I'm soliciting ideas for the next photo contest.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

Hi there,

I'm looking for suggestions for the subject matter of the next photo contest. I have a couple of ideas, but I sure could use some suggestions as well.

Here's what I've been thinking of.

1) "I had to pull over for this one."
Have you ever been driving along and seen something that you just had to stop and take a picture of? It might be a sunset, a beautiful mountain or seascape, a wild animal, a street scene, a cool car or a funny sign. It could be any subject at all, just as long as it was something you had to pull over for. It could be something you shot out the window, or something that you actually had to park the car and get out for. We would have to trust that you wouldn't cheat, but including your vehicle in the shot would certainly help your credibility.

2) Shot on film.
Any subject you want, just as long as the original image was shot on film. There are still labs out there processing film, and they make digital copies of the images. You could always borrow someone's old film camera if you don't own one. The only downside would be that us old farts have boxes and boxes of old photos we can scan, so we would have an advantage.

3) The Rules of Composition
The rule of thirds, the golden spiral, leading lines, S-Curves, balance and symmetry, negative space. etc. Maybe this one is too vague, but your entry would have to have at least one of these elements figuring prominently in your composition.

Those are my ideas so far, but admittedly they aren't great. I think #1 might be fun. However, if you have any other ideas, please post them here.

Thanks!

Ross

[madaboutharry]

1. Black and white.

Did you ever have a contest for photos shot/printed exclusively in black and white?

I often find black and white photos particularly beautiful.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

2. I was thinking the same thing.

I was going to put black and white in my list. I'm still new around here, so I didn't know if it had ever been done. Of course, there is no reason why we couldn't do it again if it has.

Thanks!

[mnhtnbb]

9. You can find a list of previous topics--and winners--in the linked threads below

https://www.democraticunderground.com/103669842

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10364949

[Grumpy Old Guy]

10. Thanks!

I had forgotten about these.

[niyad]

3. New beginnings/new life.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

4. That's good.

[SamKnause]

5. Down on the Farm.

Photos of farm animals and crops.

[HAB911]

6. I'm conflicted

I like 1) and 2) equally, so am of little help

[I_UndergroundPanther]

7. I like the pull over and must have pic one

What about walking and must have pic? I don't drive.

[mnhtnbb]

8. Moment in time

This would be the shot that can't be set up, that is gone--or significantly different--within a few seconds. Action shots of people or animals or storms (lightning, for example) or anything else that is changing within a short period of time. Sunrise, sunset, clouds. Vehicles in motion: planes, trains, boats, autos, bikes...

The subject of the photo is not stationary.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

11. Great suggestion! Thanks!

[edhopper]

12. I like #1 or #2

both interesting ideas.
#3 sounds like any well composed photo would do, to wide open. I also suspect people will vote on the photo they like best without regard to composition as the main criteria.