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The Pinhole by A Smith Gallery explores the expressive possibilities of one of photography’s simplest image-making methods. Organized by A Smith Gallery in Johnson City, Texas, this international call welcomes both analog and digital pinhole photographs, with up to 47 images selected for an online exhibition running from January 1 to February 28, 2027. The submission deadline is November 30, 2026.
From the 47 exhibited images, 27 will also be chosen for “The 27”, a limited-edition hardbound fine art book. Additional recognition includes two awards offering month-long online solo exhibitions, while the Visitors’ Award carries a $100 cash prize. The entry fee is $40 for the first five images, with each additional photograph costing $5.
Pinhole photography can produce distinctive images through its unusual relationship with light, time, and perspective. Photographers exploring online photography competitions will find an opportunity focused on the photographic process itself, with exhibition, publication, and portfolio review opportunities offered by a gallery dedicated to photographic art.
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Prizes
The Pinhole by A Smith Gallery focuses on gallery exhibition, fine art publication, and opportunities for photographers to present their work to a wider audience.
- Juror’s Award:
- A month-long online solo exhibition at A Smith Gallery.
- A copy of “The 27” limited-edition hardbound exhibition book.
- A feature story on the gallery’s blog and an accompanying GalleryTalk.
- Director’s Award:
- A month-long online solo exhibition.
- A copy of “The 27” exhibition book.
- A feature story on the gallery’s blog and an accompanying GalleryTalk.
- Visitors’ Award: $100, awarded to the photograph receiving the most Instagram likes.
- 27 Selected Images: Inclusion in “The 27”, a limited-edition hardbound fine art book available for purchase.
- Up to 47 Exhibition Images: Inclusion in the online exhibition, social media features on Instagram and Facebook, a gallery-hosted discussion, and an exhibition catalog available for purchase. Selected works will also be listed for sale in the gallery’s online store.
All exhibited photographs and the associated GalleryTalk will remain in the gallery’s online archive after the exhibition closes. These opportunities connect the contest with other photography contests offering exhibition opportunities and publication awards.
Related Photo Contests
Categories or Themes
The competition has a single theme: pinhole photography. Both analog and digital pinhole images are eligible, allowing photographers to explore different subjects and creative approaches through this lensless technique.
The emphasis on process makes the call particularly relevant to photographers interested in analog and experimental photography. The resulting work may range from recognizable scenes to abstract compositions shaped by long exposures, softness, and unexpected distortions.
Dates and Entry Fees
The Pinhole by A Smith Gallery competition follows this schedule:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Submission deadline | November 30, 2026 |
| Results announced by email | December 11, 2026 |
| Online exhibition | January 1 to February 28, 2027 |
| Online reception / GalleryTalk | January 30, 2027, at 2:00 PM CT |
Entry Fees:
- First five images: $40.
- Each additional image: $5.
- Portfolio review: Complimentary for entrants submitting 13 or more images. A 30-minute review can also be requested for $20 by photographers submitting fewer images.
How to Enter
Photographers must complete the online application form, upload their photographs, and pay the entry fee using the available payment methods. Payment by check is also accepted.
Images should be submitted as JPEG files measuring up to 1,800 pixels on the longest side at 72 ppi. Each filename must begin with its corresponding entry number, followed by the photographer’s name. Images should not contain watermarks.
The gallery sends a confirmation email after receiving the submission and payment.
About the Jury
Amanda Smith, founder and co-director of A Smith Gallery, will serve as the juror. A photographer with more than 35 years of experience, she has worked with traditional darkroom processes and alternative photographic techniques, and has organized numerous juried and curated exhibitions. Smith has also served as a juror for organizations and photography initiatives including All About Photo, Analogue Forever, the Texas Photographic Society, and Critical Mass.
The selection process is anonymous. Submitted images are assigned identification numbers, and the juror reviews each photographer’s images together without seeing their name. The Visitors’ Award is determined separately through Instagram likes.
Why Enter Pinhole by A Smith Gallery?
Pinhole photography transforms a simple camera principle into a remarkably flexible creative process. Its distinctive rendering of light, movement, and perspective can give familiar subjects an unexpected appearance. Selected photographs become part of an archived online exhibition, receive individual social media features, and appear in a published catalog. The possibility of inclusion in “The 27” adds a tangible fine art publication, while the Juror’s and Director’s Awards provide opportunities for photographers to present a more substantial body of work through solo exhibitions.
For photographers discovering opportunities through Deartline’s top photo contests directory, the combination of a specialized theme, anonymous judging, and optional feedback from gallery directors makes the Pinhole by A Smith Gallery particularly relevant to artists exploring pinhole photography as a personal creative practice.
Rules and Copyright
We reviewed the official rules of Pinhole by A Smith Gallery to summarize the key participation requirements, copyright terms and image usage conditions. Before entering, we recommend checking the complete rules published by the organizer.
Rules
The competition welcomes international entrants working with analog or digital pinhole photography. Images previously exhibited in an A Smith Gallery competition are not eligible.
Entries must be submitted in JPEG format, with files prepared at up to 1,800 pixels on the longest side and without watermarks. The gallery’s selection process is anonymous, and entrants may submit additional photographs for the stated fee.
The gallery expresses a preference not to accept AI-created images due to copyright concerns. Photographers should ensure that their submissions meet the gallery’s requirements.
Copyright and Image Usage
Photographers retain full rights to their images. The gallery uses selected photographs for publicity, online exhibitions, its online store, exhibition catalogs, and “The 27” fine art book. The published conditions do not establish a specific duration for these permissions.
Selected images may be offered for sale through the gallery’s online store, which retains a 30% commission. When a print sells, the photographer may supply a signed print directly to the buyer or arrange for the gallery to produce it.
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For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
