Please upload your photo and complete the form to enter the DTLB Unfiltered 2026 photography contest.
- Participants can upload multiple photos to multiple categories, but each one must be submitted individually.
Please see below for category descriptions
To be eligible for the first 6 categories, your photo must have been taken between Oct. 1 and Oct. 31, 2026. Scroll down to see rules for the special 7th category, "Outside the Frame".
People, Places & Events
Capture the people, businesses, places and experiences that bring Downtown Long Beach to life. From local business owners and lively events to street scenes, shopping and everyday moments, showcase the people and activities that give DTLB its energy.
Look for:
- Small businesses and shopping
- Community events and activations
- People enjoying Downtown
- Lively street scenes and gathering places
Architecture
Celebrate the design and details that shape Downtown Long Beach. Highlight everything from historic landmarks and Art Deco treasures to modern high-rises and unexpected architectural details.
Look for:
- Historic and iconic buildings
- Modern architecture and high-rises
- Facades, patterns and design details
- Creative uses of light, shadow and perspective
Flora & Fauna
Capture the furry, feathered and floral side of Downtown. From pets and urban wildlife to trees, flowers and greenery, showcase the nature that lives alongside DTLB's urban landscape.
Look for:
- Pets enjoying Downtown
- Birds and urban wildlife
- Flowers, trees and landscaping
- Nature interacting with the cityscape
Arts of Downtown
Showcase the creativity woven throughout DTLB, from murals and public art to galleries, performances, installations and unexpected artistic moments.
Look for:
- Murals and public art
- Galleries and exhibitions
- Live performances
- Installations and creative spaces
- Unexpected artistic details throughout Downtown
Skyline & Waterfront
Capture the unique place where Downtown meets the Pacific. Showcase the skyline, harbor and waterfront from sweeping vistas to smaller moments that reflect DTLB's connection to the water.
Look for:
- Downtown skyline and cityscapes
- Harbor and waterfront views
- Boats and maritime scenes
- Sunrises, sunsets and reflections
- Creative perspectives of the city and water
Opposite of Ordinary
Show us what makes Downtown Long Beach Opposite of Ordinary. Interpret DTLB’s destination campaign through your own lens—whether that means unexpected contrasts, surprising perspectives, only-in-Downtown moments, or something entirely your own.
Important:
- Interpret Opposite of Ordinary in your own creative way
- Diptychs are welcome, but not required: a diptych is two photos placed side by side as one image to show a contrast or connection.
- Photos must feature Downtown Long Beach
- Think unexpected, distinctive, surprising or uniquely DTLB
Special Category
Outside the Frame
Dig into your 2026 archives! While the main contest categories focus on photos captured during October, Outside the Frame opens the competition to Downtown moments photographed earlier in the year. From springtime scenes to summer events and everything in between, show us the Downtown moments that happened Outside the Frame.
Important:
- Photos must have been taken Jan. 1 - Sept. 30, 2026