This thread contains all past ideas for the Theme of the Week. Ideas submitted by members in the PotW Theme Ideas thread will be copied here, and any ideas created by a moderator if there were no other community submitted ideas will also be tracked here. Please check this list FIRST before submitting a theme idea.
Portraits by Candlelight
Inspired by Is it practical to shoot portraits by only candlelight?, but not, I promise, as an excuse to submit the ones I already took. I want to see what everyone else can come up with!
Originally proposed by: mattdm
Ran on: Jan 20 – Jan 29, 2020
Science
Any subject that is related to science, or the study of science.
Examples:
- Refracting light
- Scientific instruments
- Fluids
- Astrophotography
- Magnetism
- Chemical reactions
- Biological processes
Originally proposed by: maynard-case Ran on: Aug 6, 2012
The Classical Elements
This would be a four-week series, with one each for
- Earth
- Air
- Water
- Fire
(I made this one proposal rather than four as it would be nice to see them run all in a row..)
Originally proposed by: mattdm
Ran on: March 5, 12, 19, 26, 2012
Tis the season for a fresh start
The concept of the theme combines the winter season with the idea of fresh starts. Give us your best seasonal photo, or your favorite new beginning. Bonus points for new starts with a seasonal flair!
Originally proposed by: scottbb
Ran on: December 12, 2019
Lomography
The challenge is to post the best picture that would fall short of "professional" photographic standards. For example, photos taken on old or cheap digital cameras that have low resolution, photos taken on long-expired film, or photos which exhibit significant "mistakes" such as light leaks. For more information, see the Wikipedia article on lomography.
For clarity, the word "lomography" refers to the genre of photography, not to the photographic brand Lomography. Photos submitted need not necessarily be taken on Lomography-brand equipment.
Originally proposed by: gparyani
Ran on: May 12, 2020
Imperfectly Beautiful
This theme challenges you to find beauty in unexpected places. Appreciating it not only in spite of imperfections, but perhaps even because of them.
Originally proposed by: LightBender
Ran on: February 1–14, 2020
Straight out of camera
This theme seeks your best straight-out-of-camera JPEGs. This also means no processed raw images: shoot RAW+JPEG if you want, but only submit the JPEG produced from the camera.
Scans of film shots are welcome to submit too. Please use your best judgment as to what constitutes "creative darkroom techniques" or scan touchups. Follow the spirit of the rule as best as you can.
There's no way to enforce the SOC rule, this is all on the honor system. Let's have some fun and see what we can get, Polaroid-style. =)
Originally proposed by: scottbb
Ran on: Feburary 15 – March 1, 2021
Reflections
The theme of this contest is simple: photos where mirrors, windows, water, or other reflective surfaces were used to get reflections.
Originally proposed by: Eric S
Ran on: March 1–15, 2021
Transportation
The theme of this contest is simply transportation. Trains, cars, ships, planes, bicycles, etc.
Originally proposed by: Matt
Ran on: March 15–29, 2021
Up There
Subjects in the photo should be unsupported by the ground. Examples include airplanes, balloons, bubbles, water splashes, astrophotography, clouds, birds/insects/animals in flight, etc.
Originally proposed by: whackamadoodle3000
Ran on: March 29 – April 12, 2021
All Blur
In the spirit of Why would one shoot a fully blurred picture?, let's see some abstract and semi-abstract works.
Originally proposed by: mattdm
Ran on: April 12–26, 2021