184
votes
\$\begingroup\$

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.

\$\endgroup\$
5
  • 27
    \$\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
  • 2
    \$\begingroup\$ See also: Regarding ties. Regarding image size/shape/orientation. \$\endgroup\$
    – jrista Mod
    Commented Jan 8, 2013 at 1:53
  • 1
    \$\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
  • 5
    \$\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

Reset to default
1
…
3 4
5
6 7
…
16
9
votes
\$\begingroup\$

A misty morning in Amsterdam, along the Amstel river

enter image description here

\$\endgroup\$
9
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Fences are Diabolic

Poets have always warned us about the diabolic nature of fences. Well, here is the photographic proof finally...

Fences are Diabolic

Nikon D3300, Kit Lens (18mm-55mm), f/5.6, 1/60 sec., ISO 800

Location: Kerala, India

Date & Time: Mon, 15 May 2017 05:58:19 PM IST

\$\endgroup\$
2
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ Not many people get such a good focus on the devil himself!! \$\endgroup\$
    – Deschele Schilder
    Commented Jun 15, 2017 at 0:21
  • \$\begingroup\$ @descheleschilder Thank you! You know, it was in manual mode with manual focus, that too in the third day after getting my first DSLR! \$\endgroup\$
    – Nandakumar Edamana
    Commented Jun 15, 2017 at 4:25
9
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Seoul, South Korea

enter image description here

Captured from my motel window by keeping the camera steady on a window pane.

Shutter: 8s
Apperture: f/11
ISO: 100
Focal length: 44mm
Camera: Nikon D610 
Lens: Tokina 28-70mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro
Date: 5 June, 2017

Bigger size

\$\endgroup\$
3
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ Nice photo, but please resize it to conform to the contest rules: "Images must be 210 px high and up to 375 px wide." You can have the contest-conforming image link to the full size one, if you wish. \$\endgroup\$
    – scottbb Mod
    Commented Jul 1, 2017 at 15:14
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ Thank you for resizing it, but unfortunately, the dimensions still do not conform to the contest rules. Images must be exactly 210 px high, and up to 375px wide. Your resized image is not tall enough. You will need to crop from either, or both, side to get it to meet the dimensions for the contest rules. \$\endgroup\$
    – scottbb Mod
    Commented Jul 2, 2017 at 16:43
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ Please read and understand all of the contest rules before making any more edits. Thank you for accommodating the rules by making the requested edits, but "Images must not contain any artificially added borders, watermarks, or decorations of any kind." Unfortunately, to use this photo in the contest, you're going to have to crop some of the width in order to make it conform to the size requirements. \$\endgroup\$
    – scottbb Mod
    Commented Jul 3, 2017 at 4:24
9
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Natural beauty

enter image description here

\$\endgroup\$
9
votes
\$\begingroup\$

enter image description here

Shot with a Canon T3i, north-east of Steamboat Springs, CO. I was using 3200 ISO, 30 second exposure, and 2.8 aperture. This photo was enhanced in Lightroom.

\$\endgroup\$
0
9
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Climbing holds

Part of a small climbing wall in my school's play area

In my school's playground, there's a wooden climbing wall leading to a raised play space that the younger kids use a lot. The holds are arranged not quite regularly, and I liked the wooden texture, so I decided to capture that.

1/125 sec. f/2.4 3.97mm
ISO 146
Shot on a Nexus 5 phone with auto settings.
\$\endgroup\$
9
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Fire fighting by heliocopter in Spain

Fire fighting in Spain - carrying water to drop directly on the source of the fire, these guys can tackle fires in otherwise inaccessible areas. Taken with my Nikon 5300 and slightly desaturated in photoshop to highlight the heliocopter

\$\endgroup\$
9
votes
\$\begingroup\$

enter image description here

Photo taken specifically to answer a Photo Stack Exchange question

How to get soft-blur effect on flowing water with iPhone?

Click for large version.

Samsung Galaxy S6
Time: 4 seconds
Sensitivity: ISO 50
Aperture: ƒ/1.9
Filter: Variable Neutral Density filter at unknown setting
\$\endgroup\$
1
  • \$\begingroup\$ Awesome -- thanks! \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Commented Jan 7, 2019 at 18:21
9
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Amazing sunset

Sunset in Corumba - GO, Brazil

No filter!

In Corumbá - Goiás, Brazil

\$\endgroup\$
1
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ Gorgeous example of crepuscular rays! Nicely captured. \$\endgroup\$
    – scottbb Mod
    Commented Dec 13, 2019 at 23:18
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Boat on Loch Ness

enter image description here

Canon 30D, Sigma 10-22mm f/4-5.6

\$\endgroup\$
1
  • 8
    \$\begingroup\$ I think without the red in the flag this would've been even better! \$\endgroup\$
    – Abhranil Das
    Commented May 4, 2013 at 19:16
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Docking Ferry

enter image description here

Camera: Canon 550D
Lens: Pentacon auto 2.8/135 MC
Focal length: 135mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Shutter: 1/4000
ISO: 100

\$\endgroup\$
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Interior

enter image description here

Camera : Canon

ISO:100

\$\endgroup\$
1
  • 2
    \$\begingroup\$ Looks like a spaceship corridor from a Kubrick film \$\endgroup\$
    – Octopus
    Commented Apr 4, 2014 at 19:52
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Side view of Iceman's Car @Budh International Circuit, Indian GP 2013.

enter image description here

For more details.

