The contest is here
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The contest is here
The contest is here
October 2026 Photo Contest Thread: "Stay Covered"!
by Kate
Translated into English.
It's hot, really hot, scorching! Protect yourself!
Such a great phrase!
Protecting yourself from the heat in Mali:
Photo 1: Musical interlude during a wedding in a Bamako neighborhood street
Photo 2: Friday market in Youvarou: stalls are usually covered with mats
Photo 3: (see photo 2)
Photo 4: Returning from the Youvarou market, on a donkey
Photo 5: A tree appreciated by both animals and humans, in the heart of the Sahel
Photos 6 and 7: A young Fulani shepherd
hgb
Such a great phrase!
Protecting yourself from the heat in Mali:
Photo 1: Musical interlude during a wedding in a Bamako neighborhood street
Photo 2: Friday market in Youvarou: stalls are usually covered with mats
Photo 3: (see photo 2)
Photo 4: Returning from the Youvarou market, on a donkey
Photo 5: A tree appreciated by both animals and humans, in the heart of the Sahel
Photos 6 and 7: A young Fulani shepherd
hgb
Photo 5: A tree loved by both animals and humans, in the heart of the Sahel
Hi Hery,
I really like this tree. What is it? An acacia?
Hello,
Below is a link to view the October slideshow "Stay Covered."
As agreed with Kate for technical reasons beyond my control, you won’t see the author’s name.
Joomeo was replaced by Photoweb/Cloud, and I couldn’t find this feature on the new site.
At the top of each photo, after moving your mouse over it, you’ll see the photo number—for example, 10 / 50, meaning photo 10 out of 50 in the slideshow.
My vote: 3 points for photo 10.
The link: public.photowebcloud.fr/..._dbp=6&sls_afs
JULIE
JULIEGood evening Catherine,
Thanks so much for your interest—it means a lot to me!
Absolutely, this tree is an acacia (to be precise, I’m not entirely sure, but I think it’s an acacia seyal or acacia tortilis, in Bambara: nsaajɛ or nsaajɛba), a tree that spans the African continent from the Atlantic Ocean to Ethiopia (the "Sahel")... a remarkable tree, drought-resistant and recognizable by its typically flat, wide, umbrella-shaped crown, with lush green foliage in the heart of an otherwise totally arid zone—a little natural wonder, in my eyes. But the tree doesn’t just provide shade; it also offers food: the leaves and fallen fruit serve as nourishment for cattle and sheep, who consider it a delicacy.
hgb
Thanks so much for your interest—it means a lot to me!
Absolutely, this tree is an acacia (to be precise, I’m not entirely sure, but I think it’s an acacia seyal or acacia tortilis, in Bambara: nsaajɛ or nsaajɛba), a tree that spans the African continent from the Atlantic Ocean to Ethiopia (the "Sahel")... a remarkable tree, drought-resistant and recognizable by its typically flat, wide, umbrella-shaped crown, with lush green foliage in the heart of an otherwise totally arid zone—a little natural wonder, in my eyes. But the tree doesn’t just provide shade; it also offers food: the leaves and fallen fruit serve as nourishment for cattle and sheep, who consider it a delicacy.
hgb
Photo 8: Vaccinating a flock of sheep. During this hours-long procedure, the lambs are kept under tents to protect them from the sun. And the young girl watches over them.
Hi,
The slideshow has been updated—now you can see the names of the photographers for the October contest photos while the slideshow plays.
.
public.photowebcloud.fr/..._dbp=6&sls_afs
.
JULIE
Tuscany in August—the temperature climbs as the hours pass.
A terrace, a parasol, a glass of chilled white wine, the perfect cool-down before hitting the road again!
A terrace, a parasol, a glass of chilled white wine, the perfect cool-down before hitting the road again!
