Open Call for the Printed Journal
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Open Call for the Printed Journal •
We invite artists and writers to contribute to the second print volume of the Ephemere Photo Journal, launching in 2026. Exploring the theme of Triplicities, we seek text-driven photo features that navigate the philosophical magic of three to anchor the ephemeral. Selected works will be featured in this collectible physical edition, distributed internationally.
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The Concept
Following the success of Volume 1 with the theme of Duality, we are thrilled to announce the theme for Volume 2.
Photography often relies on the Rule of Thirds for balance; we are expanding this to the philosophical Magic of Three.
Ephemerality is rarely a singular event—it is a cycle. We invite you to explore Triplicities as a framework to understand the fleeting nature of our world.
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Editorial Scope
We seek text-driven photo features where writing and imagery lead one another in a seamless tango.
We encourage broad interpretations of the triad, such as Time’s Arrow (Past, Present, Future), The Life Cycle (Bloom, Wither, Decay), or The Dialectic (Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis).
However, these are merely starting points; we invite you to innovate and discover your own unique three-part structures to anchor the ephemeral.
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Contributor Benefits
Selected contributors will receive an honorarium and global exposure through our international distribution network.
Beyond the printed page, your work will be championed across Ephemere’s digital channels and events.
You will also receive complimentary copies of the journal—a tangible archive of your work designed to be collected and preserved.
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Text Requirements
We accept submissions between 800 to 1,200 words in English. While standard essays should follow this count, Photo-Poetry submissions may be fluid based on the rhythm of the work.
Please ensure your submission includes a clear title and a brief summary relating to the theme.
Text must be pasted into the form and uploaded as a .PDF file to preserve formatting.
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Image Requirements
Please submit 5 to 10 images that actively support your narrative. We accept both color and black-and-white.
For the review process, please upload Low-Resolution (72 DPI) files only. However, if selected, you must be able to provide High-Resolution files (300 DPI, min. 3000px on the long side).
Images may be your own or properly credited works from other artists.
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The Selection Process
The deadline for submissions is February 28, 2026.
Our editorial team evaluates work based on creativity, originality, and the strength of the text-image relationship.
Shortlisted authors will be contacted for a collaborative editing process, working directly with our editors to refine the sequence and narrative before the final selection is made for the print volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We prioritize unpublished work to keep the journal fresh. However, we are open to reimaginings of previous projects if they have been significantly reworked to fit the Triplicities theme, or if they have previously only been published on personal social media channels.
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Absolutely. You retain full copyright of your text and images. By submitting, you grant Ephemere First Serial Rights to publish the work in Volume 2 (Print) and promote it across our digital channels.
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We ask for a 1-year exclusivity period starting from the date of publication. During this time, the specific piece cannot be republished in other journals or magazines. After this period, you are free to reprint the work elsewhere, though we kindly ask for a credit line stating: "Originally published in the Ephemere Photo Journal, Vol. 2."
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Due to the physical limitations of the print journal, we can only select a limited number of features. However, we often find compelling work that we still want to share! If your work is not selected for print, we may invite you to be published in the Ephemere Photo Journal – Online Edition. There is a section in the submission form where you can indicate if you are open to this opportunity.
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No, there is no fee to submit your work.
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Yes. Ephemere is a passion-driven, community-funded initiative. While we cannot yet match commercial rates, we offer a modest honorarium starting at 10,000 JPY for selected print contributors as a token of our gratitude and to support your practice.
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This specific call is for text-driven features for the Journal. However, we will be launching a separate "Regular Open Call" (Image Only) for the Triplicities theme in early 2026, intended for the festival exhibition. If you only have images, please wait for that announcement!
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Yes. You may submit multiple entries, but please submit them via separate forms to ensure they are reviewed individually.
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The deadline is February 28, 2026. Our editorial team will review submissions throughout March, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted by April 2026.
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If you have a question not answered here, please reach out to Khanjan Purohit at khanjan.ephemere@gmail.com.
▸ The Ephemere Photo Journal, Volume 1: "The Duality of Ephemerality and Permanence," is a deliberate act of seeking permanence in the momentary. Born from Publisher Anne Murayama's personal realization of finding lasting echoes in fleeting experiences through exclusive articles and photo essays, this journal serves as the physical souvenir of the Ephemere Photo Fest. Printed in an accessible newsprint format in cooperation with Kyoto Shimbun Printing, it brings together diverse essays and photo essays to explore how the camera transforms the transient world into enduring visual narratives.
▸ ISBN 978-4-911506-16-5 • Newsprint Format • Tabloid Size (H40.6 cm × W27.3 cm) • Loose Binding • CMYK Offset Printing
▸ Publisher Anne Murayama • Managing Editor Khanjan Purohit • Designer Wuthipol Ujathammarat • Contributors Eva Venzo, Jose Herrera, Kevin Baylon, Kseniya Gorbanova, Sophie Gray • Special Features Mark Gill, Sean Lotman • Guest Writers Jordan Reyes, Zoria Petkoska • Photo Essays Elena Serafimova, Justin Schug, Michaela Knizova • Special Thanks Tomo Kosuga of Masahisa Fukase Archives • Printing Kyoto Shimbun Printing • Mock-up Images @madpaule