City Lights by Carlotta Gallery is the kind of open call that can make a night shoot feel like more than practice. Focused on the character of urban environments after dark, this themed photography exhibition is looking for work where artificial light and human presence shape the scene, whether it’s a quiet street corner, a bright intersection, or a city square in motion. The submission deadline is February 20, 2026, and entries are open to photographers worldwide. There is no charge to submit, and a participation fee is only due if the work is chosen for exhibition.
Applying is free, and photographers can submit up to three JPG images by email, along with a short biography, an artist statement, and basic artwork details. If selected, participants receive a curated place in a virtual online exhibition, a free PDF exhibition catalogue, and a certificate of recognition. Selected images can also be featured through the gallery’s social media and permanently hosted on the gallery’s platforms. In the wider landscape of photography challenges to join online, this call stands out for its clear theme and simple entry process.
Prizes
City Lights by Carlotta Gallery offers prizes in the form of exhibition, publication-style materials, and long-term online visibility through the gallery’s channels.
- One or more photographs showcased in a Virtual Online Exhibition.
- A free PDF copy of the Exhibition Catalogue.
- A free Certificate of Recognition.
- Feature opportunities through social media posts and stories.
- Permanent upload of the photograph(s) on Instagram.
- Long-term hosting on the gallery’s Artists page, alongside the photographer’s biography and artist statement.
Related Photo Contests
Categories or Themes
City Lights by Carlotta Gallery does not list formal entry categories, everything is organized around a single theme: urban environments at night, where streets, squares, intersections, and public spaces take on a different identity after dark.
Dates and Entry Fees
This open call runs on a free-to-apply model, with a participation fee only for photographers whose work is selected for exhibition.
| Key date | Details |
|---|---|
| Submission deadline | February 20, 2026 |
Application fee: Free.
Participation fee (only if selected): £20 (about €23) for one showcased artwork, £30 (about €34) for two, £35 (about €40) for three.
How to Enter:
Applications are submitted by email. Send up to three images per open call, in JPG format, and include the following in the email: name and surname, Instagram handle, a short biography, and an artist statement.
For each submitted work, include artwork details: title, year of creation, and price in GBP (if applicable).
Why Enter City Lights by Carlotta Gallery?
City Lights by Carlotta Gallery is built for photographers who already work in the nighttime city and want a clear framework to present that work. The theme is specific enough to guide edits and sequencing, but broad enough to fit documentary street scenes, architectural studies, and more experimental uses of artificial light. For photographers who want their work to live beyond a single post, the combination of an online exhibition, a catalogue, and a permanent artist listing creates a tidy package of outcomes that can be referenced in a portfolio or CV.
The selection-based fee structure is also practical: applying does not require a payment, and only selected artists pay a participation fee tied to how many images are shown. For readers browsing Deartline for other popular photo challenges, this one is easy to compare because the benefits, costs, and submission requirements are clearly stated from the start.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the City Lights by Carlotta 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
- Open to photographers worldwide.
- Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
- Apply by email and submit up to 3 images per open call.
- Files must be in JPG format.
- The application itself is free of charge.
- If selected for the exhibition, a participation fee applies based on the number of showcased artworks.
Copyright and Image Usage
- Photographers retain the copyright to their submitted works.
- By submitting, photographers grant permission for online display of the exhibition and for promotional materials related to the exhibition.
- Promotion and display may include use on Instagram, Artplacer, and the gallery’s website.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
