Black and White by Decagon Gallery is an online photography call dedicated to light, shadow, tone, and texture. It offers $1,000 in total awards, a solo online exhibition for the first-place entry, and visibility through a published catalog and a curated video showcase. The theme is straightforward: black and white. Submissions are open worldwide, the final deadline is December 31, notifications arrive on January 15, and the exhibition runs from January 15 to March 15, 2026.
Entry is simple and flexible: $5 to submit a single image, $24 for up to four images, $4 for each additional image, and a “enter eight, get two free” option (up to ten in total). Selected works appear in the online show, catalog, and social coverage. File specs are clear (JPEG, at least 2100 px on the long side, up to 4 MB) and artists keep copyright while granting the gallery exhibition and promotional use. If you track online photography competitions on Deartline, this is a focused opportunity for monochrome work.
Contents
Prizes
The Black and White by Decagon Gallery awards emphasize recognition and meaningful exposure.
- First Place:
- $500
- Solo online exhibition
- Includes a complimentary exhibition catalog where shipping allows
- Second Place:
- $300
- Includes a complimentary catalog
- Third Place:
- $200
- Includes a complimentary catalog
- Juror’s Awards and Honorable Mentions:
- Official recognition
- Recipients receive the catalog where available
- All Selected Photographers:
- Featured in the online exhibition
- Catalog
- A curated video
- Social media highlights
Related Photo Contests
Categories or Themes
The central theme is black and white photography in all its forms, from classic portrait work to more abstract approaches. For related calls, explore more black and white photography contests.
Dates and Entry Fees
- Deadline: December 31
- Notification: January 15
- Exhibition: January 15 to March 15, 2026
Fees:
- $5 for a single image
- $24 for up to four images
- $4 for each additional image
- “Enter eight, get two free” (maximum ten)
How to Enter:
Submit through the official form. Upload JPEGs with a minimum of 2100 pixels on the long side and a maximum file size of 4 MB each. Name files with your name and the artwork title (“FirstName-LastName_title.jpg”).
About the Jury
The juror is Douglas Beasley, a photographer whose work explores the spiritual and emotional dimensions of people and place. His projects have been widely exhibited and published.
Why Enter Black and White by Decagon Gallery?
This is a focused space for photographers who think in monochrome. The brief is clear, the file specs are practical, and the timeline is predictable. For many, the appeal is straightforward: a chance to place work in front of a dedicated juror, appear in a curated online show, and see images published in a catalog and video without a steep barrier to entry.
If the schedule or theme doesn’t line up this time, Deartline keeps an updated list of other popular photo challenges online. Either way, the structure here (clear fees, defined dates, and a tangible outcome) makes it an easy opportunity to consider for new series or refined portfolio pieces.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Black and White by Decagon Gallery 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
- Selected works are announced by email; participants may receive a digital badge.
- Technical requirements: JPEG files, minimum 2100 pixels on the long edge; maximum 4 MB per file; filenames should include photographer name and image title.
- Submission and payment are completed through the online form; a discount code field may be available when applicable.
Copyright and Image Usage
- Artists retain full copyright to their images.
- The gallery receives limited rights to exhibit selected images online and to promote the exhibition, including use in the catalog, video, and social media.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
