About

Rotterdam Photo is happy to announce the launch of the Single Image Open Call for the 2023 edition. We invite professional and amateur photographers to reflect on the theme Freedom Redefined -- and submit one photo (series).

The theme was inspired by the COVID-19 crisis and the drastic events of recent times. The world has been in a constant condition of fear and isolation, and the war in Ukraine has only heightened these fears. 

What started as distant events suddenly hit close to home. Consequently, this raised numerous existential questions about our freedom. What does freedom mean to us? Are we willing to give it up to a certain extent? How far are we willing to go to preserve and protect our freedom? And how much of it do we give up when a greater interest is at stake? How do people in other parts of the world view their freedom? For many, the freedom to study or work is not always a given. 

Although covid-restrictions were being lifted in many countries, life has still not returned to its routine. People all over the globe are still fighting for their freedom --- whether that is the individual freedom to express who you are,  freedom of speech, or even democracy. Luckily, we have also seen that the universal languages of love, community, solidarity, and creativity have thrived during these difficult times. 

The pandemic has been a hard reset for many of us, forcing us to rethink our fears and dreams. This has opened up a new dialogue about freedom. Do we take our freedom for granted? How do we establish new ways of living in a post-pandemic era? Where do we find freedom when it is being threatened? What kind of art do we need in times of urgency? 

It is about time we tell new, inspiring stories. The message Rotterdam Photo wants to convey is one of resilience and authenticity. Freedom Redefined shows the strength and resourcefulness of humans in difficult times. Freedom doesn't always have to be grand and compelling: it can also be found in the little things.

The pandemic gave us insights into who and what has had an impact on our lives. What makes us happy, and who do we miss? In which ways we can love. We found solutions. Alternatives. The pandemic has shown us that we find freedom in small things. This is exactly what makes us human. Therefore, we challenge photographers to send us their best and most meaningful work, focusing on the theme - Freedom Redefined.

What winners receive

The selected images through the Single Image Open Call will be printed on PVC panels and exhibited on the outside part of a designated container during the Rotterdam Photo 2023 (9 -- 12 February 2023). All production costs will be covered by the Rotterdam Photo.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS:

• Submission review by professionals from the photography field 

• Featuring across festival/partner social networks and websites

• Exhibition exposure at the Rotterdam Photo Festival 

• Inclusion in the Festival's media partners resources 

• Be part of the event with 10.000 + visitors in the center of Rotterdam during the Art Week Rotterdam

About Rotterdam Photo

Rotterdam Photo is an annual photo fair with a festival flair. Taking place during Rotterdam Art Week, art lovers have the opportunity to visit numerous art and design events. The event in Rotterdam celebrates the wide spectrum of photography as it presents itself in our contemporary image culture.

Each year, Rotterdam Photo invites a wide gamut of independent photographers to exhibit at the fair, whether or not they are accompanied by a gallery. From amateurs to fine art and from documentary to street, photographers are invited to submit their work via an open call that revolves around a current theme. The goal is to offer an affordable exhibition space compared to the usual art/photo fairs. Inspired by the history of Rotterdam as a port city, the festival provides the selected photographers with exhibition space in repurposed shipping containers and also uses the public space of Rotterdam to bring photography outside the 'white cube' tradition.

Judging Criteria

The contest consists of three (3) rounds of evaluation. In each round, a panel of experts in photography (the “Judges”) will each review a portion of the entries and select a group of entries in each Category to proceed to the following round. Entries will be judged on the basis of creativity, photographic quality, and effectiveness in expressing the contest theme. Winners will be announced on Rotterdam Photo website as well as on social media channels. Decisions of the Sponsors and Judges are final and binding. Sponsors reserve the right not to award all prizes in the event an insufficient number of eligible entries meeting the minimum judging criteria are received, as determined by Sponsors and Judges in their sole discretion