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After a continuous run of almost a decade, contest participation has gotten extremely low. See Contest is definitely dead. Now what? for more, and for possible next steps to revitalize it.

Also, you may instead want to check out the new Photo Competition on the main site! See also the Meta post, New Photo Contest.

This is the place to submit and vote on photos to be featured on the the main site. This contest should showcase your best quality work, demonstrating at least moderate skill with a camera and a general understanding of the artistic aspects of photography. Remember, the selected photo will be displayed on our main site header for a week. Submit something that you and the members of our site will want to look at and admire for seven days! This contest is for the community to choose what they LIKE (not what they dislike), so downvotes aren't allowed — see below for more.

Contest Format

Starting in December 2012, this contest follows a new perpetual format with continuously-rolling voting. Submit and vote on photos whenever you like. Every Monday (give or take; it's done by hand when site moderators have a spare moment), the top-voted image will be selected as the winner, and:

Then, the contest will continue with the remaining photos in the thread.

(Note that the themed photo contest will work on a different scheme.)

Voting Rules

  • Vote up as many images as you like.

  • Make sure to look at the "active" tab for this question to see new submissions.

  • Up votes only! Do NOT vote down your competitors! If you don't like an image, don't vote. (If you notice a downvote on an entry, make a note in a comment, and that will be taken into account when the weekly winner is selected.)

  • When you vote, consider the small size primarily, even if a larger image is linked. This contest's primary function is to select a header image, and we need the winners to be successful at that size.

Submitter Rules

  • Showcase your best work in any genre of photography by providing your image inline in an answer.

  • You may enter one photo per week. This is on the honor system, but abuse will eventually earn a strong talking-to.

  • Don't re-enter the same photo. Since the contest is continual, there's no need. You may withdraw an image from the contest at any time by deleting the answer.

  • You may edit your entry to fix problems or to add missing information, but don't switch the photo itself for a different one, or make gratuitous edits simply to "bump" the entry.

  • Images must be 210 px high and up to 375 px wide. This is the requirement for the header. Please feel free to provide a link to a larger version, but as explained above, the primary focus is on the header image.

  • For the same reason, images must be in landscape orientation.

  • Images must not contain any artificially added borders, watermarks, or decorations of any kind.

  • Do not use this as a forum for photo critique. Use chat instead, or ask a specific question about your image on the main site.

  • The submitted image must conform to this site's content license, cc-wiki with attribution required. If you're not comfortable with that, this isn't the contest for you.

Submitter notes

Be patient! This contest is relatively obscure, and it takes a while for images to accumulate votes. It's normal for really excellent images to have only one or two upvotes even after a time. The format of the contest should let them rise to the top eventually.

Feel free to include a concise description that explains the image, the emotions behind it, and so on, and perhaps some explanation of gear and exposure settings. This site is a collaboration for teaching and learning, so it's great to know those things — but it's not required for the contest.

When we get up and running with featuring these photos on the blog, this will provide the opportunity to go into more depth and to engage in conversation about your work.

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    \$\begingroup\$ As with all past contests, I'd like to stress the up-vote only policy. Let's keep our contest cordial. This is not a place for critique or a forum within which to express dislike, choose what you like, have fun, and let the contest roll! \$\endgroup\$
    – jrista Mod
    Commented Dec 4, 2012 at 22:22
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    \$\begingroup\$ See also: Regarding ties. Regarding image size/shape/orientation. \$\endgroup\$
    – jrista Mod
    Commented Jan 8, 2013 at 1:53
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    \$\begingroup\$ Please use this thread for discussion of what we should do about the PotW contest threads going forward. I agree that there are issues involved with a single everlasting thread, and we should be open to suggestions. \$\endgroup\$
    – jrista Mod
    Commented Apr 8, 2014 at 0:16
  • \$\begingroup\$ I suspect very few people are digging down to the bottom - based on dates and my past upvotes on other pictures and where they are in the heap now. A link to the entry page may help (or may exist and I've missed it). Something like ENTRIES START AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE - HAVE A LOOK \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon
    Commented Oct 9, 2014 at 13:27
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    \$\begingroup\$ @RussellMcMahon It does say Make sure to look at the "active" tab for this question to see new submissions. which is like that but better. :) \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Commented Oct 9, 2014 at 13:33

