Last year we were blown away by how many folks participated in our very first DCist Exposed Photography Show. What we hoped would be a fun event for our faithful photography contributors turned into a full-blown gallery event packed to the gills with supporters. Many of the selected 2007 photographers -- most of whom had never even framed their work prior to the show -- have continued to sell their prints and some even had their first solo shows around the area. All in all, we think it worked out quite well.

So it's time to start scouring your Flickr photostream and pick your entries for DCist Exposed 2008. Our venue this year is Civilian Art Projects, a relatively new gallery in Penn Quarter that focuses on emerging artists, and represents quite a few damn fine photographers of their own. They're as excited about DCist Exposed as we are, and will be helping us plan some supporting events this year after the opening on Friday, March 7.

If you have questions or ideas about the show, or just want to brainstorm with other photographers about which images you should enter, come out to our next Flickr meet-up at Rocket Bar on December 16, 2 p.m. Remember that everyone is invited to the contest, whether you won last year or you just bought your first camera yesterday.

Below the jump are the full contest rules, which are largely the same as last year, with one notable exception -- we'll be charging the small fee of $5 to enter this year to help us recoup the cost of renting the gallery. So skip the latte today, submit your photos, and we'll see who makes it to the gallery wall in March. Ready? Go!

DCist Exposed logo by Lynne Venart

We know the rules are a bit long, but please take the time read through them so we're all on the same page. You don't want to be the guy trying to turn in your photos an hour after the contest has closed!

1. Please fill out our quick application form and then hop over to PayPal to submit your application fee. We need your info so we can match your Flickr user name to your entry fee, and so we can contact you if you're selected. We won't distribute your information, but we may send you email pertaining to the show.

2. Join the DCist Exposed 2008 Flickr group, where you'll submit your work. Your submissions are limited to three photos. The pool will close for entries at midnight on January 13, 2008.

3. Remember that this is DCist. We certainly aren't asking for 300 versions of the Washington Monument (unless, of course, you've got a really sweet one), but we do ask that you live and take your photos in the general metro area. Sure, you can upload your awesome photo of the Eiffel Tower, but we won't choose it for the show. Almost anything you've seen in Photo of the Day would be appropriate.

4. If your photo is chosen for the show, we'll require standarization from everyone. You will have to get it printed as an 8x10 (or a similar size if it's irregular -- 10x10, etc.) and matted and framed according to our set standards:

— Black metal moulding 16x20 frame with regular glass
— White acid free mat
— White acid free foam core backing

We know some of you have never had your work professionally framed before, but we want your work to look its best, so no homemade jobs unless you've got some experience doing this. Most framing stores can charge a significant amount and take quite a bit of time to frame your work, but we're working with a few frame shops to get the winners significant discounts. We'll give you more details about where to go for framing after you've been selected.

5. We know that some of you have never sold your work before. Our hope is that the DCist community can assist each other with this process when it comes to pricing and other issues, both here and on the Flickr discussion board. We're always here to answer questions or give advice, as well, so feel free to email us.

6. We will contact the selected photographers no later than Sunday, January 27, 2008. Some photographers may have more than one image selected. If you haven't responded to us by Sunday, February 3, we will select another image. (If you know you'll be out of town that week, just let us know beforehand.)

7. You'll have just over five weeks to mat and frame your photograph. During the week before the opening reception, you'll deliver your photograph for hanging in the show.

8. If only everything in life were free. Unfortunately, we do have some costs behind this venture, so in addition to your small application fee, we will kindly ask for 25% of your sales, should any of your photos be included in the show and purchased by a smart investor, to pay the folks at Civilian for hosting our show.

9. Bring your family and friends to the opening reception at Civilian Art Projects on Friday, March 7, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate our awesome contributors, spy on gallery-goers as they gush over your work, and maybe buy a photo yourself! The show will run until March 15, 2008, so you'll have a week to encourage everyone you know to come check it out.

Questions? Leave it in the Flickr discussion forum or send it to heather [at] dcist [dot] com. Good luck!