Summary
- RPS IPE 168 is open to photographers and image-makers of all ages worldwide.
- One image can be entered free, with new entries closing on 15 December 2026.
Event Details
The Royal Photographic Society has opened entries for the International Photography Exhibition 168, with new submissions closing on 15 December 2026.
The RPS describes the IPE as the world’s longest-running contemporary photography exhibition, with a history dating back to 1854. This year’s call is open worldwide to photographers and image-makers of all ages and levels, with no predefined theme or categories.
Who can enter
RPS membership is not required. The call is open to students, amateurs, professionals and non-professional image-makers worldwide, with a broad range of photographic approaches, including traditional and experimental processes, eligible for submission.
One free image and fees for additional entries
Everyone can submit one single image free of charge. For additional paid entries, the RPS lists a standard fee of £35, £27 for RPS members and £20 for entrants under 30. Paid entries can include up to four images, either as a series or as individual works, and multiple paid entries are permitted.
Technical file requirements
Images must be submitted online as JPEG files in the sRGB colour space and under 10MB. Selection is anonymous, so the photographer’s name must not appear in the image title, description, project statement or as a watermark on the image.
How the selection works
After new entries close, an online selection stage takes place. Shortlisted photographers will be invited to submit prints for the final selection, while anonymity is maintained throughout the selection and award process. The final exhibition will include 100 prints and tour RPS partner venues.
Awards and recognition
The IPE Award includes £1,000 and one year of free RPS membership, as does the Under 30s Award. The programme also includes a two-week solo exhibition at an RPS partner venue, four opportunities to be featured in the RPS Journal, five Selectors Spotlight features, and digital promotion for selected and shortlisted photographers.
Generative AI and image editing
Work that includes generative AI, in whole or in part, is not eligible. Software-based editing is permitted, but for genres such as documentary photography, photojournalism, travel and natural history, the RPS asks entrants to disclose when the authenticity of the subject has been altered.
Key deadlines
The deadline for new entries is Tuesday 15 December 2026 at 23:59 GMT. Entrants who have already started an entry can edit and finalise it until Wednesday 16 December 2026 at 23:59 GMT. The RPS has also set 19 October as the deadline for its early-bird prize draw.
An exhibition with a history dating back to 1854
The International Photography Exhibition has been held almost every year since 1854. Early editions included work by photographers such as Julia Margaret Cameron, Roger Fenton, Edward Steichen and Paul Strand, while the current format remains an open call without restrictions to a particular photographic genre.
What we think
The free single-image entry and the absence of thematic categories make IPE 168 accessible to photographers who want to place their work in an international context. At the same time, the anonymous selection process and the final print stage make careful image selection and close attention to the RPS technical and ethical requirements especially important.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be an RPS member?
No. Entry is open to everyone regardless of age, experience or membership status.
Is there a set theme or category?
No. IPE 168 is an open submission with no predefined categories or restrictions on photographic genre or technique.
How many images can I submit?
There is one free entry for a single image. Additional paid entries can include up to four images as a series or as individual works.
What file format does the platform accept?
JPEG files in sRGB, under 10MB.
Is generative AI allowed?
No. The RPS states that work containing generative AI, in whole or in part, is not eligible.
More information and the official entry conditions are available on the International Photography Exhibition 168 page and in the RPS entry guide.
