The 8th Shenzhen International Photography Exhibition

Invitation for Contributions

Shenzhen International Photography Exhibition is an international photography event jointly hosted by China Photographers Association and Shenzhen Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Held biennially with the overarching theme of “Humanity · City · Technology”,  it serves as a bridge of light and shadow for Shenzhen to engage in exchange and mutual learning with the global photography community, jointly pursuing shared development.

The 8th Shenzhen International Photography Exhibition will be held in Shenzhen, China in 2026，under the theme of “Vision · Dimensions of Technology” .The exhibition aims to fully showcase the remarkable achievements in photography made by countries across the globe in recent years, as well as the explorations and practical outcomes of photographers worldwide in thematic photographic art. In doing so, it seeks to boost the exchange, integration and development of photographic cultures around the world. We hereby sincerely invite photography groups, professional photographers and photography enthusiasts from all walks of life across the globe to submit their works for the exhibition.

I. Timeline

Launch of the Call for Entries: April 17, 2026

Deadline for Submission: 23:59 (China Standard Time), June 30, 2026 (Based on the time of successful submission)

II. Organizations

Hosts: China Photographers Association (CPA), Shenzhen Federation of Literary and Art Circles

Organizers:International Liaison Department of China Photographers Association , Shenzhen Photographers Association

III. Theme

As China embarks on the first year of its 15th Five-Year Plan, Shenzhen is accelerating the development of a global center for industrial technological innovation. This moment also coincides with the hosting of the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen. Standing at this new historical starting point of the era, the 8th Shenzhen International Photography Exhibition, under the theme of “Vision · Dimensions of Technology”, aspires to open a new chapter for the in-depth integration of technology and imaging, and explore a pioneering artistic paradigm where technology empowers photography and photography interprets the future. This exhibition is more than a visual observation and image-based narration of Shenzhen’s urban identity; it is a significant practice for China to advance the in-depth integration of technology and culture, and to actively participate in the global dialogue on digital civilization in the new development stage.

Today’s rapidly advancing artificial intelligence is continuously refining the quality of images and creating new visual forms, enabling a broader fusion of visions. This year’s exhibition focuses on the relationship between photography and new popular forms of art, encouraging creators to use the visual medium to document profound shifts in the new era and urban living conditions as captured in real scenes. It presents visions ranging from the microscopic architecture of chips to bio-informational maps, and from the macroscopic networks of smart cities to the boundless vistas of space exploration. It will also explore breakthroughs in algorithm-generated artistic practices, alongside the evolution of ideas concerning digital ethics and identity.

Bringing together a curated selection of works that employ cutting-edge imaging technologies while embodying humanistic care and future-oriented insights, this exhibition aims to bear witness to the enduring vitality that the light of new quality productive forces casts upon visual art, and to reflect on the objective process by which humanity, through renewed integration of vision, may draw closer to itself, gain deeper insight into the world, and advance toward the future.

IV. Rules

1. The 7th Shenzhen International Photography Exhibition warmly welcomes entries from photographers, photography organizations, and photography associations around the world. However, it should be noted that works selected in the previous Shenzhen International Photography Exhibitions will not be eligible for participation in this year’s event.

2. Under the theme of “Vision · Dimensions of Technology”, the exhibition has two categories: documentary and artistic. Each entrant can choose to participate in one or more categories, but shall not enter the same work to different categories at the same time.

Either a single or a portfolio is acceptable and will be deemed as “one entry”. A portfolio shall consist of 4-10 pictures. Each entrant can only submit no more than 4 entries (4 included) under each category. There are no restrictions on shooting equipment or locations. All works shall be produced within the time period from 2021 to 2026.

3. For this exhibition, real-name submission is required. Submitters must carefully verify all the information provided, ensuring it is true, accurate, complete, and valid. No modifications will be possible after the submission deadline.

4. Contribution methods: please go to the website of the CPA (https://int.cpanet.cn) and click on the “8th Shenzhen International Photography Exhibition” section, follow the instructions to register, fill up relevant information, and upload work. The exhibition only accepts digital files in JPEG format with the longest side longer than 3,000 pixels, and the file size between 2 and 6 MB.

5. Each image must have a unique title. Works titled "Untitled" or using automatically generated file names, as well as those named solely with numbers or symbols, will not be accepted. No title or entrant information shall appear on the image itself. For documentary works, the submission must include the shooting date, location, and a description of the scene. For a series, in addition to the brief description required above, a separate caption of no more than 50 characters must be provided for each individual image.

