Contents
Santa Fe Noir Fest Call for Entry 2025 turns the shadows into a stage: photographers are invited to submit up to 10 images that nod to classic noir—think moody western nights, side-glances in half-light, and desert scenes under a bright moon. The call closes at midnight on September 1, 2025, with winners revealed on September 15, 2025. The headline reward: a Featured Artist portfolio in Shadow & Light Magazine—plus the cover—supported by Showcase Portfolios, single-image features, and a special in-person projection during Santa Fe Noir Fest at La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe.
Here are the essentials at a glance: no formal categories; the brief centers on the noir aesthetic, welcoming night western landscapes, full-moon scenes, and Southwest ruins—rendered in color or black and white. Early entry is $35 through August 15, 2025; the standard fee is $45 after that date. Submissions follow clear specs (size, file type, and naming), and winning work is celebrated online and on-site. If you’re scouting the best photography challenges this month, this one is a strong, story-driven option.
For working photographers and passionate independents alike, the mix of magazine publication, a cover opportunity, and an IRL festival projection makes this a practical, merit-based route to visibility. The entry path is straightforward and geared toward clear editorial outcomes rather than vague promises.
The Santa Fe Noir Fest Call for Entry 2025 Prizes
Prizes are attributed to portfolios and single images, emphasizing publication and festival visibility:
- Grand Prize (1 winner): Featured Artist portfolio in Shadow & Light Magazine and the cover of the issue.
- Runners-up (4–6 photographers): Showcase Portfolio published in the magazine.
- Single Image Feature (up to 10 finalists): One image published as a full page in the Single Image Showcase.
- Online Gallery (up to 25 finalists): Work featured in the Santa Fe Noir Gallery on shadowandlightmagazine.com.
- Festival Projection: Winning and selected images included in a looping slide show during Santa Fe Noir Fest at La Fonda Hotel.
These benefits align with publication prizes and exhibition prizes that deliver concrete editorial and event exposure.
Related Photo Contests
The Categories of the Santa Fe Noir Fest Call for Entry 2025
There are no formal categories. The single brief focuses on noir: night or “day-for-night” imagery, from western landscapes and full-moon scenes to Southwest ruins, in color or black and white. This theme naturally fits landscape photography challenges and other noir-inflected work.
Santa Fe Noir Fest Call for Entry 2025 Dates and Entry Fees
Key dates and fees are clearly defined for planning and budgeting.
| Early-bird entry fee | $35 (available through August 15, 2025) |
| Standard entry fee | $45 (after August 15, 2025) |
| Submission deadline | Midnight, September 1, 2025 |
| Winners announced | September 15, 2025 (also featured in the Sept/Oct 2025 issue) |
| Festival projection & event | October 11, 2025 – Grand Ballroom, La Fonda Hotel (Santa Fe) |
Notes on the brief: submit up to 10 images that fit the noir theme (night or day-for-night).
How to Enter:
Pay the entry fee via the contest’s PayPal button (early $35 through 8/15/2025; then $45). Then email your submission (up to 10 images) and inquiries to the organizer at the address provided on the official page, following the required file specs and naming format.
About the Jury
The juror roster includes photographer and workshop leader Helen K. Garber and Shadow & Light Magazine editor Tim Anderson, with one additional juror to be announced. Selection is portfolio-based and tied to publication and festival presentation.
Why Enter Santa Fe Noir Fest Call for Entry 2025?
This call emphasizes outcomes that matter: a magazine cover and multi-page features, an online gallery for finalists, and a public projection during Santa Fe Noir Fest at a landmark Santa Fe venue. The brief is narrow enough to reward strong interpretation, especially for creators working within night photography contests and black and white photography competitions. Those exploring related genres can also compare this listing with other online photo challenges on our site.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Santa Fe Noir Fest Call for Entry 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
Submit up to 10 images aligned with the noir theme. Images must be made at night or with a day-for-night technique. Color and black-and-white are both accepted.
Technical specs: longest side no more than 11 inches at 300 dpi, 8-bit, JPG or TIFF. Use the required naming convention: lastname, firstname, title-01 (then title-02, etc.).
Eligibility of process: film and digital are accepted; AI-generated images are not accepted.
Deadlines and fees: early-bird fee of $35 through August 15, 2025; standard fee of $45 thereafter. Final deadline is midnight, September 1, 2025. Winners are announced on September 15, 2025.
Copyright and Image Usage
Entrants retain copyright to their images. Submitted work may be used by the organizer solely for promotion and publicity of this contest. For any additional use, the copyright holder will be contacted for permission.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
