Assigned Topic Definitions for 2019/2020

Back Alleys – Narrow passages between buildings in old or poorly-maintained city blocks.  For this competition, a back alley could be a very narrow street (one car wide or narrower) that clearly shows signs of age or is dirty, has garbage and junk, and is poorly kept.

Black & White – A black and white image containing various shades of grey from black to white is considered to be monochrome photo.  A black & white work toned entirely in a single color will remain a monochrome work able to stand in the black & white category (e.g., sepia toned).  No additional colors will be allowed in the B&W images (e.g., selective coloring).

Broken – The main subject in the picture must be an object that is clearly broken.  For example, a broken window, a collapsed building, an old car that is visibly missing parts, or a broken piece of equipment.  An old object that doesn’t work, but appears to be complete would not quality (e.g., an old appliance that no longer works, but doesn’t show a broken piece).

Creative Digital – The pictures for this competition must be post-processed creatively, using a computer or mobile device application to manipulate it.  The judge must be able to see that the image was enhanced creatively in post work.  Your title for the picture may help the judge identify your enhancement, but for this Creative Digital topic, less-realistic presentations would be best.

Landscape/Scenic Landscape – Landscape photography shows wide nature scenes with minimal or no inclusion of man-made objects.  A landscape photo is made outside the city and shows an open scene.  It’s permissible to include man-made elements, such as a road, a fence, a house, a vineyard, or a barn.  However, these should only be small supporting elements in the scene.  For example, a road may provide a leading line or a person or a house may be used to enhance the composition, act as an anchor point, or show scale relative to the vast landscape.

Macro – Macro photography refers to taking pictures of small things at close range.  Any small object, or a small portion of a larger object, can be a subject for macro photography.  A good macro photo reveals details and textures in the object that can’t be observed with normal photography or by an undiscerning eye.  For our Macro / Close-up Photography competition, the main subject shown the image should be 3 inches or smaller.  The main subject shown may be a small portion of a larger object (e.g., center of a flower, tip of a finger).

Wildlife without Birds – The main subject must be a wild (not domesticated) animal.  Insects, fish, and marine mammals are also allowed.  Nature photography rules (e.g., no man-hand evidence and minimal post work) apply to this competition.