Open Call #6

BLACK-AND-WHITE
PHOTOGRAPHY

start date — end date

DETAILS

  • Open Call #6 continues the momentum of our black-and-white photography series, following the success of Anarchyº1.

    This edition highlights powerful monochrome images across all genres and styles, with opportunities for emerging photographers to gain exposure through a Group Exhibition, a Collective Publication, and new career-advancing feature(s) ... to be decided.

    While we're introducing paid submission tiers to access these new benefits, free submissions remain a cornerstone of our open calls, ensuring accessibility for all.

  • • Guest Curators – Cecil Baldewyns (Belgium), Guido Gazzilli (Italy), Joe Grant (USA), Susana Barbera (Spain)

    Short description here.

    • Book Designer – Federico Zavatta (Italy)

    Short description here.

    • Project Director – Anne Murayama (Japan)

    Short description here.

  • The best black-and-white works will be featured in three distinct ways:

    • Publication: Our guest curators will select images for inclusion in a collective photo book.

    • Exhibition: A group show in Tokyo will feature all photographers included in the book, plus additional compelling images that didn’t make it into the book.

    • Instagram Highlights: Selected entries will be shared on Instagram. Please note that this does not guarantee inclusion in the final publication or exhibition.

  • To cater to photographers of all levels, we’re introducing two submission tiers:

    • Free Tier: Submit up to 1 images at no cost, whichi will be considered for inclusion in the show and book. Free submissions ensure accessibility, allowing diverse talents and emerging artists to participate regardless of financial situation, fostering creativity and broader participation.

    • Paid Tier: Short description here.

  • Allowed Submissions:

    • Grayscale images

    • Digital or film photography

    • Previously published or new work

    Prohibited Submissions:

    • Color images (including cyanotypes, sepia-toned, etc.)

    • Images with borders

    • Collages

    • Diptychs or triptychs

    • Heavily edited images

    • Instant photography (Polaroid, Instax, etc.)

    • Watermarked images

    • Inappropriate or offensive content

    • AI-generated images

  • Please note that the schedule below is tentative and subject to change:

    • Open Call Starts — DATE

    • Open Call Ends — DATE 23:59 JST

    • Announcement of Selected Photographers — DATE

    • Group Show & Photo Book Launch — DATE

KEY CONTRIBUTORS

  • Cécil Baldewyns

    GUEST CURATOR

    Self-portraiture • Belgium • @cecilbphotography

    Cécil is a self-taught Belgian photographer who has spent the past fifteen years exploring auteur photography as an expressive outlet. Specializing in black-and-white self-portraiture, her work navigates the realms of light and shadow, deconstructing images and fragmenting anatomy to evoke deep emotional responses. Through her lens, she invites viewers to question reality and embrace the poetic interplay between illusion and truth. For Cécil, photography is a profound expression of love, sensitivity, and art.

    Criteria when selecting photos
    - A good balance between blacks and whites
    - The use of light for composition
    - The artistic strength of the image

  • Joe Grant

    GUEST CURATOR

    Landscape Photography • United States • @alpineworks

    Joe was born in England, grew up in France, and now lives in Southwest Colorado. For over 15 years, he has made a living as a mountain runner, which has gifted him many opportunities to visit remote locations often only accessible on foot. His photography draws from experiences of immersion in nature and wild places, as a witness to life unfolding.

    Criteria when selecting photos
    - A sense of timelessness
    - A distinct style and perspective
    - Conveys feeling

  • Guido Gazzilli

    GUEST CURATOR

    Conceptual photography • Italy • @guidogazzilli

    Guido Gazzilli, born in Rome in 1983, is an artist who explores identity and everyday life through personal and subjective narratives. His work intricately blends human and animal figures with natural elements and landscapes, creating a universe inspired by poetry and music. His photography, which has been featured in prominent publications and exhibited internationally, focuses on the relationship between humans, nature, and urban environments. Gazzilli, who has worked alongside Magnum Photos' Paolo Pellegrin, teaches photography in Italy and is represented by Contrasto agency. He lives and works between Rome and the countryside.

    Criteria when selecting photos
    • Visceral: something that comes from the depths of our being.
    • Unconscious: the less rational part is the part we have the least control over.
    • Revelatory: giving deep insight through personal experience.

  • Susana Barberà

    GUEST CURATOR

    Documentary and Street Photography • Spain • @susanabarbera

    Susana is an internationally recognized documentary photographer known for her powerful black-and-white images that have won numerous awards. Her passion extends beyond photography to teaching and mentoring, where she inspires others through her philosophy of Expecting Miracles. Drawing heavily from street photography, her work is dynamic, engaging, and deeply personal, reflecting both her creativity and commitment to the craft.

    Criteria when selecting photos:
    – Impact: Photos that immediately capture attention and stand out from the rest.
    – Emotional Resonance: Images that evoke a strong emotional response or connection.
    – Light and Composition: Well-composed photos with excellent lighting.
    – Heartfelt Connection: Photos that create a deep, personal connection, making them unforgettable.

  • Federico Zavatta

    BOOK DESIGNER

    Info to be added.

  • Anne Murayama

    PROJECT DIRECTOR

    Street and Self-potraiture • Japan • @annemurayama

    Anne Murayama transitioned from a background in science to pursue her passion in the arts. As an image-based artist, she crafts a diverse body of work with a diaristic approach, evoking a sense of intimacy and mystery through her distinctive black-and-white photography. Since 2013, Anne has independently curated over 10 international exhibitions and produced 30+ photo books and zines. In 2023, after overcoming a life-changing illness, she founded ephemere., a gallery and press in Tokyo, where she lives with her husband and their cat, Kiki.

    Criteria when selecting photos
    • Peculiar perspectives
    • Impossibility to recreate
    • Dream-like sequences

SUBMIT YOUR WORK

SUBMIT YOUR WORK

FORM TO BE ADDED HERE.

GOOD LUCK!

GOOD LUCK!

Featured
Anarchyº1
Anarchyº1
from $35.00

Anarchyº1 is a striking black and white photobook born from ephemere.'s inaugural open call and first group exhibition. This compendium of monochromatic images spans diverse genres, styles, and themes, presenting a picturesque chaos that epitomizes mono-mania. Featuring 143 photographers from around the globe, Anarchyº1 showcases a rich tapestry of perspectives. Guest curators Satomi Sugiyama, Trey Derbes, and Jim Herrington, each with a unique eye for black and white photography, collaborated with gallery founder Anne Murayama, who herself is devoted to the craft and aspires to make Anarchy an annual series.

We interviewed a few photographers who were featured in Anarchyº1.

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