Monthly Exhibition Guidelines

Darkroomers hosts a juried print exhibition on the third Wednesday of each month. These events are a cornerstone of our club’s mission to promote photographic excellence and provide meaningful feedback to our members.

All members are invited to participate by submitting their printed photographs for critique and evaluation. Exhibitions are reviewed by a guest judge—typically an accomplished artist, photographer, professor, or art director—who provides thoughtful commentary on each image. After critique, each image is designated as either “Accept” or “Reject” for gallery display.

Accepted images are curated and hung in one of our galleries at the discretion of the Gallery Director and may be displayed for up to two months, depending on space. Images may be rotated out earlier to make room for new submissions.

Submission Guidelines

• Members may submit up to three (3) prints total per exhibition.
• Prints may be any combination of Monochrome and Color.
• Accepted prints may not be re-submitted in future exhibitions.
• Rejected prints may be resubmitted up to two more times without modification.
• Reworked versions of rejected images (e.g., with compositional or post-processing changes) may be resubmitted without restriction.

Only Darkroomers members may submit work. Exhibitions are open to the public for viewing.

Image Authenticity, AI Use, & Composites

We value originality and craftsmanship in all submissions.

• All images must be original photographic works, captured with a camera (film, digital, or photogram).
• The maker must perform all image capture and processing.
• Composite images are allowed, but every element must be photographed by the maker. For example, if you replace a sky, it must be from a photo you personally took.
• Stock images, purchased elements, or AI-generated content may not be used in any part of the image.

✅ Acceptable AI-based editing includes:

• Enhancing or modifying existing pixels (e.g., tonal correction, sharpening, denoising)
• Removing distractions
• Slightly extending the canvas to assist with matting or composition

🚫 Not allowed:

• Using generative AI to add new content (e.g., skies, objects, animals, or people that weren’t in the original capture)

Exhibition Night Process

Exhibition nights follow a simple and welcoming routine:

• Doors open at 6:00 PM for setup. Volunteers are always appreciated!
• Reception begins at 6:30 PM
• Meeting begins promptly at 7:00 PM

Two submission bins will be available in the Reception Gallery:

• One for Monochrome
• One for Color

Place your mounted prints in the appropriate bin no later than 6:50 PM.

There will also be a pickup bin in the Foyer Gallery for prints ready to be taken home. Please retrieve your images promptly. Prints left longer than 12 months may be donated or used to raise funds for the club.

Whether or not you’re submitting, attending these critique nights is a great learning experience. Our jurists offer insightful, fair, and professional evaluations that help every member grow in their craft.

Print Requirements

To ensure uniform presentation, please follow these specifications:

• Prints must be mounted and sturdy enough for gallery hanging.
• Maximum final size (including mount): 18 x 24 inches
  (Most members use 16 x 20 inches, a common and competition-friendly size.)
• Mats, if used, must be black or white only.
  A single inset mat of any color may be used, not exceeding ½ inch on any side.
• Framing is not allowed. Prints should not be covered by glass or acrylic.
• Mounting materials may include foam-core, mat board, gator board, or other sturdy surfaces.
  (Metal or wood substrates are allowed but discouraged due to hanging limitations.)

Mounting Tips

While matting is not required, it is highly recommended. Most members choose to mat their prints for a professional, gallery-ready look. If you’re new to this process, don’t worry; many members are happy to share their tips.

Each February, Darkroomers hosts a Matting & Mounting Workshop. This hands-on session is perfect for new members or anyone who wants a refresher. You’ll learn how to:

• Use a mat cutter to create custom mats
• Select appropriate mounting materials
• Assemble an exhibition-ready print

Note: The Photographic Arts Building does not have climate control. Use adhesives that can withstand heat and humidity, especially during the warmer months. Prints that detach from their mount may be removed from the gallery if they cannot be repaired.