Central Valley Light
Juried Photography Exhibition
We invite photographers to submit photos capturing Central Valley Light.
This exhibition explores the unique and ever-changing light of California’s Central Valley. From the golden glow of dawn across open fields to the neon hues of city nights, this exhibit celebrates how light shapes the landscapes, people, and stories of the region.
RULES & GUIDELINES
- Open to photographers of all levels.
- Images must highlight California’s Central Valley and its distinctive light.
- Up to eight entries per photographer.
- Must be a Central Valley resident.
- The photograph(s) must have been taken in the 2023, 2024 or 2025 calendar years.
- Must be the original work of the photographer. AI generated content is not allowed. Including digital composites.
- Digital collage/composite is allowed. All elements used must be the photographer’s own images.
- All communication will be through the email address provided.
- Any photograph displaying any inappropriate content will be disqualified.
- Incomplete submissions missing any information will not be considered.
DIGITAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Deadline: April 20, 2025
- Fill out the submission form with your information.
- Submit 1 – 3 jpg images.
- Label your files: firstname-lastname-image_title
- Longest side/dimension no larger than 5 inches or 2500 pixels.
- 96 ppi (resolution)
- File size no larger than 2 MB
- *If you receive an error when uploading check your file size or file type.
- *Not labeling your files correctly disqualifies your entry.
FEES
- $35 donation for 1-3 image submissions
- $25 per additional entry.
JUDGING PROCESS
- All entries will be judged by 3 local experts in the field of photography using an assigned scoring rubric.
- Jurors will be announced soon.
AWARDS
- 1st Place – $300 and Rosette ribbon
- 2nd Place – $200 and Rosette ribbon
- 3rd Place – $100 and Rosette ribbon
- Curator’s Choice – Rosette ribbon
READY TO HANG PRINTS
Finalists will be notified with deadline
Images must be framed to gallery standards
- Neutral color frame: black, silver, gold, natural wood.
- Must be wired for easy, secure installation.
- White or black overmat.
- Include backing board.
- Nielsen type frame preferred.
- Must be wired for easy, secure installation.
- Canvas, Metal, and Acrylic prints accepted.
- Must be wired for easy, secure installation.
To download PDF version of this call for entry click here
QUESTIONS
Email: manager@spectrumphotogallery.org
Meet our Jurors
Nicole Ellis
Nicole Ellis is a photo-centric artist who maintains a process oriented practice. Working primarily in self-portraiture, Ellis’s work serves as a visual diary and an outlet for self-exploration. Elements of time, space, and self are present in the imagery. Each image is a window into the intricate relationship between self, surroundings, and perception. Alternative processes and traditional dark room methods are implemented in practice, producing prints that are one of one and cannot be replicated. Double exposures, cross processing, homemade cameras, and hand manipulations to prints are some methods implemented in her work.
Ellis graduated from California State University Fresno in 2021 achieving her MA in studio arts with an emphasis on photography and printmaking. Ellis is an active member at multiple galleries including Spectrum Art Gallery, SoHo Photo Gallery, and Center for Photographic Art. In addition, Ellis also works actively as an art educator. She is the founder of Spectrum Art Gallery’s Alternative Process Club, served as a guest artist to California State University’s Summer Arts program, and has coordinated and hosted a number of other photography workshops and events.
Franka M. Gabler
Award-winning photographer, Franka M. Gabler, developed a fascination, admiration, and respect for nature early in her lifetime. For many years, she has been drawing her inspiration from subtle, moody, often intimate landscapes – compositions somewhere between abstract and the wider view, beyond mere documentation of a particular location. Expressing mood and capturing the essence is what she strives for in her photography. The light and atmosphere portrayed in her photographs often result in a sentimental impact and an ethereal feeling.
Franka’s photographs have been recognized internationally. In 2022, she was the overall winner of the Landscape Photography World Awards. In 2021, she received the 2021 First Place award for the ‘Intimate and Abstract category of the Natural Landscape Photography Awards, and in 2023, she was recognized as a Highly Commended Photographer of the Year. Her black & white portfolio “Expressive Yosemite” is published in Issue No. 159 of the LensWork Photography Magazine. She’s often invited to speak and teach at photography conferences and submit articles in landscape photography magazines.
Franka lives in the Sierra foothills, in the small mountain town of Coarsegold, not far from Yosemite National Park.
You can learn more at www.frankagabler.com
Gailan Gray
Gailan Gray is a Queer artist who was born and raised in the Central valley of California. He holds his Bachelor’s of Arts in Studio Art with an Emphasis in Photography from California State University, Fresno from 2014 and his Master’s of Fine Arts in Photography in 2018. Gailan currently teaches art related courses at California State University, Fresno.
While in school Gailan was interested in self expression through the photographic medium. He drew his early inspirations from his own life experiences, but after school he turned his lens more outward and focused on the experiences around him rather than his own viewpoint on them. Gailan now focuses his artistic efforts on communicating the queer experience.