Deadline: 31-Jan-2026
The B-SHAPES Photo Competition invites photographers and visual storytellers to explore borders in everyday life and tell the stories they reveal. Through creative photography, participants examine identity, movement, division, and connection, with winning entries receiving cash prizes of up to €300.
Overview
The B-SHAPES Photo Competition is an open creative call encouraging participants to explore the concept of borders in their immediate surroundings.
Rather than focusing only on physical or geopolitical boundaries, the competition invites reflection on social, cultural, and symbolic borders that divide, connect, or define communities and identities.
Participants are asked to find a border, capture it through photography, and tell its story through a compelling visual narrative.
What Is the B-SHAPES Photo Competition?
The B-SHAPES Photo Competition is a creative initiative designed to foster critical reflection on borders as lived experiences.
It provides a platform for photographers and visual artists to engage with contemporary social issues through artistic expression, while contributing to broader cultural dialogue and cross-cultural understanding.
The competition values originality, relevance, and thoughtful engagement with the theme of borders.
Core Themes and Concepts
Borders and Boundaries
Borders may be physical, social, political, cultural, or psychological. Participants are encouraged to interpret borders broadly and creatively, focusing on how they operate in everyday life.
Identity and Belonging
The competition explores how borders shape who we are, how we relate to others, and how communities define inclusion and exclusion.
Movement, Division, and Connection
Projects may reflect on migration, mobility, separation, coexistence, or shared spaces, highlighting both division and unity.
Contemporary Social Context
Submissions should engage with present-day realities, addressing how borders influence individual and collective experiences in modern societies.
What Participants Are Asked to Do
Participants are invited to:
Identify a border in their surroundings
Photograph the border in a meaningful way
Use visual storytelling to communicate its social or cultural significance
Challenge assumptions and spark reflection through their work
The focus is not only on aesthetic quality, but also on narrative strength and conceptual depth.
Who Is Eligible?
The competition is open to:
Photographers and visual creators
Artists interested in social, cultural, or political themes
Emerging and established creatives
Individuals interested in storytelling through images
No specific academic or professional background is required, as long as the submission engages thoughtfully with the theme.
Prizes and Recognition
Selected works will be recognised through a prize scheme that rewards outstanding creative engagement.
The prizes include:
First prize: €300
Second prize: €200
Third prize: €100
Awards are based on originality, relevance to the theme, and the strength of artistic expression.
Why This Competition Matters
Borders are not only lines on maps but lived realities that shape societies and identities.
This initiative matters because it:
Encourages critical reflection on contemporary social issues
Promotes artistic exploration of identity and belonging
Supports cross-cultural dialogue and exchange
Gives visibility to diverse creative voices
Strengthens public conversations around borders and coexistence
How to Participate
Step-by-Step Participation Guide
Identify a border that is meaningful in your local context
Conceptualise the story you want to tell about that border
Capture the border through photography
Prepare your submission according to the competition guidelines
Submit your work before the deadline
Participants are encouraged to think deeply about narrative, context, and message.
Tips for a Strong Submission
Choose a border that has personal or community significance
Focus on storytelling, not just visual impact
Reflect clearly on what the border represents
Avoid clichés and overly literal interpretations
Ensure your work aligns clearly with the competition theme
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Submitting images without a clear narrative or concept
Focusing only on technical perfection while ignoring meaning
Using generic or overused representations of borders
Failing to connect the image to contemporary social realities
Ignoring the reflective and critical aspect of the theme
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the main theme of the B-SHAPES Photo Competition?
The competition focuses on borders and boundaries and how they shape identity, movement, division, and connection.
2. What kind of borders can be photographed?
Borders can be physical, social, cultural, political, or symbolic, as long as they are meaningfully explored.
3. Who can participate in the competition?
The competition is open to photographers and visual storytellers of all backgrounds and experience levels.
4. What are the prizes for winning entries?
The top three projects receive €300, €200, and €100 respectively.
5. What criteria are used to judge submissions?
Judging is based on originality, relevance to the theme, and the strength of artistic and narrative engagement.
6. Does the competition encourage experimental approaches?
Yes, artistic experimentation and creative interpretation are strongly encouraged.
7. What do participants gain beyond prizes?
Participants gain visibility, networking opportunities, and the chance to contribute to wider cultural and social dialogue.
Conclusion
The B-SHAPES Photo Competition offers a meaningful opportunity to explore borders as powerful social and cultural forces through photography. By encouraging creative inquiry into identity, division, and connection, the initiative supports artistic voices that challenge perceptions, foster dialogue, and deepen understanding of the borders that shape our world.
For more information, visit ENRS.