BJP’s new exhibition takes place in a converted Brooklyn townhouse, reflecting the award’s domestic focus
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Female in Focus
Opening soon for its fifth edition, Female in Focus is a celebration of the remarkable talent and creativity of women photographers from around the globe
Awareness around gender inequality in the industry may be growing. But the numbers aren’t changing fast enough.
In August 2024, we surveyed over 1,000 respondents from our audience. The findings reveal that, on average, the women working in the photography industry who took part in the survey earn 30% less than their male counterparts. 55% of the women had experienced gender discrimination in the workplace. Additionally, only 34% of major photography award winners have been women over the past five years.
This year, thanks to our partnership with Nikon, photographers can enter one portrait for free. To increase your chances, become a Full Access Member and submit up to 10 single images or one series.
Why enter
Get exhibited in a group show
20 single images and two series will be exhibited in a group show at 10.14 Gallery (London) and at Glasgow’s Gallery of Photography.
Thanks to our partnership with Nikon, the photographers of the two winning series will also receive a Z Series mirrorless camera, along with two NIKKOR Z lenses of their choice.
Get judged by industry leaders
Judges for this edition include photographer and Nikon Ambassador Heather Agyepong; Curator, Critic and Journalist Charlotte Jansen; Co-Founder & Director at DECK Photography Art Centre Gwen Lee and more.
Receive international press coverage
Past winners have been featured in Vogue Italia, The Guardian, The Times and more.
Renewal
The theme of this year’s edition is Renewal, delving into the transformative process of rejuvenation and rebirth. This theme captures the essence of starting anew, whether through personal growth, environmental restoration, or societal change. Through evocative imagery, it explores the beauty and strength found in moments of revival and regeneration, highlighting the hope and possibility inherent in beginning again.
Theme | Renewal
Danielle Jackson
Co-founder and Former Co-Director of the Bronx Documentary Center
Charlotte Jansen
Journalist, Curator and Photo Critic at The Guardian
Heather Agyepong
Visual artist, Performer/Actor and Maker, Nikon Ambassador
Naoise O’Keeffe
Founder of Hot Potato Magazine, Educator, Former Photography Director of Port
Gwen Lee
Co-founder and Director of DECK Photography Art Centre and Singapore International Photography Festival
Marie Gomis-Trezise
Founder & curator of Galerie Gomis
Alia Ali
Artist and Nikon Ambassador
Effie Price
Artist Agent, East Photographic
Hear from our past winners
“For me, winning Female in Focus meant exposure: I received many interview requests and opportunities to publish my work. It enriched my project in so many ways”
Katinka Schuett, Female in Focus 2019 Winner
“British Journal of Photography was the very first publication I started following when I started photography. I’ve been entering all the contests for a couple of years now, and Female in Focus was a no brainer. Winning definitely helped garner attention”
Maria Lax, Female in Focus 2019 Winner
Stefanie Langenhoven
From the series Avatãra, 2021
Minxu Li
Dreamscape
Marisol Mendez
Ñaupas
Sonali Ohrie
A Mother's Journey
Julia Gunther
Miss July
Kristina Varaksina
Joanne with Her Son
Marie Smith
The Wanderer
Gala Semenova
We don't fight alone in this family
Special thanks to our main sponsor
and thanks to our exhibition partner
“Nothing about the experience of motherhood is linear. It is complex, raw and messy,” says Freeland, one of the winners of Female in Focus 2021
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“With time, I hope that ageing and menopause will not be treated as something to… Read More →
The exhibition, which closes this Saturday 26 February, features the work of series winners Jodie Bateman and Paola Jimenez Quispe
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The series comprises archival images, unpublished works from her late father, and reflections on loss and mourning
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The two-day event is the first convening of female photography organisations, curators, artists and directors from around the world, and includes 1854’s Female in Focus exhibition
Read More →
The photographer’s series, My Hijab Has a Voice: Revisited, hopes to uplift the voices of… Read More →
Jodie Bateman, Paola Jiménez Quispe, Imogen Freeland and Joanna Helena are among the winners of BJP and 1854’s 2021 Female in Focus award, with the exhibitions sponsored by MPB, celebrating women’s contribution to contemporary photography
Read More →
In the final session in our Female in Focus mini-series we approach an underrepresented topic in the art photography world: Motherhood.
Read More →
With Female in Focus 2021 in its final two weeks for entries, we have curated a Female in Focus x 1854 Presents mini-series spotlighting voices of leading women photographers and industry figures across the world.
Read More →Frequently Asked Questions
I’m not an 1854 Access Member, how do I enter?
Whilst all 1854 Access members can enter Female in Focus X Nikon for free, you can also purchase an entry for four images or up to ten images here.
I have lost the email with my entry link
If you have lost your entry, use the reset form here, to send a reminder to your email address.
Can I pay by PayPal / Cheque / Cash?
We can only accept entries paid for with a credit or debit card online
Can I enter more than once?
Yes, you may enter as many times as you choose.
I have a promotional code, how can I use it?
Please first choose the type of entry you wish to make (eg, one series entry). On the next page you will be able to enter your promotional code, and after submitting that form you will see your discount applied.
I have a promotional code, but it doesn’t work?
Please note that most codes are time-limited. If the deadline for using your code has passed, it will not be usable.
Why is there a fee?
To find out more about why there is a fee to enter our awards visit our 1854 Awards: Why is there a fee?
I bought too many entries / ran out of time, can I get a refund?
Sorry, but all entry fees are non-refundable, as stated in the terms and conditions that you accepted on entry.
Can I upgrade my entry?
