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Magazine of Abstract Photography

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Hintology
Hintology

Magazine of Abstract Photography

Submissions

Issue #3

SUBMISSION PERIOD IS OVER!

PHOTOGRAPHERS, WRITERS & DESIGNERS

Contact us at [email protected] for inquiries.

Total Submissions: 151
🟩 Photographers: 120
🟦 Writers: 28
🟧 Designers: 3

Introduction
Preparing
Applying
Criteria
Timeline
Previously
Introduction

Welcome to Hintology’s third call for submissions! If you are new to our medium, we started as an online platform that promoted the work of abstract photographers through interviews and curated content on Instagram. Two years ago, we brought to life what we had envisioned from the very beginning of this project: physical publications that broke the conventions of art books through free-flowing designs, tangible pieces we could hold and feel proud of and that represented more than the sum of our individual talents.

On Issue #1, we went free-for-all and built themes surrounding the letter H. On Issue #2, we asked you to pick your own word starting with the letter I as a thematic. Following this ongoing “tradition” of slightly changing the formula from year to year while abiding by the safe stronghold of letters, Issue #3 will be based on a set of pre-selected themes that relate directly or indirectly to the letter N:

  • Intersectionsuggested by the n-like symbol ⋂ from set theory;
  • Forcebased on the Newton unit (N), equivalent to 1kg⋅m/s2;
  • Unionsuggested by the use of n to replace the word “and” in English;
  • Countabilitybased on the set of natural numbers, represented by ℕ;
  • Archwayobject suggested by the shape of n;
  • Dualityconcept suggested by the shape of N;
  • Emergenceaction suggested by the shape of n;
  • Transitiona state suggested by the shape of N;
  • Overpassobject suggested by the shape of n;
  • Sharpnessproperty suggested by the shape of N.

In addition to this, we are now inviting graphic designers interested in being challenged in creating original pages for this book using provided images and texts to submit their application. Our aim with this new approach is to provide more diverse modes of expression for this issue; it is an experiment that we are eager to see unfold. To apply as a designer, we only ask that you provide previous one or multiple designs you’ve worked on. 

For photographers, we’ve also added the possibility to submit a picture specifically to be considered for the cover artwork.

Last but not least, this edition is free to participate. We’d like to invite more voices to join this project, so feel free to share with all your fellow artists. Each participant may apply with 10 files only once per category: photography, texts or graphic design. If you submit twice for the same category, we will only consider the latest submission. To submit pictures with related accompanying texts (photo-poetry, visual essays, etc.), select: apply as abstract photographer. You may choose as many themes as you want, but make sure to specify in the filenames which artwork pertains to which theme. 

Finally, if you’d like to support the time we put in making this happen, you are welcome to leave a donation at the end of the submission form. Thank you for being here and for following us in this journey to elevate abstractionism and experimental art-making!

Preparing

Submitted files must follow these rules:

  • Have filename formatted in the following order: artist name, theme, artwork title, location where it was produced, and year of production. ArtistName_Theme_Title_Location_Year.xyz (e.g. “JohnDoe_Intersection_Untitled_NewYork_2025.jpg”)
  • May not exceed a total of 10 files, with a maximum total file-size of 10MB;
  • Each file must contain only one individual and indivisible artwork (e.g. a diptych would be in a single file unless it can be split);
  • Be abstract, semi-abstract or experimental in essence or intention;
  • Be unambiguously related to the selected theme. Use “Project Statement” to clarify if necessary. Graphic designers may disregard themes.

For photographers, your pictures must be:

  • In a readable JPG file format for submission;
  • Available in high effective resolution as either JPG, TIFF or PDF for publication (minimum of 2000 pixels on the shorter side); low-resolution images that are scaled up to meet those requirements are not acceptable!
  • The result of a photographic process that involves light exposure or a camera device;
  • Abstract not solely because of post-processed effect(s);
  • Not solely depictions of existing physical artworks;
  • In the case of a work that comprises an accompanying text: either send it as a separate file with the same title or join both works together in a PDF or DOC file if they are indivisible. 

For writers, each text must be:

  • In a readable DOC, TXT or PDF file format;
  • Less than 1000 words in length;
  • Clearly delineated if a work contains multiple parts;
  • Intelligible in the English language;
  • Please provide a single work per file!

