Collab Duncanville presents
“Come Together” Photo Competition and Exhibition

With appreciation to the Duncanville Arts Commission for bringing together the arts and community at Collab Duncanville

Theme: "Come Together"
We invite photographers from across Texas to participate in an exciting new photography competition—"Come Together"—hosted at Collab in Duncanville, Texas. This competition celebrates the power of unity in its many forms and challenges you to explore the idea of coming together through your camera lens.

Whether it's people forging new connections, communities uniting for a shared purpose, or even abstract concepts where ideas, colors, or elements intertwine to create something greater than the sum of their parts, "Come Together" is an opportunity to capture the essence of collaboration, solidarity, and creativity.

Think about the infinite ways in which we, as humans, come together—family, friends, cultures, and even strangers who share a fleeting yet meaningful moment. Visualize the harmony in nature as elements work together to create balance, or the energy of a bustling city where countless lives intersect each day. How do ideas converge to create new inventions, art, or movements? Your photographs should tell these stories, capturing the spirit of connection and the power it holds to transform us all.

With cash prizes for the top entries sponsored by Collab and Options Reality, this competition not only offers recognition but a platform to showcase your unique photographic interpretation of what it means to "Come Together." We’re looking for work that sparks emotion, inspires action, and reflects the diverse, beautiful ways in which we unite in today’s world.

Submit your most powerful and inspiring image and join us in celebrating the art of photography and the universal need to connect.

Awards & Prizes

From all the eligible applications, the Judges will select the best 10 photos as finalist.
The winners of the Cash Prizes, sponsored by Collab and Options Real Estate in Duncanville, Texas, will be announced and awarded on October 3rd at 6pm during Collab's open house event.

First Place: $5000
Second Place: $2500
Third Place: $1000

There is no entry fee; one entry per artist.
Finalists will be notified and must be present to win.

Rules & Terms

RULES

1. Eligibility:
Open to all photographers and digital artists aged 18 and above.
Open to both amateur and professional photographers.
All submitted works must be original and created by the submitting artist in either black and white or color. Images can be landscape or portrait format.
City of Duncanville employees, elected officials, appointed representatives, and their family members are not eligible to participate.

2. Medium:
Submissions must be digital photography only—no prints will be accepted.
Digital files should be submitted in high-resolution JPEG or PNG formats.

All submitted files must be named with photographer’s name and title of work. Files that are not labelled correctly may not be accepted.

Correct file naming looks like this: lastname_firstname_title_of_image.jpg or .png

3. Submission Guidelines:
Artists may submit only one entry
First 250 submissions before September 21, 2024, at midnight, will be eligible for consideration

This contest is limited to Photographers residing in Texas

Finalists must be present to win

Submissions must be original works created solely by the submitting photographer without the use of AI-generated elements. The images can be from the artist's existing portfolio or produced uniquely for this contest.

Each submission must include the title, artist’s name, and a brief statement explaining how the work relates to the theme "Come Together."

There is no entry fee for submission.

4. Deadlines:
Contest Open: September 9, 2024
Contest Close: September 21, 2024, at midnight; or after 250 submissions.
Winners will be announced on October 3, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at Collab Duncanville, 544 East Wheatland Rd., Duncanville, TX 75116. Finalists must be present, on the day, to win.

5. Rights:
Artists retain all rights to their work but grant the Duncanville Arts Commission and Collab Duncanville the right to use submitted images for promotional and exhibition purposes related to the competition.

6. Disqualification:
Works that do not adhere to the theme or rules will not be considered.
Any plagiarized work will result in immediate disqualification and exclusion from future events.

PARAMETERS

1. Theme Interpretation:
Works must clearly reflect or be inspired by the theme "Come Together."
Both literal and abstract interpretations are welcome.

2. File Requirements:
Digital submissions should be at least 300 DPI and must be submitted as high-resolution JPEG or PNG files.

JUDGING

1. Judging Criteria:
Adherence to Theme: How well does the artwork reflect the theme "Come Together"?
Creativity & Originality: Is the concept innovative and original?
Technical Skill: Is the work executed with technical proficiency?
Emotional Impact: Does the work evoke emotion or convey a strong message?
Composition & Aesthetic Quality: How well is the artwork composed, and does it have aesthetic appeal?

2. Judging Panel:
The judging panel will consist of members of the community, arts patrons, advocates and industry professionals invited by the Duncanville Arts Commission.
Judges will review all submissions and vote online.