Take as many pictures as you want on each theme. You don’t necessarily have to do them within the suggested month.
At the end of the year select what you consider to be the single best one for each theme to present to the club.
January – Light
- Aim: Study how light shapes a subject
- Examples: Low winter sun, artificial light, reflections, shadows, silhouettes, window light, high-contrast scenes
- Tip: Try shooting at different times of day, experiment with backlighting and side lighting, use shadows and highlights for depth
February – Shape & Form
- Aim: Strip the image back to structure
- Examples: Geometry, curves, repetition, negative space, strong outlines; colour is secondary
- Tip: Look for bold lines, patterns, and symmetry; convert to black and white; simplify composition
March – Close to Home
- Aim: Prove that location is less important than observation
- Examples: Gardens, kitchens, sheds, streets, overlooked local details
- Tip: Explore familiar spaces with fresh eyes; use macro lens; challenge yourself in small areas
April – Movement
- Aim: Explore time within a still image
- Examples: Motion blur, panning, long exposures, wind, people, traffic, water, implied movement
- Tip: Use slower shutter speeds; try panning; experiment with tripods
May – Storytelling
- Aim: Suggest a narrative in a single frame
- Examples: Environmental portraits, quiet moments, human traces, decisive moments
- Tip: Think about the story; include contextual elements; wait for decisive moments
June – Colour as Subject
- Aim: Make colour the primary reason the image works
- Examples: Monochromatic scenes, colour contrast, limited palettes, seasonal colour themes
- Tip: Seek bold colour combinations; use colour to guide the eye; isolate a single colour
July – Landscape with Intent
- Aim: Move beyond pretty views
- Examples: Mood, weather, light, clear compositional ideas
- Tip: Plan around weather and light; use leading lines; communicate a message
August – Abstraction
- Aim: Encourage experimental seeing
- Examples: Intentional camera movement, extreme crops, reflections, macro textures, ambiguity
- Tip: Break rules; focus on patterns and textures; use post-processing for abstraction
September – Portrait of a Place
- Aim: Capture character rather than landmarks
- Examples: Village, street, workplace, coastline, interior atmosphere
- Tip: Look for details that tell a story; include people or objects; capture mood
October – Texture & Detail
- Aim: Engage the viewer through tactile qualities
- Examples: Weathered surfaces, fabric, bark, rust, stone, autumnal decay
- Tip: Get close; use side lighting; try black and white
November – Low Light
- Aim: Develop technical confidence and mood control
- Examples: Night scenes, candlelight, street lighting, interiors, twilight landscapes
- Tip: Use tripod; experiment with high ISO; embrace shadows for mood
December – Personal Vision
Tip: Reflect on favourite techniques; create a series; experiment boldly
Aim: End the year on your own terms
Examples: Any subject, any style, deliberate intent, AI use encouraged