No unfortunately we can not upgrade your entry once a purchase has been made
The entry system is saying that my entry has already been claimed when I haven’t entered. What do I do?
Please Log In (link) to your account. This will show you all entries registered to you, and allow you to upload and submit your work.
I am an 1854 Access member, why am I being asked to pay for my entries?
You will need to click on the members log in section on the submission platform, and enter your membership number in order to submit your entries.
There isn’t enough room for my image title or other text
Please note the maximum lengths that apply to these texts. The length limits are noted on the form used to enter them and are given in characters (letters), not words.
My image was created as part of a collaboration, how do I ensure that all collaborators are credited?
In the description of your image(s), please clearly state that the image was created in collaboration with another artist, and give their name and email address.
Have my images uploaded correctly?
If your images have been uploaded correctly you will see a small version of each photo on the entry page, alongside the caption you entered. If you cannot see your photo, then your image has not been uploaded correctly. If a caption has been stored but no image, you can delete it using the Edit option.
I can’t upload my images – I see a green bar, it says 100%, but that’s it
This is a symptom of your web browser not correctly displaying the results. Please update your browser or download a new copy of Google Chrome.
Can I send my photos by email / WeTransfer / on DVD / some other way
We can only accept images that are uploaded using our entry system. This ensures that each one is logged with your entry details, and made available to our judges.
I uploaded one image, and now want to go back to upload more, but the system will not let me do so – what’s wrong?
Either the award deadline has passed, or you have previously submitted your entry to the judges. In order to do so you will have read a notice warning you, and ticked a box confirming your understanding that doing so would prevent you from making any further changes.
Do I have to have a model release form?
Written authorisation must be obtained from the subject, or the parent/guardian’s permission if the image is of a minor.
I can’t see the option to submit my entry
The Submit button appears at the top of your entry page once you have uploaded at least one image.
What happens when I submit my entry?
Your entry will be confirmed on a web page after submitting, and then we will send you a confirmation email, and your images (along with their captions, statements etc) are stored, ready to be viewed by the judges.
I have submitted my entry – can I change it?
No, once your entry has been submitted you may no longer alter it in any way.
Could you please check my images / text / entry?
Due to the sheer volume of entries, we are unable to check entries on an individual basis. Please ensure that you are happy with your images and statement before submitting them.
Can you please provide an invoice for my entry?
Your entry confirmation email includes a full VAT invoice, we can not provide any other invoice request
All photographers should adhere to the 1854 Awards Standard of Practice
Female in Focus is an award dedicated to celebrating women in photography. We welcome entries from women and non-binary artists.
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Professional and non-professional photographers from all over the world are eligible to enter.
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Images can be shot using any camera model (film or digital) or electronic device, and images may be portrait, landscape or square in format.
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Each entrant will be deemed to warrant they own the entire copyright for the work or that they have permission from the licensee and/or copyright owner/s for the uses and that they agree to the use of the work as outlined in the terms & conditions and as outlined during the calls to entry. Please familiarise yourself with the terms here.
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Each image can be a maximum of 10MB in size. All images must be submitted as JPEG files – any files submitted in any other format (including TIFF, PDF, PSD etc) will be discarded.
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You may submit a title (200 character limit) and caption (750 character limit) for each photograph entered. For the Stories Category, you can also provide an artist’s statement (1000 character limit). All accompanying text must be written in English.
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Deadline: 10th December 2024, 23:59 UK time.
Entrants have an additional 24 hours following this deadline to finalise and submit their entry.
Judging will take place shortly after the deadline.
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There is no time frame for the images.
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Images do not need to feature a woman as the subject to be eligible for this award.
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Due to the high volume of entries received, 1854 Media nor the judges can provide individual feedback for applications
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The final selection of winning images and series will be determined by 1854 Media and the judges. Their decision is final.
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Our venue partners, 10.14 Gallery and Glasgow Gallery of Photography, are not in any way involved in the judging process and are entirely separate from the final selection of images.
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We accept entries that consist of original photographs modified by AI. However, all significant AI modifications must be clearly indicated in the caption. Failure to declare modifications clearly may result in disqualification. The final decision will be made by British Journal of Photography and is binding
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Once your images and captions have been uploaded to the system you will see an option to submit your entry. Once submitted, your entry cannot be altered. Only submitted entries will be viewed by the judges.
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The winners must be available to supply high-res files promptly for publication.
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Digital files of the winning images will be created for press and publicity purposes.
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1854 Media & British Journal of Photography cannot be responsible for any loss or damage to submitted work.
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No copyright is transferred to 1854 Media & British Journal of Photography in respect of any works entered or accepted.
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1854 Media & British Journal of Photography reserve the right to display, reproduce and publish in any media, any entry, without payment, for the sole purpose of Female in Focus – this year and in future – and its promotion and publicity.
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Winning work will be exhibited at 10.14 Gallery and Glasgow Gallery of Photography in 2025.
1854 Media will organise and cover costs from the framing, printing and production of the Female in Focus show.
Exhibition design and curation will be carried out by 1854 Media.
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A selection of images will be published through 1854 Media & British Journal of Photography digital channels such as social media and email.
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You will be asked to pay for your entry by Credit Card. All payments are handled securely by our payment partner Stripe. After payment, you will receive an email containing a personal upload URL, where you may submit your images and statement.
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All entry purchases are final. Having purchased an entry, it is your responsibility to upload and submit your images and statement before the deadline. No refunds will be issued.
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In order to receive your award status, you must be subscribed to the Awards Communications list on our mailing system. If you have not received your status after the deadline, you must simply resubscribe by filling out a form to our newsletter list.
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All entries are subject to 1854 Media’s General Competition Terms and Conditions