{"id":18610,"date":"2021-06-04T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-04T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/?p=18610"},"modified":"2025-09-02T11:08:51","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T15:08:51","slug":"competition-themes-future-present-and-past","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/competition-themes-future-present-and-past\/","title":{"rendered":"Update: NVPS Competition Themes – Current, Next Year, and Past Years"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

COMPETITION THEMES 2025 \u2013 2026<\/strong> (Current)<\/strong>
Note: Themed competition dates not yet provided<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Closeup\u2014Not Macro<\/strong>: Competition Date: December 16, 2025<\/strong>
Macro photography fills the frame with sharp details of a subject not available to the human eye, and technically requires a specialty lens and magnification ratio of 1:1 or higher. Conversely, close\u2013up photography captures detail of an incomplete subject either through the original file or cropping in post\u2013processing. The missing part is intuitively understood and adds to the impact of the image. A closeup subject will usually fill the frame; if less than half\u2013filled it doesn\u2019t meet the definition. Examples along with those below might include:
\ufffd An infant clasping the finger of a parent, with just part of arms and hands showing
\ufffd A dog in mid\u2013air showing shoulders and head against a sky perimeter with a Frisbee in its mouth
\ufffd An expression of amusement on the face of an elderly adult
\ufffd The chrome exhaust pipes and engine on a Harley motorcycle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of Closeups<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Closeup 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Closeup 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Closeup 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Closeup 4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Simplicity:<\/strong> Competition Date: February 17, 2025<\/strong>
Simplicity refers to the use of rudimentary techniques or subjects that have the bare essentials of subject, lighting, and composition. Simple photographs can still carry complex meaning. Ultimately, simplicity is about keeping your compositions clean and free of distractions, resulting in images that are both striking and elegant. Along with the examples below, consider:
* A single Acacia tree at dusk on the Serengeti plain
* An unmanned rowboat on the upper left of the scene on glassy turquoise water
* The interior of a gothic cathedral side passage with nothing but arches to the end, where there\u2019s a small altar

Examples of Simplicity:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Simplicity 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Simplicity 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Simplicity 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Simplicity 4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n


Patterns: Competition Date: April 21, 2026<\/strong>
<\/strong>A pattern in artwork is created by repeating or echoing the visual elements such as a line, shape, color, form, or texture in a recurring arrangement. The world is filled with subjects that contain patterns that enhance the main subject or are the subject themselves. They can have a strong graphic characteristic or simply a repeated object that contributes to an impactful image. Along with the examples below, consider:
\ufffd A collection of wet rain boots on a linoleum floor, shot at a low oblique view
\ufffd Open umbrellas giving protection in the rain, shot from a higher perspective

Examples of Patterns<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Patterns 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Patterns 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Patterns 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Patterns 4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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COMPETITION THEMES: 2026 \u2013 2027<\/strong> (FUTURE)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar <\/strong>– This theme challenges you to see new patterns in your environment. It involves identifying subjects that are distinct yet appear in a manner that creates a complementary visual effect. This could encompass individuals wearing patterned clothes against a backdrop of similar patterns, objects of varying sizes reclining in the same posture, or the iconic image of people and pets that share a striking resemblance. The key is that the subjects are different and not simply a mirror image. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industrial <\/strong>– This depicts the essential machinery and equipment employed in a production process as opposed to the process of building something.  Potentially, this could include the workers involved that production process. It may highlight the complex technology on a production line, the maze of pipes in a power plant or the unique apparatus used in food production. Industrial photography can be found in various settings, including plants, breweries and distilleries, welding shops, or even local coffee roasters and donut & candy shops making your favorite treats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seascapes <\/strong>– Captures the essence of the coast where the land meets the water. It can be a serene beach scene with umbrellas and chairs on a summer day, crashing waves with individual water drops emanating from the spray, long exposures with ethereal smooth water, or even a dramatic sunrise\/sunset over the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Similar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Industrial<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Seascapes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Themes from past years<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

COMPETITION THEMES FOR 2024 \u2013 2025 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motion:<\/strong> Competition Date: December 17, 2024<\/strong>
This theme tasks us to display motion as the dominant subject of our images.  The motion could be of a person or persons, an animal or animals, a moving man-made object, water, or practically anything that is moving.  Let your creativity shine through! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self Portraits:<\/strong> Competition Date: February 18, 2025<\/strong>
As photographers, we always photograph behind the lens, except when we take a \u201cselfie\u201d with our cell phones. Creating self-portraits will move us out in front of our own lens, and beyond the selfie as we turn the camera around to develop our portraiture skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No selfies for this theme! Selfies are described as simple photos that can be easily taken without a lot of planning. True portraits require preparation, planning and time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you create your self-portrait, consider your location, lighting and composition that will capture a moment that portrays you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, the photo needs to be taken by you, not someone else pushing the shutter, so get out those remotes, use your camera’s timer, say “cheese,\u201d and have fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Texture:<\/strong> Competition Date: April 15, 2025: <\/strong>
Texture is described as the visual or tactile\/touchable appearance of something. This theme challenges you to capture a photo with a clearly dominant subject that features texture that can be felt through the presentation of the image. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Water motion (slow shutter causes silky appearance)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Texture in sand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Self-portrait (using 2-sec shutter timer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Theme examples for 2024-2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

