Photography

ONWARD Compé International Photography Competition

02/17/2013 10:56 pm
Michael Sullivan
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ONWARD Compé is an international competition for emerging photographers, produced by Project Basho. Juried each year by a leading figure in contemporary photography, ONWARD Compé spotlights “new, envelope-pushing work that continues to further the medium.”¹ This year’s guest juror is celebrated photographer Mark Steinmetz.

The exhibition of selected photographers’ images culminates in the ONWARD Summit, an annual photography festival held in Philadelphia.

As a budding photographer, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the photo contests online these days. In an email exchange I had with founder Tsuyoshi Ito, he spoke about what sets ONWARD Compé apart:

“With a competition, the winners typically experience rather a short-lived attention before the focus moves to the new winners. We want to keep celebrating past ONWARD winners, fostering a sense of community.” Tsuyoshi continues: “We have a live gallery to see what kind of photographs people are submitting from the globe and it is a great way to find/discover/get connected to other photographers’ work.”

For all contestants making it to the final showing, the gallery supplies frames for all pictures. In the past, Tsuyoshi says, “Framing had been a huge burden for the photographers, after the initial joy of being selected into shows.”

ONWARD compé is accepting submissions until February 25, 2013. You can submit your photography here. You can view some past submissions below: