Updated, November 2015 - Exhibition now arranged. Have you made a photobook that you are really proud of? Are you planning one now? Send in your book for review by three world class selectors.This is an open exhibition and entries are welcomed from all photographers and authors of photobooks: amateurs, professionals, artists and students. Books created since January 2014, one per entrant. Self-published, book dummies, artist and handmade books. Short-listed entries will be exhibited in the Espacio Gallery London E2 7DG 17-23 October 2016.
Bristol Photobook Festival, June 2015. Nicolo Degiorgis, author of the award winning photobook Hidden Islam, talking to visitors.
‘A Photobook is a book - with or without text – where the work’s primary message is carried by photographs’ …The Photobook, A History, Vol I, Martin Parr and Gerry Badger. We are interpreting this definition widely, with this limitation: we are not looking for a book which is just a collection of a photographer’s best photographs. It should be a book based on a specific theme or project. The theme is open.
Organised by the Contemporary Group of the Royal Photographic Society, a pilot photobook exhibition open to RPS members was held in 2014. This second exhibition is open to all, not just RPS members. Entries may be selfpublished, photobook dummies or artist “I could easily see a photobook photobooks. They may fair in the Turbine Hall. Why be produced by on-line not?”... Simon Baker, curator of photography, Tate; interview with digital print services, by Sean O’Hagan, Foam Magazine, offset printing or any other Spring 2013. processes. Handmade (photo: Offset London, Turbine Hall, books are also accepted. Tate Modern, May 2015) Only physical copies will be acceptable. No PDF or e-books permitted. Commercial book trade publications are not allowed. Only one book per entrant. The book must be the author’s own work, (however books containing found images may be used, provided their source is stated). Books from two joint authors are accepted. Books must have been created between 1 January 2014 and the closing date of 31 July 2016. Selected short-listed Pilot photobook exhibition books and award winners will catalogue, November 2014. be exhibited in the Espacio Gallery, Bethnal Green Road, London E2 7DG from 17-23 October 2016.
Society Medals and Awards Winner - Society Medal and a Prize of £1000. Society Medals and Prizes of on-demand print services to the value of £150 for second place and £100 for third place from Bob Books. Selectors David Campany, writer, curator, tutor of photography, photobook selector, RPS Award holder 2014. Lucy Kumara Moore, Director of Claire de Rouen Books, selector for MACK First book award. Dewi Lewis, photobook publisher. The selectors will be looking for books which approach the standards set by international photobook exhibitions, which are based on book topics of substance and interest, with photography of suitable strength, book design, sequencing etc. that support the purpose of the book, and the book’s overall characteristics as an object.
Entry Fee and deadline Entry Fee – per person is £25.00, £10 for 25 years old or under entrants. Books are returnable where return postage is supplied.You will only be allowed to enter one book per person. Deadline for entries 31 July 2016. Entries will be acknowledged on receipt and photographers who are short-listed for exhibition will be notified by end-September 2016. Books will only be returned IF FULL POSTAGE COSTS, A RETURN ADDRESS LABEL AND RE-USABLE PACKAGING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER. To find return postage rates within the UK and Overseas see www.royalmail.com/pricefinder. Catalogue A catalogue showing the shortlisted books and winners will be sent to all exhibition entrants.
How to Enter Contact Rod Fry rod@rodfry. eclipse.co.uk for a copy of the Entry Form.Please complete the Entry Form and email back to Rod Fry. Send your entry fee plus full return postage by bank transfer or by cheque in UK pounds (see entry form for bank details). Send your Photobook entry and re-usable packaging to: Royal Photographic Society Photobook Exhibition Collection Point 92 Old Park Ridings London N21 2ES United Kingdom Overseas Entries.Please mark your package Temporary Importation Exhibition Material. No Commercial Value. The RPS will not be responsible for Customs duty on packages with a declared value, and reserves the right to reclaim any charges incurred.
Copyright/ Reproduction Copyright of the book will remain with the author. By entering the competition the author grants permission to the Society to publish extracts from the book in connection with the competition and exhibition. The author indemnifies the Society against any copyright infringements that might arise from the use of images in the author’s photobook from other sources than the author. Insurance The Society does not provide insurance cover on your book, and if you feel it should be insured it is advisable that you make your own insurance arrangements. The Society shall not be liable for any book lost, damaged or destroyed whilst in transit, or whilst on Society premises (or being exhibited at a third party location).
Personal Data By submitting this entry form you are aware and agree to the Society holding this exhibition data on you under the terms of the Data Protection Act. Your data will not be passed to a third party for marketing purpose without your express permission. Acceptance of Regulations and Rules Submission of the entry form implies acceptance of the rules and regulations stated on this document. Eligibility Selectors may not enter the exhibition. Members of organising committee and RPS staff are not eligible for awards.
Sponsors The RPS would like to thank our exhibition sponsors. The award winning UK based print-on-demand photobook company, Bob Books, who offer books in seven sizes, including lay-flat binding, are sponsoring the event, with a contribution of ÂŁ500 towards the winner prize and the second and third place awards. Any entrants who choose to use Bob Books to create their entry can claim a 20% discount on the production price by going to
www.bobbooks.co.uk/rps-competition
Printing of the exhibition catalogue is sponsored by printed.com, whose services include photographic printing and a range of professionalstandard print products using specialist materials and finishes.