This is the FIFTH year for the Optical Photography Competition, hosted by Porter Contemporary, Chelsea, NYC. Photographers from around the world are called upon to make online submissions for review by a panel of distinguished art-world experts, including museum or gallery professionals, collectors, and artists.

Jurors vote on the photographs that best respond to the annual theme, such as Staged (2010), Beauty in the Mundane (2009) and Portrait Stories (2011). The competition is presented by ArtToGift and sponsored by Porter Contemporary. The competition encourages entries from photographers residing in any location regardless of experience or education in the field and encourages artists to interpret its annual themes as broadly as they wish.

A group exhibition of the top five finalists will be hosted by Porter Contemporary in 2013 and special recognition will be given to the “best in show” winner and runner-up at the opening reception. The two winners will receive a stipend and an opportunity for future exhibitions at Porter Contemporary. All five finalists will receive framing discounts from MH Art and Framing.

For 2012, the Optical theme is POLITICS. The submission process for photographers ends December 31, 2012 at midnight.