Water by NYC4PA is asking photographers a deceptively simple question: what does water look like through your eyes? From the rush of rapids to the quiet skin of a city pond, this international juried call invites fresh ways of seeing the element that shapes so much of life. The New York Center for Photographic Art is opening submissions on November 16, 2025, with a final deadline of February 8, 2026. For anyone scanning a list of photography competitions for a strong winter deadline and a clear theme, this one is worth a close look.
The contest offers $4,000 in total cash awards across ten prize winners, plus significant visibility through the NYC4PA Online Gallery and an Award Winners Catalog. The Grand Prize image also earns a front-page feature on the NYC4PA website. Submissions are open worldwide and welcome any photographic process, including traditional prints, transfers, or mixed techniques, as long as the work is two-dimensional. Entry costs start at $35 for up to three images, with additional images priced at $10 each and no cap on the number submitted.
At its core, Water by NYC4PA is about interpretation rather than restriction. The theme spans oceans, rain, reflections, droplets, geysers, tears, and everything between.
Contents
Prizes
Water by NYC4PA will name ten cash prize winners and showcase a wider group of selected images. Beyond the money, the awards come with publication and online exhibition benefits that extend the reach of the winning work.
- Grand Prize. One photographer receives $1,100. The winning image will be featured on the NYC4PA home page, and the photographer is included in the online gallery, catalog, and receives an award certificate.
- First Prize. Three photographers each receive $400. Their images are included in the online gallery and Award Winners Catalog, and each winner receives an award certificate.
- Second Prize. Three photographers each receive $325, with the same gallery, catalog, and certificate recognition.
- Third Prize. Three photographers each receive $250, and are likewise featured in the online gallery and catalog with certificates.
In addition to prize winners, the juror will select 20 Juror Selections and 20 Honorable Mentions for inclusion in the exhibition presentation.
Related Photo Contests
Categories or Themes
All entries respond to one central theme: water in any of its forms. The organizers explicitly welcome every style and process, including black and white, color, and even abstract approaches. That means a single frame could be a seascape study, a close-up of dew on a leaf, a long-exposure river, or a conceptual look at steam and ice. What matters is how convincingly the image explores water as subject, texture, or idea.
Dates and Entry Fees
Here are the key dates and costs for this edition of this Water by NYC4PA.
- Call opens: November 16, 2025.
- Submission deadline: February 8, 2026.
- Notification of results: approximately three weeks after the deadline.
Entry fees:
- $35 for the first three images.
- Additional images cost $10 each.
There is no limit to the number of images a photographer may submit.
How to Enter:
Entries are submitted online through NYC4PA’s submission portal. Uploaded files should be JPGs, with the long side at least 1,280 pixels. Photographers should use short, unique file names without special characters. The contest uses a blind jury process, so submitted images must not include signatures or watermarks, and artist names should not appear in titles.
About the Jury
The Water by NYC4PA is juried by Debra Klomp Ching, co-owner of Klompching Gallery in New York. She has more than 25 years of experience working with contemporary fine art photography as a gallerist, educator, consultant, and portfolio reviewer. Her background spans curating, mentoring photographers, and judging major photography awards, bringing a market-aware and artist-focused perspective to the selection process.
Why Enter Water by NYC4PA?
Water by NYC4PA combines a clear, universal theme with tangible benefits for selected photographers. The cash pool is substantial for a themed juried call, and the structure of ten prize winners means multiple chances at meaningful awards. Just as important, the online gallery and Award Winners Catalog offer long-term visibility beyond the deadline window, supported by NYC4PA’s established audience.
The theme also suits photographers who like to work across genres. Whether the work leans toward nature photo contests, urban reflections, or experimental studies of light and surface, the brief invites interpretation rather than narrow compliance. With a respected juror and a blind judging process, the contest sits comfortably close to other best photo challenges online that reward both craft and originality.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Water by NYC4PA 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
Only two-dimensional photographic work is eligible, using any photographic process. Images that have received an NYC4PA prize within the past two years are not eligible and may be disqualified if submitted again. The contest is juried blindly, so images must not show signatures or watermarks, and artist names should not be included in titles. Results are communicated by email, and entrants should ensure their contact details are accurate.
Copyright and Image Usage
By entering, photographers confirm they own the submitted images and that no copyright is infringed. NYC4PA is not responsible for rights issues that emerge during judging or display. Entrants grant NYC4PA permission to use submitted images for promotion and advertising of NYC4PA, and for inclusion in the online gallery and catalog if the images receive a prize, juror selection, or honorable mention. Winners outside the U.S. may be responsible for wire transfer fees if PayPal is not available. Prize money is subject to U.S. tax rules, including withholding for non-U.S. residents where applicable.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
