Ephemere invites you to explore the concept of Duality through diptychs—pairs of images that ignite a conversation, unveil contrasts, or explore interconnectedness. Duality can be interpreted in countless ways, such as light and shadow, stillness and motion, or contrasting emotions. We encourage you to experiment and express your unique perspectives by creating evocative dialogues between two images.

Open Call #7 welcomes all photographers, regardless of experience level. We offer both free and paid submission tiers to ensure accessibility for everyone. We are also introducing a co-curator program, inviting qualified artists to actively participate in the selection process for the final publication. Submissions are accepted until March 31st, 2024, at 11:59 PM Japan Standard Time.

So go ahead and take a look at all the details of the open call below! We can't wait to see your interpretations of Duality.

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The curators will select works based on the following criteria:

1. Visual Storytelling: Diptychs that effectively convey a narrative or evoke a sense of place, time, or emotion through the combination of two images. With two carefully chosen images, we encourage you to think about how you can tell a story, create a mood, or express an idea through the visual dialogue between the photographs.

2. Title and Description Strength: Diptychs with strong titles and descriptions that enhance the impact of the work and provide valuable context for the curators. Titles should be creative, compelling, and complement the visual narrative. Descriptions should clearly and concisely convey the story or concept behind the images.

3. Emotional Resonance: Diptychs that evoke emotions, spark curiosity, or resonate with the viewer on a personal level. The two images should work together cohesively to create a unified emotional experience, and the overall diptych should feel complete and well-resolved.

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We offer two submission tiers to cater to all photographers:

Free Tier: Submit one diptych at no cost, with a chance to be included in the printed publication. This tier ensures participation for diverse and emerging talents, regardless of financial status.

Paid Tier: For those who wish to submit more and further support the project, we offer three paid options. First introduced in Open Call #6, the paid tier proved invaluable in supporting the project's success. By choosing a paid option, you directly contribute to the production of high-quality publications and the overall growth of our photography community.

• Option A: For $20, you can submit two diptychs and receive Priority Review, ensuring your work is seen early in the process by the co-curators (though this does not guarantee selection).

• Option B: For $35, you can submit three diptychs and receive Priority Review, as well as Priority Placement in the printed publication if your work is selected. This means your diptych will be featured in a more prominent position within the book.

• Option C: For $50, you can submit four diptychs and receive Priority Review, Priority Placement, and Priority Feature. This means your work will be featured more prominently in online exhibitions or social media promotion, in addition to the benefits of Option B.

Payment Link: https://www.ephemere.tokyo/miscellaneous/p/open-call-7

Important Note: While the paid tiers offer benefits such as Priority Review and Priority Placement, the final selection of diptychs for the printed publication will be based solely on the Selection Criteria (visual storytelling, title & description strength, and emotional resonance), regardless of the submission tier.

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The best works will be featured in three distinct ways:

1. Printed Publication: A curated selection of diptychs will be featured in a printed publication showcasing exceptional interpretations of duality. Please note that only one diptych per photographer will be included in the printed publication, regardless of the number of submissions.

2. Instagram Highlights: Selected diptychs will be shared on our Instagram throughout the Open Call. This does not guarantee inclusion in the printed publication.

3. Online Journal: A selection of photographers may be featured in our Online Journal, highlighting emerging talent. Preference will be given to those who include a portfolio link in the submission form.

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Diptych Submissions Only:

• For Open Call #7, we will only accepts diptychs, which are pairs of images that create a meaningful dialogue or visual relationship.

• Each diptych must be submitted as two separate images files.

Accepted Submissions:

• Black and white or color images.

• Digital or film photography, including half-framed photos (also send your images separately) and instant film (no need to cut the borders).

• Previously published or new work.

Prohibited Submissions:

• Images with borders.

• Collages.

• Heavily edited images (basic adjustments are allowed).

• Watermarked images.

• Inappropriate or offensive content.

• AI-generated images.

Image Format:

• File Type: JPEG

• File Size: Maximum 20MB per image

• Image Size: 3000 pixels on the long side

• Resolution: 300 dpi. This ensures high quality when printed.

• Color Space: sRGB for color images, Grayscale for black and white photos.

File Naming:

• The first and last names you use in the "Name" field of the submission form must match the name you use in your file names.

• Strictly observe the following file naming convention:

  • For single diptych submissions: "FirstNameLastName_Diptych1A.jpg" and "FirstNameLastName_Diptych1B.jpg"

  • For multiple diptych submissions:

    • Diptych 1: "FirstNameLastName_Diptych1A.jpg" and "FirstNameLastName_Diptych1B.jpg"

    • Diptych 2: "FirstNameLastName_Diptych2A.jpg" and "FirstNameLastName_Diptych2B.jpg"

    • And so on...

• Failure to follow this convention may result in your submission being disqualified.

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By submitting your images to Open Call #7, you retain full copyright and ownership of your work. Ephemere will always provide proper credit when using your images for the printed publication, online platforms, and marketing materials. Please note that images may be cropped to fit our templates or publication layout.

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Submission Period: March 3rd – March 31st, 2025 (11:59 PM, Japan Standard Time)

Announcement of Selected Photographers: Last week of April*

Publication Release: Last week of May*

*These are tentative and may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances in the publishing process.

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We are excited to introduce a new opportunity for creatives to actively participate in the curatorial process for Open Call #7: Duality. We are seeking two dedicated co-curators to join our team and help us select the diptychs that will be featured in the final publication.

To apply, use this pre-filled email template with all the necessary information, or copy them from this Google Doc. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Important Note: Everyone is welcome to submit their work to Open Call #7 and also apply to be a co-curator. However, if you are selected as a co-curator, your submitted work will not be eligible for consideration.

Co-curator Expectations:

• Expertise: Demonstrate a strong understanding of photography and visual storytelling.

• Availability: Be available to attend at least two online meetings during the project timeline.

• Commitment: Dedicate the necessary time and effort to review submissions and participate in the selection process.

Benefits of being a Co-curator:

• Contribute to a meaningful project: Play a key role in shaping a publication that celebrates the power of photography.

• Gain valuable experience: Enhance your curatorial skills and gain experience in the photobook publishing process.

• Receive a complimentary copy: Get a free copy of the final "Duality" publication with your name credited as a co-curator.