RPS International Photography Exhibition 168

The RPS International Photography Exhibition is the world's longest-running photography exhibition, held almost every year since 1854 by the Royal Photographic Society. Its 168th edition is an open call for photographers and image-makers of any age, anywhere in the world. Around 100 photographs will be chosen for a touring exhibition at RPS partner venues, and two awards of £1,000 are given. Every entrant gets one free single-image entry, and the deadline is 15 December 2026.

There are no categories or themes: any subject, genre or process can be submitted, including film, digital, alternative processes and experimental work.

A Long History

Early editions included work by some of the most important photographers in history, including Julia Margaret Cameron, Roger Fenton, Edward Steichen and Paul Strand. Today the exhibition is selected anonymously by a guest panel that changes every year, so a new photographer has the same chance as an established one. The previous edition received over 10,000 images and shortlisted photographers from 41 countries.

Who Can Enter the International Photography Exhibition?

Anyone: students, amateurs, professionals and non-professional image-makers. You do not need to be an RPS member. It is a good fit for:

• Fine art and documentary photographers
• Photographers using alternative or historic processes
• Emerging photographers under 30
• Anyone with a strong single image or series of four

Entry Fees

• One single image: free for everyone
• Each further entry (a series of four images, or four single images): £35 standard, £27 for RPS members, £20 for photographers under 30
• Groups of 10 or more: reduced rates

Multiple paid entries are allowed.

What Do Selected Photographers Receive?

• IPE Award: £1,000 and one year's free RPS membership
• Under 30s Award: £1,000 and one year's free RPS membership
• Touring exhibition: about 100 works, mounted and framed by the RPS at no cost to the photographer
• Solo exhibition: a two-week show at an RPS partner venue for one photographer
• RPS Journal: features for four photographers
• Selector's Spotlight: a written statement from a guest selector for five photographers
• Digital IPE edition of the RPS Journal for all selected photographers

Submission Requirements

Register and upload online as JPEG files in sRGB, up to 10MB each, with a title for every image. Entries must be anonymous, with no names or watermarks on the images. There is no limit on when photographs were taken. Work that uses generative AI, in whole or in part, is not eligible, and images already selected for a previous IPE cannot be entered again. The RPS does not normally exhibit works larger than 50 × 60 cm.

How Selection Works

The guest panel first reviews all digital entries anonymously. Shortlisted photographers are then invited to send prints, and the final selection is made from the physical work. This two-stage process rewards photographers whose images hold up in print, so think about how your file will look on paper before entering.

Tips for Entering

Because the free entry is a single image, use it for your strongest standalone photograph. If you have a coherent project, a series of four lets the selectors see your voice. Sequence the series carefully, and avoid images that repeat the same idea. Strong, distinctive work in any genre has a chance: past selections have ranged from street photography to cyanotypes.

Things to Consider

• One free entry for everyone.
• Anonymous selection throughout.
• Prints required if shortlisted.
• Deadline: 15 December 2026.

Enter the Exhibition

Ready to submit your photographs?

Enter the RPS International Photography Exhibition

The full terms, FAQs and submission site are on the Royal Photographic Society website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: November 2, 2026