Theme Competition
The themes for season 2025/2026 are –
- Movement in Motion
- Street Photography
The judge for this competition is Clive Watkins.
Guidance for the 2025 Themed Competition.
The theme “Movement in Motion” in photography is all about capturing the energy, dynamism, and essence of movement. It emphasises not just that something is moving, but also the feeling of that motion, the blur, the tension, the rhythm, and sometimes even the stillness that contrasts with the movement around it.
Here are a few ideas and approaches you could explore within this theme:
Creative Concepts:
- Long Exposure Motion Blur:
- Light trails from cars, stars (astrophotography), or sparklers.
- Blurred dancers or athletes with still backgrounds.
- Panning Shots:
- Following a moving subject (like a cyclist or a car) to keep them in focus while blurring the background.
- Freeze Frame Action:
- Use a high shutter speed to capture a sharp moment mid-action — a splash of water, a skateboard trick, or a bird in flight.
- Intentional Camera Movement (ICM):
- Move the camera while shooting to create abstract, flowing motion effects.
- Motion in Nature:
- Flowing waterfalls, rustling leaves, or swaying grass in the wind.
- Urban Motion:
- Crowded streets, subway trains rushing by, people walking through crosswalks.
- Contrasting Stillness and Movement:
- A person standing still among a blur of moving people or cars.
Mood & Style:
- Energetic & Bold: Bright colours, fast action, dramatic angles.
- Ethereal & Dreamy: Soft motion blur, pastel tones, gentle lighting.
- Urban & Gritty: Black and white, contrasty shots of street life in motion.
Deeper Meanings You Can Explore:
- The passage of time.
- The chaos vs. calm of modern life.
- Movement is a metaphor for change, progress, or emotion.
Street photography is such a rich and expressive genre. It’s all about capturing candid moments in public spaces, giving a raw and authentic look at everyday life, culture, and human interaction. A strong theme can elevate your series from casual snapshots to a compelling visual story.
Street Photography Theme Ideas
1. “The Rhythm of the City”
- Focus on patterns, routines, and daily life — commuters, crosswalks, city noise, repetitive actions.
- Emphasise movement, rhythm, and timing.
2. “Faces in the Crowd”
- Highlight individual people within busy scenes.
- Use framing or lighting to isolate subjects in large crowds.
3. “Urban Solitude”
- Capture loneliness or stillness in the midst of chaos.
- People alone on benches, in cafes, or walking through empty streets.
4. “Shadows & Silhouettes”
- Use harsh light, contrast, and shadows creatively.
- Tell stories through form and mood rather than detail.
5. “Signs of Life”
- Focus on how people leave traces — graffiti, litter, worn shoes, handprints, street art.
- Often works without showing people directly.
6. “Juxtapositions”
- Contrast rich vs poor, old vs young, tradition vs modernity.
- Play with unexpected combinations — fashion, ads, signage vs reality.
7. “Under the Surface”
- Dig into hidden or overlooked aspects of city life: alleys, behind-the-scenes workers, underground spaces, early morning or late night streets.
Stylistic Approaches
- Black & White: Classic and timeless; great for emphasising form and emotion.
- Colour Pops: Muted surroundings with one bold splash of colour (umbrella, jacket, etc).
- Layered Scenes: Foreground, midground, background — multiple stories in one frame.
- Minimalist: Clean compositions with strong geometry and a single subject.
Tips for Shooting
- Be patient — street photography is often about waiting for the right moment.
- Look for light — reflections, shadows, window light, and backlighting can transform an ordinary scene.
- Respect your subjects, especially in close candid shots. A smile or nod goes a long way.