This 2026 Project is Concluded

The full story of the project from inception to conclusion along with winner and runner up announcements are documented below for historical interest.

PROJECT TIMELINE

✅ Applications Completed

✅ Selections Completed July 20th 2026

✅ Film Dispatched to selected participants 25th July 2026

✅ Shooting - Was in progress August\Sept 2026 (people shooting across the world in fact!)

✅ Submissions - Were received by 20th September 2026

✅ Judging - Was October 2nd 2026

✅ Showcase and Winner Reveal - Shown on Instagram and here 4th Oct 2026

TRI THIS: FIVE ROLLS, ONE VISION

What is TRI THIS?

TRI THIS is a community film photography project built around a simple challenge: Five rolls. One vision.

Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to receive a substantial quantity of Kodak Tri-X 400 in 120 format after being named a finalist in Film Photographer of the Year 2026.

Tri-X is one of my favourite films. It's the stock I reach for most often, and it has played a huge part in many of the photographs I've created over the last few years. I could quite easily keep every box for myself. Instead, I'd like to share some of it with other photographers who are passionate about creating meaningful work on film. And the beauty of this film is : it can be used for anything, anywhere, anytime! So it is perfect to throw into the hands of a random selection of willing photographers and say "Hey, see what you can curate with this!".

Film photography remains a wonderfully creative corner of the photographic world. Its popularity continues to grow, particularly amongst younger photographers discovering analogue photography for the first time. At the same time, the cost of film continues to rise, making it increasingly difficult for many photographers to pursue personal projects. This project is my small way of giving something back.

Ten UK photographers will each receive one box of Kodak Tri-X 400 (five rolls of 120 - not 35mm!), completely free of charge, including postage. In return, I want to see what happens when talented photographers commit themselves to a single idea.

If you're outside the UK, I'd hate to risk the film being damaged by X-Ray etc, so I am afraid it is for UK photographers only except for those who want to take part anyway, using their own film. Lets see who shows interest.

The Challenge

The brief is simple: Create a cohesive body of work using the five rolls provided.

Your subject matter is entirely up to you. Portraiture. Landscape. Documentary. Architecture. Still life. Street photography. Your dog. Your cat. Your favourite green beans.

What matters isn't the subject especially. What matters is the intention. I want to see photographers commit to an idea and explore it properly. Rather than producing a collection of unrelated photographs, the goal is to create a small body of work that feels connected by a single vision, similar to my Vampirique Project, which spanned 1 year, 6 shoots, and dozens of rolls of film.

TRI THIS isn't about technical perfection.

It isn't about follower counts.

It isn't about expensive cameras.

It's about taking five rolls of film and pursuing one idea with purpose.

What's Required?

If selected, participants will be asked to:

• Use the five rolls provided to create a cohesive project around a single theme or idea.
• Submit a minimum of five final images from the project for inclusion in the final showcase.
• Complete the project and submit images by 20th September 2026.
• Participate in occasional project updates and group discussion throughout the project period.
• Agree that selected images may be featured as part of the final TRI THIS project reveal.

Please only apply if you genuinely intend to take part. The aim is to create something enjoyable and rewarding for everyone involved.

Who Can Apply?

Anyone.

Whether you've been shooting film for twenty years or twenty weeks, I'd love to hear your idea.

Professional photographers are welcome.

Hobbyists are welcome.

Students are welcome.

Photographers with 100 followers are welcome.

Photographers with 100,000 followers are welcome.

Your application will not be judged on popularity, social media presence, professional status, or industry connections.

Instead, I'll be looking for photographers who have an idea they're excited about and a genuine desire to create something interesting. I'm far more interested in your vision than your follower count.

How Will Participants Be Selected?

There are only ten places available, so unfortunately not everyone can be selected.

Applications will be judged on a combination of:

• The strength of the proposed idea.
• The enthusiasm and thought behind the application.
• The applicant's willingness to embrace the spirit of the project.
• The potential for the project to result in an interesting and cohesive body of work.

There is no formula.

There are no points.

There are no hidden criteria.

I'm simply looking for ten photographers who are excited to create something meaningful.

Timeline

Applications Close: 20th July 2026

Successful Applicants Announced: Late July 2026

Film Dispatched: Late July 2026

Project Submission Deadline: 20th September 2026

Winner Announced: Late September 2026

What Can You Win?

Every successful applicant receives:

• One box of Kodak Tri-X 400 (120 format).
• Inclusion in the TRI THIS project showcase.
• The opportunity to be part of a community of photographers working towards a shared creative goal.

In addition, one overall winner will then receive:

• And the winning shot will cause an additional box of Kodak Tri-X 400 to be sent to the photographer, to use as they like.

