Themes for 2018-2019
- The American Experience: Americans at Work: For this month’s themed contest, show us your best photos of Americans at Work. This may be of a single person, or multiple people, at work. The person or persons, and the work being performed, must both be clearly evident in the photo. Let’s showcase Americans at Work by demonstrating their emotions, determination, strength and pride!
- Geometry:Images where the predominant elements are geometric shapes—circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, etc. The compositional elements may be specific [subject-based], such as a wall with a door & doorknob & windows, or implied [design-based], where the photographer searches for designs, such as rectangles, circles, etc. without concern for the names of the objects. For example, subject-based could consider a scene with land, ocean and sky, whereas, design-based could see the same scene as three rectangles of different tones and sizes.
- Trains, Planes, Automobiles, and Trucks:Images of these subjects can be of new or old trains, planes, automobiles, or trucks – from mint condition to a state of ruin. Images can be of the entire vehicle or isolated parts, such as hood ornaments. Subjects can be in motion or at rest.
Themes for 2019-2020
- Night Photos: An image taken after sunset and before sunrise: The night presents an interesting set of photographic opportunities. Places active with human activity, such as city streets, country fairs, fireworks, and etc., come alive at night. But even quiet and lonely places – cemeteries, back alleys, and moon-lit shorelines – can surprise you with what they have to offer. The absence of daylight at night will force us to ensure that we capture sufficient light by increasing the length of our exposures, by adding light (flash or light painting), or by increasing the sensitivity (ISO) of our sensors. However, be careful to maintain the feeling of darkness in the image, i.e., don’t let a too-long exposure turn your scene into daytime. Wherever you may be headed, grab your tripod, a wireless or cabled shutter release, and a friend (for assistance, company, and safety), and have fun shooting in the dark.
- Low Perspective: Placing the camera low to the ground: The idea is to change our normal shooting perspective by shooting images with our cameras close to the ground. This will provide a great opportunity for creative shots. Common objects can appear completely different when taken from a low perspective and can provide new compositional opportunities. Get close and shoot up. Back up and include foreground and foreground objects. Get your tripod close to the ground, or free yourself from your tripod and get down low to the ground with your camera.
- Through Rain, Snow, Sleet or Hail: Get outside with your camera in bad weather!: Be sure to protect your equipment well as you venture out in bad weather to capture images in Rain, Snow, Sleet or Hail! For those less adventurous, the image may be captured from inside a building or vehicle, etc. However, falling rain, snow, sleet or hail must be a clearly visible and important part of the image.