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You won’t believe how accessible handcrafted photography can be until you’ve entered (s)Light of Hand 2025—a juried exhibition celebrating the magic of alternative processes. Open internationally, this showcase invites artists to submit up to 10 entries by August 8, 2025, for a chance at the coveted Juror’s Award or Director’s Award. With a flat fee of $35 covering your first five images and just $5 per additional image, your next masterpiece could earn you recognition in one of the top trending photography challenges.
From Albumen and Cyanotype to Ziatype and mixed-media constructions, participants explore a broad spectrum of historic and experimental techniques in this open theme event. Key dates include Call for Entries on June 1, deadline online submissions August 8, jury review August 10–12 and notifications by August 15. Physical works accepted September 1–6 for the September 13–October 4 exhibition, culminating in an opening reception on September 13, 5 pm–7 pm. Original JPEGs (max 2000 px long side, 300 dpi) and a ZIP file with titles, sizes and process notes ensure seamless entry.
By joining (s)Light of Hand 2025, photographers benefit from exhibition exposure, professional appraisal and community engagement. Certificates accompany both awards, while selected works may be featured online and at the gallery. Whether you specialize in tintypes, hand-tinted prints or hybrid digital techniques, this event offers a clear platform to elevate your profile among peers and collectors alike.
The (s)Light of Hand 2025 Prizes
Two special honors will be awarded to outstanding submissions:
- Juror’s Award: Recognition by the exhibition juror for creative vision and technical mastery.
- Director’s Award: Selected by the gallery director for exceptional artistry and presentation.
Related Photo Contests
The Categories of the (s)Light of Hand 2025
This is a single-theme exhibition focused on alternative photographic processes. Entries may employ any historic or contemporary technique—from Albumen through Ziatype—and may include digital prints hand-worked with collage, stitching, weaving or three-dimensional elements. There are no separate sub-categories beyond this central theme.
(s)Light of Hand 2025 Dates and Entry Fees
- Call for Entries Opens: June 1, 2025
- Submission Deadline: August 8, 2025 (midnight PST)
- Jury Review: August 10–12, 2025 (notifications by August 15)
- Delivery of Physical Work: September 1–6, 2025 at the gallery (11 am–5 pm) or shipped (received by September 6, 5 pm)
- Show Installation: September 8–12, 2025
- Exhibition Dates: September 13–October 4, 2025 (Opening Reception: September 13, 5 pm–7 pm)
Entry Fees: $35 for up to 5 images; $5 for each additional image (up to 10 total)
How to Enter:
1. Pay $35 for up to 5 images (add $5 per image for entries 6–10).
2. Click “Submit Image Folder” to upload a ZIP containing your JPEGs (max 2000 px, 300 dpi, 2–3 MB) and a DOC/PDF listing titles, sizes and a brief process description (≤250-character artist statement optional).
3. Name files “First-Last_Title_Process_Image#” (e.g., Brian-Jones_Leaf_Cyanotype_1.jpg).
4. Await notification by August 15, 2025.
About the Jury
The 2025 exhibition is juried by Aline Smithson, an interdisciplinary artist and educator renowned for her conceptual portraiture and alternative process expertise. Smithson evaluates entries based on creative vision, technical craftsmanship and the alchemy of hand-made techniques.
Why Enter (s)Light of Hand 2025?
Participating in (s)Light of Hand 2025 places your work in the spotlight of other photography contests and challenges, with two distinguished awards enriching your portfolio. Whether you practice cyanotype, platinum printing or mixed-media, this juried show stands out among experimental photography competitions—a rare opportunity to showcase handcrafted alchemy in a professional gallery setting.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the (s)Light of Hand 2025 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 age 18+ practicing any alternative photographic process.
- Acceptable media include hand-worked digital or silver prints (e.g., collage, stitching, weaving, 3D).
- JPEGs only: max 2000 px on the long side, 300 dpi, file size 2–3 MB.
- Name files “First-Last_Title_Process_Image#” to avoid disqualification.
- Limit of 10 images per entrant; upload a ZIP with JPGs plus a DOC/PDF of titles, sizes and process notes (≤250-character artist statement optional).
- Selected 2-D works must be framed (≤30″×30″), wired; 3-D works may use provided pedestals.
- Physical pieces must be delivered or received by September 6, 2025.
- Gallery commission on sales: 40%.
Copyright and Image Usage
- Photographers retain full copyright.
- By entering, you grant the gallery permission to use submitted images for promotion and online exhibitions without additional compensation.
- Images may appear on social media, websites and print materials related to the exhibition.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
