Entry Details

2024 Critical Mass Entry Details

Critical Mass Registration opens May 31 – July 1, 2024 (noon, Eastern Time)

*Please Note: Photolucida will not accept submissions of AI-generated imagery in our 2024 Critical Mass call for entries. We aim to continue exploring issues at the intersection of AI, creativity, and photo-based work through ongoing conversation with curators, gallerists, collectors, thought leaders, and, of course, you – our community of passionate photographers.

Before you register, please read the Entry Guidelines to learn how to prepare your submission. Then, visit the Critical Mass registration page to submit your work!

WHAT TO EXPECT

Every submission is juried by our selected Pre-Screening Panel, a group of key industry professionals, as well as Photolucida’s Program Director and Board Members. After a three-week process, the 200 finalists are announced and move on to the next round of jurying.
The top 200 finalists will have their work seen and voted on by over 150+ esteemed photography jurors. Jurors have the option of leaving comments for finalists about their work. Photographers selected for the finalists round pay an additional $200.
Awardees will be announced in the Fall of 2024.

CRITICAL MASS JURORS

Our Critical Mass jurors are an international group of industry professionals representing a wide variety of photographic interests. We make a great effort to invite a wide range of professionals in the field (gallery owners, agency art buyers, curators, publishers, editors, media producers, etc.). In addition to seeing the work during the online voting process, jurors also have access to a database of the finalists’ work for future reference.

Note: Critical Mass jurors, Photolucida staff, Photolucida Board, and Photolucida Advisory Council are not allowed to submit their own work to Critical Mass.

Critical Mass 2024 Entries:

Early Bird Submission Fee (deadline 6/9) – $65 – (ends at noon EST)
Regular Submission Fee (deadline 7/1) – $75

Please log in at any time during that window to complete the following steps:

Enter only one body of work.
Submit work not previously submitted, but up to two previously submitted images are acceptable.
Submit at least seven images.

To register, Create a Username and Password.

You will use this information to access and edit your submission until the deadline, so please note your username and password.
If you registered anytime between 2019 and 2023 or have an existing username/password, log in first and then sign up.
If you’ve lost your password, then reset your password here.
If you can’t log in with your credentials, try using an Incognito window: Windows, Linux, or Chrome OS: Press Ctrl + Shift + n and Mac: Press ⌘ + Shift + n.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Have questions? Please read the Entry Guidelines carefully and check the FAQs. If you still don’t find an answer to your questions, please contact us!

FINE PRINT

*Photolucida reserves the right to reproduce all work submitted for Critical Mass in the materials distributed to Critical Mass jurors, participating photographers, and educators. Photographers may not pull work from Critical Mass once it has been submitted. Refunds are not extended. Photolucida reserves the right to reproduce submitted work in announcements, catalogs, websites, and publications that report on or promote our programming. If your portfolio falls in the TOP 50 category, participation in the TOP 50 exhibition is expected. The photographer is responsible for any necessary permissions required to use images of people and/or property. Photographers retain the copyright to their images. Submission of an entry to this program signifies acceptance of all conditions stated.

Thank you to all our sponsors and collaborators!