468 Answers 468

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Low Key, Single Light II

Guen, with hair static

Tech details:

  • Pentax K-5II, ISO 100, and at the ¹⁄₁₈₀th second flash sync speed.
  • Pentax SMC DA 70mm Limited @ f/5.6
  • Cheetah Light V850 in Westcott Rapid Box at ¹⁄₁₆th power immediately out of frame to the left.

see larger (and in portrait orientation, as shot)

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    \$\begingroup\$ I love this, Matt -- I just wish I could vote it up as an image in its own right rather than as a header for the site. It's too "her" and not enough "pretty, high-quality, but ultimately generic photograph". As a people/product shooter, I get the unfairness of that; I'm utterly uninterested in taking pictures of anything that would make a good site header. In any other sort of competition, though... \$\endgroup\$
    – user2719
    Commented Mar 24, 2014 at 7:05
  • \$\begingroup\$ @StanRogers Thanks, I appreciate that very much. I think site header photography really isn't for me either. :) \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Commented Mar 24, 2014 at 11:51
14
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The Last City

This was taken recently in Andong South Korea. Its one of the last (if not last) traditional towns in korea. While there a few korean towns, this is the only one that people still live in the traditional houses.

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This was shot in my Nexus 5. I have no clue about this insect haven't gotten anything from internet search either. Any help on that while you appreciate this beautiful creation.

NOTE: Adjusted the levels in photoshop for this pic.

UPDATE (26-Jun): Resized to posting rules.

enter image description here

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    \$\begingroup\$ This has been downvoted against the rules... \$\endgroup\$
    – Jorge Córdoba
    Commented Jun 25, 2015 at 13:44
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    \$\begingroup\$ @Jorge, It's also against the rules to downvote. Perhaps the OP can fix the size to conform to the rules. \$\endgroup\$
    – Octopus
    Commented Jun 25, 2015 at 20:03
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    \$\begingroup\$ I want to cry. I HAVE NOT DOWNVOTED the photo. From the rules "(If you notice a downvote on an entry, make a note in a comment" ... I was just noting it had a downvote in the comments... \$\endgroup\$
    – Jorge Córdoba
    Commented Jun 26, 2015 at 15:33
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Jorge. Sorry, I thought your comment was explaining why you downvoted. No problem then. \$\endgroup\$
    – Octopus
    Commented Jun 26, 2015 at 17:17
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    \$\begingroup\$ @bbh It seeme likely to ne the caterpiullar form of Daphni nerii - the Oleander Hawk Moth - so named because they feed mainly on Oleander leaves - which are fatally poisonous to many creatures - including humans. Many images here and Wikipedia and Moth photo - wow!. \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon
    Commented Dec 17, 2015 at 3:04
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Clothespins

clothespins

This is a photo I took for a contest with the category of Ordinary. I really like the way this came out, so I figured I'd post it.

Canon EOS Rebel T3i
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II kit lens
Aperture: F/5.6 
Exposure: 1/400 
Focal length: 55mm
ISO: 100

Full-size

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enter image description here

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The Rusty Rocky Mountains

as seen on a downpipe

enter image description here

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Ice Storm in Montreal

Ice Storm in Montreal

Larger image

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  • \$\begingroup\$ I can't see the storm, but maybe it's frozen. Or captured and fixed by your camera. I really like the red, reflecting thing with all its legs hanging (hanging on a little twig) very much! More technical, "the thing" is well in focus and it's color contrasts nicely with the blue in the center on the downside and the golden brown upper left. \$\endgroup\$
    – Deschele Schilder
    Commented Jul 4, 2017 at 16:23
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"My horn is my world"

