{"id":1338,"date":"2026-05-06T06:00:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T06:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fotoklub-maribor.si\/klub\/?p=1338"},"modified":"2026-05-06T10:11:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T10:11:36","slug":"open-call-for-photography-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.fotoklub-maribor.si\/klub\/2026\/05\/06\/open-call-for-photography-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0OPEN CALL FOR PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cBLACK PHOTOGRAPHY\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

11th Maribor Photography Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The open call is held under the patronage of <\/p>\n\n\n\n

the Photographic Association of Slovenia (FZS)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reference number: 9\/2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION \/ CONCEPT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a conceptual starting point for this year\u2019s edition of the festival, we return to one of the most significant and, at the same time, most radical chapters in Slovenian photography \u2013 the photographic movement known as the Maribor Circle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the early 1970s, the Maribor Circle <\/strong>introduced a decisive break in the dominant understanding of photography. At a time when aesthetically pleasing, technically perfected images were highly valued, the authors of this movement shifted their focus elsewhere \u2013 towards the margins, the fractures, and that which society pushed aside. Their photography did not seek harmony, but truth; it did not glorify an idealized reality, but revealed its rawness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of perfection, imperfection came to the forefront. Instead of distance \u2013 immediacy. Photography became a space of ethical and existential confrontation. The margins of society, underprivileged and marginalized groups, degraded urban and industrial environments, and everyday life without embellishment became central subjects. The aesthetics of the \u201cunbeautiful\u201d was not provocation for its own sake, but an expression of the time and its consciousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fifty years later, social, aesthetic, and technological conditions have significantly changed. Yet the fundamental questions remain \u2013 perhaps even more urgently than before. It is precisely for this reason that this open call seeks to establish a dialogue between past and present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black photography is not merely a formal decision, but a conscious reduction. It is a concentration of vision. It is a space where light reveals fracture, structure, and gesture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The open call \u201cBlack Photography\u201d <\/strong>is both a tribute to the Maribor Circle <\/strong>as a historical rupture and an acknowledgment of its enduring authorial stance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. ELIGIBILITY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The competition is open to professional and amateur photographers aged 18 or older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participation is free of charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By submitting their works, participants:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

confirm that they are the authors of the submitted works,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

agree to the terms and conditions of this call,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

grant permission for the use of submitted photographs for non-commercial purposes (exhibitions, promotion, publications \u2013 web, catalogue, media).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. THEME<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The open call focuses on black-and-white photography as both an expressive and conceptual field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We welcome photographs that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– explore the margins of society,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– address existential or social issues,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– engage with marginal spaces and communities,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– develop an aesthetic of the raw, the imperfect, or the direct,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– reflect on the role of photography in contemporary society.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each author may submit up to 4 photographs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– <\/strong>Format: JPG<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– <\/strong>Size: max. 3500 px (longest side), min. 2500 px (longest side)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– <\/strong>Aspect ratio: 3:2, 2:3, 4:3, or 3:4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– <\/strong>Resolution: 300 dpi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– <\/strong>Maximum file size: 5 MB<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional requirements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– <\/strong>Photographs must not contain signatures or borders<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– <\/strong>Each photograph must have a unique title<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– <\/strong>Titles such as \u201cUntitled\u201d, \u201cIMG_\u2026\u201d, etc. are not allowed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– <\/strong>File names must not include the author\u2019s name<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– <\/strong>File names must not exceed 30 characters<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only the following are accepted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– <\/strong>Photographs created using photographic equipment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– <\/strong>Works not generated by artificial intelligence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only basic adjustments are allowed (dust removal, light, contrast, saturation, cropping).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other manipulations are not permitted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photographs that do not meet the requirements will be disqualified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. SUBMISSION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applications and submissions must be made via the following link:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/app.rola.si\/contest\/105\/upload?lang=sl\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. DEADLINES <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Submission deadline: 15. June, 2026\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jury process completed by: June 30, 2026 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notification of results: by July 15, 2026 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. JURY <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The submitted works will be evaluated by a professional jury: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rudi Uran<\/strong>, President, F1 FZS <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branimir Ritonja, <\/strong>MF FZS <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maja Modrinjak <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In case of unforeseen circumstances, the organizer reserves the right to change the jury composition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jury\u2019s decisions are final and not subject to appeal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. AWARDS <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jury will award: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1st Prize: FZS Gold Medal <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2nd Prize: FZS Silver Medal <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3rd Prize: FZS Bronze Medal <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Diplomas of Fotoklub Maribor <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jury will select 20 photographs for exhibition as part of the 2026 Photography Festival<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awards and diplomas will be presented at the exhibition opening or sent by post. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By submitting their work, applicants agree that Fotoklub Maribor may use their email address to send club-related news. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consent can be withdrawn at any time via the unsubscribe link in the email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cBLACK PHOTOGRAPHY\u201d 11th Maribor Photography Festival  The open call is held under the patronage of  the Photographic Association of Slovenia (FZS) Reference number: 9\/2026 INTRODUCTION \/ CONCEPT As a conceptual starting point for this year\u2019s edition of the festival, we return to one of the most significant and, at the same time, most radical chapters […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1341,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,3,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dogodki","category-novice","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fotoklub-maribor.si\/klub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1338"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fotoklub-maribor.si\/klub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fotoklub-maribor.si\/klub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fotoklub-maribor.si\/klub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fotoklub-maribor.si\/klub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1338"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/www.fotoklub-maribor.si\/klub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1338\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1351,"href":"http:\/\/www.fotoklub-maribor.si\/klub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1338\/revisions\/1351"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fotoklub-maribor.si\/klub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1341"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fotoklub-maribor.si\/klub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fotoklub-maribor.si\/klub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fotoklub-maribor.si\/klub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}