Comme mon disque dur a été indisponible en début de mois et que je pars bientôt en voyage, pas trop de temps de farfouiller en détail dans mes archives 😕
Quelques photos quand même: Un dispositif anti-soleil transformé en anti-pluie (Grasse début octobre 2024) ... du coup totalement hors sujet 😏
Des vendeuses de fruits près du lac Inle en Birmanie:
Ma définition du farniente en vacances (même si ce n'est pas mon occupation principale 😉)
Quelques photos quand même: Un dispositif anti-soleil transformé en anti-pluie (Grasse début octobre 2024) ... du coup totalement hors sujet 😏
Des vendeuses de fruits près du lac Inle en Birmanie:
Ma définition du farniente en vacances (même si ce n'est pas mon occupation principale 😉)
Bangkok, palais royal.
Je ne sais pas si c'est la foule ou le soleil qui donnent chaud...😄
Je ne sais pas si c'est la foule ou le soleil qui donnent chaud...😄
Tu es un peu borderline avec ta photo de thé... Heureusement qu'il y a des parasols ! 😛
Avis à tous: les boissons ne protègent pas du soleil. Une telle photo serait HS.
Ma définition du farniente en vacances (même si ce n'est pas mon occupation principale 😉)
Alors nous avons cela en commun 😉
Alors nous avons cela en commun 😉
Il fait tellement chaud que les plagistes se sont liquéfiés ? 😮
Maroc du côté de Tétouan.
Maroc du côté de Tétouan.
Tu as mis les lunettes de soleil en alibi...
Je suis ton exemple avec les parasols. 😉
Avant de démarrer son véhicule au Maroc, vaut mieux vérifier qu'un chat ou une chèvre ne s'est pas collé sous son ombre...
Log in first, then come back to this page.
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More discussions
Good evening to all you photographers and photo enthusiasts on VF,
This is the place to exchange, debate, chat, philosophize, nitpick, ramble, bicker, and congratulate each other on this month’s theme: "The Street as a Livelihood."
Just a reminder that the photos expected in the contest thread should depict street scenes showing people using the street as a place to earn a living—whether it’s legal work, informal jobs, illegal activities, or begging. In the discussion thread, feel free to be much more open-ended.
This is the place to exchange, debate, chat, philosophize, nitpick, ramble, bicker, and congratulate each other on this month’s theme: "The Street as a Livelihood."
Just a reminder that the photos expected in the contest thread should depict street scenes showing people using the street as a place to earn a living—whether it’s legal work, informal jobs, illegal activities, or begging. In the discussion thread, feel free to be much more open-ended.
Hello everyone!
The September contest “Making a Living on the Street” was won by Philippebrg, followed by Xrctn in second place, and I, the happy bronze medal winner, get to organize October’s challenge.
It’s hot—really hot—caliente! Protect yourselves!
Parasols, umbrellas, sun hats, caps, shemaghs, tents, awnings, curtains, pergolas, sunglasses, sunscreen, trees, bits of cardboard... anything goes to shield yourself from Helios’ rays. Your photo must be taken in a context related to heat (a simple hat out of context won’t cut it).
The rules:
- Photo submissions until Sunday, October 25 at 11:59 PM (Paris time). You can post up to 3 photos, numbered and shared in separate messages, ideally with a short description of the location and the story behind it.
- Voting from Monday, October 26 at 12:01 AM to Saturday, October 31 at 11:59 PM. After the deadline, it’s too late! Please indicate the photo number, the username, and the points awarded: Photo #1 = 3 pts Photo #2 = 2 pts Photo #3 = 1 pt
- All VF members can vote (even those who didn’t submit photos).
- In case of a tie for first place, the winning photo will be the one with the most first-place votes, then second-place votes!
- The lucky winner will earn the admiration of all photo contest participants and the privilege of choosing the theme and organizing November 2026’s photo contest.
For discussions about the theme, check here.
Happy shooting!
The September contest “Making a Living on the Street” was won by Philippebrg, followed by Xrctn in second place, and I, the happy bronze medal winner, get to organize October’s challenge.
It’s hot—really hot—caliente! Protect yourselves!
Parasols, umbrellas, sun hats, caps, shemaghs, tents, awnings, curtains, pergolas, sunglasses, sunscreen, trees, bits of cardboard... anything goes to shield yourself from Helios’ rays. Your photo must be taken in a context related to heat (a simple hat out of context won’t cut it).