enter image description here

full size: https://www.flickr.com/photos/szulat/942683641

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Long Neck Karen Tribe

enter image description here

Full Size here

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Ready for a long journey

Nikon D60, Sigma 17-55mm

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    \$\begingroup\$ I would vote this up, BUT It is too tall by 7 pixels, as per the rules it must be 210px tall, and up-to but not necessarily 375px wide. \$\endgroup\$
    – damned truths
    Commented Jun 21, 2013 at 6:41
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    \$\begingroup\$ Thanks @damnedtruths: I resized the image to 210px tall. \$\endgroup\$
    – Aditya
    Commented Jul 9, 2013 at 23:16
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Taken with Fujifilm Finepix AX280 (which is a poor, compact camera)

Nigth

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enter image description here

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    \$\begingroup\$ Hi there, please resize the image according to the rules above: Images must be 210 px high and up to 375 px wide \$\endgroup\$
    – Joanne C Mod
    Commented Dec 5, 2013 at 17:58
  • \$\begingroup\$ just resized thx! \$\endgroup\$
    – Cin Sb Sangpi
    Commented Dec 7, 2013 at 10:46
  • \$\begingroup\$ No, still it not resized, height must be 210px. set the height to 210px. \$\endgroup\$
    – Bala
    Commented Dec 7, 2013 at 11:18
  • \$\begingroup\$ +1, great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! \$\endgroup\$
    – Bala
    Commented Dec 7, 2013 at 13:15
13
votes
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Riddles and runes

enter image description here

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Campfire

Campfire

Captured while on vacation at my family's summer property. Larger, uncropped version here

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Golden clouds

enter image description here

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@Aero Show India 2015

enter image description here

A member of British aerobatics team Breitling Wingwalkers

Full pic

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The Pound

The Pound

Wilpena pound is a formation in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia that was used to contain stock and horses, due to its formidable cliff lines and singular easy access. It forms a bend in the ranges, which extend away to the north and south from the end opposite to that from which this photograph was taken. This view is towards the north west, from a plane on a commercial sightseeing flight. Unfortunately the plane's windows were quite reflective, so I had a little trouble avoiding spoiling my photos.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Place lens near the glass. Place a dark coat over your head and camera so there are no reflections inside the coat. Added bonus is that you can't see people looking at you funny-like :-). \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon
    Commented Aug 25, 2020 at 10:10
  • \$\begingroup\$ @RussellMcMahon Fortunately it was a sightseeing flight, with just the pilot, myself and my Mum, so no funny looks. \$\endgroup\$
    – damned truths
    Commented Aug 29, 2020 at 5:34
13
votes
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Chateau View

enter image description here

  • Fujifilm X-E1
  • XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS @ 18mm
  • f/7.1
  • 1/350s
  • ISO200

(on flickr)

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bee

Taken in the botanic garden in Munich (Summer 2015).

Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000
Focal Length: 139mm (full frame equiv.: 375mm)
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter: 1/125
ISO: 125
Marumi DHG achromat +5 dioptries
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Buck Seeking Fallen Pears

Buck seeking fallen pears

Photographer: Glenn Randers-Pehrson
Camera: SONY a300 + 75-300 zoom
Exposure: 1/125, ISO 400, f5.6, 300mm, no flash
Date: 1 August 2015
Post Process: Crop, resize, slight sharpen with GraphicsMagick
LICENSE: CC-BY-SA-3.0 or 4.0
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Dubai Sunset from Burj Khalifa

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Photography is a play with the light!!

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Challenging and beautiful! Thanks for sharing! \$\endgroup\$
    – user_1177868
    Commented Sep 29, 2017 at 20:05
13
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Grenadine

Grenadine

For a high-res version see the image on 500px

Exposure time is about 30s, the only source of light was a torch.

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Clear to Land...

enter image description here

Uncropped full size @6000x4000

I chased this bee (or one very, very similar ;-) all week.
It would arrive mid-morning & flit around this large yellow flowering bush against a whitewashed wall for 3 or 4 mins, then leave, not to return until the next day.

