Monthly Competitions
We hold a monthly internal competition for all current DPS members. There are 12 competitions, 8 are projected and 4 are print competitions. All members are allowed to have 3 entries in each competition. With the exception of the January competition, entries for internal monthly competitions need to be in no later than midnight on the first day of the month preceding the competition. Entries for the January competition, need to be in by the 8th of January.
For competition rules click here
For other internal and external competitions, please see the Competitions drop down menu.
Competitions 2024-25
March 2024
Competition (Digital)
Theme 'Open'
Guest Judge: Dawn Stobbart (Zoom)
Entries to be in by the 1st of the month
April 2024
Competition (Print)
Theme 'Open Monochrome'
Guest Judge: Mike Fuller
Entries to be in by the 1st of the month
May 2024
Competition (Digital)
Theme 'Two Colours'
Guest Judge: Dave Belton
Entries to be in by the 1st of the month
The theme seems obvious, but it is not necessarily easy. In this competition, black and white will not be accepted as the primary colours. A small amount of black and white will be allowed as long as it doesn’t distract from the 2 main colours, for instance there may be a black outline, or a white cloud! Use the colour wheel to help you look at complementary and contrasting colours. Your inspiration might come from nature and the natural world, or you could create something yourself like a still life using only 2 colours. You could edit your photos after taking them to change the colours, but remember, only two dominant colours.
June 2024
Competition (Digital)
Theme 'Photo Journalism'
Guest Judge: Jane Morris (Zoom)
Entries to be in by the 1st of the month
Photojournalism is the communication of news though photographs. These images tend to appear in newspapers and magazines as well as online media. The main objective is to tell a story better than the text or article that usually accompanies such photos. Your image doesn’t have to be of a serious news item, it can be fun! Some principles include getting in close, finding an unusual angle, avoiding obvious posing. Have guts – walk up to people on the street, try and get close to sport action, go to events, pretend to be a pap! The judge will be looking at your ability to catch the right light, the right composition and the right moment. Your image title will be key to telling the judge your intent in taking the shot.
July 2024
Competition (Digital)
Theme 'Untouched'
Guest Judge: Mike Sharples (Zoom)
Entries to be in by the 1st of the month
August 2024
Competition (Print)
Theme 'Leading Lines'
Guest Judge: TBC
Entries to be in by the 1st of the month
‘Leading lines’ refers to a technique of composition where the viewer of your photo is drawn to lines that lead them into the photo towards the main subject or creates a path for the eye to follow thorough different elements of the image. The leading lines can be anything – a physical continuous line eg rivers, paths, lines in sand or fences, or it might be a series of individual items eg logs, marks on roads, pointed rocks on a beach – if it forms a line and can guide the viewer’s eye, it can work as a leading line.
September 2024
Competition (Digital)
Theme 'Night Time'
Guest Judge: Bob Goode (Zoom)
Entries to be in by the 1st of the month
Night-time photography involves taking images after sunset, in urban or rural environments. One of the most important elements is mastering low light techniques – so use a tripod, adjust your ISO or make the most of artificial light sources such as streetlights. By using creative composition, lighting, and other techniques, try to convey a sense of atmosphere and mood and a visually striking photograph.
October 2024
Competition (Digital)
Theme 'Creative'
Guest Judge: Phil Cooling (Zoom)
Entries to be in by the 1st of the month
November 2024
Competition (Digital)
Theme 'Movement'
Guest Judge: Dave Tucker (Zoom)
Entries to be in by the 1st of the month
Whether it's a still subject with a motion blurred background or a quick action frozen in time, photographing movement can enhance the story you're trying to tell. You can do this either by your chosen subject moving or by moving your camera eg panning or zooming. Take inspiration from nature, birds, insects and animals. People are always moving, be it walking, running, dancing or doing sporting activities.
December 2024
Competition (Print)
Theme 'Country Living'
Guest Judge: Wes Gibbon
Entries to be in by the 1st of the month
Country life is available to everyone who appreciates nature and the great outdoors and what it offers. You can take inspiration from walks in the hills, fishing, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting or other rural pursuits. You could also go to a horse event, a dog show, visit a farm (many have open days) or even our own local country park. You can also take inspiration from people who work in the great outdoors who work the land like farmers, beekeepers or artisans who keep traditional crafts alive, such as thatching, building stone walls or making charcoal for example. Or you could choose to focus on products and processes of country living/crafts and create a still life. We don’t want just nature shots or landscapes but rather photos of country life showing the intriguing customs, characters and products of the people and animals working and living in the countryside.
January 2025
Competition (Digital)
Theme 'Bad Weather'
Guest Judge: Colin Wells (Zoom)
Entries to be in by the 1st of the month
Weather can be the defining quality of many a photo. Bad weather can prove challenging and make you want to put your camera away, but we want you to embrace bad weather – rain, snow, fog, grey skies, wind etc. Choose your location carefully - urban areas make great subjects in the rain! Landscapes can look fabulous in the snow and fog. So, make sure you’re suitably clothed, your camera is protected and when the weather looks awful, get out there!!!
February 2025
Competition (Print)
Theme 'Panel of 3'
Guest Judge: Gareth Martin
Entries to be in by the 1st of the month