 by The Glasgow Gallery of Photography is an open call for images that bend reality and lean into the dreamlike. The physical exhibition runs from February 5 to 28, 2026 in Glasgow, with an online gallery as well. Submissions are free and, if selected, photographers pay a participation fee and the gallery handles printing and installation. The brief welcomes surreal approaches and photo manipulation, inviting up to eight images per entrant. If you follow best photography contests, this show offers a clear route to gallery exposure without production headaches.
Key dates include a submission deadline in September 26, 2025, and decisions in early October. Selected photographers receive a digital certificate of participation and appear both on the wall and online, with a chance to be named Photographer of the Month. The theme points naturally toward conceptual photography contests, photomanipulation contests and fine art photography competitions, so practitioners in those areas will feel right at home.
The Surreal 2026 by The Glasgow Gallery of Photography Prizes
Selected photographers have their work printed, framed by the gallery and exhibited in Glasgow during February 2026. The same works appear in an online gallery on the organizer’s site.
Every exhibiting artist receives a digital certificate of participation and is considered for Photographer of the Month.
Related Photo Contests
The Categories or Themes of the Surreal 2026 by The Glasgow Gallery of Photography
The open call revolves around a single theme, “Surreal”, encouraging unreal, fantastical and dreamlike imagery. Photo manipulation is explicitly welcome.
Surreal 2026 by The Glasgow Gallery of Photography Dates and Entry Fees
- Submission deadline: September 26, 2025.
- Acceptance notification: October 1, 2025 (only notified if selected).
- Payment deadline: October 15, 2025.
- Exhibition dates: February 5–28, 2026.
Fees: Submission is free*.
*If selected, the participation fee is £48. The gallery prints, installs and uninstalls the work; house frames are used.
How to Enter:
Prepare 1–8 JPEGs at 300 ppi with a minimum of 3000 pixels on the shortest side. Name files Firstname-Surname (e.g., Jane-Doe1). Transfer your folder via Smash, SwissTransfer, WeTransfer or Dropbox to the gallery’s submissions email, including your name, nationality or residence and the exhibition title. You will only be contacted if selected.
Why Enter Surreal 2026 by The Glasgow Gallery of Photography?
Printing and presentation are handled by the gallery, which reduces logistical barriers and keeps focus on creative direction. The show provides a physical venue plus an online gallery, a certificate for every exhibitor and a pathway to Photographer of the Month. If you are exploring more photography challenges and competitions, this call aligns with artists working across conceptual practice, digital manipulation and fine art approaches.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Surreal 2026 by The Glasgow Gallery of Photography has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Rules
Copyright remains with the artist at all times. The gallery will print at a size and paper type suited to the exhibition and will display credits for each photographer. Submissions must be your own work and not infringe third-party rights.
Works stay on the gallery premises only for the duration of the show. If you plan to collect your print, you must confirm by the date specified in your acceptance email; uncollected prints are held for one month after the exhibition and then destroyed. The organizer operates on a not-for-profit basis.
Copyright and Image Usage
The organizer may use submitted images to promote the exhibition across its website, social channels, advertising, promotional materials and publications, with appropriate credit. The gallery does not commercially exploit high-resolution files or prints outside of promotion and does not sell work without the photographer’s permission.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
