Announcing the 2010 DCist Exposed Photography Show

This year marks the fourth annual DCist Exposed Photography Show. For three years in a row, we’ve had the pleasure of working with local galleries to show off the stellar work of our photography community. We conceived the exhibit in 2005 as a “thank you” to our thousands of contributors — our Flickr pool currently has over 2500 members and nearly 70,000 images. Just over five years ago, when DCist.com was just a tiny speck of the Internet, we started asking readers to submit images that we could use to illustrate our posts, and the success of that endeavor is part of the reason the site has grown to the readership it has today.

In 2010 we give you: Long View Gallery, the massive, 5,000 square foot, newly renovated art gallery just two blocks from the Mt. Vernon/Convention Center Metro. DCist is planning this year’s opening night to be bigger than ever, with one very special guest: room to breathe! Along with a toast to the DCist Exposed contest winners, we’re working on a few other surprises to make this an even more exciting all-over celebration of local photography. Sponsors already in place for this year’s event include Ten Miles Square, the Pink Line Project, and Pabst Blue Ribbon.

DCist Exposed Photography Show Rules

1. Please fill out our quick application form and then follow the prompt to PayPal to submit your $5 application fee. We need your info so we can match your Flickr user name to your entry fee, and so we can contact you if you win. We won’t distribute your information, but we may send you email pertaining to the show.
2. Join the DCist Exposed 2010 Flickr group. Your submissions are limited to three photos. Photos from film are fine, but you’ll have to scan them in — Flickr is the only vehicle we’re using to judge entries. The pool will close at midnight on Wednesday, January 6, 2010.
3. Remember that this is DCist, so we do ask that you live and take your photos in the general geographical area. Almost anything you’ve seen in Photo of the Day would be appropriate. You can see previous year’s winners here and here. People always ask about time frames and photoshopping rules, and we’ll just answer this: be reasonable. If your photo is obviously ten years old, it’s unlikely we’ll choose it; if it’s obviously photoshopped to some place outside of reality (i.e. text, extreme filters, etc.), it’s unlikely we’ll choose it.
4. If your photo is chosen for the show, we’ll require standarization from everyone. You will have to get it printed as an 8×10 (or a similar size if it’s irregular — 10×10, etc.) and matted and framed according to our set standards:

   — Black metal moulding 16×20 frame with regular glass
   — White acid free mat
   — White acid free foam core backing

   We know some of you have never had your work professionally framed before, but we want your work to look its best, so no homemade jobs unless you’ve got some experience doing this.

   Most framing stores can charge a significant amount and take quite a bit of time to frame your work. Most Exposed winners have used Apex Glass & Moulding because they know our specs and do their framing significantly faster and cheaper than any other store. We can also arrange a special deal for framing with Long View Gallery if requested.

5. We know that some of you have never sold your work before. Our experience is that the DCist community can assist each other with this process when it comes to pricing and other issues, both here and on the Flickr discussion board. We’re always here to answer questions or give advice, as well.
6. We will announce the winners on DCist on January 13. Some photographers may have more than one image selected. If you haven’t responded to us by January 17, we will select another winner. (If you know you’ll be out of town that week, just let us know beforehand.)
7. You’ll have just over five weeks to mat and frame your photograph. During the week before the opening reception, you’ll deliver your photograph for hanging in the show.
8. To help us pay for the event, DCist keeps 30 percent of all sales from the exhibit.
9. Bring your family and friends to the opening reception at Long View Gallery on March 6, 2010 to celebrate our awesome contributors, spy on gallery-goers as they gush over your work, and maybe buy a photo yourself! The show will run until March 21, 2010, so you’ll have two weeks to encourage everyone you know to come check it out.

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