Photo Challenge - Illuminate
This challenge may seem strange or even hard, but I promise you that it isn’t. For the sake of this challenge, we’ll call it light play. Play with light to produce any kind of photo that you want.
The first challenge of the year went off with a bang, and there were way more submissions than I had imagined, for which I am very grateful.
If you haven’t seen the winners of the last challenge, go check them out here.
I have always loved stories, and I believe that when we take a photo, draw something, or do anything creative, we put an intention into it. This intention is not necessarily the story, but the memories we freeze in time with a photo – that's the real story.
That’s why, once again, I want to mention and promote the first issue of Behind the Lens, which features Natasha Mila. This is where we get a more candid look at the stories behind some of her favorite photos, something I love to see.
Here’s How the Challenge Works:
Your photo must focus on “Illuminate (as explained below)” - See examples below.
Entries not adhering to this theme will not be considered.
Originality and creativity are highly encouraged.
Post the photo on Notes by restacking this post (I’ll personally go through all submissions & bookmark them - For bonus points, tag friends you think will excel in this challenge, the more the merrier).
In your Note, tag @PatrikL so I can see it. If you’re unable to tag me or don’t know how, please leave a comment on this post saying you have restacked this post with your photo and I’ll have a look. NOTE: If the tag doesn’t work, the restack should be enough, but just to make sure please leave a comment to let me know!
The photo should preferably be a new photo that you take for this challenge, it’s to invite creativity after all, but if you lack the time or resources to do so–an already available photo in your library will do.
Further information can be found in the guidelines below, these guidelines must be followed for the photo to be eligible.
For brownie points, tag friends or people you’d love to see participate in this challenge. The more the merrier!
The themes and the challenges will differ, but may eventually circle back around if applicable. However, a theme can not be repeated for said challenge. So if you want to participate and do a mini photo challenge each week I suggest you subscribe so you don’t miss a challenge.
Let’s have some fun!
Please pay attention to the guidelines below, these must be followed for the photo to be eligible.
The Challenge - Illuminate
Theme: Illuminate
About: This challenge may seem strange or even hard, but I promise you that it isn’t.
Illuminate means to provide light. For the sake of this challenge, we’ll call it light play. How you interpret it is completely up to you. You can create a completely dark photo with a single light in the void or perfectly balance light for a portrait. Alternatively, go outside for that golden hour glow.
The light can be as soft as a candle, as hard as a flashlight, or as moderate as the evening or morning sun. You can make use of shadows if you want to enhance the light or soften it if you’d like.
It’s simple, really—play with light and lighting to produce any kind of photo that you want. It can be a candid moment where the sun or a streetlight hits just right, or it can be the moon in the evening sky or a burning fire pit.
Be as creative as you can, it’s about having fun!
The object can be anything, but the focus must be on the theme Illuminate as it is explained above.
This challenge is designed to encourage not only technical skill but also artistic expression in presenting Illuminate.
Submissions will be judged based on creativity, composition, detail and how well you capture the object, place, person, animal or anything else it may be.
Only your imagination can limit you.
If you want some inspiration or get an idea of what the theme means, see the example below. Note, these are just examples that I’ve taken from Unsplash or other sources and does not necessarily reflect the challenge perfectly. It’s merely to give you an idea.
Examples:
Guidelines (must follow)
Subscription: No subscription needed to participate, but appreciated and useful for future challenges.
Submission Deadline: Submissions for this week's challenge must be posted by January 23, 2024.
Original Content: Only photos taken by you are eligible for the challenge. AI can not be used, this is meant to invite creativity. An AI challenge may hit at one point, so save it for that.
Complexity: Make the photo as complex or as simplistic as you want, as long as it clearly showcase “Illuminate”, it will be considered.
Subject: The subject doesn’t matter as long as “Illuminate” is the focus.
Engagement: Feel free to like and comment on fellow participants' entries to encourage a sense of community. I want this to be a fun challenge for the community to be a part of. If you participate and would love others to see your submissions, please leave a comment below with a link to your Note so everyone can take a look and engage with you!
Winner Selection: I will personally review all the submissions and select a winner.
Winner Announcement: The winner of the "Illuminate” challenge will be announced in next week's post.
Prize: The winner will receive a shoutout in next weeks challenge email and a recommendation if you have a Substack of your own.
Permission: By taking part in the challenge, you grant me permission to feature your submitted photo in my newsletter, giving you full credit with links and a recommendation if you have a Substack of your own.
Have Fun: The goal of this challenge is to have fun, showcase your creativity, and connect with other like-minded individuals in our community!
Don’t miss out on these challenges, subscribe today to never miss a challenge.
Submitted my entry, Patrik. Hopefully you got it. I’m a bit of a newby on here and still finding my way around.
Loved doing this! Submission completed. I hope it worked 😂 I've just joined the world of Substack.