2020 – 2021 Competition Themes
September
The World at Peace
Description & References
This theme can be can be personal, global, anywhere in-between: a newborn sleeping in its mother’s arms; the subtle light of a misty horizon; the struggle for human or social justice, only sometimes achieved.
A few links for your consideration:
The Alfred Fried Photography Award “recognizes and promotes photographers from all over the world whose pictures capture human efforts towards a peaceful world and the quest for beauty and goodness in our lives. The award goes to those photographs that best express the idea that our future lies in peaceful coexistence.”
This page has links to 15-20 images by each of last year’s five winners, plus many more examples and resources.
https://www.friedaward.com/winners-alfred-fried-photography-award-2019
We Are the World – Photography
(The Continue Reading links offer additional samples.)
https://wearetheworld.photography/tag/peace/
8 Ways To Capture Wonderful Serenity In Your iPhone Photos
(These tips apply to all cameras.)
https://iphonephotographyschool.com/serenity/
October
Machinery
Description & References
27 Images of Powerful and Practical Machinery
https://digital-photography-school.com/27-images-of-powerful-and-practical-machinery/
10 Tips for Better Industrial Photography
https://expertphotography.com/industrial-photography/
November
People at Work
Description & References
What is it? These and more: social commentary; Portraiture. corporate communication & marketing; photojournalism; street photography; documentary photography…
Dorothea Lange
https://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/lange/index.html
Walker Evans
(Not every photo here involves people at work.)
https://aperture.org/blog/walker-evans-hero-vernacular/
Jacob Riis
https://collections.mcny.org/Explore/Highlights/Jacob%20A.%20Riis/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0YD4BRD2ARIsAHwmKVnywetxNECUXhJJjQJFtfoD8geIkKh1oMWwLO3XI8W-wNZAzD_pTo8aAjFQEALw_wcB&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0YD4BRD2ARIsAHwmKVnywetxNECUXhJJjQJFtfoD8geIkKh1oMWwLO3XI8W-wNZAzD_pTo8aAjFQEALw_wcB
Corporate Photography Tips
https://photographylife.com/corporate-photography-tips
How to Photograph People at Work
https://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/5499/photograph-people-work/
January
Stars in the Sky
Description & References
Photographers do not need expensive equipment like clock drives and super-long lenses to record objects in the evening sky. While Photoshop has some excellent capabilities for astrophotography, you may want to take advantage of some specialized processing software to enhance your images. The first link below is to a recent (June 2020 when I’m writing this) review of free and commercial software for both PC & Mac, including worthy free options for both platforms; it also offers insight on essential features and capabilities to look for.
Astrophotography Stacking Software – Which One To Use?
https://nightskypix.com/astrophotography-stacking-software/
Easy Astrophotography for Beginners
https://www.photographytalk.com/astrophotography-tips-for-beginners
10 Great Astrophotography Tips On How To Take Amazing Photos of the Night Sky
https://www.shutterbug.com/content/10-great-astrophotography-tips-how-take-amazing-photos-night-sky
Quick Start Guide Part 1 for Beginner Digital Astrophotography
http://www.astropix.com/html/i_astrop/quick.html
A Few Tips on Astrophotography and How to Capture Stars at Night
https://fstoppers.com/composite/few-tips-astrophotography-and-how-capture-stars-night-116479
February
Surrealism
Description & References
Webster’s Dictionary defines surrealism as follows: “the principles, ideals, or practice of producing fantastic or incongruous imagery or effects in art, literature, film, or theater by means of unnatural or irrational juxtapositions and combinations.”
Surrealism and Photography
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/phsr/hd_phsr.htm
Surrealist Photography
https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/surrealist-photography/
Surrealistic Photography
https://smarthistory.org/surrealist-photography/
7 Techniques to Create the best Surreal Photography
https://shutterstoppers.com/surreal-photography-techniques
March
Ruins
Description & References
Ruins and Relics – How to Turn Decay into Beauty
https://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/5534/ruins-relics-turn-decay-beauty/
How to Photograph Abandoned Places
https://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-abandoned-places/
Urban Exploration: Top Tips For Photographing Abandoned Buildings & Some Stunning Examples
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/urban-exploration--top-tips-for-photographing-abandoned-buildings---some-stunning-examples--32499
National Geographic samples
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/features/your-shot-travel-pictures/your-shot-ancient-ruins-pictures/#/1466253.jpg
April
Stop Action
Description & References
Stop Action Photography – A Helpful Guide
https://www.apogeephoto.com/stop-action-photography/
The Perfect Camera Settings for Action & Sports Photography
https://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/the-perfect-camera-settings-for-action-and-sports-photography
Stop-Action Photography: The Tips You Should Use
https://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/action-photography-tips/
May
Product Photography
Description & References
“The assignment is to take any commercial product, like a box of cereal or a pair shoes, and photograph it like it would appear in a magazine ad; rich, high quality, making the viewer eager to buy it. Should be fun – and different.” – Howard Sundwall
Product Photography Ideas
https://fixthephoto.com/product-photography-ideas.html
10 Essential Product Photography Tips for Professional Results
https://www.wix.com/blog/photography/2019/09/18/product-photography-tips/
How to Master Product Photography on a Tight Budget
https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/how-to-rock-product-photography-on-a-budget/#what-is-product-photography