The rules:
- Photo submissions until Sunday, October 25 at 11:59 PM (Paris time). You can post up to 3 photos, numbered and shared in separate messages, ideally with a short description of the location and the story behind it.
- Voting from Monday, October 26 at 12:01 AM to Saturday, October 31 at 11:59 PM. After the deadline, it’s too late! Please indicate the photo number, the username, and the points awarded: Photo #1 = 3 pts Photo #2 = 2 pts Photo #3 = 1 pt
- All VF members can vote (even those who didn’t submit photos).
- In case of a tie for first place, the winning photo will be the one with the most first-place votes, then second-place votes!
- The lucky winner will earn the admiration of all photo contest participants and the privilege of choosing the theme and organizing November 2026’s photo contest.
For discussions about the theme, check here.
Happy shooting!
Good evening to all you photographers and photo enthusiasts on VF,
So, I’ve chosen this month’s theme: "The Street as a Livelihood". The photos we’re looking for are street scenes showing people who use the street as a place to earn a living—whether it’s legal work, informal jobs, illegal activities, or begging.
The rules:
- Photo submissions until Thursday, September 24 at 11:59 PM (Paris time) You can post up to 3 photos, numbered and posted in separate messages, ideally with a short description of the location and the story behind it.
- Voting from Friday, September 25 at 12:01 AM to Tuesday, September 29 at 11:59 PM. After the deadline, it’s too late! Please indicate the photo number, the username, and the points awarded: Photo #1 = 3 pts Photo #2 = 2 pts Photo #3 = 1 pt
- All VF members can vote (even those who didn’t submit photos).
- In case of a tie for first place, the winning photo will be the one with the most first-place votes, then second-place votes!
- The lucky winner will not only earn the admiration of all September’s photo contest participants but will also get the privilege of choosing the theme and organizing October 2026’s photo contest.
For discussions about the theme, head over here: Discussion thread for September 2026’s theme: "The Street as a Livelihood"
Wishing you all some amazing shots!
So, I’ve chosen this month’s theme: "The Street as a Livelihood". The photos we’re looking for are street scenes showing people who use the street as a place to earn a living—whether it’s legal work, informal jobs, illegal activities, or begging.
The rules:
- Photo submissions until Thursday, September 24 at 11:59 PM (Paris time) You can post up to 3 photos, numbered and posted in separate messages, ideally with a short description of the location and the story behind it.
- Voting from Friday, September 25 at 12:01 AM to Tuesday, September 29 at 11:59 PM. After the deadline, it’s too late! Please indicate the photo number, the username, and the points awarded: Photo #1 = 3 pts Photo #2 = 2 pts Photo #3 = 1 pt
- All VF members can vote (even those who didn’t submit photos).
- In case of a tie for first place, the winning photo will be the one with the most first-place votes, then second-place votes!
- The lucky winner will not only earn the admiration of all September’s photo contest participants but will also get the privilege of choosing the theme and organizing October 2026’s photo contest.
For discussions about the theme, head over here: Discussion thread for September 2026’s theme: "The Street as a Livelihood"
Wishing you all some amazing shots!
Since I don’t have time to come up with an original theme, I’m suggesting a broad, international topic: religious buildings around the world. Given how vast the subject is, I’d like us to focus on photos of exteriors—wide shots or details. Interiors, which are just as varied, could be the subject of another contest.
A few of my own photos, just to give you an idea:
A few of my own photos, just to give you an idea:
Pressed for time due to a full house of kids, grandkids, and cats, I decided to go with a general theme. Everyone has photos of religious buildings, so architectural variety is guaranteed. Just a reminder—I’m asking for exterior shots only, either wide-angle or detailed views.
