2019 International Krappy Kamera Competition

The 2019 International Krappy Kamera Competition, hosted by Soho Photo Gallery, seeks extraordinary photographs made with lousy lenses. The competition is based on the philosophy that great photographs can be made with basic equipment. Examples of eligible Krappy Kameras include the Holga, Diana, Ansco, and pinhole cameras. You can also create your own Krappy Kamera by exchanging the lens on a non-Krappy camera (such as a 4x5, SLR, or DSLR) with a Krappy lens (such as a pinhole body cap or Holga-type lens). Cell phones, disposables, and point and shoot cameras are ineligible. The lens is the determining factor—just because a camera is old and moldy does not make it Krappy.

This year's juror is Michelle Bates, who has photographed and exhibited Holga imagery since 1991 and is the author of Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity. She has given talks and workshops at bookstores, photography schools, and conferences throughout the U.S. and internationally, and won first prize at Krappy Kamera in 2008.

The competition is open to all photographers age 18 years old or older, excluding members of Soho Photo Gallery. Entry fee is $45.00, with an additional $5.00 media fee for additional images. Submissions must include 5 to 15 images uploaded at callforentry.org. Winning photographs must be framed and wired for hanging, with maximum height or width (including frame) not exceeding 48 inches. Photographs not suitably prepared will be excluded.