Theme Definitions – 2011 – 2012

(Unless otherwise stated, all themes have time limits.)

(Reminder: the theme should be reflected in the major subject or focus of your image.)

September 2011

Theme: Open

Definition:   A web-based definition of OPEN pertains to the lack of restrictions on a particular activity.  For purposes of this competition, your image may depict any subject or camera technique.

Time Limits:  None

October 2011

Theme:      Motion

Definition:      A web-based definition of MOTION describes it as a change in position of an object with respect to time.  For purposes of this competition, your image must depict ongoing motion or movement AS A PROMINENT FEATURE OF THE IMAGE.  This theme is intended to encourage exploration of shutter speed with or without flash as a photographic concept to capture motion blur showing movement in the image.  Examples of techniques include using a slow shutter speed or panning / zooming during the exposure so that motion is present in the image.  Static movement (frozen in time) is NOT acceptable.  An image depicting  a part of a musical composition (an alternate definition of the word movement) is also NOT acceptable unless there is visible motion blur prominently shown in frame.

Time Limits:  Images captured from January 1, 2009 to the date of the competition deadline.

 

November 2011

Theme:     Reflections

Definition:     A web-based  definition of a REFLECTION is the image of somebody or something that appears in a mirror or other reflecting surface.  For purposes of this competition, your image must contain a reflection AS A PROMINENT FEATURE OF THE IMAGE.  There may be more than one reflection, but there may be no less than one.  This theme is intended to encourage more careful observation of reflective surfaces around you and pre-visualization of interesting images containing reflected images.  Examples would include an image almost completely composed of a reflected subject, or one that contains both a reflection and the surroundings, as long as the reflection was prominent.  An image based on an alternate meaning of the word “reflection -careful consideration or deliberation of thought” is NOT acceptable.   Duplicating part of an image and inserting it in the original as a "mirror" is NOT acceptable unless it LOOKS like a reflected surface.

Time Limits:  Images captured from January 1, 2009 to the date of the competition deadline.

 

December 2011

Theme: Environmental Portraits

Definition:      A web based definition of ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT is a portrait executed in the subject’s usual environment such as in their home or workplace and typically illuminates the subject’s life and surroundings.  For purposes of this competition, your image must include a HUMAN subject AS A PROMINENT FEATURE OF THE IMAGE shown in an environment which adds meaning or tells the viewer something about the subject’s life or personality. This theme is intended to encourage exploration of photographing people where the surroundings are an integral part of and add additional meaning to the image.  It will cause the photographer to consider background clutter and meaningful props, but not allow a total isolation of the subject through shallow depth of focus.  Examples would include a chef frying onions, a judge in court or a swimmer on the diving board.  Your image should focus attention on only ONE individual, although there may be others in the photo, they should not prominent or a major part of the image.  Other definitions of the words "environmental portraits, " including those photos which depict the environment without a human subject, such as a toxic waste dump or a piece of bark in a mulch pile are NOT acceptable.  A portrait of a non-human subject in their normal environment such as a cat in a litter box, an oyster in a shell, or a racecar on the track would NOT be acceptable. 

Time Limits:  Images captured from January 1, 2009 to the date of the competition deadline.

 

January 2012

Theme: Toys

Definition: The following is one web-based definition for the term TOY.  A toy is a thing used in play. Toys are usually associated with children and pets, but it is not unusual for adult beings and some non-domesticated dogs, cats, mice etc. to play with toys.  Toys may include board games, but NOT sports equipment.  Entries MUST PROMINENTLY feature one or more toys, but may show the participants using the toy(s).  This theme is intended to provide experience in photographing products or still life objects, either in natural light or with the use of flash.

Time Limits:     Images captured from January 1, 2010 to the date of the competition deadline.

 

February 2012

Theme:      Windows

Definition:  The following is one web-based definition of the term window and illustrates the basis for this theme definition.  “A WINDOW is a transparent opening in a wall or door that allows the passage of light and, if not closed or sealed, air and sound. Windows are usually glazed or covered in some other transparent or translucent material like a float glass. Windows are held in place by frames, which prevent them from collapsing in. Many glazed windows may be opened, to allow ventilation, or closed, to exclude inclement weather.”  Entries must PROMINENTLY feature one or more windows as defined above in the photograph and must clearly be the focal point of the image. Windows that are only incidental to the image will not meet the theme.  Images that incorporate alternate interpretations of the term windows (such as, software, movies, music, or other non-architectural definitions) are not intended for this theme topic.

