About Exposure

Exposure celebrates the talents of student photographers from all across campus. Any student is able to enter the juried competition, submitting art in up to three categories. Professional judges from Wichita and the surrounding community volunteer their time to select the best of show, and 1st and 2nd place in each of the categories.

Winners and images selected by the judges will be on display in the Cadman Art Gallery for three weeks beginning Monday, April 5. Winners announced at a reception and awards ceremony.

Guidelines for Entries

Eligibility  Submission Criteria  Judging Prizes Policies 
How to Apply  Competition Timeline

Reception and Awards Ceremony

ELIGIBILITY

Any degree-seeking student currently enrolled at Wichita State University is eligible to enter.

SUBMISSION

DIVISIONS

  1. Analogue (Film)
    Work that is produced using lens based media and captures images on a non-electronic medium (film or plate).
  2. Digital
    Work that is produced using electronic lens based media and digital editing techniques
  3. Photo Manipulation
    Lens based media altered with Photoshop, InDesign, or other editing or design software, and time based media (work that is technology & duration dependent).

SUBJECT MATTER

There will be no subject matter classifications under which to enter art (i.e., portraits, landscapes, etc.)

NUMBER OF ENTRIES

Each artist may submit up to six (6) entries in any combination of the divisions.

JUDGING

Photographers from Wichita and the surrounding community are selected by the Cadman Art Gallery staff to judge Exposure. Judges select winners and show worthy pieces to display in the final exhibit. All decisions of the judges are final. Judges reserve the right to not award a winner in a division.

Note: judges are not given names of titles or photographers until the final selection has been made.  If any entries have been submitted with names or titles on the front, the sponsor reserves the right to cover the information for judging.

Criteria
The panel will evaluate the work in these four areas:

Criteria

Description*

Composition

Good composition captures a viewer’s attention and directs it to where you, the artist, want it to be.

Presentation

How you showcase an image is just as important as how you compose it. Everything in the presentation should work to enhance your image and not distract from it.

Subject Matter

Even though it may lack words, your image is telling a story, and your subject matter is central to that. So make sure your subject matter is right for the story that you’re trying to tell.

Technique

How you choose to execute your image is key. It’s also a holistic decision. Technique informs everything in the creation of your image. From lighting and posing to printing and presentation, it all works to show off the techniques that you’ve mastered and applied to your craft.

*Criteria descriptions taken from the Professional Photographers of America

AWARDS

Winners of the Exposure Photography Competition are awarded cash prizes in the following amounts.

 

Award

Prize*

Best of Show

$100

1st Place per Category

$70

2nd Place per Category

$40

Audience Choice

$30

Prize money is awarded by Student Involvement and all awards are distributed by check through the State of Kansas. Student Involvement is not responsible for any award money that may be retained by the State due to money owed.

 

POLICIES

ORIGINALITY

All works must be created by the individual entering the competition. Images must have been taken by the artists. Prints of the works may be processed and printed commercially.

REPRODUCTION

The sponsor reserves the right to reproduce prints for publicity purposes.

RESTRICTIONS

The Sponsor reserves the right to restrict the display location of pieces due to content, size, safety concerns or facility limitations.

SIZE OF PRINTS

Images selected for the exhibit must not exceed 5 feet or 60 inches on either side. Exceptions may be made by sponsor on a case-by-case basis.

RETURN OF ENTRIES

All works selected by the judges must remain in the possession of Student Involvement until the close of the show. Sponsor will identify a date in which all works must be picked up. The sponsor reserves the right to dispose of any pieces not picked up by the deadline unless prior arrangements have been made. Please review the timeline for dates.

PURCHASER RIGHTS

The sponsor and the Wichita State University Union Corporation (hereinafter known as the Rhatigan Student Center) maintain priority when it comes to purchasing any artwork exhibited in the Cadman Art Gallery during the duration of the show.

LIABILITY

Wichita State University, including but not limited to the staff of Student Involvement, will not be responsible for any damage or loss of any entry; although due care and precaution will be taken to ensure its safety.

HOW TO APPLY

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Select up to six pieces of your best work.
  • Take well-lit and centered photos of your work (if framed or printed)
  • Fill out the online application and submit up to high resolution JPGs, one image for each artwork.

ENTRY FEE

There is no entry fee for this juried competition.

EXHIBITION LOCATION

Exhibit will be displayed in the Cadman Art Gallery, 1st Floor of the Rhatigan Student Center.

TIMELINE

Submit Application for Entry

  • Deadline to apply, Friday, March 12
  • Submit images of entries through the online form
    • Upload up to 6 JPGs

Judging

  • Review and Scoring | Monday, March 15 - Monday, March 22
  • Selection | Tuesday, March 23

Dropping off your art

  • If selected:
    • Label Artwork (with hanging device attached)
    • Take work to the SI office between Monday, March 29 and Thursday, April 1

Return of Entries

  • Pickup pieces by Tuesday, April 27
  • The sponsor reserves the right to dispose of any pieces not picked up by the deadline unless prior arrangements have been made.

Exhibit on Display

  • Monday, April 5 - Friday, April 23
  • Cadman Art Gallery, RSC 1st Floor

Exposure Awards Ceremony

The 39th Annual Exposure Awards Ceremony will be closed to artists only. This live event will be streamed via YouTube and you can watch at the links below.

View the Ceremony

Thursday, April 15 | 5:30 p.m. 

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