14th Annual Joseph Miller Abstract Photography Exhibit

We invite all photographers to submit photos for the exhibit.

Entrants must submit images through ShowSubmit.com. Entrants must pay entry fees prior to the submission deadline (March 24, 2025).

All images submitted must:

Photography is visual writing, usually depicting subjects. Subjects like landscapes, animals, people, architecture, or flowers. Abstracts are non-representational and do not rely upon recognizable subject matter. Abstract photographs consist of colors, tones, shapes, and textures. If the image has an obvious subject, it is not an abstract for the purposes of this exhibit. Artists may create or find abstract photographs.

As Joe stated: "Abstracts are the poetry of photography, free verse written in color and tone." Abstracts can be mysterious, both in subject matter, technique, and intention. We must feel, as well as see, abstracts like other forms of art.

Some find abstracts hard to master or understand. They lack a subject to carry the image. With time, patience, and an understanding of abstract building blocks, anyone can learn to write poetry with light.

For more information about finding and creating abstracts, visit Joe's blog. For inspiration, visit the Gallery. Additional inspiration can be found at Photography Life, Digital Photography School, Fix the Photo, Shotkit, or the photo argus.

Matthew G. Schmidt was Joseph Miller's favorite pupil. He apprenticed under Joseph, gaining insight into the aspects of Visual Design. Mr. Schmidt spent countless hours with Joseph discussing abstracts. They explored their meaning and the feelings evoked by changes in orientation, hue, tone and framing.

Mr. Schmidt has also trained with exceptional abstract photographers. Freeman Patterson, Andre' Gallant, and Art Wolfe all had a significant impact on his development as a photographer.

The exhibit requires a $30 entry fee for up to six (6) images for jurying. No photographer may enter more than six (6) images for jurying into the exhibit.

The juror will award 10% of the images as Special Merit. We will announce the Special Merit award winners at the Artist's Reception or on the website. We will conduct online voting for People's Choice throughout May. In early June, we will announce a People's Choice award winner. We will provide monetary prizes for Special Merit and People's Choice award winners.

We are planning a virtual exhibit again this year. So we will use the images presented for judging in the gallery.

Additional Notification Information

Notifications will be emailed and posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on April 14, 2025.

You may view the notification in your ShowSubmit account by logging in and clicking tapping the Notifications at the top right of the screen, or in your Entry History (Accepted works will be notated by a green check.)

If you do not receive your email, login and view the notification in your account. We cannot respond to inquiries regarding the status of notifications.

Note: Entries made prior to 2023 may not display the View Notification link.

Image and Filename Specifications

• Submit your original JPEG image files.
• Crop out all parts of the photo that are not the actual work; do not show mat, frame, etc, only the work itself.
• Image must be displayed right side up.
• You do not need to resize your image files.
• You do not need to rename your image files.

Additional Entry Information

• You will pay for your entry by credit or debit card using our secure checkout system.
• After your entry is submitted and paid for, you may log back in to review your entry, edit artist and image information, and add or substitute images up until the entry deadline (March 24, 2025.)
• Entry fees are not refundable and must be submitted and paid by the entry deadline.
• Entries cannot be accepted or changed after the deadline. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.

Support

For questions about the entry process or this website please contact ShowSubmit Support at [email protected]. We will get back to you between 9am and 6pm Eastern Time, Monday to Friday. You can also view the Support Center, Entry Guide, or our FAQ.