6. The photo(s) submitted shall be independently and solely completed by the entrant. Any entrant shall ensure that he/she has the independent, complete, clear and undisputed copyright for his/her works, and the works shall not infringe the legitimate rights and interests of any third party, including copyright, portraiture right, right of reputation, right of privacy, etc.The entrant shall bear sole responsibility for any liability arising from the submitted work(s) or the act of submission itself.

7.For works in the documentary category, the following post-processing rules apply: No adjustments or retouching that alter the true attributes of the image are permitted. No addition, moving, or removal of compositional elements is allowed (except for removing sensor dust or lens spots). Flipping the image, or stretching/compressing the image in a way that distorts the original aspect ratio, is prohibited. Cropping and rotating the image are permitted. Works created using double or multiple exposures are not accepted. Panoramic images or focus-stacked images (whether automatically generated by the camera or stitched/combined using software) are not accepted. Moderate adjustments to global or local tones are allowed, provided that the fundamental tone and atmosphere of the original image are not compromised, and no image elements are hidden through tonal adjustments. Converting a full-color image to black and white (or monochrome) is permitted, but partial (local) black-and-white or monochrome conversion is not allowed.

8. Using all or part of the images obtained from other people’s works through any technical methods is strictly prohibited. All the responsibilities should be on the entrant in case any dispute occurs as a result of violation of the foregoing.

9. Photos that portray or include inappropriate and/or offensive contents (including but not limited to those that may severely mislead the public cognition and those deceptive or contrary to laws, cultural and/or public morals, traditions and practices) are strictly prohibited and will be immediately disqualified.

10. Solemnly declared: the organizer reserves the right to disqualify the entrant(s) as a result of copyright problems and other serious offenses. Violators, if already awarded, will be deprived of their certificates and the violations will be made public through media. If the violations are especially serious, the entrant(s) shall be banned from all future exhibitions organized by the CPA for three years or more.

11. Special note: Entrants whose works are selected for exhibition in the documentary category are obligated to demonstrate the authenticity of their works. They must submit the original image files of the selected works to the organizing committee within the specified time frame for expert verification and exhibition print production. The original images must be taken by the entrant themselves using cameras, mobile phones, tablet devices, or other photographic equipment, without any software processing, and must contain complete original metadata including camera model, shooting time, and relevant parameters. For works shot on film, entrants must provide RAW format files generated by digitizing the entire film frame (including sprocket holes, frame numbers, or manufacturer logos on the film base) using a digital camera. Failure to provide the required original image files within the specified time and in the required manner will be deemed as a voluntary waiver of the exhibition qualification.

V. Category definition

1. Documentary: this category accepts works that objectively record social life, natural and ecological environment, as well as folk customs. News photography, special report photography, social documentary photography and natural documentary photography, etc. are all welcomed.

2. Artistic: this category accepts works that express aesthetic interest and depict the inner world. Photos may capture cultural landscape, folk customs, portrait, still life, as well as fauna and flora. With no limits placed on creation techniques, creative, conceptual and experimental images are all acceptable.

VI. Awards

1. A total of 120 works will be selected and put on exhibition, with 60 coming from the Documentary category and another 60 from the Artistic category. All the chosen entrants will be awarded with certificates.

2. Awards for Outstanding Organizers: a total of 10 groups and individuals who make remarkable contributions to this exhibition will be granted with the Awards for Outstanding Organizer.

The committee reserves the right to make proper adjustment to the above awards. Vacancies resulting from any disqualification of winners and finalists due to violations of the rules will not be filled.

VII. Judging

The committee will invite photography experts to form a jury and review all the entries that comply with the contribution rules, following the principles of fairness and impartiality.

VIII. Related matters

1.Photo(s) chosen by the exhibition can work as application point for the membership of the CPA.

2. The results will be announced on the website of the CPA (www.cpanet.org.cn) for 7-day publicity at a later date. A special mailbox will open for real-name reporting during the publicity. The final results will be announced on the CPA website and the affiliated media.

3. All the entrants whose works are shown at the exhibition will receive a picture album of the exhibition.

4. Upon entering the exhibition, entrants grant to the Organizers in copyright term the license to reproduce, publish, display, perform, and distribute online your photo for promotional events, without further compensation or payment to entrants.

5. Submission of an entry constitutes agreement to these rules. Any breach of the rules will lead to the disqualification of the entrant.

6. The Organizing Committee reserves the right of final interpretation on this notice and the related matters of the exhibition.

  7. Contact:

Organizing Committee of the 8th Shenzhen International Photography Exhibition

Mail: szipe@qq.com

(This email address is not for submissions. It is solely for responding to inquiries from entrants.)

Organizing Committee

The 8th Shenzhen International Photography Exhibition

April 2026