Phanom Rung, Thailand
Wat Phra Keo, Bangkok
Abu Simbel
Quimper
Venice
Istanbul
Khiva, Uzbekistan
Phanom Rung, Thailand
Wat Phra Keo, Bangkok
Abu Simbel
Quimper
Venice
Istanbul
Khiva, Uzbekistan
This is where you can chat about bridges... let’s get the conversation started! 😊
The theme for this July’s photo contest is:
Bridges of the World
Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon
Here’s the definition of a bridge: “A structure, typically made of stone, wood, or metal, that spans a depression or obstacle (such as a transportation route or waterway) by connecting the two sides or crossing over the obstacle.”
Viaducts, aqueducts, and footbridges will all be accepted.
Millau Viaduct
To allow for as many original photos as possible, the bridge can be photographed from the side, below, or above—the main thing is that it’s the focal point of the image.
Bridge in the Algarve
Pont du Gard from below
Details are also welcome, as long as you can still recognize it’s a bridge 😊
Brooklyn Bridge
Practical details:
Participation: Each VF member can submit up to 3 photos, until Sunday, 26/07 at 11:59 PM Paris time. Each photo must be posted in a separate message, with its number (1, 2, or 3). Don’t forget to add a little explanation (comment, location, etc.).
Voting: Each VF member can vote for the 3 photos they consider the best, based on their own criteria and the theme.
Voting will take place from Monday, 27/07 to Friday, 31/07 at 11:59 PM Paris time.
Selected photos should be listed in order of preference: - 1st photo: 3 points - 2nd photo: 2 points - 3rd photo: 1 point
The winner is the photographer whose photo receives the most points.
Results will be announced on 01/08. In case of a tie, the number of first-place votes will decide. The winner will have the honor of organizing August 2026’s contest.
Photos that have already been nominated (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place) in another contest are not eligible to participate in this one.
This thread is exclusively for contest submissions. Any discussions or comments should be posted in the following thread: Here
Vasco da Gama Bridge in LisbonHere’s the definition of a bridge: “A structure, typically made of stone, wood, or metal, that spans a depression or obstacle (such as a transportation route or waterway) by connecting the two sides or crossing over the obstacle.”
Viaducts, aqueducts, and footbridges will all be accepted.
Millau ViaductTo allow for as many original photos as possible, the bridge can be photographed from the side, below, or above—the main thing is that it’s the focal point of the image.
Bridge in the Algarve
Pont du Gard from belowDetails are also welcome, as long as you can still recognize it’s a bridge 😊
Brooklyn BridgePractical details:
Participation: Each VF member can submit up to 3 photos, until Sunday, 26/07 at 11:59 PM Paris time. Each photo must be posted in a separate message, with its number (1, 2, or 3). Don’t forget to add a little explanation (comment, location, etc.).
Voting: Each VF member can vote for the 3 photos they consider the best, based on their own criteria and the theme.
Voting will take place from Monday, 27/07 to Friday, 31/07 at 11:59 PM Paris time.
Selected photos should be listed in order of preference: - 1st photo: 3 points - 2nd photo: 2 points - 3rd photo: 1 point
The winner is the photographer whose photo receives the most points.
Results will be announced on 01/08. In case of a tie, the number of first-place votes will decide. The winner will have the honor of organizing August 2026’s contest.
Photos that have already been nominated (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place) in another contest are not eligible to participate in this one.
This thread is exclusively for contest submissions. Any discussions or comments should be posted in the following thread: Here
If you’ve already posted your three photos in the contest thread Staircases: May 2026 Photo Contest Theme and a fourth one comes to mind, you can ease your staircase obsession here.
A few examples of staircases:
Some of the 6,600 steps on the staircase leading to the summit of Jade Emperor Peak at 1,545 meters.
Emergency staircase at the Orléans library (France).
Brussels street artist Créons incorporates the staircase into the dress design of his character.
The staircase is part of the roof of Villa Malaparte (Adalberto Libera) on the island of Capri (Italy).
A few examples of staircases:
Some of the 6,600 steps on the staircase leading to the summit of Jade Emperor Peak at 1,545 meters.
Emergency staircase at the Orléans library (France).
Brussels street artist Créons incorporates the staircase into the dress design of his character.
The staircase is part of the roof of Villa Malaparte (Adalberto Libera) on the island of Capri (Italy).