And thanks to the generosity of Phil Lynam at The Boardroom Studio, UK-based participants will optionally also have the opportunity to compete for:

• A weekday morning or afternoon studio hire session at The Boardroom Studio, worth £110 (the studio is in Derby, UK).

I'm also exploring the possibility of a project showcase, meet-up, exhibition, or social gathering once the project concludes. Nothing is confirmed yet, but if enough interest exists, I'd love to bring people together to celebrate the work produced.

...And 20% Off Development!

But wait...there is more! As of 25th June 2026, thanks to a kind offer of further support from Dodo Film Lab, they are also offering the selected participants with 20% off development and scanning of 120 black and white film with a special code, specifically for this project. That code will be sent to the selected participants, after the closing date. So you could get a chunk of cash off your development and digitisation phase, as well! Thank you Dodo Film Lab! Giver them a follow on the ole Insta if you are a film photographer.

Ready to Apply?

If the idea of receiving five rolls of Tri-X and turning them into something you're genuinely proud of sounds appealing, I'd love to hear from you.

Tell me about your idea.

Tell me why you'd like to be involved.

And most importantly...

Show me your vision.

The form is below to apply...

As of 20th July, Applications are Closed!

True to my word, I let the submission process run to the 20th July, and now applications are closed. I've received dozens of great applications and now have to choose a top 10 to receive the free packs of 5 rolls of Kodak Tri-X 400. I'll be reading through them over the next few days and then send e-mails to the fortunate 10! Along with a request for their postal address. So watch this space...

As of 24th July, Participants Selected!

So I notified the applicants who are part of the project a couple of days ago. Most have already replied with their details and I have sent the film packs off to them today, Friday 24th July 2026, complete with a little flyer insert to make it feel more special!

I hope the boxes of film will arrive in the next couple of days. I am genuinely sad about the fact I cant send to the international applicants. There's been a few applicants to TRI THIS, and 4 of which I have asked to take part. But it is just incredibly expensive and more to the point, it comes with too much risk to post film internationally as a regular domestic shipper. I could end up paying around £15 or £20 to post a single box to, say, Australia, and it would take a week or two arrive and will likely go through at least one or several powerful x-ray machines on the way, and end up ruined. So a £60 box of film and £20 of postage generates nothing of use. That's why I am so happy to have these applicants in the project who are taking part anyway, using their own film and their own expense, to just be part of the collective project. Thank you! That makes it really special.

So, who are the Project Participants of TRI THIS 2026?

From the UK we have :

Tobias Beach-Wyld - Lincolnshire - UK

https://www.instagram.com/tobiasbeachwyld

Tom Warland - Buckinghamshire - UK

www.tombobwarland.com

https://www.instagram.com/tombobwarland

Christopher Grainger - London - UK

https://www.instagram.com/_urbanaperture

Matthew Duriez - Devon - UK

https://www.instagram.com/matthewduriezphotography

www.matthewduriezphotography.com

Fin Pritchard - Nottingham - UK

https://www.instagram.com/FDP_PHOTO_ 

Mya Mercer - Nottingham - UK

https://www.instagram.com/mya.merc1

Michal Tekel - Nottingham - UK

www.tekelphoto.com

https://www.instagram.com/tekelphoto/

Larry Benjamin - Hampshire UK

https://www.instagram.com/larrybenjamin0001

From Around the World we have :

Name: Ben Weinsetin - Australia (sadly had to withdraw)

www.bwphotography.com.au

Alex Davenport - Australia

www.alexanderdavenport.com

https://www.instagram.com/davenportfilmphoto

David Mendes - Lisbon - Europe

https://www.instagram.com/david.mendes.art 



Donna Maria - USA

www.circalifeimages.com

https://www.instagram.com/circalifeimages/

Just a few submissions remaining

The team have done a sterling job the l;ast few weeks!! Almost all the participants have submitted their top 5 shots from the rolls. There is some really nice creative work in there! I have almost been tempted to say "scrap the limit of 5 - send them all!!", but I know that wont actually help! With the numbers of photographers involved, opening it up like that would mean nearly 500 photographs instead of around 50 or 60. And 50 or 60 is actually quite a lot for a project and for one person to look through and consider.

But I am so happy to see so many of the group really put their thinking caps on and shoot these rolls of film from all over the world. And the inclusion of a few international participants who are just using their own film to take part has really made it feel all the more worthwhile.

The final submission date is this Sunday 20th September. Once I have them all in, I am going to try and get them all printed A4 size and then display them on the floor and go through them. I hope to record this spectacle somehow - either as a video or photo montage or something, to really show off the entries as best I can. So, stay tuned for more to follow next week and beyond as we delve into Phase II of the project!

