About the Open Call

An ongoing series of publications, The City Series sets out to explore the people, places, and cultures that shape cities around the world. The inaugural volume explores a city that has welcomed us, and been home to nearly a dozen Shutter Hub exhibitions – Cambridge. We’re inviting international photographers to capture Cambridge – a city of contrast and continuity. Along the river, historic stone buildings and quiet courtyards stoically reflect centuries of tradition while the streets around them pulse with movement as fleets of bicycles and pedestrians move between libraries, museums, galleries, and cafés. Cambridge is shaped by an ever-evolving population – a vibrant mosaic of permanent residents, students, and curious tourists from around the world. A place where creative expression, scientific discovery and technological innovation coexist effortlessly with daily life. The tension between heritage and progress, permanence and change, gives Cambridge its unique rhythm and energy – a city that invites both reflection and reinvention. Creative freedom is encouraged, and we want to see personal, emotional, and evocative images that come together to make a book that truly represents the city, its daily life and hidden gems. The project aims not only to spotlight creative talent but also to connect communities, promote cultural exchange, and encourage tourism. Selected submissions will be featured in the printed publication, which will be available for purchase at shutterhub.org.uk and through selected stockists. The book will be accompanied by themed online features on the Shutter Hub website. The City Series: Cambridge is created in collaboration with Velvet Magazine.

What is Offered

Selected submissions will be featured in a printed publication available for purchase and through selected stockists. The book will be accompanied by themed online features on the Shutter Hub website. The opportunity aims to spotlight creative talent, connect communities, promote cultural exchange, and encourage tourism. It will be a showcase for involved photographers, heavily promoted across Shutter Hub networks, and held in national archives. A dedicated webpage will allow people to connect directly with featured photographers. Any enquiries for commissions or print sales will be passed directly to the photographer.

Requirements

Photographers can enter up to 10 images. Submitted images must be 300dpi jpegs, to fit within the A5 size of 148 × 210mm, CMYK colour profile (Coated GRACoL 2006 (ISO 12647-2:2004)), and no more than 5MB in size. All files must be named as 'lastname_firstname_imagetitle.jpg'. Images must be suitable for a family audience. Shutter Hub reserves the right to not display work.

How to Apply

Photographers can enter up to 10 images, either from a series or standalone images. All submitted files must be named with the photographer’s name and title of work (e.g., lastname_firstname_imagetitle.jpg). Images can be landscape or portrait format but keep in mind that the publication itself is portrait orientation. Do not place multiple images together (such as diptychs or triptychs); submit them as separate images. Do not include captions or titles as part of the image, unless it is a graphic element of the image itself. Submitted images must be 300dpi jpegs, to fit within the A5 size of 148 × 210mm, CMYK colour profile (Coated GRACoL 2006 (ISO 12647-2:2004)) and no more than 5MB in size. We will contact successful entrants to request larger files for print if they are required. Images must be suitable for a family audience. To apply for a free submission due to limited income, send an email detailing your request before entering. Submit your work online through the provided form on the Shutter Hub website.