COMPETITION THEMES FOR 2023\u20132024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written Language<\/strong>:
Competition Date: November 21, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The image should include some element of a written language \u2013 using letters, characters, words, or some portion thereof. All the world\u2019s written languages are acceptable. Compositions can be created or found, real or abstract – although the language elements must not be abstracted beyond recognition. The language elements must be photographed and not added in post-processing \u2013 no captions or layers of added text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written language is both impactful and beautiful. We can\u2019t help but read it wherever it appears in public spaces \u2013 such as on street and shop signs, as well as in our own spaces – such as on books, handwritings, keyboards, labels, etc. The more you look, the more you will see. It draws the eye and may convey more than one meaning depending upon the setting.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written language can also be visually appealing in terms of its shapes, patterns, curves, and lines, independent of any linguistic meaning \u2013 the language elements that you include do not need to be \u201cread\u201d as text.  This is your chance to make the written language engaging in new ways!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural Sand<\/strong>:
Competition Date: January 16, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The image must include natural sand. Natural sand is a granular material composed of finely divided rock or mineral particles, such as silicates and volcanic minerals, as well as coral and biogenic sands \u2013 these result in sands that are white, yellow, tan, pink, green, black, and other colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sand can\u2019t help but play with wind and water to make beautiful and interesting designs. Sand is also a basic landscape material that might escape notice.  From the sand dunes on a wind-swept beach to desert sands, sand castles, meditation gardens, local parks, children\u2019s playgrounds, and sports fields, the possibilities are all around us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compositions can be created or found, real or abstract. You may come across natural sand and human-made creations in both obvious places and places you may not consider until you start to look and pay attention. And feel free to create your own composition with sand as a major element! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making the World Go \u2018Round – Gears, Sprockets, and Wheels<\/strong>:
Competition Date: March 19, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The image should include gears, sprockets, or wheels. Gears, sprockets, and wheels have two things in common – they are round and move in a circular motion. Some we see daily \u2013 such as bikes and auto wheels, while others are usually hidden from view, such as gears in many watches and clocks. They come in all sizes, from minuscule to gigantic.  Some are practical and utilitarian, and some are colorful and fun. They could be in motion or at rest. They could be functional or no longer in service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compositions can be created or found, real or abstract.  Definitions: A gear<\/strong> is a rotating circular machine part having cut teeth which mesh with another toothed part to transmit torque and speed. A sprocket<\/strong>, sprocket-wheel<\/strong> or chainwheel<\/strong> is a profiled wheel with teeth that mesh with a chain, track, or other perforated or indented material.  A wheel<\/strong> is a circular frame or disk arranged to revolve on an axis, as part of a vehicle or machinery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Written Language<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Gears, Sprockets and Wheels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Competitions Themes for 2022\u20132023<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Prepared Food (Competition Date: November 15, 2022): <\/strong> For this theme, you should make images of prepared food that is good enough to eat, whatever it may be \u2013 a plate of fried fish, a souffl\u00e9 ready to collapse, a steaming bowl of pea soup with home-made bread, etc.  This food must be cooked or prepared and ready to eat.  Creative presentation of the food is encouraged.  No images of raw, unprepared food not ready to be eaten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Street Photography at Night (Competition Date: January 17, 2023):<\/strong>  For this theme \u201cstreet photography\u201d is defined as a photograph featuring (1) the human condition, or (2) the relationship or interaction between people and their surroundings.  There should be a person in the image, although that person need not be the subject of the photo. A street photo example could be a candid, semi-candid or spontaneous (but not staged) photo of a person (or persons) in a public, private or open place doing something other than posing for you to take their picture.  This is also night photography meaning the image should be taken after sunset and before sunrise.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creative Altered Reality (Competition Date: March 21, 2023):  <\/strong>Your image may be of any subject matter and must obviously display a change in the natural order of things whether by color, form, shape, or any combination of these three.  All images must be original and may not incorporate elements produced by anyone else.  Artwork or computer graphics generated by you may be incorporated if the original photographic content predominates.  Images may not be constructed entirely within a computer.  Hi-key, low-key, or High Dynamic Range (HDR) images without further changes are not considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The adjustments you make to an image should result in an \u201caltered reality\u201d and not simply the removal, adjustment, or replacement of an element.  You should be able to see immediately that the photograph has been creatively manipulated. <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In-camera techniques can be employed and you can play with the myriad programs and plugins, tools, and techniques that are available to digital photographers this competition will be the one place where anything goes as long as it is your original work.  Some examples might involve painting filters, distortion, abstracting your image, applying a creative filter, mirroring, compositing, etc., etc.  Get creative!  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prepared Food<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Street Photos at Night<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Altered Reality<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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competitions Themes for 2021-2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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