2026 Set Subjects

Aspley Camera Club 2026 Set Subjects

All submissions are due at 23:59 (11:59pm) on the first Monday of the month for judging the following first Monday of the month. If the first Monday of the month is a public holiday, submissions are still required to be submitted by 23:59 on the first Monday of the month regardless if the Club meeting is on a Tuesday. 

PORTRAIT – HEAD TO TOE

Closing date:      Monday 19th January                           Judged:     Monday 2nd February

Definition: A photograph of a person or people that must show all of the person/s from head to foot (no head to waist close-ups). The person/s in the photograph must be the focal subject however, the image could also depict their environment or a broader scene. Can be posed or candid. Must be a live human being (mannikins, statues or ornaments will not be accepted).

MONOCHROME

Closing date:      Monday 2nd February                           Judged:     Monday 2nd March

Definition: An image containing tones of only one colour. This includes black-and-white photography (shades of neutral grey ranging from black to white) as well as images toned in sepia, cyan, blue, brown etc. Partial toning or the addition of an extra colour is not allowed.

DISTORTION – USING / THROUGH GLASS

Closing date:      Monday, 2nd March                              Judged:     Tuesday, 7th April

Definition: A distorted photograph through glass captures an image where the glass causes alterations or distortions to the light passing through, resulting in an effect on the photograph. The glass can create distortions such as blurring, blending, warping or refraction, and may also introduce reflections or colour shifts. The distortion can make the subject appear wavy, fragmented, or otherwise altered, leading to artistic, abstract, or surreal images. The effect can occur with various types of glass, windows, mirrors or even textured glass. Use this technique to create mood, depth or a unique perspective. Not including speciality lens, filters or lensballs.

ABSTRACT

Closing date:      Monday, 6th April                                  Judged:     Tuesday, 5th May

Definition: An arrangement of colours and shapes which are not recognisable as known objects. They may suggest any object or scene. Maybe colour or monochrome.

NAUTICAL

Closing date:      Monday 4th May                                   Judged:     Monday 1st June

Definition: Relating to ships, sailors, sailing and navigation of the sea.

MINIMALISM

Closing date:      Monday 1st June                                  Judged:     Monday 6th July

Definition: Image making that relies on simplistic compositions, heavy use of empty space and elimination of clutter. The main subject is often kept small in the frame or its presence kept to a minimum and exceptionally simple.

SILHOUETTE

Closing date       Monday 6th July                                    Judged:     Monday 3rd Aug

Definition:  A silhouette is a dark image of a subject against a bright background. In reality, silhouette images are often pictures which are more semi-silhouettes where the main subject is not quite solid jet black but very close.

MACRO

Closing date:      Monday 3rd August                              Judged:     Monday 7th September

Definition: Macro Photography is commonly defined as close-up photography of tiny insects or objects with images that result in the subject being life-size or larger.

STREET

Closing date:      Monday 7th September                       Judged:     Tuesday 6th October

Definition: Street photography is a genre that captures candid moments in public spaces, often focusing on the everyday lives of people, interactions, and environments in urban settings. It thrives on spontaneity, relying on the photographer’s ability to observe and document real-life scenes without intrusion or staging. Street photography is characterised by its raw, unfiltered nature, where ordinary moments are elevated into powerful narratives through composition, timing, and light. Though often centred on human subjects, it can also include architecture, signs, shadows, and other elements of the urban landscape. This genre challenges photographers to see beauty and meaning in the mundane, offering a reflection of society, culture, and the complexities of life in public spaces. A key aspect is its storytelling potential, where images provoke thought, emotion, or social commentary, making the ordinary appear extraordinary. 

This genre typically emphasises a documentary or journalistic approach, but it also allows for artistic expression and interpretation, pushing boundaries between reality and art.

WATER

Closing date:      Monday 5th October                            Judged:     Monday 2nd November

Definition: An image which emphasises water as the main visual element.  That can include landscape photography of oceans, lakes, or seas; long exposure photos of silky waterfalls; puddles; rain (raindrops / rain showers); reflections in water; splash photography (splashes from rain or an object dropped in water) and underwater photography.