I was determined to snap it in flight & freeze the wings.

I cannot claim that it is pin-sharp at full resolution, but not bad for a beginner.

Nikon D5500 Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6G @185mm macro f/7.1 1/800s ISO 1250 - Full manual, sunlight only.

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Fire is Diabolic, Too

Can you spot a devil's face? Renamed after descheleschilder pointed it out.

enter image description here

Nikon D3300, Kit Lens (18mm-55mm), f/7.1, 1/1000 sec., ISO 800

Location: Kerala, India

Date & Time: Mon, 20 May 2017 4:25:23 PM IST

Cropped & Color graded slightly (to make it look like night).

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    \$\begingroup\$ Nice one again! This fire can't be extinguished anymore (though it can be deleted)! And again I see a little devil [at least his (though many times it's a she) horns], in the center of the picture. Let's send one in each week (which I already did)! \$\endgroup\$
    – Deschele Schilder
    Commented Jun 21, 2017 at 7:40
  • \$\begingroup\$ @descheleschilder Thank you! I hadn't noticed the devil, but I clearly spot a face now in the left hand side (once you notice, it is hard to forget). UPDATE: I've renamed it! \$\endgroup\$
    – Nandakumar Edamana
    Commented Jun 21, 2017 at 8:12
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ After some staring, the little devil on the left suddenly popped out! He's looking angry and even seems to have hands! I see why you changed the title! And while I'm looking at your picture right now, the devil in the middle has become a dragon's head. The more you look, the more you see (mostly faces). I've never photographed fire, so I think you know what I'm gonna try. \$\endgroup\$
    – Deschele Schilder
    Commented Jun 21, 2017 at 8:35
13
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Smoking away in Moonlight

Smoking away in Moonlight

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  • \$\begingroup\$ It made me remember one of my life moment. \$\endgroup\$
    – Tahir Hussain Mir
    Commented Sep 20, 2017 at 6:35
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    \$\begingroup\$ Glad! :) thanks... \$\endgroup\$
    – Saikat Das
    Commented Sep 20, 2017 at 6:40
  • \$\begingroup\$ actually, I should thank You for posting this. Thank You so much. \$\endgroup\$
    – Tahir Hussain Mir
    Commented Nov 6, 2017 at 7:16
  • \$\begingroup\$ This has a downvote. \$\endgroup\$
    – EKons
    Commented Jul 3, 2018 at 13:48
13
votes
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Sunbath

![enter image description here

Samsung WB250F
f/5.6
1/180 sec
ISO 800
actual focal length - 50mm
35mm equivalent focal length - 306mm
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  • \$\begingroup\$ Yeah, just noticed, sorry for that \$\endgroup\$
    – user152435
    Commented Jan 22, 2018 at 20:12
13
votes
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Deer moment

A deer with antlers looks at something out of shot

Taken at Richmond Park, London

Nikon D7000
Nikon 70-300mm @ 145mm
f/4.5
1/60 sec
IS0-1600
24/10/2015
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12
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Silhouette of Fountain

Silhouette of Fountain

Larger Version

  • Canon 60D
  • EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM
  • 1/1600
  • ƒ/3.5
  • ISO 200
  • 51 mm
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  • \$\begingroup\$ Love the droplets, +1! \$\endgroup\$
    – Abhranil Das
    Commented Apr 15, 2013 at 16:20
12
votes
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enter image description here

Captured Using

Model: Sony DSC-S2100
Exposure Time: 1/250 sec.
Focal Length: 6.2mm

Original Picture can be found here

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    \$\begingroup\$ Hello and welcome to Photo.SE. Please read the contest rules and resize the image accordingly. \$\endgroup\$
    – Saaru Lindestøkke
    Commented Oct 7, 2013 at 18:21
  • \$\begingroup\$ @BartArondson I have edited the image, please have a look now :) \$\endgroup\$
    – Rohit
    Commented Oct 8, 2013 at 6:32
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