Contents
Analogue / Digital by Solas / Shadow looks at a divide that continues to shape contemporary photography: the relationship between analogue processes and digital image-making. The international open call leads to an online exhibition beginning in January 2027, with submissions closing on September 29, 2026. Its theme considers how the two approaches differ, influence one another and continue to coexist as photographic practice evolves.
Photographers worldwide aged 18 or over may submit up to five JPG images. There is no submission fee, but photographers whose work is selected must pay a participation fee of £16 for one image or £22 for two or more. Selected participants receive an online gallery presentation, a digital certificate, features through the gallery’s social media and YouTube channel, and inclusion in an exhibition catalogue produced in both PDF and physical formats. For photographers browsing current photo contests, it is therefore best understood as an exhibition and publication opportunity.
The curatorial brief remains deliberately broad. Entrants may focus on analogue photography, digital photography or both, using the theme to consider innovation as well as the lasting qualities of traditional techniques. Solas / Shadow describes itself as an international online photography gallery and places particular emphasis on creating exhibition opportunities for emerging and underrepresented photographers while remaining open to artists at all stages.
Deartline Review
Copyright retained · Non-exclusive license · Curatorial selection
View full review
Contest Prizes
Analogue / Digital by Solas / Shadow benefits are tied to selection for the January 2027 exhibition.
- Selected photographers: Their work is displayed in the Solas / Shadow online gallery as part of the exhibition.
- Catalogue inclusion: Selected images are included in an exhibition catalogue produced in PDF and physical formats, providing a defined publication opportunity.
- Gallery promotion: Participants can have their work featured on the gallery’s social media and YouTube channel.
- Participation certificate: Selected photographers receive a digital certificate.
The online presentation also places the call among photography exhibition opportunities, with the catalogue extending the project beyond the website itself.
Related Photo Contests
Categories
There are no separate entry categories. The exhibition is organized around the single Analogue / Digital theme, examining two approaches to photography and the ways they influence, challenge and complement one another.
The brief asks photographers to consider what innovation has changed in photographic practice and what continues to endure through traditional processes. A submission may concentrate entirely on one approach or explore both. This makes the call relevant to photographers following analog photography contests, without restricting entries to work made exclusively with analogue techniques.
Dates and Entry Fees
The Analogue / Digital by Solas / Shadow call has one published submission deadline. Only selected photographers will be notified, and no separate notification date is stated.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Submission deadline | September 29, 2026 |
| Exhibition start | January 2027 |
Submitting work is free. If selected for the exhibition, the participation fee is £16 for one selected image or £22 for two or more selected images. No fee waiver or discounted participation rate is stated.
How to Enter
Up to five JPG images may be submitted using a file-transfer service such as Smash, SwissTransfer or WeTransfer and sent to submissions@solas-shadowgallery.com. Files should be named with the photographer’s name followed by a number, for example Ann-Smith1 and Ann-Smith2.
The accompanying email or transfer message should include the photographer’s name and surname, location and/or nationality, social media or website links, a short biography of no more than a couple of sentences, and image titles where applicable. Entrants must be at least 18 years old, and submissions are accepted worldwide.
Why Enter Analogue / Digital by Solas / Shadow?
The clearest distinction here is the separation between application and exhibition participation. Work can be submitted without an upfront fee, and a charge becomes due only if images are selected. For photographers comparing a competition for photography with an exhibition-led opportunity, that makes the financial commitment clear before entry.
The theme also allows more freedom than its title might initially suggest. A paired analogue-and-digital project is not required. Photographers can concentrate on one process or use several images to examine the relationship between the two. Selection brings together an international online exhibition, catalogue publication and several gallery promotion channels, rather than a conventional first, second and third prize structure.
Rules and Copyright
We reviewed the official rules of the Analogue / Digital by Solas / Shadow to summarize the key participation requirements, copyright terms and image usage conditions. Before entering, we recommend checking the complete rules published by the organizer.
Photographers must be the sole creators and copyright owners of their submitted images. Work must be original and must not infringe copyright, trademarks, privacy rights or other third-party intellectual property rights. Copyright remains exclusively with the photographer, and Solas / Shadow does not claim ownership.
By submitting, photographers grant the gallery a non-exclusive license to display, promote and feature their work on the exhibition website and related online galleries, on social media and promotional materials, and in newsletters, press announcements and digital publications without additional payment or permission. Accepted work may also be used to promote the exhibition, the gallery and future activities. No duration for the license is stated, and the terms do not specify sublicensing rights.
The gallery states that it will not sell or commercially exploit the work without the photographer’s explicit permission. Its curatorial team may select all, some or none of a submission, and decisions are final. Images may be resized or formatted for consistent online presentation, and work that fails technical or quality standards may be rejected.
—
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
