The Royal Photographic Society's International Print Exhibition will open for entries on 1 March 2016. Now in its 159th year, the contest has a reputation for showcasing a wide range of genres and styles of photography. Entry to the competition is initially online and submissions will be reviewed by an influential panel of prominent photographers and photographic professionals who will individually shortlist work. The selectors will create a shortlist with the final selection of 100 images being made from prints. The selected images will be shown at the opening exhibition at London's Old Truman Brewery. Selected photographers will be eligible for several cash prize awards (totalling £4,250 + Metro Imaging 12-month mentorship programme) aimed at helping support future photographic projects. Those entering their work before 31 March 2016 will get a chance to win a signed copy of Don McCullin: The New Definitive Edition.

Royal Photographic Society Press Release

Call for entries to The Royal Photographic Society’s International Print Exhibition

Competition opens: Tuesday 1 March 2016   00.01 GMT www.rps.org/ipe159
Early bird: Enter before 31 March for a chance to win a signed copy of Don McCullin: The New Definitive Edition

Closing date: Tuesday 31 May 2016

2016 Selection Panel

• Celia Davies: Director of Photoworks & Brighton Biennial Photo Festival
• Malcolm Dickson: Writer, Curator & Director of Street Level Photoworks, Glasgow
• Russ O’Connell: Picture Editor for The Sunday Times Magazine, past Picture Director for Q Magazine
• Gemma Padley: Freelance Photographic Journalist & Editor, Projects Editor for British Journal
• of Photography (BJP)
• Dougie Wallace: London-based photographer recognised for his expressive social documentary and distinct and direct style of street photography

The Royal Photographic Society is calling for entries for the International Print Exhibition 159 – providing a significant opportunity to become part of The Society’s touring exhibitions programme.

The RPS International Print Exhibition is steeped in history, having been held almost every year since 1854 - the year after The Society was founded. In the early years, the exhibition included work from some of the world's most eminent photographers including Julia Margaret Cameron, Roger Fenton, Edward Steichen and others. Now in its 159th year, it is the longest running exhibition of its kind in the world. 

Committed to promoting photography and supporting photographers, The RPS encourages anyone with an interest in photography to submit their work. Entries can be submitted from all genres of photography, using a wide range of photographic processes. The International Print Exhibition represents work from early career photographers and professionals as well as individuals who enjoy photography and feel they have something to offer.

Selected photographers will be eligible for several cash prize awards (totalling £4,250 + Metro Imaging 12-month mentorship programme) aimed at helping to support future photographic projects. They will also benefit from exposure of their work during the exhibition tour to six venues across the UK. From a mix of public and educational venues as well as photo festivals and traditional gallery spaces, the images will engage with and be enjoyed by a wide public audience.

Entry to the competition is initially online and submissions will be reviewed by an influential panel of prominent photographers and photographic professionals who will individually shortlist work. Shortlisted photographers will be required to submit prints and the panel will work together to curate the exhibition of 100 prints.

The International Print Exhibition 159 will open in October at the Photomonth International Photography Festival in London, alongside a packed programme of events. The Old Truman Brewery in east London’s Brick Lane, will be hosting the exhibition at PHOTOBLOCK, their dedicated space for photographic events during the festival. The opening night of PHOTOBLOCK at the festival is a hive of everything photographic, attracting a large number of visitors.

Comments from last year’s award winners

David Severn, 2015 Under 30 Gold Award winner, "Winning the Under 30s Gold Award has been the highlight of my career so far. It feels great to have this validation and recognition of my work.  Winning the award has really strengthened my confidence in my practice and given me great encouragement to delve deeper into my work and build on my successes.
I’m also very grateful to be given the mentorship opportunity by Metro, as a platform to explore new ideas and benefit from professional support."

Jan Klos, 2015 Gold Award winner, "Winning Gold in last year’s RPS International Print Exhibition was an unexpected thrill and one of the biggest achievements of my career to date. It was a privilege to have my print exhibited alongside the work of other such talented photographers, and the support of the RPS gave me a real boost.  The prize money has helped fund my solo show, ‘The Photographic Guide to the Pubs of East London’."

Photograph: Look Away, 2014, by Hyland Gillian

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