Open Call #11 – Black & White

Open Call #11 marks the third chapter in our acclaimed Anarchy series. Following the global success of the first two volumes, this edition serves as the final installment of the first trilogy designed by Federico Zavatta.

For this volume, we return to the fundamental essence of photography: light, shadow, and form. We seek work that demonstrates how the absence of color can reveal the deepest truths of a subject.

"For the Love of Black & White" While the first two volumes of Anarchy featured diverse panels of guest curators, Vol. III marks a return to the source.

The selection for this final chapter will be curated by Anne Murayama, Founder & Director of Ephemere, supported by Assistant Curator Sarah May Bombay.

With a strict constraint of featuring exactly 143 artists, the team is looking to weave a specific, visceral narrative that connects 143 distinct voices into one cohesive sequence.

Technical mastery is expected, but perfection takes a backseat to feeling. We are looking for:

• Viscerality: Images that hit the gut before they hit the brain. We want raw, tangible texture and atmosphere.

• Emotional Resonance: The ability to convey a narrative or a specific mood without reliance on color.

• The Element of Surprise: We review thousands of images. Show us a perspective, a composition, or a moment that feels undeniably yours.

We offer two tiers to ensure accessibility while supporting independent publishing. Curatorial selection is based solely on merit, regardless of the tier chosen.

• Free Tier (1 Image): Submit at no cost.

  • Inclusivity: We believe financial status should never be a barrier to art. This tier ensures that every photographer has a fair chance to be published based on merit alone.

  • Publication: If selected, artists in this tier may purchase the publication at the regular retail price.

• Paid Tier (Up to 10 Images): $10 USD per image.

  • The Advantage: By submitting more images, you provide the curators with options. Sometimes, a "perfect" image is selected not because it is the loudest, but because it is the missing puzzle piece that connects the sequence. A larger submission gives us more opportunities to find that fit.

  • Contributor Status: By paying a submission fee, you directly fuel the production of this independent project. As a thank you, all Paid Tier submitters are considered "Contributors" and will receive an exclusive 50% Discount code to purchase the final publication (regardless of selection status).

• The Trilogy Legacy: Secure your place in the closing chapter of the first Anarchy trilogy. This is a chance to be part of a permanent, collectible archive of contemporary monochrome photography.

• The Ephemere Photo Fest: To celebrate our 3rd Anniversary, the Anarchy Trilogy will take center stage at the Ephemere Photo Fest in Tokyo (October 2026). While the primary goal of this call is the publication, a special curation drawn from all three volumes will be spotlighted during the festival.

• Global Exposure: Standout portfolios may be featured in our Online Journal or highlighted on our Instagram feed during the review period.

• Strict B&W: Images will be printed in pure grayscale. Do not submit Sepia, Cyanotype, or toned images, as they will be desaturated.

• Specs: PNG, TIFF, or High-Quality JPEG. Min 3000px long side, 300 dpi.

• Naming: Files must be named FirstName_LastName_##.tif (e.g., Jane_Doe_01.tif).

• Prohibited: No watermarks, borders, or signatures. No AI-generated content.

• Deadline: December 31st, 2025 (23:59 JST)

• Results Announcement: Late January / Early February 2026 (Tentative)

• Publication Release: March 2026 (Tentative)

By submitting to this Open Call, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

1. Copyright: You retain full copyright of your work. You grant Ephemere non-exclusive rights to publish the selected images in the book, website, and social media for promotional purposes related to this project.

2. Editing: You understand that images may be cropped slightly to fit the publication layout or web templates.

3. Notifications: Ephemere does not send individual confirmation emails upon submission. Results will be announced publicly and via our newsletter after the call closes.

4. Fees: All submission fees are non-refundable and are used to cover production costs, design fees, and project management.