\$\endgroup\$
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

enter image description here

Butterfly And Bug

Seen on a stroll through Schönbuch forest on a sunny day.

High resolution on Flickr

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM on a EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/4, 1/250s

\$\endgroup\$
1
  • \$\begingroup\$ I like the way you mentioned the title. \$\endgroup\$
    – Bala
    Commented Jan 25, 2014 at 7:08
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Nature Beauty on Camera Eye, memorable boating in evening river!

enter image description here

Here is Higher Resolution of the photo

\$\endgroup\$
2
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ Please resize to fit in contest rules; height 210 px, width max 375 px. \$\endgroup\$
    – Esa Paulasto
    Commented Feb 15, 2014 at 6:45
  • \$\begingroup\$ ok thanks, updated size. \$\endgroup\$
    – Gururaj T
    Commented Feb 15, 2014 at 8:44
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

I,Oculus

enter image description here

Camera: Canon 550D  
Lens: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM
Focal Length: 50mm
Aperture: f/18
Shutter: 1/250s
ISO: 100
\$\endgroup\$
0
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Crystal by the Window

enter image description here

I took this in black-and-white because the patterns alone looked so beautiful.

[F-stop f/2.7; Exposure: 1/1600 sec; ISO-200; Focal length: 4mm; No exposure bias; No flash]

\$\endgroup\$
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Early this morning (~4am), I finally got my courage to try an Astro photograph. This is the result. I'd appreciate constructive advice. This was really fun/exciting.

Camera: Nikon D700, MC-36 Shutter Remote

Exposure: ISO:160, F4, 1/125

Telescope: Meade LX200 10" 
Connection: Camera adapter and T-Ring

enter image description here

oh, it's the moon :)

\$\endgroup\$
3
  • 2
    \$\begingroup\$ I would think this is not quite the place to ask for advice on photography, not even if it was your first ever attempt at shooting a moon. \$\endgroup\$
    – Esa Paulasto
    Commented May 22, 2014 at 23:15
  • \$\begingroup\$ @EsaPaulasto Definitely not. It specifically addresses this in the rules. The answers become too cluttered and not focused on the photographs themselves enough. \$\endgroup\$
    – damned truths
    Commented May 27, 2014 at 6:53
  • \$\begingroup\$ You can leave the photo but please edit your comment. No constructive advice is allowed in this contest. \$\endgroup\$
    – Jakub Sisak GeoGraphics
    Commented Sep 29, 2014 at 15:20
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

enter image description here

larger version

Lake Tazawa, Akita, Japan
Sony DSC-RX100, ISO 125, f/5.6, 1/400
\$\endgroup\$
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Spring

enter image description here

Full version

Camera: SONY NEX-5; Lens: Helios 77m-4; Taken on 2014/04/26 19:24:08; Exposure: 0.008s (1/125); Focal Length: 0.00mm; F/Stop: f/1.000; ISO Speed: ISO200; Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV; No flash;

\$\endgroup\$
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Opera

enter image description here

full version

Camera: SONY NEX-5; Taken on 2012/09/16 19:52:43; Exposure: 0.033s (1/30); Focal Length: 20.00mm; F/Stop: f/4.000; ISO Speed: ISO1250; Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV; No flash

\$\endgroup\$
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Sea Clouds

enter image description here

\$\endgroup\$
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Contrasts

sri lanka

This was shot in Sri Lanka, i like the different levels of contrasts. No idea what the sign says.

\$\endgroup\$
3
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ I like it, but feel like all of the water is going to drain out of the right side of this lake! \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Commented Sep 24, 2014 at 13:22
  • \$\begingroup\$ hm, now you're saying it...; but the image is level. it's just the shoreline isn't strait. \$\endgroup\$
    – ths
    Commented Sep 24, 2014 at 14:30
  • \$\begingroup\$ Use rule of third \$\endgroup\$
    – Suresh Karia
    Commented Aug 7, 2015 at 9:49
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Brick Wall by Johan Wagenheim

Brick wall in Oslo, Norway. Taken with Nikon D5100/Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm 1:1.8G. F/2.6, 1/60s exposure.

\$\endgroup\$
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Husky eye

Husky eye

Full size

\$\endgroup\$
0
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Detail from National Portrait Gallery in London

Door frame with room number 12

\$\endgroup\$
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Sunrise

Taken with Canon SX 150 IS

enter image description here

Link to original large sized version-https://i.sstatic.net/zotcu.jpg

\$\endgroup\$
3
  • \$\begingroup\$ @RussellMcMahon-Is it okay now? \$\endgroup\$
    – Soham
    Commented Nov 20, 2015 at 15:47
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ Tatan - yess - size is OK now. You may wish to add a link to a larger version. Your original imgur version i at i.sstatic.net/zotcu.jpg and you may have a larger one again. \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon
    Commented Nov 21, 2015 at 11:35
  • \$\begingroup\$ @RussellMcMahon-Thanks!!You are one of the most helpful persons I have met across this site.... \$\endgroup\$
    – Soham
    Commented Nov 21, 2015 at 11:46
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Observer

Higher-res view and more info on Deviantart: http://fav.me/d8tu583

\$\endgroup\$
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

Sunrise over Étang de la gruère, Jura, Switzerland Big version on 500px Sunrise over Étang de la gruère, Jura, Switzerland

\$\endgroup\$
8
votes
\$\begingroup\$

enter image description here

\$\endgroup\$
0
1
…
3 4
5
6 7
…
16

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .