Prospectus

9/21 SUBMISSION DEADLINE

10/4 JUROR ANNOUNCEMENT

10/23 RECEIPT OF WORK

10/29 OPENING

11/29 CLOSING

Since the beginning of photographic history, the idea of chance has been the operative element at the heart of photographic and scientific discovery. The idea, the occurrence, the sleight of hand, the accident and magic of chance became, both then and now, a singular element in defining the alternative to the cultural order of photography, developing the art of photography.

In celebration of photography’s 200 years of defining the ongoing experimentation, the visual inquiry into the artistic potential of photography, PhotoSC announces this call, The Alternative Aesthetic: Chance at the Margins.

PhotoSC seeks the non-traditional method of creating photographs, the historical techniques, photosensitive chemicals, and unusual materials. The call welcomes the photographer’s exploration of textures, colors, and effects that are impossible with standard digital or silver gelatin photography.

Alternative photographic processes encompass any non-traditional methods of creating photographs, often using historical techniques, photosensitive chemicals, or unusual materials. These processes allow photographers to explore textures, colors, and effects that are impossible with standard digital or silver gelatin photography creativity and experimentation is encouraged.

________________________

The juror for The Alternative Aesthetic is Michael Kirchoff, Editor in Chief, Analog Forever Magazine. Kirchoff is a photographic artist, independent curator and juror, and advocate for the photographic arts. He is an ongoing juror for Photolucida’s Critical Mass and has reviewed portfolios for several fine art photographic organizations and non-profits in the U.S. and abroad. Michael has been a contributing writer for Lenscratch, Light Leaked, and Don’t Take Pictures magazine. In addition, he spent ten years (2006-2016) on the Board of the American Photographic Artists in Los Angeles (APA/LA), producing artist lectures, as well as business and inspirational events for the community. Currently, he is Editor-in-Chief at Analog Forever Magazine, Founding Editor at Catalyst: Interviews, Co-Host of The Diffusion Tapes podcast, and a former Contributing Editor at One Twelve Publishing.

________________________

Photographers are invited to submit works to The Alternative Aesthetic and may submit up to five (5) works for $35.00. The call for submissions is open from August 5, 2026 to the deadline of September 13, 2026. Accepted artists will be notified by October 4, 2026.

Works accepted must be printed no smaller than 8x10” and no larger than 16x20,” framed and ready for hanging. Works must arrive no later than September 30. The exhibition opens October 29 at 918 Lady Street, Columbia, SC with the opening reception the same evening. The exhibition hangs until November 29, 2026.

Sales. PhotoSC encourages sales during the exhibition. The commission is the standard 40/60 percentage (gallery/artist) of the sale price. If a print is sold it will be ordered from the photographer at the time of sale.

Copyright. Photographers/Artists retain the copyright to their work. If work is selected for the exhibition, the Photographer/Artist grants PhotoSC the right to use said work for the promotion of the photographer/artist, the photography show and PhotoSC across all media platforms. Usage of work is as stated without further compensation.

No AI-generated imagery will be accepted. 

PhotoSC is a non-profit arts organization whose primary vision and focus is the development of a dialogue about photography and the photographic canon.