An international photography award platforming emerging and established artists in prestigious institutions worldwide.

Deadline: 13 March 2025, 23:59 UK time. 

Enter all of our photography awards for free as a Full Access or Digital Access Member

OpenWalls

A special edition of OpenWalls, which has been platforming emerging and established artists in prestigious institutions worldwide since 2019.
OpenWalls Spotlight, in partnership with WePresent and Galerie Huit Arles, is an international photography award which offers one series winner and three single-image winners the opportunity to exhibit their work in the prestigious and historic Galerie Huit Arles.

Why enter

Secure a unique platform for international photographic acclaim

OpenWalls Spotlight will be exhibited at a 17th-century mansion and artspace Galerie Huit Arles, coinciding with Les Rencontres d’Arles, the photography industry’s acclaimed annual festival in July 2025.

Have your work judged by industry leaders

This year’s panel includes Dalia Al-Dujaili (Online Editor, British Journal of Photography), Julia De Bierre (Director, Galerie Huit Arles), Holly Fraser (Editor-in-chief, WePresent) and more.

Theme

Traditions in Transition delves into the evolving interplay between heritage and contemporary life. This theme invites photographers to capture the delicate balance between preserving tradition and adapting to modern influences. Whether it’s the subtle changes in cultural attire, the fusion of ancient rituals with new technologies, or the transformation of communal spaces, these images will tell compelling stories of resilience, adaptation, and the ever-shifting identity of cultures in the face of modernity.

Prize list

Prize list

Single Image Category

  • Three winning images will be exhibited in the Salon Matador, at Galerie Huit Arles alongside Les Rencontres d’Arles.
  • Your work will be shared with our national and international press list
  • Be featured on 1854.photography.

Stories Category

  • One body of work will be exhibited in the Salon Matador, at Galerie Huit Arles alongside Les Rencontres d’Arles.
  • Travel* and accommodation to attend the private view of the exhibition
  • Your work will be shared with our national and international press list.
  • Be featured on 1854.photography.
*Up to £500

Single Image Category

  • 10 winning images will be exhibited as part of a group show
  • Receive international press coverage
  • Be featured on 1854.photography

Stories Category

  • One winning body of work will be exhibited as part of a group show
  • Receive international press coverage
  • Be featured on 1854.photography

Judges

Each year OpenWalls is judged by a panel of international industry leaders.

Julia de Bierre

Gallery Director, Galerie Huit Arles

Dalia Al-Dujaili

Online Editor and Writer, British Journal of Photography

Holly Fraser

Editor in chief, WePresent

Ken Grant

Photographer, Curator, Writer

Tosin Adeosun

Curator and Fashion Historian

Daphne Chouliaraki Milner

Culture Director, Atmos

Winners

Discover the photographers whose captivating work has gained nationwide acclaim, propelling many to achieve international recognition and renown.

Free applications for photographers in non-high-income locations

Photographers located in non-high-income countries can apply to OpenWalls Spotlight for free. Are you eligible? See the list of qualifying countries, and complete the form via the link below.

Hear from our past winners

Thanks to our partners:

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m not an 1854 Access Member, how do I enter?

All Full Access and Digital Access members can claim free entry to OpenWalls Spotlight but entries may also be purchased from the entry website

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 Memberships and 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. 1854 Access Members are entitled to submit 10 free images, and have the option to purchase additional image entries following that.

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? page

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?

Once logged into the submissions portal, click on the Entries tab on the top left of the screen. All current and past entries are displayed within this tab, and this is the location through which you are able to confirm which entries you have claimed and edit your current entries.

I am an 1854 Access member, why am I being asked to pay for my entries?

You will need to ensure you have logged into our submissions portal using the details associated with your member account. If you have done this, the next step is to click on the Entries tab on the top left of the screen to ensure you haven’t already claimed your free Member entry. All current and past entries are displayed within this tab, and this is the location through which you are able to edit your entries.

If you are still having issues please connect with our support team for further assistance via support@1854.media

Have my images uploaded correctly?

If your images have been uploaded correctly you will see a low resolution preview 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.

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.

How can I upload a higher-resolution image?

The submission platform accepts images with a maximum file size of 10MB. If your entry is selected as a winner, we will contact you to obtain the high-resolution version of your image(s).

I can’t see the option to submit my entry

The Submit button appears above each image after you have saved your image and texts. If it does not appear, please check that you have completed all the required fields.

