LONG BEACH, CA [Oct. 1, 2026] — The Downtown Long Beach Alliance’s (DTLB Alliance) annual photo contest is back for October Arts Month! DTLB Unfiltered runs from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, 2026, and invites photographers of all levels to turn their lens towards the dynamic spirit of Downtown Long Beach (DTLB) in a series of exciting categories that highlight the city’s community, culture, and creativity.
“Photography has a way of making the familiar feel new again,” said Asia Morris, DTLB Alliance Communications & Marketing Manager. “Through DTLB Unfiltered, photographers show us details and perspectives of Downtown that even those of us who are here every day may not have noticed. Those images become more than contest entries; they help tell Downtown’s story and invite others to discover the people, places, art and unexpected moments that make it worth exploring.”
This year’s competition offers seven categories, designed to encourage participants to explore and capture different aspects of Downtown:
- People, Places & Events – Capture the heartbeat of Downtown.
- Architecture – Frame the city’s iconic structures.
- Flora & Fauna – Showcase the beauty of our furry, feathered, and floral friends.
- Arts of Downtown (NEW!) – Capture the creativity woven throughout DTLB, from murals and public art, to galleries, performances, installations, and unexpected artistic moments.
- Skyline & Waterfront – Highlight the unique connection between Downtown and the Pacific, from the harbor to hidden shoreline views.
- Opposite of Ordinary – Show us your interpretation of DTLB’s destination campaign.
- Outside the Frame – Embrace the beauty of all seasons beyond fall (photos in and/or of Downtown taken at any point from January through September 2026).
Recognition and Prizes
Recognition awaits participants with Honorable Mentions, Runners-Up, and 1st Place winners to be awarded in each category. A panel of judges made up of Arts Council for Long Beach representatives and local photographers will select the winners and finalists in each category.
For those who claim the top spot in their category, there’s an incentive: $200 worth of gift certificates to DTLB small businesses, while all winners and finalists will have their work displayed along the 1st Street Transit Gallery through a special collaboration with Long Beach Transit.
Photography Walks
Hosted by Travis of Happily Bearded After and Long Beach Photo Walks, join a guided Downtown photography walk, meet fellow photo enthusiasts and capture photos to submit to the contest!
- Friday, Oct. 2, 10 AM at Terrace Theatre Plaza (300 E. Ocean Blvd.)
- Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 6 PM at Rainbow Lagoon (400 E. Shoreline Dr.)
- Sunday, Oct. 18, 1 PM at the Villa Riviera (800 E Ocean Blvd.)
- Saturday, Oct. 24, 6 PM at DTLB’s Fright Fest (101 Pine Ave.)
Walks last for about two hours and are open to photographers of all levels who are interested in gathering with folks who enjoy the art of photography and are looking for a unique opportunity to capture DTLB. For more info on Long Beach Photo Walks, follow along on Instagram @happilybeardedafter.
Submit and Showcase Your Work
Entries for DTLB Unfiltered 2026 must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM. For more information, including submission guidelines and how to enter, visit the official competition webpage at dtlb.org/unfiltered.
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About: The Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance) is a nonprofit, community-based organization whose mission is to cultivate, preserve and promote a healthy, safe, and prosperous Downtown. The DTLB Alliance is recognized as the voice of Downtown Long Beach by the City of Long Beach and the State of California. By balancing the interests of the residents, as well as businesses, the organization creates tangible progress by way of vested interest and solidified partnerships across local, municipal, and commercial lines. For additional information, visit www.downtownlongbeach.org and follow on Facebook @downtownlongbeach, on “X” (formerly Twitter) @dtlballiance and Instagram @dtlballiance.