callforentries

39th Annual InFocus Competition, Exhibition & Sale

Call for Entries
SMARTER ENTRY

39th Annual InFocus Competition, Exhibition & Sale 2025
Show Open Wednesday’s – Sunday’s
March 18 – March 29

Angelo’s Hall
22738 Main Street Columbia, California

Digital images entries will be received by SMARTER ENTRY from
November 27, 6:00 a.m. – January 26, 2026 6:00 p.m.

Reception and Awards Presentation
Sunday March 15, 2026 – 5:00-7:00 pm

NO ENTRIES ACCEPTED BY SHIPPING/MAIL

Call for Entries
https://www.infocus-tcaa.org/call-for-entries-2026.html

Each person may enter up to 6 images, no more than 3 in any one category, and the work must be hand delivered and picked up on the designated check in and out dates at Angelo’s Hall, Columbia California. Sorry, no shipping options available.

Entries are to be submitted electronically for the jurying process via the web-based competition management system, Smarter Entry. Only photos that are accepted for display through the jurying process will need to be framed and delivered for exhibition.

Judges
There will be three judges. You can learn about them on the website. https://www.infocus-tcaa.org/judges-2026.html
Entries will be juried from the web-based competition management system “Smarter Entry” to select the accepted works to be hung in the show. The Judges will make awards. The InFocus Committee or the judges may disqualify delivered entries if they fail to comply with framing rules or vary significantly from the electronic version of the photo.

Categories
•Photographs will be judged in six categories: Landscape, Man Made, People, Plants, Animals, Artistically Enhanced.  Definitions of these categories and examples of each are available on the InFocus website at https://www.infocus-tcaa.org/categories-2026.html

•The categories may overlap. It will be your choice to pick the category you wish your image to be entered in.

Awards
•        Best of show -- $250 and ribbon
•        Charles Moore Award for Excellence in Photography -- $200 and a trophy
•        First place -- $125 and ribbon
•        Second place-- $75 and ribbon
•        Third place -- $50 and ribbon
•        Honorable Mentions -- $25 and ribbon
•        Judges Choice -- $50 and ribbon
•        Sponsors Award -- $25 and ribbon
•        People’s Choice Award, Adult and Student winners. The winners will receive $35 and a ribbon.

Conditions of Entry
• The work must not have been accepted into InFocus before.

•Images must have been produced in the last 3 years.

•No AI generated images will be accepted. No entry in any category can be created in part or whole using text-to-image prompts that use Artificial Intelligence (AI) image-generating technology software that is intended to create whole images, elements and backgrounds entirely from programmed images. A human must have had creative control over the work’s expression. Images and their elements must be created with traditional elements of authorship. However, non-text-to-image prompted elements (such as Photoshop’s automations like generative expand) may be used in image creation. Images that are determined to violate the AI statement above will be disqualified. The originally captured images (in RAW or jpg) must be available, if requested.

•Submissions of original works of photographic art may include but are not limited to classic film and digital photography.

•Entries are open to amateur and professional photographers ages 18 years and older.

•All entries must be images entered online via “Smarter Entry” through the following link: https://client.smarterentry.com/tcaa. Assistance with logging into Smarter Entry and preparing images for submission are available on the InFocus website http://www.InFocus-tcaa.org.

•Images entered online into the “Smarter Entry” system must not have the author’s name or the name of the photograph displayed on the image.

•Each entrant may submit up to 6 photos, no more than 3 images per category. See the fee schedule below. Entry fees are not refundable.

•InFocus may use all digital images submitted to this competition for media purposes.

•InFocus will request a high-resolution electronic image of the winning photographs for media purposes.

•Acceptance notification will be posted on the InFocus website http://www.InFocus-tcaa.org and notices will be sent by email no later than Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

•Note that accepted entries will be listed by title as entered in Smarter Entry. Use unique titles. Make a note of your titles for reference when viewing the acceptance notification. Bad choice would be image1.jpg. Please capitalize just the first letters of your photo titles and descriptions. This information is used for labels to be displayed with artwork.

