Light by A Smith Gallery

Light by A Smith Gallery is now open, and it is the kind of themed call that can catch attention quickly. Built around the idea of light in all its forms, this international photography competition offers photographers a chance to be part of an online exhibition and catalogue, with selected work also considered for awards that include a solo exhibition, a hardbound book, editorial features, and a $100 visitors award. The entry deadline is April 13, 2026, with results scheduled for April 24, 2026, and the exhibition running from May 8 to June 18, 2026.

This call is organized by A Smith Gallery and welcomes submissions across photographic mediums and styles, as long as the work fits the theme. Entry starts at $40 for up to five images, with additional images priced at $5 each. Up to 47 images will be selected for the online exhibition and catalogue, and 27 of those will also appear in a hardbound exhibition book. For photographers who regularly track photo contest deadlines, this is one of those calls where the combination of exhibition visibility, publication, and juried recognition gives the opportunity a clear structure.

The juror for this edition is Elizabeth Avedon, an independent curator, photography book designer, and writer with a long record in exhibition design, publishing, and portfolio review. The competition is relevant for photographers looking at themed calls with a clear curatorial direction, especially those interested in visibility through an photography contests with exhibition opportunities format..

Prizes

The prize structure for Light by A Smith Gallery is built around exhibition, publication, and recognition within the gallery’s online program.

• The Juror’s Award includes an online solo exhibition, inclusion in “The 27” hardbound exhibition book, and a feature story on the gallery blog. The solo exhibition will be scheduled at a mutually agreed time and will run for one month.
• The Director’s Award includes a copy of “The 27” exhibition book and a feature story on the gallery blog. Like the Juror’s Award, the related solo exhibition timing is arranged directly with the gallery.
• The Visitors Award is given to the image that receives the most Instagram likes and carries a cash award of $100. In addition, all selected artists benefit from online exhibition exposure, social media featuring, inclusion in the exhibition catalogue, discussion in the GalleryTalk program, and the possibility of having their work listed in the gallery’s online store.

From the total selection, 27 images will be chosen for “The 27”, a hardbound fine art book of the exhibition.

Categories or Themes

Light by A Smith Gallery is centered on a single theme: light.

That gives the competition a broad but focused frame. The theme can be approached through mood, atmosphere, formal experimentation, symbolism, or direct visual use of illumination. Because the gallery accepts work in all photographic mediums and styles, the theme can stretch across very different visual languages.

Dates and Entry Fees

The calendar for this call is clearly defined and gives entrants a short but manageable timeline from submission to exhibition.

• Entries due: April 13, 2026.
• Results emailed: April 24, 2026.
• Exhibition dates: May 8 to June 18, 2026.
• Reception: May 29, 2026.

Entry fees:

• $40 for the first 5 images.
• $5 for each additional image.

Photographers who submit 13 or more images receive a complimentary review by the gallery directors.

How to Enter:

Applicants must use the online application to submit their images and complete payment, either through PayPal or by mailing a check after submitting the form online. If there are technical issues during upload, images and titles may also be sent by email, after which the gallery sends a PayPal request or Square invoice for the fee.

Digital files must be JPEGs sized to 1800 pixels on the longest side at 72 ppi. Each file should be labeled with consecutive numbers followed by the entrant’s name, and the numbering should match the application form. Watermarks should not be included.

About the Jury

The juror for Light by A Smith Gallery is Elizabeth Avedon. She is an independent curator, photography book designer, and writer. Her background includes roles such as Director of Photo-Eye Gallery in Santa Fe, Art Director for Ralph Lauren Media, and Creative Director for The Gere Foundation.

Her experience also includes exhibition and publishing work connected to major institutions and photography projects, contributions to photography writing, portfolio review participation, and teaching in the Masters in Digital Photography program at the School of Visual Arts in New York. The gallery states that the jurying process is blind, with submitted images renamed and assigned entry numbers before review.

Why Enter Light by A Smith Gallery?

Light by A Smith Gallery offers a strong mix of curated visibility and practical outcomes. Selected photographers are not only included in an online exhibition, but also featured across the gallery’s social platforms, discussed in a GalleryTalk, considered for inclusion in a hardbound book, and listed in the gallery’s online store. For photographers comparing themed calls and broader trending photo challenges online, that combination gives this competition a more defined editorial and exhibition framework than many open calls.

The presence of a named juror, a blind review process, and a clear exhibition calendar also make the call easy to evaluate. For photographers interested in international exposure through curated selection rather than volume-based platforms, this is a concise themed opportunity with exhibition, publication, and sales visibility built into the structure.

Rules and Copyright

This section about the rules and image rights of the Light by A Smith 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

The competition is open internationally and accepts photographers working in all photographic mediums and styles. Work previously exhibited in an A Smith Gallery competition is not eligible.

The gallery states that it prefers not to accept images created with Artificial Intelligence at this time because of unresolved copyright questions and ongoing litigation. Submitted files must follow the stated digital specifications and naming convention. Submission fees are non-refundable.

The jurying process is blind. According to the gallery, jurors do not see photographers’ names during selection, and entries are reviewed as grouped submissions in the order they were received.

Copyright and Image Usage

Photographers retain full rights to their own images. The gallery states that submitted work may be used for publicity purposes and in connection with the online gallery, online store, exhibition catalogue, and “The 27” exhibition book.

If a print sells through the gallery store, the gallery retains 30% of the sales price. The artist may either ship a signed print directly to the buyer or have the gallery produce the print through its printing service arrangement.

For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.