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Competitions

Download The Aperture Group's Competition Rules

MONOCHROME LANDSCAPES

January 2025

Subject: Monochrome Landscapes

 

Objective: To celebrate the beauty and artistry of black and white landscape photography, highlighting the interplay of light, shadow, and texture.

Categories

 

Natural Landscapes: Images capturing the raw beauty of nature, including mountains, forests, rivers, and deserts.

 

Urban Landscapes: Photos showcasing cityscapes, architecture, and urban environments.

 

Abstract Landscapes: Creative interpretations of landscapes, focusing on patterns, shapes, and forms.

 

In photography, monochromatic refers to images that use varying tones of a single colour. Here are some key points about monochromatic photography:

 

Single Colour Focus: Monochromatic photography involves capturing images using different shades of one colour. This can be black and white, but it can also include other colours like sepia, cyan, or any other single hue1.

 

Light and Shadow: Instead of relying on multiple colours, monochromatic photography emphasises the use of light and shadow to create depth and contrast. This technique can highlight textures and shapes in a unique way.

 

Artistic Expression: Monochromatic images often have a timeless and artistic quality. They can evoke strong emotions and focus the viewer’s attention on the subject without the distraction of colour.

 

Techniques: Photographers may use filters, lighting adjustments, and post-processing techniques to achieve the desired monochromatic effect.

 

Common Uses: While black and white is the most common form of monochromatic photography, other tones like sepia (brownish tones) and cyan (blue tones) are also popular. These can be achieved through different photographic processes or digital editing.

Monochromatic photography is a powerful way to convey mood and atmosphere, making it a favourite among many photographers for both artistic and technical applications.

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Digitals due in on the 14th of January 2025                    

Competition night is the 21st of January 2025

Email:  tagcompetitions@gmail.com

ENVIRONMENTAL TRASH

February 2025

Subject: Environmental Trash

 

Objective: To raise awareness about the impact of trash on the environment and to inspire action towards waste reduction and environmental conservation.

 

Categories

 

Urban Waste: Images depicting trash in urban settings, such as streets, parks, and public spaces.

 

Nature’s Lament: Photos showing the impact of trash on natural landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems.

 

Creative Reuse: Images that highlight innovative ways of reusing or recycling trash.

 

Human Interaction: Photos capturing people’s interactions with trash, including cleanup efforts and waste management.

Environmental trash encompasses various type of rubbish from construction scraps to demolition debris to oil or chemical spills, to wastewater leaks. What can you find that fit the brief of "Environmental Trash?"

Digitals due in on the 28th January 2025                          

​Competition night is on Tuesday 4th February 2025

Email:  tagcompetitions@gmail.com

UNDERNEATH

March 2025

Subject: Underneath

 

Objective: To explore and capture the hidden, often overlooked perspectives and scenes found beneath the surface.

 

Categories

 

Nature’s Underbelly: Images showcasing what lies beneath natural elements like leaves, rocks, water surfaces, etc.

 

Urban Underworld: Photos capturing the hidden aspects of urban environments, such as subways, basements, and underground structures.

Human Perspective: Images depicting what is underneath from a human perspective, like under tables, beds, or even the view from below looking up.

 

Abstract Underneath: Creative interpretations of the theme, focusing on patterns, textures, and forms found underneath various objects.

 

Crouch down and start to look at things from a different angle, for example this can be from underneath a flower or underneath the water.

Digitals due in on the 25th February 2025                             

Competition night is 4th March 2025

Email:  tagcompetitions@gmail.com

DOUBLE EXPOSURE

April 2025

Objective: To explore the creative possibilities of combining two or more images into a single frame, highlighting the artistic and surreal effects of double exposure photography.

 

Categories

 

Portraits: Double exposure images that combine human portraits with other elements like nature, urban scenes, or abstract textures.

 

Nature and Landscapes: Photos that blend different natural elements or landscapes to create unique and imaginative compositions.

 

Abstract and Conceptual: Creative and experimental double exposures that focus on patterns, shapes, and conceptual ideas.

 

Urban and Street: Images that merge urban scenes, architecture, or street photography with other elements to tell a compelling story.

 

In camera or manipulated in post processing. Must be your own images and not using AI

Digitals due in on the 25th March 2025                            

Competition night is 1st April 2024

Email:  tagcompetitions@gmail.com

VINTAGE THINGS

May 2025

Subject: Vintage Things

 

Objective: To capture the charm and nostalgia of vintage items, showcasing their beauty, history, and timeless appeal.

 

Categories

Vintage Objects: Photos of antique items such as furniture, tools, toys, and other collectibles.

 

Vintage Fashion: Images highlighting vintage clothing, accessories, and fashion styles.

 

Vintage Vehicles: Photos of classic cars, bicycles, and other vintage modes of transportation.

 

Vintage Scenes: Capturing scenes that evoke a sense of the past, such as old buildings, streets, and interiors.

 

Portraits of people not allowed.

This can be anything old, vintage but not people.

Digitals due in on the 29th  April 2025                              

Competition night is 6th May 2025

Email:  tagcompetitions@gmail.com

SELF PORTRAIT

June 2025

Subject: Self-Portrait

 

Objective: To explore and celebrate the art of self-portraiture, encouraging photographers to express their identity, emotions, and creativity through their own lens.