Time Limits:  Images captured from January 1, 2010 to the date of the competition deadline.

March 2012

Theme:     Flowers

Definition:     The following is a web-based definition for the term FLOWER and illustrates the intent of this theme.  "A FLOWER, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants.  For the purposes of this theme all photographs submitted MUST have one or more FLOWERS as the PROMINENT FEATURE of the image. Flowers must adhere to the above definition and MUST be botanical in nature.  This theme is NOT
meant to feature any non-botanical depictions of flowers, such as flower-shaped kites, flower paintings, flower illustrations and the like .  The intention of this theme is to provide experience in photographing one of the most popular subjects.  Composition and depth of field considerations will be paramount.

Time Limits:     Images captured from January 1, 2010 to the date of the competition deadline.

April 2012

Theme:     Open

Definition:      A web-based definition of OPEN pertains to the lack of restrictions on a particular activity.  For purposes of this competition, your image may depict any subject or camera technique.

Time Limits:      Images captured from January 1, 2010 to the date of the competition deadline.

 

May 2012

Theme:     Photo/Print of the Year

Definition:       PHOTO OF THE YEAR contests are conducted to select the best entries from competitions and TCC exhibits held during the club year.    New images are NOT accepted, nor can the previously entered items be changed in any way.  Additional instructions will be forthcoming.

Time Limits:     Dates are determined by those required for the original competition.  Prints must have been exhibited during the current club year.

 

September 2012

Theme:     Open

Definition:      A web-based definition of OPEN pertains to the lack of restrictions on a particular activity.  For purposes of this competition, your image may depict any subject or camera technique.

Time Limits:     None

 

October 2012

Theme:     Birds

Definition:  The following is a web-based definition for the term BIRDS and illustrates the intent of this theme.  "A Bird is a member of the class Aves which consists of feathered, winged, bipedal, warm-blooded, egg-laying vertebrate animals.”  For the purposes of this theme all photographs submitted MUST have one or more birds as the PROMIMENT FEATURE of the image, although the bird may be partially obscured by its environment.   This theme is intended to provide experience in photographing subjects that may be hard to see and may be moving rapidly.  Depth of field and shutter speed considerations will be important for successful capture.  This theme is NOT meant to feature “macro” shots of feathers or other bird parts nor any NON-Aves bird representation (i.e., SR71 Blackbird, US Air Force Thunderbirds, obscene hand gestures, nor anything like bird houses, bird feeders, bird nests, or other structures associated with birds unless an actual bird is in the photograph.  It is also not meant to include slang definition for woman.

Time Limits:  Images captured from January 1, 2010 to the date of the competition deadline.

 

November 2012

Theme:     S-Curves

Definition:  The following is one web-based definition for the term S-CURVE and illustrates the intent of this theme.  "S-curve is the term for a section of the horizontal alignment of a route (highway or railroad) in which a curve to the left or right is followed immediately by a curve in the opposite direction.  For the purposes of this theme, all entries MUST PROMINENTLY contain an s-curve, but is not limited to roads or railways, and may contain any naturally occurring structure.  The word "naturally occurring" does not mean to imply only those structures found in nature, but includes items such as pipes or patterns of items that form an s-curve.  You may not, however, create the s-curve yourself; you must find it in its natural state.   The intention of this theme is to help improve the photographer's eye for different kinds of lines and their usefulness in creating dynamic images.  Signs that identify S-curves are not allowable.   For illustrative purposes, below are two "S-curves."

 

Time Limits:      Images captured from January 1, 2010 to the date of the competition deadline.

 

December 2012

Theme:      Smiles

Definition:   The following is one web-based definition for the term SMILE.  A smile is a facial expression formed by the flexing of the muscles near both ends of the mouth.  Smiles customarily denote pleasure, happiness, or amusement.  Entries MUST PROMINENTLY feature one or more HUMAN or ANIMAL smiles.  Smiles are an indication of emotion and every effort should be taken to create images that highlight those emotions.  For the purposes of this theme non-facial depictions of smiles are not acceptable.  Examples of this are smiles on golf balls, smiley face signage, wind up smiley teeth, or any other non-facial photograph of a smile. 

 

Time Limits:     Images captured from January 1, 2010 to the date of the competition deadline.