2026 Monthly Themes
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Theme assignments are designed to move you out of your comfort zone to try something new. Some themes are selected to be relatively easy while others are more challenging and may require special equipment (e.g. neutral density filters) or familiarity with editing software. Ideally, members should bring showcase quality theme photos to club meetings, but quality is less important than demonstrating you have learned from the challenges. Theme images should be recent, taken within the past year, as they are meant to reflect our growth in the art and craft of photography.
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Jan "Digital Manipulation" Feb "Windows"
Mar "Shadows" Apr "Abandoned" May "Market Day" Jun "Plants In B&W" July "Water" Aug "Motion" Sept "Nature" Oct "Macro/Close-ups" Nov. "Weather Mood" Dec "Slide show" |
Please note: To share theme and other photos, please read How to Submit Images
January: Digital Manipulation
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Photo manipulation refers to going beyond what is normally done to make images look better by altering their appearance to create entirely new ones. A vast array of post-processing tools and techniques are available today to transform ordinary images into photographic works of art. Methods for altering digital photographs range from very basic to extremely complex techniques to produce amazing surrealistic and abstract works of art. Common manipulation practices include removing undesirable elements, changing colors, replacing skies, combining multiple photos, and applying textures, glows or blurs to an image. Many photo editing software applications contain filters specifically designed for creating striking visual effects. Filters exist, for example, to simulate analog film types or photos from toy cameras, or to change photos into paintings and drawings; not to mention all of the amazing things that can be accomplished through artificial intelligence. If you are new to photo manipulation or never tried, start off using simple techniques. Follow your Muse and have Fun! When you submit your images, we will want to see the “before’ and ‘after” images. Label each pair as (a)...the before and (b)...the after (Example: A1 (a) (b), A2 (a) (b), A3 (a) (b). |
February: Windows
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The concept of Windows lends itself to both literal and figurative interpretation. For a literal interpretation you might focus the viewers’ attention on window dressings (drapery, blinds, cornice, shutters, etc.); a window’s shape, size, location, or position in relation to other windows; how light moves through or is filtered by the window; colors, texture, ornaments, or design of a window’s glass surface; or the degree by which the window is open and permissive of a creature’s passage. For a figurative interpretation you might wish to use a window as a portal through which to view what lies on the other side; as a lens to magnify, amplify, or focus the viewer’s attention; as a window in time to capture something or somebody moving through time; as a window of opportunity depicting a new perspective or development; as a window into the past depicting an event of great significance; or as a window into the future taking a peak into what is yet to be. |
March: Shadows
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Shadow photography depicts the contrast between light and dark to significantly impact composition. Knowing how to work with these contrasting elements can result in some truly spectacular images. Shadows can help to direct attention to a specific point in a composition. They can reveal form or hide features that may be better left unseen. They can also be used to add a hint of drama, emotion, interest, or mystery to a photo. And shadows make great subjects! You can feature a shadow as part of the focal point by including it with the subject. Or, consider leaving the subject out of the image and focusing instead on the shadows. This works especially well if the subject has a strong outline – such as a person, an animal, trees, a bicycle, or any other form that’s easily recognizable. |
April: Abandoned
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Capture abandoned subjects with wide angle shots to show the scale of decay, or with close-ups to highlight textures; use natural light to create mood. Ideas include documenting overgrown plants taking over buildings; looking for symmetrical arrangements in architecture; focusing on details such as peeling paint on abandoned objects; using wide angle shots to show the vastness of the abandoned space; and highlighting objects that hint at a past life. And sadly, but with care, you could focus on living subjects who have been abandoned. |
May: Market Day
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Farmers markets and flea markets are good subjects for this theme. To effectively photograph markets, experiment with various camera angles; focus on the fresh produce or goods for sale by capturing close-ups and vibrant colors; utilize natural light, or take wide shots to show the market layout and lively atmosphere. To add a personal touch to your market photos, take advantage of opportunities for capturing candid interactions between vendors and shoppers. |
June: Plants in B&W
