The International 212 Photography Competition 2026 is the ninth edition of the global photography competition presented as part of the 212 Photography Istanbul platform. It invites photographers and artists working with the photographic medium to submit a selection of their strongest images, regardless of subject, genre, location, camera, or when the photographs were taken.
The competition welcomes a broad range of photographic approaches, including portrait, landscape, still life, fashion, documentary, conceptual, and experimental work. After an initial review by the organizing team, a shortlist is presented to an independent international jury, which selects the final winners whose work becomes part of the 212 Photography Istanbul Festival.
By bringing together photographers from around the world, the competition provides an opportunity to gain recognition from an international panel of photography professionals. Its open-format approach encourages participants to present cohesive bodies of work or carefully selected individual images while engaging with one of Turkey’s leading international photography initiatives.
Entry fee: €25 per entry (non-refundable); each entry may include up to 10 photographs.
Eligibility
Open to photographers and artists using the photographic medium worldwide, with no age or nationality restrictions; entries must be original works submitted by the entrant, and organizers, staff, sponsors, judges, festival exhibitors, and certain affiliated persons are not eligible.
Prize
One overall winner receives the 212 Photography Prize of €5,000 and publication in 212 Magazine. The 10 shortlisted photographers will have their work exhibited during the 212 Photography Istanbul Festival 2026.
