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Open Call, Still, Life with Elliott Gunn
Open Call: Still, Life
Presented by The Photobook Cafe & Rapid Eye Darkrooms
We are proud to say that our Open Calls are not-for-profit. All proceeds go directly back into supporting The Photobook Cafe Public Programme, helping us keep our photobook collection free and open to all, while continuing to support and platform local and emerging creatives.
Theme
Still, Life is an open call for people who use the camera to capture their everyday lives, from a plastic bag flying in the wind, to the way the light shines through the curtains onto an object. This group show is about showing the vast range of how we all capture life as we see it. A butterfly lands perfectly on your friend’s shoulder or perhaps you captured something at the perfect time. This is the opportunity to show images that feel you have an attachment too even if someone else doesn’t understand. Cinematic or in the moment. Colour or B&W. Digital or Film. The main thing we’re looking for are the moments that sit in the tension between motion and pause, living and lingering, presence and aftermath. Human presence Photo diary fragments Un unmade bed in morning light.
Guest Judge
Our guest judge, Elliott Gunn, is known for capturing candid, cinematic moments within everyday environments. His work focuses on fleeting gestures, shadow and light, and the quiet tension of public spaces, transforming ordinary scenes into images rich with atmosphere and narrative.
Submission Portal
Once you have completed payment for your submission, please upload your images and details via the submission form:
Event Information
Exhibition Opening:
July 30th 2026
18:00 – late
This event will be open to the public, with no RSVP required.
During the evening, our guest judge Elliott Gunn will announce our Best in Show winners at 19:00.
Alongside the exhibition, the selected works will also be featured within a printed zine, celebrating the final 35 photographers.
General Guidelines
Read our press release here
Entry fee: £25 per submission (10 images per entry)
The entry fee is non-refundable and supports The Photobook Cafe Public Programme
If selected, there are no additional costs to exhibit
The work must respond to the theme Still, Life
Analogue, digital and alternative methods of photography are all accepted
Images may be taken anywhere in the world
Works containing discriminatory or offensive content will not be accepted
All exhibition prints will be produced by Rapid Eye Darkrooms on digital C-Type matte paper and The Photobook Cafe on alternative printing methods, such as but not limited to; photocopied, xerox, digital scans ect.
You can submit as many images you like, £25 per 10 entries
Anyone can submit, emerging, established or amateur photographer. Any age, background and identity from anywhere in the world
Submission deadline: July 20th Midnight
Exhibition & Publication
The final 35 selected photographers will:
Have their photograph(s) exhibited at The Photobook Cafe
Be included in a printed zine produced for the exhibition
Receive a complimentary copy of the zine
Receive a physical exhibition print to take home after the deinstall of the exhibition
If selected you may be asked to provide a higher quality JPG
Selection Process & Prizes
All submissions will be reviewed by our invited guest judge, Elliott Gunn, who will select the final 35 photographers for the exhibition and zine. Announcements will be July 30th.
From these selected photographers, three Best in Show photographers will also be chosen, who will receive the opportunity to present a complimentary group exhibition at The Photobook Cafe at the end of 2026, with printing supported by The Photobook Cafe and curatorial direction by Elliott Gunn. Plus more prizes to be announced.
Additional Opportunities
All submissions will:
Be screened during the exhibition opening private view
Have the opportunity to be featured on The Photobook Cafe and Rapid Eye Darkrooms social media
Access
Please note that our gallery space does not currently have step-free access and is accessible via 25 steps.
If you have any questions regarding accessibility or submissions, please contact us directly and we will do our best to assist.
alice@photobookuk.org
Thanks
As part of The Photobook Cafe Public Programme
Supported by Rapid Eye Darkrooms
Guest Judge: Elliott Gunn
Poster images courtesy of Elliott Gunn
Open Call: Still, Life
Presented by The Photobook Cafe & Rapid Eye Darkrooms
We are proud to say that our Open Calls are not-for-profit. All proceeds go directly back into supporting The Photobook Cafe Public Programme, helping us keep our photobook collection free and open to all, while continuing to support and platform local and emerging creatives.
Theme
Still, Life is an open call for people who use the camera to capture their everyday lives, from a plastic bag flying in the wind, to the way the light shines through the curtains onto an object. This group show is about showing the vast range of how we all capture life as we see it. A butterfly lands perfectly on your friend’s shoulder or perhaps you captured something at the perfect time. This is the opportunity to show images that feel you have an attachment too even if someone else doesn’t understand. Cinematic or in the moment. Colour or B&W. Digital or Film. The main thing we’re looking for are the moments that sit in the tension between motion and pause, living and lingering, presence and aftermath. Human presence Photo diary fragments Un unmade bed in morning light.
Guest Judge
Our guest judge, Elliott Gunn, is known for capturing candid, cinematic moments within everyday environments. His work focuses on fleeting gestures, shadow and light, and the quiet tension of public spaces, transforming ordinary scenes into images rich with atmosphere and narrative.
Submission Portal
Once you have completed payment for your submission, please upload your images and details via the submission form:
Event Information
Exhibition Opening:
July 30th 2026
18:00 – late
This event will be open to the public, with no RSVP required.
During the evening, our guest judge Elliott Gunn will announce our Best in Show winners at 19:00.
Alongside the exhibition, the selected works will also be featured within a printed zine, celebrating the final 35 photographers.
General Guidelines
Read our press release here
Entry fee: £25 per submission (10 images per entry)
The entry fee is non-refundable and supports The Photobook Cafe Public Programme
If selected, there are no additional costs to exhibit
The work must respond to the theme Still, Life
Analogue, digital and alternative methods of photography are all accepted
Images may be taken anywhere in the world
Works containing discriminatory or offensive content will not be accepted
All exhibition prints will be produced by Rapid Eye Darkrooms on digital C-Type matte paper and The Photobook Cafe on alternative printing methods, such as but not limited to; photocopied, xerox, digital scans ect.
You can submit as many images you like, £25 per 10 entries
Anyone can submit, emerging, established or amateur photographer. Any age, background and identity from anywhere in the world
Submission deadline: July 20th Midnight
Exhibition & Publication
The final 35 selected photographers will:
Have their photograph(s) exhibited at The Photobook Cafe
Be included in a printed zine produced for the exhibition
Receive a complimentary copy of the zine
Receive a physical exhibition print to take home after the deinstall of the exhibition
If selected you may be asked to provide a higher quality JPG
Selection Process & Prizes
All submissions will be reviewed by our invited guest judge, Elliott Gunn, who will select the final 35 photographers for the exhibition and zine. Announcements will be July 30th.
From these selected photographers, three Best in Show photographers will also be chosen, who will receive the opportunity to present a complimentary group exhibition at The Photobook Cafe at the end of 2026, with printing supported by The Photobook Cafe and curatorial direction by Elliott Gunn. Plus more prizes to be announced.
Additional Opportunities
All submissions will:
Be screened during the exhibition opening private view
Have the opportunity to be featured on The Photobook Cafe and Rapid Eye Darkrooms social media
Access
Please note that our gallery space does not currently have step-free access and is accessible via 25 steps.
If you have any questions regarding accessibility or submissions, please contact us directly and we will do our best to assist.
alice@photobookuk.org
Thanks
As part of The Photobook Cafe Public Programme
Supported by Rapid Eye Darkrooms
Guest Judge: Elliott Gunn
Poster images courtesy of Elliott Gunn