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Black and white photography is uniquely suited for discovering plant details that may otherwise go unnoticed. It encourages you to look past color and to focus on visual elements of texture, shape, and form, and on the play between light and shadow emphasizing those elements. It evokes a sense of timelessness and emotion allowing us to see flowers and plants in a more intimate and artistic way. The key to making good black and white photos of plants is to start with images that have good tonal contrast. For example, a photo of a white or yellow flower against a dark green background looks great in black and white. Bold compositions are created when your subject has interesting textures in areas of sharpness. Consider setting your camera to Monochrome (RAW + JPEG) to help you see how the black and white image will look. This is especially useful if you are having difficulty visualizing how it will look beforehand. Finally, carefully consider how you will post-process your images to take full advantage of how really good they can look in black and white. |
July: Water
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There are many ways to make water the subject of your photographs. Create grand landscapes featuring rivers, waterfalls or the sea. Capture the movement and texture of water in waterfalls, streams, and crashing waves. Photograph reflections in mirror still water of puddles and lakes, or create abstract images of objects reflected in disturbed water. Alternatively, take intimate shots of dew drops on surfaces like glass and leaves or raindrops on windows. Consider photographing the unique textures and forms of ice, frost, and snow, or abstract patterns created by mixing water and oil. To create a "silky" effect on moving water of streams and falls, use slow shutter speeds (e.g., seconds) to blur motion. Use very long exposures (e.g., many seconds to minutes with an ND filter) to create a glassy, or mirrored effect in still bodies of water. Use fast shutter speeds to freeze the action of crashing waves or splashing droplets. (see August’s theme on capturing motion). |
August: Motion
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This theme challenges us to convey the motion of a moving subject with a still photograph. You can imply motion by panning a moving object while blurring the background, or conversely, using a slow shutter speed to blur a moving object while keeping the background sharp. Freezing rapid motion with fast shutter speeds may work for some subjects, such as wildlife; however, this often tends to produce static photographs. Photographing moving objects, like flying birds or running animals, short bursts can reveal dramatic action or patterns of motion. |
September: Nature
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Nature photography refers to images taken outdoors and devoted to displaying natural elements such as landscapes wildlife, plants, and close-ups of natural scenes and textures. Nature photography tends to put a stronger emphasis on the aesthetic value of the photo than other photography genres, such as photojournalism and documentary photography. Wildlife photography is all about capturing wild animals in their natural habitats. Animals are often photographed in action, such as eating, fighting, or in flight. Alternatively, more static portraits may be used to show detail of the animal or to depict it in its environment. Remember that in nature photography it is usually expected that subjects will be realistically depicted. However, this doesn't mean you can't use artistic approaches in nature photography such as blurring techniques, for example, to portray an animal’s motion. Also consider abstract nature images where subject details are isolated and out of context. |
October: Macro/Close-up Photography
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Originally developed for scientific research, macro photography is a form of close-up photography strictly defined by the subject photographed at 1:1 magnification, or life-sized in the photo. However, most people use the term “macro photography” to refer to any photograph that depicts an extremely detailed close-up mage of a small subject or portion of a larger object. Macro images often show a subject in an unnatural or unfamiliar perspective because we rarely see something that close. Flowers and insects are among the most common subjects for macro photography, but objects of any size that possess intricate details should provide interesting macro images. Remember, you don’t need a macro lens to take extreme close-up images. Relatively inexpensive close-up “filters” and extension tube sets can be attached to almost any lens to decrease focusing distance and increase magnification potential. |
November: Weather Mood
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By understanding how different weather conditions interact with light, you can create compelling images that tell a visual story of nature's dynamic power and beauty. Embrace rain and capture reflections in puddles or water cascading down window panes. Experiment with longer shutter speeds to show the movement of falling rain. Shoot early in the morning to capture fog or mist or during golden hour right before sunrise and just after sunset. Sometimes miraculous shots of weather are achieved right before an approaching storm or directly after one has passed. |