Hello,
It might not be very original, but I see it hasn’t been suggested—or at least not for a very long time. I’d like to invite you to discover the beauty of the great outdoors through landscape photos. Whether they’re desert, sea, countryside, or mountain scenes—with or without other elements (people, buildings, animals, etc.)—they should make us want to dive right in without hesitation.
To participate: Photo submissions until Wednesday, June 24 at 11:59 PM You can post up to 3 photos, numbered and shared in separate messages, along with a short description of the place and the story behind it.
To vote: from Thursday, June 25 at 12:01 AM to Monday, June 29 at 11:59 PM After the deadline, it’s too late!
Please include the photo number, username, and the points awarded: Photo #1 = 3 pts Photo #2 = 2 pts Photo #3 = 1 pt
All VF members can vote (even those who didn’t submit photos). In case of a tie for first place, the winning photo will be the one with the most first-place votes, then second-place votes! The lucky winner will get to organize July 2026’s photo contest.
For discussions about the theme, it’s here: Discussion thread for June 2026’s theme: Such a Beautiful Landscape
Good luck to everyone!
Philippe
Chumphon, Thailand: Doi Tapang
It might not be very original, but I see it hasn’t been suggested—or at least not for a very long time. I’d like to invite you to discover the beauty of the great outdoors through landscape photos. Whether they’re desert, sea, countryside, or mountain scenes—with or without other elements (people, buildings, animals, etc.)—they should make us want to dive right in without hesitation.
To participate: Photo submissions until Wednesday, June 24 at 11:59 PM You can post up to 3 photos, numbered and shared in separate messages, along with a short description of the place and the story behind it.
To vote: from Thursday, June 25 at 12:01 AM to Monday, June 29 at 11:59 PM After the deadline, it’s too late!
Please include the photo number, username, and the points awarded: Photo #1 = 3 pts Photo #2 = 2 pts Photo #3 = 1 pt
All VF members can vote (even those who didn’t submit photos). In case of a tie for first place, the winning photo will be the one with the most first-place votes, then second-place votes! The lucky winner will get to organize July 2026’s photo contest.
For discussions about the theme, it’s here: Discussion thread for June 2026’s theme: Such a Beautiful Landscape
Good luck to everyone!
Philippe
Chumphon, Thailand: Doi Tapang
This is where we chat.
Hello
This month’s photo contest theme for May 2026 is "Staircases"
Plural or singular? Does it really matter as long as you’re told you’ve gone up or down them well?
Anyway, it’s not that complicated, even though I’m sure some will manage to overcomplicate it—after all, why keep things simple when making them complicated is so much more fun (as an Indian proverb goes).
To participate: Submit your photos until Monday, May 25 at 11:59 PM You can post up to 3 photos, numbered and shared in separate messages, along with a short description of the location and the story behind it.
To vote: From Tuesday, May 26 at 12:01 AM until Saturday, May 30 at 11:59 PM After the deadline, it’s too late.
Please include the photo number, username, and the points awarded: Photo #1 = 3 pts Photo #2 = 2 pts Photo #3 = 1 pt
All VF members can vote (even those who didn’t submit photos). In case of a tie for first place, the winning photo will be the one with the most first-place votes, then second-place votes! The lucky winner will get to organize June 2026’s photo contest.
For discussions about the theme, click here: Discussion thread for May 2026’s theme: Staircases
This month’s photo contest theme for May 2026 is "Staircases"
Plural or singular? Does it really matter as long as you’re told you’ve gone up or down them well?
Anyway, it’s not that complicated, even though I’m sure some will manage to overcomplicate it—after all, why keep things simple when making them complicated is so much more fun (as an Indian proverb goes).
To participate: Submit your photos until Monday, May 25 at 11:59 PM You can post up to 3 photos, numbered and shared in separate messages, along with a short description of the location and the story behind it.
To vote: From Tuesday, May 26 at 12:01 AM until Saturday, May 30 at 11:59 PM After the deadline, it’s too late.
