The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) is accepting entries for the International Photography Exhibition 168, its 2026 open call for photographers and image-makers worldwide. Held almost every year since 1854, the exhibition has a long history of presenting photographic work. There is no set theme or category, and submissions can range from traditional film and digital photography to experimental images and alternative photographic processes.
Photographers can submit a single image, four individual photographs or a series of four images. There are no restrictions on when the photographs were taken. Entries are submitted online as JPEG files in sRGB colour space, with a maximum size of 10MB per image. Each photograph must have a title, and submissions must remain anonymous, without names or identifying watermarks.
The RPS and a guest selection panel review submissions anonymously. Shortlisted photographers are then invited to provide physical prints for a second selection stage. Around 100 photographs will be chosen for a touring group exhibition at RPS partner venues.
Entry fee: One single-image entry is free for everyone. Each additional entry costs £35 (standard), £27 (RPS members) or £20 (photographers under 30), covering either four individual photographs or a series of four images. Reduced rates are available for groups of 10 or more.
Eligibility
Open to photographers and image-makers of all ages and experience levels worldwide, including non-members and collaborators, submitting original work anonymously, without generative AI or images previously selected and exhibited in RPS exhibitions.
Prize
The IPE Award and Under 30s Award each carry a £1,000 cash prize and one year's free RPS membership. Around 100 photographs will be selected for a touring exhibition at RPS partner venues. One photographer will receive a two-week solo exhibition supported by the RPS, while four photographers will be chosen for features in the RPS Journal. Five photographers will receive a Selector's Spotlight, including a written statement from a guest selector displayed alongside their work. All selected photographers will receive a digital copy of the IPE edition of the RPS Journal, and shortlisted entrants may also be featured across RPS digital channels.