Pretty Ugly — Student Photography Competition 2026/27

A global student darkroom-photography competition inviting interpretations of “pretty ugly.” Entries must be original black-and-white film photographs hand-printed in a darkroom. Listed prizes include £200 in ILFORD products and a 35mm film camera.

Questioning first impressions by finding extraordinary qualities and powerful stories in perceived ugliness, overlooked subjects, and imperfections.

Open to students of any age worldwide who are taking a full- or part-time course at a school, college, or university. Images must be shot on ILFORD or Kentmere black-and-white film and hand-printed by the student on ILFORD or Kentmere black-and-white paper; digital submissions are not accepted. Prints must be at least 8x10 inches and posted with an entry label firmly attached to the back. Images previously published by a third party or awarded in another competition are ineligible. Multiple entries are encouraged, and lecturers may bundle a class’s prints into one package. Prints may be sent to HARMAN technology in Mobberley, Cheshire, or its Seattle address. Listed prizes are £200 in ILFORD products and a 35mm film camera.