COMPETITION ASSIGNMENTS
September 2022 – May 2023
September 2022 — OPEN
Any photograph taken within the past 2 years. (Must be taken on or after September 1, 2020)
October 2022 — CLOSE-UP / MACRO
The principal subject must dominate the image. Make the viewer ‘feel’ the subject is right up close. Devices such as macro lenses, extension tubes, and/or diopters may be used but are not required. (Must be taken on or after October 1, 2020)
November 2022 — BLACK & WHITE, OPEN
An image rendered in black and white (i.e., ALL color has been removed either in the digital process or through the choice of film or camera). (Must be taken on or after November 1, 2020)
December 2022 — ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITS
A portrait taken in the subject’s usual environment, such as their home, street or workplace. It typically illuminates the subject’s life and natural surroundings. By photographing in their environment, you will be able to show their character and portray their personality, rather than merely a likeness of their physical features. (Must be taken on or after December 1, 2020)
January 2023 — OPEN
Any photograph which has never been entered in any NBCC competition. It may not be the same or similar to others you have entered. (There are no date limitations!)
February 2023 — WINDOW LIGHT
A photograph taken where the predominant light falling on the subject is coming through a window(s)…not a skylight. (Must be taken on or after February 1, 2021)
March 2023 — NATURE
Nature photography may depict observations from all branches of natural history in such a fashion that a well-informed person will be able to identify the subject and agree to its honest presentation. Images including the “hand of man” (such as roads, fences, manicured lawns, etc.) will be disqualified. Any adjustments to the image must appear natural. Color images may be converted to monochrome. Infrared images are not allowed.
NBCC's expanded definition of Nature is here.
(Must be taken on or after March 1, 2021)
April 2023 — TWILIGHT / NIGHT
Outdoor settings only, no studio or flash lighting. Twilight is the period of time after sunset and before sunrise in which the atmosphere is partially illuminated by the sun (which is below the horizon and not visible). Night pictures are taken any time after sunset or before sunrise. (Must be taken on or after April 1, 2021)
May 2023 — OPEN
Any photograph taken within the past 2 years. (Must be taken on or after May 1, 2021)
September 2023 – May 2024
September 2023 — RED
An image where the subject of the photo is red or has red as its dominant characteristic, or where red is the principal element of the photograph. Red does not have to fill the space but should be a meaningful element of the photograph or an important punctuation point. You may NOT “create” the color red on your computer. Many hues of red are acceptable, including but not limited to: pure red, brick red and blood red. While recognizing this is somewhat subjective, the color must be obviously red (not pink, purple or orange) such that the judge does not question its hue. (Must be taken on or after September 1, 2021)
October 2023 — OPEN
Any photograph taken within the past 2 years. (Must be taken on or after October 1, 2021)
November 2023 — FAMILY
An image that conveys a sense of family, in all its varied forms. Whether it be friends, siblings, the nuclear family, a parent and child, or an animal family, we surround ourselves with people and things that give us security and a sense of home. The photograph must include obvious evidence of connections or bonds among the subjects. (Must be taken on or after November 1, 2021)
December 2023 — OUT OF FOCUS
The photograph must contain at least one element that is purposely out of focus that contributes in a significant way to the overall success of the image. The creation of your “out of focus” element(s) must be done “in-camera” and NOT on the computer. Examples include: bokeh, blur motion, intentional camera motion, or shallow depth of field. The entire image also can be out of focus to achieve a painterly aesthetic. (Must be taken on or after December 1, 2021)
January 2024 — TACK SHARP
An image that is sharp from front to back that draws on the ideas of Group f/64 which promoted a detailed, purist direction in photography in the 1930’s. They broke away from the emphasis on artistic beauty and soft-focused aesthetics associated with “Pictorialism.” The scale of the image can be from macro to grand, but ALL must be in sharp focus. (Must be taken on or after January 1, 2022)
February 2024 — NATURE
May depict observations from all branches of natural history in such a fashion that a well-informed person will be able to identify the subject and agree to its honest presentation. Images including the “hand of man” (such as roads, fences, manicured lawns, etc.) will be disqualified. Any adjustments to the image must appear natural. Color images may be converted to monochrome. Infrared images are NOT allowed. NBCC’s expanded definition of Nature is here. (Must be taken on or after February 1, 2022)
March 2024 — HIGH KEY
An image that is almost entirely made up of white or very bright tonal values, often preserving some detail in the subject with little or none in the background. A high-key image is heavily weighted on the right side of the histogram. (Must be taken on or after March 1, 2022)
April 2024 — COLD WINTER
An image that conveys some aspect of a cold winter. The subject matter can be anything but should clearly communicate and be directly associated with the sights or experiences of a cold winter day. (Must be taken on or after April 1, 2022)
May 2024 — BLACK & WHITE, OPEN
An image rendered in Black & White (i.e., ALL color has been removed either in the digital process or through the choice of film or camera). The purpose of this assignment is to find interesting subjects in which color does not create the impact. Black & White infrared is acceptable. (Must be taken on or after May 1, 2022)
Assignment Committee: Gail Bingham, Jean-Pierre Ple’ and Catherine Simmons