Monthly Image Challenge
September 2023 - LESS IS MORE
The September challenge was defined as Less is More the phrase that is attributed to Chilon of Sparta and is a good one for us to explore photographically. Ask not what can be added to the frame, but what can be removed. Terry Newman was asked to choose this month’s best entries.
GATEWAY TO THE SKY by Joan Jordan was selected Image of the Month. Terry said in my his selection - I really like this image which suits monochrome and invites thoughtfulness. With the perspective it makes you consider what is beyond the gates and up in the sky. The gates contain interesting shapes and the lighter shade on the open gate is a nice detail which draws the viewers eye in.
Dave and I paid a quick afternoon visit to The Vicarage Garden a few weeks ago and as it was a sunny afternoon I took my Canon M3 which had been converted to Infrared. The clouds were beautiful and the infrared camera picked up some lovely patterns. The large wrought iron gates provided a base to capture the clouds reaching upwards. There was no need to take the whole of the gates as just giving the viewer a part of them was enough to show what they were and left room in the image for more of the clouds – I had in mind ‘less is more’ when I took the shot.
Joan Jordan
Terry chose MORE IS LESS by Sue Telford as the first runner-up. I liked this image immediately my eyes saw it and it could easily be in a magazine. The red neon light casting colour across the image gives it mood and who wouldn’t want to grab a coffee and sit down here? I would’ve been tempted to clone out the wall socket but I am nitpicking.
Second runner-up was BRIDGE TO NOWHERE by Dave Balcombe. A minimalist seascape image with drama in the sky and a sense of isolation. The letterbox crop and subtle grey tones work well. If possible, I would’ve pulled back the bright highlights in the middle of the sky as they are a little overpowering but good work nonetheless.
Explaining his experience of being asked to review the September challenge Terry said “I was surprised to be asked to judge the monthly competition and somewhat nervous given no qualifications or experience. But I’ve seen plenty of competitions and judges and like everyone have opinions so inevitably the outcome is my view of things. I read the competition brief and the rules, and set about putting aside my own preferences and I enjoyed viewing all the images”.
GATEWAY TO THE SKY by Joan Jordan
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 OCTOBER (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.
BLACK AND WHITE STREET PHOTOGRAPHY that was shaped by documentary greats such as Cartier-Bresson, Doisneau, Maier, Atget, Evans and many more
Members can enter a maximum of TWO images in the challenge
When submitting images for the OCTOBER challenge the reference to be added at the end of the file name is MC10.
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’s Choice
When each challenge closes a 'Selector' will be asked to select an image of the month and two runners-up together with a few words explaining their selections.
The ‘Selector’ will be provided with a slideshow that contains all the images that have been entered in that month’s challenge. Only the title of the images will be visible, and all metadata will be deleted so that the author cannot be readily identified.
Selectors will be reminded when the receive the slideshow that the ‘Monthly Image Challenge’ has everything to do with having fun and being inclusive. It is not about winning or losing but rather it 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 September’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.