SMCCC Competitions are conducted strictly in accordance with a set of rules last modified in 2023. It behooves all members considering entering competitions to read the rules carefully. For instance, digital entries must be named properly and submitted early to be entered. At each competition, there is a general category for each skill level, plus a single themed category open to all skill levels. These and other important details can be found in the rules.
Below are descriptions for each of the themes for our monthly competitions in 2023. These are just guidelines to get your creative juices flowing. In general, the theme competition will be judged based on a combination of technical merit, composition, creativity, originality, and how well the image relates to the theme. Keep in mind that each judge may have their own interpretation of the theme and how well an image portrays that theme.
NOTE 1: The due date by which your competition photos must be uploaded to the www.smccc.org website is the WEDNESDAY before the competition. (See the Competition tab to access the Competition page and the Login Page link.)
NOTE 2: If the tutorials are not readily accessed by clicking on the links, you might have to then scrollup or scroll down on the page that opened and click or right click on a button link to "Open Site in New Window".
Jan 9, 2024 Competition Theme: High Key
What is High-Key Photography?
In short, high-key images are those that have few shadows and have the subject set against a very bright background.
High-key images are often set against over-exposed backdrops. In high-key photos, the average of all the pixels in the image is very bright.
High-key is the opposite of low-key images that are defined by their darker tones.
Links:
1. High Key Photography:An Ultimate Guide to High Key Images
2. HOW TO DO HIGH KEY PHOTOGRAPHY (EXAMPLES, SETTINGS & IDEAS)
3. Landscape Photography | A complete guide to High Key Processing
Mar 12, 2024 Competition Theme: Mirrors
May 14, 2024 Competition Theme: Sculpting With Light
Sept. 10, 2024 No Club Competition due to the County Fair this month. Remember to submit photos to the fair's Photography Department competition on the Wednesday before the fairway opens. In September, see www.smcfair.somd.com for the link to the 2023 fairbook containing exhibit entry rules and timelines. Please volunteer to help the club with running the fair's photo competition and exhibit!
Oct 8, 2024 Competition Theme: Minimalist
Nov 12, 2024 EOY Competition
Submit your photos by email to competition@smccc.org
Don't forget to check out the Competition Rules!