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Competition Set Subjects Definitions 2025
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.
ANIMALS
Closing date: Monday 20th January. Judged: Monday 3rd February
Definition:
Images of living untamed or domesticated animals (including pets) in natural or other outdoor environments that may include objects made by humans. Images may feature single or multiple animals. An animal (for the purpose of this topic) is defined as a living being (except for humans) that can breathe, move, eat, reproduce and react to the world through its senses (eg sight, smell, hearing). Therefore mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, fish are all animals for the purpose of this topic. It is acceptable that evidence of a human environment the animal frequents is included, along with any supporting manmade accessories although photographs may not include people.
COLOUR
Closing date: Monday 3rd February. Judged: Monday 3rd March
Definition:
The content is unrestricted and may include creative images, with all forms of manipulation permitted. Any subject that is treated pictorially, embodying the elements of good design, arrangement or composition, which reflects the personal interpretation of the photographer. Images may only be in colour.
THROUGH A CHILD’S EYE
Closing date: Monday, 3rd March. Judged: Monday, 7th April
Definition:
“Through a Child’s Eye” is the pictorial representation in any of various medium of scenes or events as seen from a child’s perspective, such as playgrounds, parties, adventure parks, indoors, and street scenes (jumping in puddles on a rainy afternoon). Such representations may be realistic, imagined, or romanticised. Note: this category is not to include images of children, rather it is exploring these activities as if the scenes were experienced through the eyes of the child engaged within these activities.
MINIMALISM
Closing date: Monday, 7th April. Judged: Tuesday, 6th May
Definition:
Minimalism in photography is a style that emphasizes simplicity, focusing on the use of limited elements to create a visually striking image. It often features clean compositions, ample negative space, and a restrained colour palette, allowing the subject to stand out with clarity and purpose. The goal of minimalist photography is to convey a powerful message or evoke emotion with as few components as possible, often encouraging viewers to engage more deeply with the image through its simplicity.
RAILWAY STUDY
Closing date: Monday 5th May. Judged: Monday 2nd June
Definition:
An Image which may feature an engine, carriages, trucks, signals, train lines, or a combination of such, or any part of such, provided it is easily recognisable as belonging to a railway.
AGED
Closing date: Monday 2nd June. Judged: Monday 7th July
Definition:
An image that shows a life long-lived – can be animate or inanimate including humans, animals, buildings, cars, books – anything that is showing old age. May be in colour or monochrome.
LOW LIGHT
Closing date Monday 7th July. Judged: Monday 4th Aug
Definition:
Low light photography encompasses capturing images in dimly lit conditions with minimal ambient light available. It can be anything from subdued indoor lighting to low light night photography.
STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
Closing date: Monday 4th August. Judged: Monday 1st September
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.
REFLECTIONS
Closing date: Monday 1st September. Judged: Tuesday 7th October
Definition:
Where the reflections of a subject provide the centre of interest. They may be produced by water, windows, metal etc. Mirror reflections are included.
FLIGHT
Closing date: Monday 6th October. Judged: Monday 3rd November
Definition:
This can include birds, planes or anything in flight. This does not mean that you are taking images from a plane or drone (this is classed as aerial photography) rather, it’s images of things that are flying in the air.
