"The Poetry of Light and Shadow" Open Call by Photo Artfolio

• Photo Artfolio

• Deadline: January 5th, 2026

• Theme: The Poetry of Light and Shadow

• Prize: $1,000 + Online Exhibition + Exposure

• Entry Fees: Free Entry Option

• REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE

An image extends far beyond the boundaries of color. It lives in the whispers of tone, the grit of texture, the shifting mood, and the dramatic contrasts shaped by the eternal dance of light and shadow. Black and white photography amplifies these qualities, revealing a world stripped to its elemental beauty—raw, direct, and profoundly human.

In honor of our third year of elevating visual storytellers, Photo Artfolio invites photographers across the world to participate in a special online exhibition devoted entirely to the artistry and mystique of monochrome imagery. This showcase celebrates the way black and white transforms the ordinary into something resonant and poetic.

To commemorate this milestone, and in gratitude to the community that has supported us from the beginning, we offer one free submission per artist. This single, no-cost entry is a mark of appreciation. Additional images may be submitted for $10 each for those who wish to broaden their presence within the exhibit.

In a visual culture dominated by color, black and white remains defiantly essential. It strips away excess and reveals the core—the shape of a thought, the curve of a gesture, the moment when time seems to hold its breath.

What does monochrome reveal in your work?A quiet narrative murmuring beneath the surface?A timeless echo?A truth laid bare?

We seek photographs that transform light and shadow into verse—images where tonal range and contrast bring forward the soul of the scene.

All photographic styles are welcome: documentary, fine art, landscape, portrait, street, conceptual, and more. We do not accept AI-generated work.

The top three photographs will be awarded:1st Place: $5002nd Place: $3503rd Place: $150

Photo Credit: Michael Potts