2023-2024 Assigned Topics

The topics for the Assigned Category for 2023-24 are listed below. This page will be updated once the topic descriptions are finalized. The order of the topics may change, depending on the availability of external speakers.

1.  “Cityscapes at Night“

   • Cityscapes at night involves taking photos of the city’s illuminated buildings, streetlights, and other light sources to create an interesting and captivating visual representation of the city’s nightlife. The goal is to showcase the beauty and unique character of a city while highlighting its architectural features and contrasting light and dark elements. The main subject-matter is the view. People may be included in the scene as long as they are ancillary and/or supportive of the main subject.

     Images captured during twilight are not acceptable. Images must be wide in scope, such that a true cityscape is seen. Narrow viewpoints are not acceptable. Images must be from outdoor locations. 

2.  “People Watching/People in their Environment”

   • People watching or people in their environment photography focuses on capturing people in their natural surroundings and daily lives. The goal is to document and capture the essence of human life, emotions, and relationships. This type of photography often involves capturing candid or spontaneous moments and emotions, rather than staged or posed scenes. People watching photography can range from street photography, which captures individuals in urban settings, to documentary photography, which aims to tell a story about a particular group of people and their experiences. The focus is on capturing the unique qualities and characteristics of individuals, as well as the cultural, social, and environmental influences that shape their lives. People watching photography can be both a form of art and a means of social commentary, serving as a visual representation of human life and the world we live in.

3.  “Urban Decay and Abandonment”

   • Urban decay or abandonment photography is the art of capturing and documenting the physical and emotional decay of urban areas through photography. It often involves taking photos of abandoned or neglected buildings, infrastructure, and public spaces that have fallen into disrepair. The goal of urban decay photography is to bring attention to the issue of urban abandonment and to preserve its memory for future generations. These images can also serve as a form of social commentary, highlighting the causes and effects of urban decay and its impact on the built environment and local communities. The photographs can be haunting and poignant, capturing the beauty and sadness of what once was, as well as the hope and potential of what could be.

4.  “Shot from an Unusual Viewpoint”

   • Shot from an unusual viewpoint refers to a photography technique where the photographer captures an image from a perspective that is different from what is typically seen in everyday life. This can include capturing images from low angles, high angles, or from other unusual or unconventional viewpoints. The goal of this technique is to add interest and creativity to the image, to create a unique and captivating visual experience for the viewer. By shooting from an unusual viewpoint, the photographer can highlight elements of the scene that would not be seen in a conventional photo and create a sense of depth, scale, and visual interest. This technique is often used in street photography, landscape photography, and architectural photography, among others, to create images that challenge the viewer’s perception and evoke an emotional response.

5.  “Intentional Camera Movement (ICM)”

   • Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) is a photography technique where the photographer deliberately moves the camera during the exposure to create an abstract and impressionistic representation of the scene being captured. The movement creates a blurred effect that can range from a slight smudging of the image to complete abstraction. The goal of ICM is to capture the essence and mood of a scene, rather than its literal appearance, by incorporating the element of motion into the image. It can be used to convey a sense of energy, speed, or to evoke an emotional response in the viewer.

Wallet Card

A handy wallet card (pdf file) with the competition due dates for 2023-23 will be provided when the dates are finalized for the season.