ESPC 2026-2027 COMPETITION CATEGORIES
(All will be open for submission in June 2026)
Month CATEGORIES DESCRIPTIONS
Sep Black & White Photo may be shot in black and white or converted. All subjects welcomed.
Macro Showcase a subject larger than it is in real life - an extreme close-up of something small. The use of screw on close up filters, extension tubes and macro lenses is permitted. Focus stacking is too.
Glass A photograph where the primary subject is made of glass. Many commercial photographs are of glass - for instance: wine, beer, or perfume bottles. You can even try photographs of shattering or broken glass but be careful!
Oct Zoo Images of any animal or animals taken at the zoo.
Texture Add a unique texture - created by the photographer (not purchased) - to add intrigue, depth, etc. to one's image.
Cityscapes Cityscapes consist of photographs capturing buildings and streets from a broader perspective, avoiding close-ups. An image featuring only a single building does not qualify as a cityscape. While a cityscape photograph may include people and/or wildlife, these elements should enhance the overall scene rather than dominate the composition.
Nov Patterns Patterns are simply repeated shapes, colors or objects, ordered in either regular or irregular formations.
Signs The primary subject must be sign of any kind, in any place. Traffic signs, work signs, zodiac signs, etc.
Fire Capture fire in any place or form, from a single candle flame to a burning log to a forest fire.
Jan Bridges Any architectural bridge will do, as long as it is the main subject.
Get Low Place the camera below eye level, near the ground and aim upwards to capture the subject. Or get low to be at eye level with a close to the ground subject.
Night Any image of any subject taken outdoors after sunset to before sunrise. Thus, no sunsets or sunrises as primary subject. Make sure the image shows the nighttime in some way. Suggestions include long exposures (lights from cars, buses, trains), lights in parks or downtown areas, portraits at night, street photography or neon lights, etc.
Feb Water droplets Water droplets should be a significant aspect of the photo, or even the main subject. (For example - droplets on a flower, or droplets heading into a vase captured in mid-air).
Abandoned The abandoned building or item(s) must be the main subject.
Frame within a frame A compositional technique where you literally shoot through a "frame" which draws your attention further to the subject. This could looking through a window, a classic archway, a doorframe, etc. But be careful - the frame itself should not be the primary subject - it should lead the eye through it.
Mar Weather Any type of weather will do, as long as it clearly is an important element of the composition. The viewer should say, "Wow, look at that weather!"
Silhouettes A silhouette is a solid, dark image of a subject set against a lighter backdrop, showcasing its shape and profile in a visually striking way.
Street Photography Records everyday life with candid pictures of strangers, often without their knowledge, in public places (streets, parks, malls, sidewalk cafes, etc.)
Apr Moving Water Great opportunity to practice long exposure. Entries should show obvious water movement, leaving nothing to the imagination.
Trains, Planes and/or Real-life or toy will do as long as a plane, train and/or automobile is the main subject of the photo.
Horses Real-life or toy, but a horse/horses must be the main subject of the photo.



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