The Prize: To celebrate its 25th anniversary and mark the closing of the exhibition "The Empire of Signs" by Philippe Chancel, the photography center Le Bleu du Ciel is launching the "Prix Bleu du Ciel – Nuit de la Photographie", and will present the winners during the Night of Photography on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Ten winners will be selected by a jury of professionals in early September, and their work will be showcased as a large-scale projection during the event on September 27.

The top three winners will be invited by Le Bleu du Ciel, and the first prize winner will have their work exhibited in the main gallery between December 2025 and March 2026. The second and third place projects will be presented as projections in the center’s other exhibition rooms.

The Theme:
To mark Le Bleu du Ciel’s 25th anniversary, the theme covers the broad concept of “Revolt and Beauty”, a return to the core values of photography.

We all encounter situations that spark a sense of revolt—often accompanied by a spirit of solidarity, as Albert Camus once emphasized. This is even more evident among artists and photographers who bear witness to the realities of our world.

Contest participants are invited to submit a documentary-style photo series of 10 to 15 images, along with a short text (5 to 10 lines) describing the project and expressing this sense of revolt—whether personal or collective.

Unjust illness, urban transformation, or political protest against social injustice are just some examples of this felt rebellion.

At the same time, the artistic vision should also highlight the beauty that can emerge from such events—beauty that, when well captured, reveals itself even in the face of society’s harsh realities.

Participation Requirements:
The contest is open to everyone: amateurs, professionals, and seasoned photographers of all ages and nationalities, working in the documentary photography genre. Each applicant must become a member of the association (€15) via HelloAsso. Membership supports Le Bleu du Ciel’s activities. Members receive discounts on all catalogs, priority access to talks, tours, and Photo Cafés, and printed invitations to exhibition openings. Once registered, participants may submit their application for the prize using the form available below.

^{Image: Philippe Chancel - L'empire des signes. Les cavaliers Mossi de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 2020}