•For questions, email us at [email protected]. Or refer to the InFocus website at http://www.InFocus-tcaa.org for more detailed information.

Entry Fees
$30 for the first two images and $10 for each additional image entered. Entry includes a membership with Tuolumne County Arts Alliance (TCA) and all its benefits * (see www.mytuolumnecountyarts.org for details) Entry fees are non refundable.

Commission
All works must be for sale. Commission is 20%. Please price your pieces accordingly. During the show the commission goes to the committee for future improvements. On SALE days, March 28 and March 29, the commission goes to the buyer in a form of a 20% sale discount to encourage sales.

Timeline

November 27, Thursday – OPEN SMARTER ENTRY at 6:00 a.m.
January 26, Monday – SMARTER ENTRY CLOSES at 6:00 p.m.
January 28, Wednesday until February 15, Sunday – JURYING takes place viaSmarter Entry
February 17, Tuesday – On or before, notify photographers of acceptance
February 17, Tuesday – March 13, Friday – Time for accepted entrants to frame/mat photographs (25 days)
March 13, Friday – RECEIVE ACCEPTED ENTRIES from Noon – 5:00 p.m. You may send a representative.
March 14, Saturday – RECEIVE ACCEPTED ENTRIES from 9:00 a.m. – Noon. You may send a representative.
March 15, Sunday – Show opens to the public with RECEPTION from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00p.m.

SHOW DATES:
Wednesday March 18 – Sunday March 22, Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday March 25 – Sunday March 29, Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday March 29, Noon – 2:00 p.m.
March 28, Saturday – Sale Day. All works will be discounted 20%. Noon to 5:00 p.m.
March 29, Sunday – Sale Day. All works will be discounted 20%. Noon to 2:00 p.m.
March 29, Sunday – ARTISTS PICK UP ENTRIES from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

•Accepted art must be the same as submitted online.

• Works that have been selected for the show must be hand delivered to Angelo’s Hall during the check-in and check-out periods. Accommodations may be made in advance. You may send a representative. We are unable to accept works that are shipped.

•Show administrators reserve the right to reject a photograph when delivered to the show site if the photograph fails to comply with framing rules or varies significantly from the electronic version of the photo.

HANGING INSTRUCTIONS

The minimum image size is 8” x 8” (not the frame, the image.)
The maximum width of the framed photo is 34”, measured on the outside edge of the frame.
The maximum overall framed size is 60 inches, which is determined by adding the outside-framed height, plus the outside framed width together. For example: A 16"x20" print in a frame might measure 19"x23" when measured from outside edge to outside edge. Add 19"+23" to determine the overall framed size which, in this example, is 42".
Photos may not weigh more than 12 lbs. We do have a scale.
Photos must have picture-hanging wire firmly attached across the back. Wires must be taught and placed between 1/3 and 1/4 the height of the frame measured from the top of the frame. Sharp wire ends must be taped. Canvas, metal and glass prints need wires or acceptable hanging systems (see photos below). Saw tooth, Styrofoam or alligator hanging systems are not acceptable.
Accepted works must be submitted in framed or finished condition. Plastic or “fast” frames are not acceptable. Canvas wraps, metal or glass prints are not required to be placed in frames.
If your name is on the image, it will be covered during the judging process.
Accepted works must remain in the exhibit through the show closing date.
•Works that have been hung in the show must be picked up on Sunday, March 29 between 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Bring your receipt to claim your photos. You may send a representative with your receipt.

•If your Photos are not picked up during these hours we will attempt to make arrangements. Any photos not picked up within 7 days will be considered a gift to TCA and may be used at their discretion. TCA does not accept responsibility for any damages that might occur in transporting.

•Every precaution will be taken to protect the artwork. However, InFocus and Tuolumne County Arts (TCA) will not be responsible for loss or damage to art entered in the show.