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?

You’re welcome to make edits to your entry. Please remember to resubmit the images once the edits are complete.

Could you please check my images/text/entry?

Unfortunately  this isn’t possible – our system receives thousands of images, and we don’t have the capacity to check each entry. Please ensure that you are happy with your images and texts before submitting your work.

There isn’t enough room for my image title, or other text

Please note that 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.

I can’t see the option to submit my entry

The Submit button appears above each image after you have saved your image and texts. If it does not appear, please check that you have completed all the required fields.

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?

You’re welcome to make edits to your entry. Please remember to resubmit the images once the edits are complete.

Could you please check my images / text / entry?

Unfortunately  this isn’t possible – our system receives thousands of images, and we don’t have the capacity to check each entry. Please ensure that you are happy with your images and texts before submitting your work.

Questions about consent/ethics

Here are our standards of practice: https://www.1854.photography/1854-awards-standards-of-practice/  

How long until images are chosen/shortlisted/published?

Entrants notified if their application was successful – Early May

Winners Press Announcement – Beginning of June

Why haven’t I received my award status?

In order to receive your award status, you must be subscribed to our newsletter. If you unsubscribe from our mailing lists, we will not be able to contact you.

If you have unsubscribed, you can resubscribe by filling out a form to our newsletter list. Once you have received an email from us, you can toggle your settings to choose what you do and don’t want to hear from us.

All photographers should adhere to the 1854 Awards Standard of Practice

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Professional and non-professional photographers of all ages are eligible to enter

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Both UK-based and international photographers are welcome to enter

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Images can be shot using any camera model (film or digital), and images may be portrait, landscape or square in format. Images can also be shot on any camera phone.

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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 short statement for each photograph entered. Statements must be under 250 characters in length, and written in English.

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The deadline for entries is Thursday 13th March  2025 – 23:59 (UK Time).

Judging will take place shortly after the deadline.

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You’re welcome to make edits to your entry. Please remember to resubmit the images once the edits are complete.

The winning photographers must be available to supply high-res files promptly for publication (Adobe 98 RGB, 300dpi, tiff, 8 bit, full resolution and minimum 3000px on the longest side).

Digital files of the winning images will be created for press and publicity purposes.

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Galerie Huit Arles is a member of the Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC) which may affect how your work is presented in order to reduce waste and carbon emissions. This includes, but is not limited to: reusing frames, reducing the amount of single-use prints where possible (eg. wallpapers), reducing the need for re-painting the gallery (including reducing the number of works which are nailed/screwed into the gallery walls) 

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BJP and WePresent cannot be responsible for any loss or damage to submitted work.

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No copyright is transferred to the BJP or WePresent in respect of any works entered or accepted.

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BJP and WePresent reserve the right to display, reproduce and publish in any media, any entry, without payment, for the sole purpose of OpenWalls Spotlight – this year and in future – and its promotion and publicity.

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Some images may be published in BJP and WePresent print and digital channels.

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If you choose to purchase a one-off entry, 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.

If through to the winners list of OpenWalls Spotlight, small editorial changes may be made to the submitted text.

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. 

Please note that 1854 Access members entering awards as part of their Membership (as opposed to a paid entry) will be required to remain a member throughout the periods when awards are judged and exhibitions/outputs are planned, for their entries to be eligible.

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In the event that any entrant does not, or is unable to, comply with and meet the terms and conditions, and the competition information, or for any other reasonable reason, 1854 Media shall be entitled at its sole discretion to disqualify and remove such entrant at any time and without prior notice, from any stage of the competition process (be it general entry, the shortlist or the winning selection), without having to give any reason or justification. Any further liability to such entrant and 1854 Media’s decision in this regard shall be final. In these circumstances, any prize(s) won by the entrant may be forfeited and 1854 Media reserves the right to reclaim any prize(s) already distributed to the entrant. 1854 Media shall bear no liability for any harm, loss or damage (whether direct, indirect, consequential or otherwise) that any entrant may suffer or claim to suffer as a result of disqualification or removal under this clause 33 in the terms and conditions. 1854’s rights under this clause 33 are in addition to and without prejudice to any other rights or remedies that may be available to it under these terms and conditions or otherwise in accordance with law.

OpenWalls is a unique chance to get your work seen by thousands of industry leaders, peers and members of the public around the world.