Help & Advice

If you are preparing to submit prints to the LIP Annual Exhibition, here is some guidance to help you present your entry correctly and provide all the correct information.

Choosing work to submit

The entire selection process is designed to be as fair as possible so we do not tell you what kind of work to submit, and indeed the selectors work completely independently of LIP in making their decisions. The best advice in choosing photographs is for them to be interesting and original, so be thoughtful in your choice.

Try to present a coherent theme in your work if you are presenting a body of work. Note you may submit single prints or a body of work.

Inform the exhibition organisers (in the Entry Form) if you do not wish for a series of photos to be separated. Note if you are not happy for your series to be split or separated, this may result in none of your photographs being selected.

Deadlines

Make a note of the submission and collection deadlines shown on the How To Enter page, and ensure that you submit your Entry Form before the deadline.

Electronic Submission Pre-Selection Round Only

Format and Size Specification

Your electronic submission will be viewed on a computer screen for the Pre-Selection Round. Please ensure that you upload image files with the following specification:
- 72 dpi, jpg files
- Sized 2000px on longest side

If you are not familiar with preparing or resizing digital image files please feel free to email John Stead, Exhibition Organiser, for advice.

File Names

To keep the Pre-Selection Round anonymous please name your files with your LIP Membership number as shown below. If you don't know your LIP Membership number, contact Len Salem at membership@londonphotography.org.uk

- Files are to be named with LIP Membership Number, 'dash', sequence number - so six files should be named as so:
(eg. if you're member #2011)
       2011-1.jpg
       2011-2.jpg
       2011-3.jpg
       2011-4.jpg
       2011-5.jpg
       2011-6.jpg

NOTE: LIP cannot be held responsible for lost electronic submissions if your files are not named to specification.

Physical Print Selection Round Only

Presentation

Whilst it is ultimately down to the choice of the two selectors, by presenting your work well you will have the best chance of success:
  · Ensure your mounts (if used) are clean and well cut
  · Check that your prints are of good quality as the prints you submit should be those you intend to exhibit

Some members like to produce their own prints and cut their own mounts, and you are welcome to do this. If you prefer to use pre-cut mounts and have your photographs printed externally, please see our SUPPLIERS PAGE for resources.

Submit your work mounted (not framed), unless you intend your final work to be exhibited unframed (please make this clear in the Entry Form by providing details of how your work will be hanged, e.g. canvas, MDF etc.)

Packaging & Labels

Package your prints professionally and with care. We strongly recommend a portfolio case as per the Terms & Conditions of entry.

Ensure all your prints and packaging are correctly and clearly labelled. The packaging and each print submitted MUST have the following information clearly displayed on the back:

  · Name & LIP Membership Number
  · Title (& whether it is part of a series)
  · Contact details (address, email, and phone number)

To ensure that the selection process remains completely anonymous please do not write your name on the front of the print or mount.

WE CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR WORK WILL BE CONSIDERED IF THIS INFORMATION IS NOT PROVIDED