The Exposed DC Photography Show is a celebration of our nation’s capital as seen through the eyes of people who live, work, and love here. Show us your best images of local art, sports, food, culture and street photography and yes, even the occasional monument, but make sure it blows us away! We want to see your amazing, everyday Washington, D.C. experiences.

What winners receive

Winning images will be printed and framed by Exposed DC for inclusion in our 2020 Photography Show at Touchstone Gallery.

About Exposed DC

Exposed DC connects photographers of all levels with networking, mentoring, and exhibition opportunities. We partner with organizations to strengthen and cultivate the local photography community. Since 2006 we have produced the annual Exposed Photography Show, with images selected from a contest.

Special requirements

• You must be a resident of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

• You must be at least 18 years of age.

• Images submitted have to be taken in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

• Please review the Terms & Conditions at the bottom of this page for the full set of requirements.

Note about uploading images

Each submission includes up to four images that you will add in the "Upload" step. If you would like to submit more than four images, then you will select "Add another project." Do not select "Add another project" if you are trying to add images to a single submission as that is handled in the Upload step.

What subject matter is suitable for this contest?

The Exposed DC Photography Show is a celebration of our nation's capital as seen through the eyes of people who live, work, and love here. Show us your best images of local art, sports, food, culture and street photography and yes, even the occasional monument, but make sure it blows us away! We want to see your amazing, everyday Washington, D.C. experiences. Regarding dated and altered images, our rule is simply to be reasonable. If your photo is obviously ten years old, it's unlikely we'll choose it to represent the city we live in today. Basic image adjustments are fine, but if it's obviously Photoshopped to some place outside of reality (text, extreme filters, gratuitous use of HDR, etc.), it's very unlikely we'll choose it.

How many photos can I enter?

Entries are accepted in batches of up to 4 images with no limit on the number of batches. The entry fee for each batch is $25.

Do I have to live in Washington, D.C. to enter the contest?

You must live in and enter photos taken in the general geographical area. The contest is a celebration of photography in the D.C. metro area. This includes the nearby commuting suburbs of Virginia and Maryland.

Do photos need to be taken with specific devices?

Nope! We welcome film, phone, digital, etc. However the image was made, you will need to provide a digital file when submitting to the contest (e.g., scans of film).

How will winning photos be displayed?

Images will be printed near but no larger than 8"x12" in a black metal 16"x20" frame with a white acid free mat and foam core backing. These framed prints will be available for purchase during the exhibit run and can also be included in our online marketplace after the show closes. Exposed DC keeps 30% of all sales in your edition during the exhibit to help us pay for the event. Winning images will also be shared on our website as well as in an exhibition magazine.

When and where will the exhibit be?

The exhibit will be February 19 through March 1 at Touchstone Gallery.