Contest Categories
The Macomb Photo Club runs three rotating contest categories throughout the year. Each category is active for one full month, during which members may submit one photograph. At the end of the month, voting opens for one week before winners are announced. Below you will find a detailed description of each category to help you understand what kinds of images are most appropriate for each one. We encourage you to read these descriptions carefully before making your submission, as photos that clearly fall outside the stated theme of the active category may be disqualified at the discretion of the club administrators.
Category 1: Nature & Landscape
The Nature & Landscape category celebrates the extraordinary beauty of the natural world around us. This category welcomes photographs of forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, oceans, prairies, deserts, and any other natural environment. Wildlife photography is also eligible in this category, including images of birds, mammals, insects, and other animals photographed in their natural habitats. Macro photography of flowers, leaves, water droplets, and other small natural subjects is warmly encouraged as well. The goal of this category is to inspire a sense of wonder and appreciation for the environment, so images that convey mood, drama, or a deep connection with the natural world tend to perform especially well. Golden hour light, storm skies, misty mornings, and other atmospheric conditions are always popular with voters. Please remember that nature photographs must be taken in real outdoor environments — studio setups with plants or animals will not be considered for this category.
Category 2: Urban & Street
The Urban & Street category is dedicated to the energy and character of city life. This category includes photographs taken in urban environments such as city streets, alleyways, markets, public transportation, building facades, bridges, and other man-made structures. Street photography — candid images of people going about their lives in public spaces — is a highlight of this category and a deeply respected photographic tradition. Architectural photography that captures the design, geometry, and texture of buildings is also eligible. Abstract urban compositions, reflections in puddles or glass, long exposures of city lights at night, and documentary-style photos that tell a story about urban communities are all excellent candidates for this category. Photographers working in this category should be mindful of privacy and always exercise good judgment when photographing people in public spaces. Images must have been taken in real urban or suburban environments.
Category 3: Portrait & People
The Portrait & People category focuses on the human element — faces, expressions, gestures, relationships, and the stories that people carry with them. Formal studio portraits, environmental portraits taken on location, candid documentary-style images, and even self-portraits are all welcome here. The most compelling entries in this category tend to capture genuine emotion — a laugh, a moment of quiet reflection, the bond between two people, or the intensity of someone completely absorbed in what they are doing. Technical excellence matters, of course, but the judges and voters in this category are primarily moved by authenticity and emotional resonance. If you plan to submit a photograph that features a recognizable individual, please ensure that you have obtained their permission to enter the image in a public contest. Photos of minors require written parental consent before submission. Group photos and crowd scenes are also eligible for this category.