 

Categories

 

Traditional Self-Portrait: Classic self-portraits focusing on the photographer’s face or body.

 

Conceptual Self-Portrait: Creative and abstract interpretations that convey deeper meanings or stories.

 

Environmental Self-Portrait: Images that place the photographer in a specific context or setting, highlighting their relationship with the environment.

 

Experimental Self-Portrait: Innovative techniques such as double exposure, reflections, or digital manipulation.

 

Use the trigger or self timer to create something about yourself. 

Use the trigger or self timer to create something about yourself. Will you show your inner feelings? Maybe yourself in a flowing dress in a landscape? A dark and moody studio shot?

Digitals due in on the 27th May 2025                  

Competition night is the 3rd June 2025

Email:  tagcompetitions@gmail.com

A TOUCH OF RED

July 2025

Subject: A Touch of Red

 

Objective: To creatively incorporate the color red into your photographs, using it as a focal point or accent to enhance the visual impact and storytelling of the image.

 

Categories

 

Nature and Wildlife: Images that feature red elements in natural settings, such as flowers, animals, or landscapes.

 

Urban and Street: Photos capturing red elements in urban environments, including architecture, street scenes, and everyday objects.

 

Portraits: Portraits where red is used to highlight or accentuate the subject, such as clothing, accessories, or background elements.

 

Abstract and Conceptual: Creative and abstract interpretations that use red to convey a specific concept or emotion.

The colour red being the stand out hero of the image

Digitals due in on the 24th June 2025               

Competition night is 1st July 2025

Email:  tagcompetitions@gmail.com

RAIN

August 2025

Subject: Rain

 

Objective: To capture the beauty, mood, and atmosphere created by rain, showcasing its impact on landscapes, urban settings, and everyday life.

 

Categories

 

Rainy Landscapes: Images capturing the effect of rain on natural landscapes, such as forests, mountains, and rivers.

 

Urban Rain: Photos depicting rain in urban environments, including streets, buildings, and city life.

 

People in the Rain: Images showing people interacting with rain, whether through activities, emotions, or daily routines.

Abstract Rain: Creative interpretations of rain, focusing on patterns, reflections, and textures.

 

This image must be less than 60 days old.

Digitals due in on the 29th July 2025                          

Competition night is on 5th August 2025

Email:  tagcompetitions@gmail.com

MAGAZINE COVER

September 2025

Subject: Magazine Cover

 

Objective: To create striking and compelling images that could be featured on the cover of a magazine, capturing attention and telling a story at a glance.

 

Categories

 

Fashion and Beauty: Images that highlight fashion trends, beauty, and style.

 

Lifestyle and Culture: Photos that capture everyday life, cultural moments, and human interest stories.

 

Nature and Wildlife: Stunning images of natural landscapes, wildlife, and environmental themes.

 

Sports and Action: Dynamic shots that convey the excitement and energy of sports and action scenes.

 

Abstract and Conceptual: Creative and artistic interpretations that push the boundaries of traditional magazine covers.

 

The image can include text. This text does not need to be photographic in nature. You can use software to add the text.  

 

Remember the days of flicking paper through your fingers? Why not create a front page cover of your favourite genre.

Digitals due in on the 26th August 2025           

Competition night is the2nd September 2025

Email:  tagcompetitions@gmail.com

TEXTURE

October 2025

Subject: Texture

 

Objective: To explore and capture the intricate details and tactile qualities of various surfaces, highlighting the beauty and complexity of textures in photography.

Categories

 

Natural Textures: Images showcasing textures found in nature, such as tree bark, leaves, rocks, and water.

 

Man-Made Textures: Photos capturing textures in urban environments, including buildings, fabrics, and everyday objects.

 

Macro Textures: Close-up images that reveal the fine details and patterns of textures.

 

Abstract Textures: Creative interpretations that focus on the patterns, shapes, and forms of textures.

Digitals due in on the 30th September 2025        

Competition night is the 7th October 2025

Email:  tagcompetitions@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

November 2025

Subject: Abstract

 

Objective: To explore and capture the essence of abstract photography, emphasizing creativity, imagination, and the use of shapes, colors, and patterns to create visually compelling images.

 

Categories

 

Geometric Abstractions: Images focusing on geometric shapes and patterns.

 

Color Abstractions: Photos that use color as the primary element to create abstract compositions.

 

Texture and Form: Images that highlight textures and forms in an abstract manner.

 

Light and Shadow: Photos that play with light and shadow to create abstract effects.

Look for different shapes and forms to capture something abstract.

Digitals due in on the 28th October 2025                       

Competition night is 4th November 2025

Email:  tagcompetitions@gmail.com

Annual Awards & Christmas Party

December 2025

Each financial member can submit 2 x digital entries and 2 x print entries providing that they have been entered in any of the 2025 competitions.

The images cannot have been altered in any way.

 

Both prints and digitals need to be submitted to the Competition Director by 18th November 2025.  

This is to gives time to let the judge award our Print and Digital Image of the Year, and to get our awards engraved.

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