Landscapes are the backdrops to our lives and the context for everything on our planet. The calmness of a meadow field; the power of a storm; the serenity of a sunset peaking over the mountains; the geometry of downtown skyscrapers. Our surroundings are both function and art.
We invite photographers of all ages and skill levels to submit to DCP’s Landscapes call for entry. Show how you capture the land’s shapes, colors, and forms in unique ways. Abstract interpretations of landscapes are accepted, but no composite images or heavily altered photos. Any location in the world will do, whether natural, agricultural, urban, or interpretive. We’re looking for images that combine your unique perspective with the creative tools of photography including light, form, gesture, composition, and texture. Show us the beauty of both expected and unexpected places.
Selections will be featured in an exhibition in the DCP Gallery in May 2022. Prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third places, as well as honorable mentions. Entry fees help support our mission as a 501c3 nonprofit to serve as a focal point for creators and appreciators of all forms of photography through education, mentorship, exhibitions, and community outreach.
IMPORTANT DATES
March 17 – Call opens
April 12 – Call closes
Week of April 18 – Selections and winners announced
April 21-May 5 – Delivery of framed artwork
Thursday, May 12 – In-person gallery reception at DCP
May 12-27 – Exhibition will be open at DCP Gallery
SUBMISSION RULES AND DETAILS
Everyone of all ages, from amateur and professional, is eligible to participate in this juried competition.
All images will be submitted through Smarter Entry.
Our judge will be looking for images that represent the artistic beauty of natural, environmental, agricultural, and urban landscapes.
No composite images or heavily altered images.
The photographs can include subjects (people and animals), but the prominent feature should be the landscape.
Each applicant may submit up to 10 images for consideration.
There are no restrictions on the type of camera or process used.
All images must be original works of the photographer.
This competition is not open to current or former DCP employees, instructors, board members, corporate sponsors and partner companies, or their immediate families.
ENTRY FEES
General Entry: $35 initial entry fee allows you to submit 1-3 images. Up to 7 additional images can be submitted for $5 per image. Entrants can submit a maximum of 10 images.
DCP members receive a 20% discount on the initial entry fee with a promo code: $28.80 for 1-3 images. Up to 7 additional images can be submitted for $5 per image. The promo code can be found when you log into your member account. Not a DCP member? Join now!
FILE PREPARATION
Files must be 2000 pixels on the longest dimension and saved as a JPEG in the sRGB color space. Maximum file size is 8MB. If this is your first time submitting to a competition and you have questions, contact us through the DCP website.
Do not include watermarks on your images.
For each image, include title and any special process used (Gelatin Silver, Platinum/Palladium Print, etc.).
SALES
When submitting, please list a sales price to each of your submissions, including framing.
If your photograph is not for sale, please list it as “NFS.”
DCP will handle sale of the prints.
DCP will collect a 35% commission from all prints sold during the exhibition and will pay the remaining 65% to you by check.
SELECTION PROCESS
Our juror for this competition is Laszlo Perlaky. See below to learn more about our juror. All entrants will receive an email by April 22 to inform them of the selections for the show.
IF YOU ARE SELECTED
Those selected will provide a framed photograph for the gallery exhibit.
Alternate mounting techniques including aluminum, canvas, plexi face mount, and glass may be submitted as long as they comply with our framing guidelines.
Our recommendation is to keep mats and frames simple, and let the photo speak for itself.
Mats are recommended but not required for framed prints.
Frame dimensions cannot exceed 24 inches on the longest side. Any frames with a side longer than 24 inches will be disqualified from the exhibit.
Frames require D-rings attached to the back. Do not include hanging wire or sawtooth hangers.
SHIPPING
If you are shipping your framed work, use only plexiglass over the photos, not glass. You must include a prepaid UPS label for the return of your artwork. We take no responsibility for damage during shipping, so we suggest that you insure the work, including when being returned. Prints will be shipped back to you using the prepaid label you’ve included no later than 7 business days after the close of the show. Work without a return shipping label will NOT be returned and may be disposed of by DCP.
DCP shall be liable for loss or damage of your work while in our possession and will reimburse you only up to the actual replacement value of the print, mat and frame.
If a selectee is out of state or out of the country, DCP can suggest sources for having your photo printed and framed. Contact us for more information.
CASH PRIZES
First place: $500
Second place: $350
Third place: $250
2 honorable mentions will receive $100 each
COPYRIGHT, LIABILITY AND AGREEMENT
Each photographer retains copyright to their submitted images. Photographers whose submissions are chosen for the exhibition grant Dallas Center for Photography (DCP) the non-exclusive right to display the images on DCP’s website and social media platforms as well as to promote DCP’s exhibitions, programs, and in promotional and fundraising materials. Photographer grants DCP the non-exclusive right to reproduce any photo(s) chosen for the exhibition in a printed catalog in book form that will be available for sale through an online publisher. All proceeds from the book will benefit DCP’s educational programming. The choice of whether to publish an exhibition catalog is in the sole discretion of DCP. Application and payment to this competition will constitute an agreement to all these terms and conditions. Artists grant the use of their image(s) as stated without further contact from DCP.
Dr. Laszlo Perlaky is a photographic artist and educator having 50 years of experience in various fields of nature photography using large format film and/or digital. He is a retired research scientist, past faculty member of Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Cancer Center. He is a member of several national and international photography organizations, past artistic director of Fill Your Cup Coffee Shop Gallery, past editor of Silver Image, past Print Competition Vice President of Houston Photographic Society.
As a volunteer, he led his photo walks at Brazos Bend State Park for 30 years. He is an active photography instructor/teacher at Houston Photography Study Group and Houston Center for Photography, elected board member of Lost Pines Art Center and Bastrop County Audubon Society. He has successfully participated and has been awarded in national and international photography contests, solo and group exhibitions. His images were published in magazines, books, calendars and were presented at major art festivals and print sales. His website: http://www.naturalperlart.com.
