Whispers in the Shadows: A Poe-inspired Room invites photographers worldwide to step into the dimly lit corridors of mystery, memory and quiet unease. With a submission deadline of 28 December 2025 and participation free of charge, this international open call offers a rare opportunity to contribute to a thematic exhibition without financial barrier. A first selection of 9 black and white photographs will earn a spot in a group show held at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Old Mill Belgrade (Room 147) in Belgrade during early 2026, making this one of the most atmospheric and original calls currently open for photographers.
The theme of “Whispers in the Shadows: A Poe-inspired Room” centers on black and white photography that channels the spirit of Edgar Allan Poe: subtlety over shock, suggestion over explicit terror. Think shadows, silhouettes, old textures, mirrors, windows and thresholds; evoke memory, obsession, dreamlike isolation or a sense of gothic melancholy. Selected works will be exhibited. Given its reach and the carefully curated concept, this contest stands out among the many photography contests and challenges currently open worldwide.
This is an especially interesting opportunity for photographers working in black and white, fine art, or conceptual imagery. For those drawn to atmosphere, subtle narrative or psychological tension over conventional subject matter, Whispers in the Shadows delivers a rare platform for your vision to be shared. If your work thrives on nuance and suggestion, this call may offer precisely the right stage.
Prizes
Selected artists will receive:
- Exhibition placement at Radisson Collection Hotel
- Free framing of their work (in sizes 70×50 or 50×40 cm)
- Inclusion in a group show under the banner of the organizers
Other Free Contests
Categories or Themes
The entire call is bound to a single evocative theme: creating black and white photographs inspired by the atmosphere, themes and literary universe of Edgar Allan Poe. Photographers are invited to interpret that mood freely (whether through shadows, memory, mirrors, dust, windows, loneliness, faint light or any subtle sense of unease). The only strict requirement is black and white imagery that resonates with the “Poe-inspired room” aesthetic.
Dates and Entry Fees
Submission deadline: 28 December 2025.
Participation is free of charge* for all photographers aged 18 and above.
*If selected, you’ll be notified and asked to pay a printing cost of €40 via PayPal or EU bank transfer.
Selected photographers will only pay a production cost (see below) if their work is chosen for exhibition.
How to Enter
Prepare a high-resolution photograph in JPG format. Submit your entry by email including your name, surname, date of birth, nationality, contact information, and links to social networks or portfolio. Also include a short artist’s statement about your work. Only photographers over 18 may participate.
Why Enter Whispers in the Shadows: A Poe-inspired Room?
Because this contest offers more than just publication, it offers presentation, context, and atmosphere. Having your photograph exhibited at Radisson Collection Hotel in Belgrade places your work before an international audience in a professional setting. For photographers working in fine art, black and white and conceptual spheres, this represents a rare chance to showcase subtle emotional narratives rather than conventional subject matter. Entering this contest also means joining a curated project with a strong identity, which can resonate long after the exhibition ends (making it a distinctive highlight among other popular photo challenges online).
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Whispers in the Shadows: A Poe-inspired Room 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
Entries must be black-and-white photographs inspired by the world of Edgar Allan Poe. Eligible participants are photographers worldwide aged 18 or over. Digital submissions only (JPG, high resolution). If selected, the artist pays 40 € for printing cost. The exhibition will include 9 selected photographs, framed at no cost. The contest is open as an international group exhibition call with a single unified theme and no sub-categories.
Copyright and Image Usage
By submitting, photographers remain the copyright holders of their works. The organizers reserve the right to use submitted images for promotional purposes — exhibition catalogs, website display or marketing — with proper photographer credit. The prints and high-resolution files are not exploited commercially by the organizers. Works not selected remain the property of the artist and are not used.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