The results started to come in from the photographers selected as it became a small but global affair, with photographers from the UK, Spain, USA and Australia! Those from overseas took part using their own film just to be part of the fun. What an honour.

Here is just a few of what have been submitted to me so far. I’ve loved been part of this and seeing what we can all come up with as a group. Featured here is the work of Instagram accounts @larrybenjamin0001 , @david.mendes.art and @davenportfilmphoto . But there’s lots more to come! The final submissions were Sunday 20th Sept 26, so I’ll be sharing more of the great work by these photographers soon!

This is just a small handful of the submissions so far!

Teaser two showcasing a few more shots from the team of the TRI THIS project! These photos are by Instaram account holders @tekelphoto and @mya.merc1 and @fdp_photo_ and @_urbanaperture . Stay tuned to see more of the project unfold! (Love how I say “stay tuned”…only skmekne my age would say that! 😆 )

The last “TRI THIS Project” teaser reel for what has been, and continues to be, a remarkable collection of photographic minds. I’m so pleased to have played a small part in this lil adventure.

I’ll soon be getting all the submissions printed by my local Derby based printing company so I can hold an actual, physical, real display on a big floor; that’s right friends…like it used to be done.

I’m hoping I can convince my friend Phil of @theboardroom.studio to let me use his space for a little bit and hoping also he can help me determine a winner. But availability at his place is hard to come by so we shall see. Either way, I’ll be recording it (or asking someone to) and will share highlights here and over on the gram.

Thank you to you folks for following along with this lil series. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and seen what the power of community and collaboration can bring.

Photographers featured in this episode are Instagram account holders : @matthewduriezphotography and @circalifeimages and @tombobwarland and @tobiasbeachwyld

Thanks to the wonderful team at Derby City Council Printing Services (who offer commercial printing services folks!), I now have all the submission with me as 250gsm paper prints! I'll be going through them in a few days with Phil from The Boardroom Studio and trying to choose who will win the final box of Kodak Tri-X 400 and a half day session at the studio, courtesy of Phil! Here is quick teaser video of the prints! Dont blink though, or you'll miss it!

The Winning Photograph!

All the submissions went through several rounds of assessment by myself and Phil Lynam of The Boardroom Studio. We spent almost a day going over all the ~60ish photographs. In the end, we decided to choose one or two of our favourites from each photographer, and then we pinned them all up on the wall and looked over them again. One by one, we eliminated the ones we felt were not quite as strong as the others, bearing in mind any assessment of a photograph is entirely subjective and every human has their leaning towards certain aesthetics, no matter how much we try not to.

Our conclusion was this shot titled "Serenity" by Larry Benjamin. Closely followed by a portrait by Donna Maria Jones from www.circalifeimages.com, a thought provoking shot by Matthew Duriez of www.matthewduriezphotography.com, an amazing landscape from Iceland captured by Michal Tekel of Tekel Photo, and a tear inducing emotional shot by Tobias Beach-Wylde. But we loved so many, and any of the others could easily have been the winning shots, if someone else was looking over them.

Larry wins another box of Kodak Tri-X 400 and a half day studio session at The Boardroom Studio. My thanks extend to DodoFilmLab who offered a 20% development and digitisation discount on the films used for this project, to Kodak for awarding me with the film that was used for it following my good fortune in Film Photographer of the Year 2026, Derby City Council Printing Services for producing the physical prints and merc, and of course to Phil of The Boardroom Studio, without whom, I would have struggled to conclude this.

Closing Remarks

12 photographers. 4 countries. 12 different ideas, 12 different ways of seeing, and 12 bodies of work that could never have been predicted from the brief alone. That was always the point.

The five rolls each were a restriction, but they were also an invitation. To look harder. To focus. To stay with an idea for a little longer than normal. To make the next frame matter. Somewhere along the way, this stopped being about a box of film. It became about the

people who chose to take part. People who, despite living hundreds or thousands of miles apart, spent a little time making something together without ever needing to stand in the same room.

Perhaps that is one of the nicest things photography can do. It can connect people who have never met. Who see the world differently. Who make very different pictures, and still give them something they can share.

The photographs in this project are the result of that collaboration. The film has been exposed. The negatives have been developed. The images have been made. But the idea doesn't really end here. I hope it has helped shape the ideas of those who took part, and to you, my reader for today. Thank you to everyone for being part of it.

Five rolls. One vision. TRI THIS.

PS - Kodak, if you're reading this...it would be nice to keep ths going another year. TRI THIS is somewhat film dependant! It needs TRI-X to work. Just saying...