2026 VP Photo Exhibition Categories and Descriptions

Thoughts to remember when photographing:

• keep your image clean, simple and sharp
• be intentional in what you are photographing, is it clear what your subject is?
• tell a story or try and evoke emotions with your photos
• zoom in and out accordingly
• black & white is allowed in any category but is it more impactful than a colorful image?
• look for inspiration on google, dpchallenge.com, & other photographer's images

Categories

1. Puddles to Oceans

The primary subject is water. Includes bodies of water in all forms, from puddles and oceans to lakes and rivers.

2. In Motion

Both "in-motion" and "freeze action" are techniques for capturing subjects in motion. In-motion shows motion blur to emphasize speed or movement.  Freeze action captures a moving subject in sharp detail, as if it is "frozen" in time

3. Portraits

The human face dominates and is the center of interest, representing character, emotion, or personality traits. The image can be head and shoulder or full body, and can feature one or more faces of any age, gender, or ethnicity.

4. Street Photography

This image should capture a candid moment of everyday life in public places, aiming to tell stories and convey emotions through realistic and striking images.

5. Colors

Images must feature color as the subject. Make sure your image has impact.

6. Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

Subject should be a diner, drive-in, or decrepit restaurant.

7. Creative

This employs different techniques and effects to manipulate and creatively take photos as far as your imagination. For example, collage, HDR, post processing techniques with filters, etc. Cell phones can do this using the free Snapseed App.

8. Natural Framing

Using an element within your image to frame the subject, which draws the eye into the photo and highlights the subject. For example, branches, archways, tunnels, or door frames, etc.

9. Signs

The subject must be a sign. This can even be humorous.

10. Open

Anything Goes. This would include images that fall outside the scope of the above categories. This is not to be used for similar or leftovers of your other entries, but rather get out and get your best shot!