For graphic designers, your references must be:

  • In a readable JPG or PDF file format for submission;
  • Works on which you contributed most of the design;
  • Using the following filename convention instead: ArtistName_ProjectTitle_(Organisation)_Year.xyz
  • Note: selected designers will be sent texts and pictures and will have two months to complete their layouts. They must ideally be able to use Adobe InDesign and package their design
Applying

The form is composed of three short sections. The information in bold is required:

  1. Artist information

    • Personal names;
    • Artist name;
    • Email;
    • Country of residence;
    • Nationality;
    • Website;
    • Instagram handle.
  2. Project details

    • Artist biography;
    • Artist statement;
    • Selected themes;
    • Submitted files or download link;
    • Previous publications.
  3. Agreements

    • Accepting the terms;
    • Newsletters subscription;
    • Donations;
    • Submitting the form.
Criteria

Keep in mind that Hintology is first and foremost a medium dedicated to abstract photography, and that abstractionism must be part of your work to some degree, whether visually or textually. By abstraction, we mean any process that attempts to deconstruct “objective reality” in creative ways, explores subjectivity to its paroxism or questions the medium itself through experimentation. We consider abstractionism as a gradient, meaning that semi-abstract works and content that depict concrete, figurative elements may still be represented if they are approached from an original  or novel perspective.

To be more specific, during our selection process, we will consider:

Aesthetic quality;
Storytelling ability;
Creative compositing;
Emotional impact;
Technical difficulty;
Logical consistency;
Theme correspondence;
Interconnectivity potential.

Make sure to provide the work you are most proud of!

Timeline

January 1st, 2025

Beginning of submission period;

May 7th 1st, 2025

Deadline to submit an application (EST 00:00); Reading and reviewing period begins; First sketch of the design is produced;

June 1st, 2025

Selected candidates are contacted; Magazine design and editing begins;

August 1st, 2025

Limited pre-ordering is made available; Selected candidates are publicly announced; Final version is revised with participants;

October 1st, 2025

Print production begins;

November 1st, 2025

Pre-orders have already been shipped; Standard orders have been made available.

Previously

Hintology: ISSUE #2
Released on December 15th, 2024

Theme:
Words starting with “i”

60 submissions;
170 pages with 200 pictures and 31 texts;
46 artists from 14 countries;
200 copies limited edition;

Published by LKVM Studio
ISBN: 978-1-7389233-3-5
ISSN: 2817-5875

Front cover.
Back cover.
Half-title page (with publishing details).
Work by J. Alan Constant and Gudrun Kissinger.
Text by Robert Hecht, picture by Eric Calassou.
Work by Justin Pumfrey (text and images), Chris Wenger and Jason Dean.
Work by Solav.
Work by Jean Vigneault (pictures) and Solav (text).
Work by Julia Redl (right).
Work by Jare Israel.
Work by Michèle Polak (right).
Hintology: Issue #2 (Autumn 2024)

Copies of the book are available here:

Hintology.org

 


 

Hintology: ISSUE #1
Released on October 15th, 2023

Themes:
Homogeneity, Hardscape, Horology 

100 submissions;
160 pages with 140 pictures and 30 texts;
50 artists from 17 countries;
200 copies limited edition;

Published by LKVM Studio
ISSN: 2817-5875

Front cover
Back cover
Half-title page
Works by Jasmin Javon (left) and Oley Buyanov (right)
Works by Tristan Morin.
Work by Cam Crosland.
Work by Shane Coppage.
Work by Arnab.
Work by Daria Panichas.
Works by John Wilkinson.
Works by Forties UK.
Publishing details

 

Copies of the book are available here:

Hintology.org
Amazon.com
Amazon.ca

If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected] 
or visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.

IMPORTANT

You will be contacted by email if any of the information is incorrectly formatted or missing, or if we believe that your application might benefit from certain revisions. 

We acknowledge the challenge of applying for art calls and will strive to facilitate the application process for our applicants. If you prefer to apply by email, send your candidature to [email protected].

This call WAS listed on:

Call For Entries (C4E)
The Art List
Deartline
Society for Photographic Education
Contest Watchers
Photo Contest Deadlines
Photo Contest Insider
Photo Contest Guru
Photo Contest Calendar
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