The subject is "FLOWERS and PLANTS" 

Flowers are a naturally photogenic subject matter — a joyful expression of colors, textures, and shapes. Flower and plant photography celebrates their natural beauty and is an effective way to improve various photography skills (Adobe Website). We are following up on the excellent presentation by Mike Moats (see the video here )

Submit up to 2 images 

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judges: TBA

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

The subject is "CLOSE-UP PHOTOGRAPHY" 

Take an up-close photograph, macro or not. Take a macro photo showing details normally not seen or just a close-up photo of subjects such as portraits of people or animals. You can achieve a creative image in this contest using macro or zoom lenses. 

 Submit up to 2 images by October 31, 2022 

Voting from Nov 1 - Novt 8, 2022

   Best of Luck! 

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

The subject is "STILL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY" 

Here is the opportunity of putting into practice what we've learned following last month's Still Life Photography presentation by Mark Battista

Still Life Photography can be done in a small space within your home using objects that are readily accessible. The concept of “shooting with intention” will be addressed in order for one to take control of the creative process from selecting props, arranging them in a pleasing composition, using light effectively to direct the eye through the image and create a center of interest. Strategies to tell a story and create a mood will be shared in order to make better decisions regarding lighting and design.

Submit up to 2 images by August 31, 2022 
Voting from Sept 1 - Sept 8, 2022

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judge: Robert Chaplin

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

This contest is for elements or lines in the composition that do not intersect or meet each other. Examples include railway lines, road markings, ladders, powerlines, and stairs. You can find examples that are also present in food, nature, flora, fauna, and animals. 

Submit up to 2 images 

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judge: Robert Chaplin

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

The subject is "BIRDS" 

Here is the opportunity of putting into practice what we've learned following last month's Bird Photography presentation.

No matter what type of bird you photograph in the wild, in the Zoo, or in captivity, show your creativity by submitting your best bird photos.

Submit up to 2 images 

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judge: Robert Chaplin

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

The subject is "REFLECTIONS" 

Reflections are everywhere! Create an interesting image showing reflections. Ocean, lakes, puddles, drops, metal, objects, etc.  

Submit up to 2 images 

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judge: Robert Chaplin

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

The subject is "LIGHT AND  SHADOWS" 

The interplay between light and shadow is among the best ways to create effects and compositions that express your artistic expression. It can be a great way to show subjects and make elements appear three-dimensional or abstract. It does not matter if you photograph people, nature, landscape, architecture, or macro; shadows play an essential role in your images.

Submit up to 2 images 

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judges: Robert Chaplin and Nancy Ney

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

 "DEPTH OF FIELD" 

This month's challenge is to take a photograph where the depth of field makes sense. It does not matter if a 'DEEP" depth of field where almost or even the entire image is in focus or a "NARROW" one where only a smaller portion of it is sharp. Create a photo where the subject integrates with the foreground and the background to reflect balance and harmony.

Submit up to 2 images 

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judges: Robert Chaplin and Eduardo Schneider

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

Blur can be an important component in photography. It can be used to draw attention to the abstract, give the impression of motion, create a beautiful background, and more. This contest is to push you into going out of your comfort zone by photographing something different.

There are several techniques that can be used to create intentional blur: Panning, macro, long exposure, wide apertures, muti-exposures, zooming lenses during exposure, tilting and shifting your camera, shooting light trails, etc.

Submit up to 2 images 

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judge: Robert Chaplin

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

The subject is "WHEELS" 

Among other things, wheels take us from one place to another and are found everywhere, cars, motorcycles, trains, airplanes, appliances, antiques, machinery, and more. Look for special perspectives and angles. Show us something different and creative.

Submit up to 2 images 

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judge: Robert Chaplin

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

This month's contest is all about water. You can submit photos of traditional water bodies like rivers, oceans, waterfalls, etc. It is, however, not limited to those. Challenge your creativity by creating images where water or a specific liquid is the main subject, for example, drinks, food, rain, water drops on plants or structures, puddles, or anything else you come up with.

Submit up to 2 images 

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judge: Robert Chaplin

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

You can take symmetrical photos no matter where you are. Symmetry is everywhere, in nature, architecture, etc. Look for vertical, horizontal, radial, and reflective symmetries. Leading lines and patterns are also important components of well-composed symmetrical images.

