Monthly Image Challenge
JANUARY 2023 - RULE OF THIRDS
The images in the January Monthly Image Challenge; the first of 2023 were reviewed by Ian Saunders whose name was chosen in the ballot to be this month’s Selector. Here are Ian’s top three images and the reasons why he liked them:
Image of the month is AUTUMN by Des King - This is a simple, but striking image of a fallen leaf.
All of the action takes place in the lower third with the remaining two thirds being no more than a green gradient negative space. This green background points to the leaf's former youthful vibrance back in the spring.
First runner-up is WORLD BEYOND THE WINDOW by Joan Jordan - A semi abstract view of outside vegetation, perhaps viewed through a shed or greenhouse window..? The colour pallet is pleasingly balanced with the window frame bang on the supposed "rule of thirds" gridlines.
Finally, second runner up is FENCE TO NOWHERE by Dave Balcombe - A long exposure image featuring a delicate fence which drifts in and around the "gridlines". The solid object (a rock?) on the final vertical third appears incongruous in the context of the image; I wonder if the image would benefit from its removal?
AUTUMN by Des King
Monthly Image Challenge
Each monthly challenge begins on the first day and closes at midnight on the 24th day of each month. The ‘image of the month’ and two runners-up will normally be announced before the end of the month. The theme for the FEBRUARY (2023) CHALLENGE is shown below. It is a ‘PICTORIAL’ challenge meaning there is no restriction regarding the composition of the image and post-processing techniques you may use.
BACKLIGHTING - People often think of golden hour when they think of backlighting but there are many types of backlighting for you to explore
Members can enter a maximum of TWO images in the challenge
When submitting images for the FEBRUARY challenge the reference to be added at the end of the file name is MC02.
About the challenge
The Society’s Monthly Image Challenge is the perfect opportunity for members to test their photography skills, and to compete with other members in a friendly environment without the rigours of formal competitive photographic competitions. It is, therefore, a perfect challenge for anyone who has recently joined NDPS, particularly if they are just starting out on their photographic journey, and/or, have not entered a photo-competition before.
The Monthly Image Challenge is open to all CURRENT members of the Society including eMEMBERS
The THEME for each challenge will be confirmed at the start of each challenge but for those who prefer to plan ahead they can also be found along with everything else you need to know about the Monthly Image Challenge below.
Selector/Judge’s Choice
When each monthly challenge closes a ‘ballot’ will be held to pick at random the member who will be asked to select the ‘image of the month’, two runners-up, and to provide a few words explaining their choices.
INCLUDED in the ballot will be the names of those members who entered images in the monthly challenge that has just closed but in order that everyone get a chance to be a ‘selector’ the names of those members who have been the selector for any of the last three closed monthly challenges will not be included
Selectors will be reminded that the ‘Monthly Image Challenge’ has everything to do with being fun and inclusive. It is not about winning or losing but rather should reward those members who take a chance, are bold with their composition, try something new or simply invoke emotion in the mind of the viewer.
Gallery of all January’s Images
Monthly Image Challenge
As with all other photographic competitions, there are few rules to follow. These are required to create a ‘level playing field’ for all who participate and because it is much easier and quicker to handle and store the images if they all arrive correctly named in the same format and size. In addition, for members who are less familiar with submitting images into formal competitions it is also good practice, under no pressure, for the real thing...!
The ‘image of the month‘ will be displayed on the Society’s website together with a gallery showing all the other images entered that month’s challenge. There will also be an archive so members can look back through the galleries of past monthly challenges. The ‘image of the month’ will also appear on the cover of In Focus (the Society’s monthly newsletter) and on the Society’s Facebook page @ndpsinfocus.