JUDGE'S WINNER CHOICE 

PINK WATER LILY - ROLANDO PROL

MEMBER'S CHOICE

VIENNA PALACE - IVAN PRASIN

INSIDE THE MALL IN LOWER MANHATTAN - Dustin Quiel-Athanasiadis

Different seasons bring so many photographic possibilities! Fruits, vegetables, and nature's landscapes. Wildlife, including migrating birds and other wildlife creatures, even insects. There are plenty of exciting things happening that are specific to every season. 

Take photos that convey a season.  Show us your creativity!

Submit up to 2 images 

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judge: Robert Chaplin

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

 SUBMIT UP TO 2 IMAGES BY MAY THE 31ST.

Many beautiful macro or close-up images are found online today. Small plants, animals, insects, small objects are available everywhere. With the right skills, you will be able to capture amazing images of a little and often hidden universe, even in your own backyard. 

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judge: Robert Chaplin

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

 SUBMIT UP TO 2 IMAGES BY APRIL THE 27TH.

However, perfect circles are not required; we are, looking forward to your creativity in showing circles as the main focus of the capture.
They are everywhere around us. Circles are present in nature, objects, and architecture. Bokeh, star trails, vehicles, fruits, swirling staircases, and more. Also, look for them in patterns and shadows.

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judge: Robert Chaplin

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

 SUBMIT UP TO 2 IMAGES BY MARCH THE 27TH.

VOTING FROM MARCH 28 TO APRIL 6

A generic definition is that a wide-angle lens displays a wider field of view than the human vision. For this contest, take pictures with a lens that is equal or less than the following:

Full Frame Sensor: 24mm

APS-C Sensor: 16mm

Micro-Four-Thirds Sensor: 12mm

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judge: Robert Chaplin

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

In this month’s Online Photo we will “Explore the Animal Kingdom”. This includes photographs of the more than a million species that share our planet, including but not limited to all forms of wildlife, mammals, birds, reptiles, ants, and butterflies. With all the gorgeous animals on our planet, exclude your household pets. Show us your CREATIVITY!!!!

 SUBMIT UP TO 3 IMAGES BY FEBRUARY THE 25TH.

VOTING FROM MARCH 1  TO MARCH 8

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judge: Robert Chaplin

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

Let's celebrate nature! Whether taking in the splendor of a vivid rainbow after a summer shower or closely examining an iridescent butterfly wing, color plays a major role in our fascination with the natural environment.

In this online contest let's celebrate nature! 

From stunning landscapes to magnificent wildlife, show us how the world’s colors blend and contrast in ways that make us say “WOW.” 

Submit up to 3 images 

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judge: Robert Chaplin

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

Shadows play an important part in images; they create contrast, reveal form and texture, conveying mood, and emotion.

Capture those strong shadows in a photograph that can transform an image into a special or even surreal image.  

Submit up to 3 images 

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judge: Robert Chaplin

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

The subject is "DIAGONAL LINES"

A very powerful method of improving the composition of photos is the use of lines. Properly used, lines can significantly increase the impact of images. In the art of photography, we often use diagonal lines to draw the viewer's eye through the photograph.

Diagonal lines also create points of interest where they intersect with other lines within the image. 

Submit up to 3 images 

   Best of Luck! 

This month's judge: Robert Chaplin

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST RULES

Critique Approach:

Keeping with the critical approach as the previous digital challenge; I am including comments on the fundamentals of photography along with ways I see to improve the image. Keep in mind the idea of improving the image to my aesthetic may be different from what the artist intended. If it misses the mark; disregard the comment.

I have often said; image titles lead the judge to what you are trying to express. With that in mind, I may comment on some of the image titles as part of this critique.

Also, keep in mind that, if provided, the visual critique was performed on a jpeg. It will not be perfect but is intended as a visual aid to express the written critique.

The scores will reflect judgment based on the technical, processing, artistic and emotional impacts, and challenge requirements.

Special Note: Don’t read if you can’t handle tough love…ready??? Here we go…

Judges don’t care what you saw, when you saw it, where you saw it, or what it cost to get to the destination. Judges don’t have a relationship with people or pets in a photograph. Judges are reviewing images in a vacuum. This means, we are commenting based on the technical quality and emotional response of a photograph. A simple been there done that or look what I saw shot belongs in a book of memories and not in a competition. Substandard photographs will be judged as that and based on the KCC scale it equates to acceptable. Become a student of what makes a good photograph and submit that to the competition. Keep in mind, not all cellphone shots are bad, and not all professional camera shots are good.