Please include the photo number, username, and the points awarded: Photo #1 = 3 pts Photo #2 = 2 pts Photo #3 = 1 pt
All VF members can vote (even those who didn’t submit photos). In case of a tie for first place, the winning photo will be the one with the most first-place votes, then second-place votes! The lucky winner will get to organize June 2026’s photo contest.
For discussions about the theme, click here: Discussion thread for May 2026’s theme: Staircases
Hey there!
This is the spot where we can chill and chat about fishing at sea worldwide 😊
Here are two charming fishermen taking a well-deserved break near Zanzibar!
This is the spot where we can chill and chat about fishing at sea worldwide 😊
Here are two charming fishermen taking a well-deserved break near Zanzibar!
The 140th (wow!) edition of the contest is now live!
Since it’s April Fools’ month and I’m a diver at heart, I had to pick a theme around the sea and fish.
This month’s theme is: sea fishing 🙂. Deep-sea fishing, rockpooling, shore casting, shellfish & crustaceans—anything remotely related to sea fishing fits the bill 😉
Photos of fishing boats, fishing ports, fish auctions, seafood stalls, nets and trawls, lobster pots, fishermen, your kids collecting cockles, even those New Year’s oyster shells 😏—no limits as long as it ties into the theme 😛 And of course, a special shout-out to anglers worldwide! 🙂
I’m traveling right now, so I don’t have many photos on hand. To illustrate the theme, I’ve chosen this shot of a small Vietnamese fishing boat I spotted near the Cham Islands, returning from a dive.
Contest rules: You can post up to three photos, each in a separate message, clearly numbering them (1, 2, or 3) and including the location where the photo was taken. Any explanations about your photos are welcome.
When voting, you’ll choose three photos, clearly stating the participant’s name followed by their photo number. The first photo in your vote gets three points, the second gets two, and the third gets one.
The winner will be the person whose photo earns the most points. In case of a tie, the winner will be the one with the most first-place votes, or if still tied, the most second-place votes. If it’s a perfect tie, the person who reached their score first wins. The winner then gets the honor of choosing and organizing May 2026’s contest theme. Ties for any other position won’t be broken. Finally, you don’t need to enter the contest to vote, but participants (and I hope there’ll be lots of you!) are *strongly* encouraged to vote!
Please only post contest photos in this thread. Starting Saturday, April 25 (00:01 Paris time), only votes should be posted.
Key dates: You can submit your photos from today until Friday, April 24, 2026 (23:59 Paris time—Xavier, you can do the math for Perth 😏). Voting starts the very next minute and ends on Thursday, April 29 (23:59 Paris time). Results will be announced on Thursday, April 30, 2026... The next host can take over on Saturday, May 2 (yeah, May 1 is a no-work day 😛)
Ready, set, shoot!
Since it’s April Fools’ month and I’m a diver at heart, I had to pick a theme around the sea and fish.
This month’s theme is: sea fishing 🙂. Deep-sea fishing, rockpooling, shore casting, shellfish & crustaceans—anything remotely related to sea fishing fits the bill 😉
Photos of fishing boats, fishing ports, fish auctions, seafood stalls, nets and trawls, lobster pots, fishermen, your kids collecting cockles, even those New Year’s oyster shells 😏—no limits as long as it ties into the theme 😛 And of course, a special shout-out to anglers worldwide! 🙂
I’m traveling right now, so I don’t have many photos on hand. To illustrate the theme, I’ve chosen this shot of a small Vietnamese fishing boat I spotted near the Cham Islands, returning from a dive.
Contest rules: You can post up to three photos, each in a separate message, clearly numbering them (1, 2, or 3) and including the location where the photo was taken. Any explanations about your photos are welcome.
When voting, you’ll choose three photos, clearly stating the participant’s name followed by their photo number. The first photo in your vote gets three points, the second gets two, and the third gets one.
The winner will be the person whose photo earns the most points. In case of a tie, the winner will be the one with the most first-place votes, or if still tied, the most second-place votes. If it’s a perfect tie, the person who reached their score first wins. The winner then gets the honor of choosing and organizing May 2026’s contest theme. Ties for any other position won’t be broken. Finally, you don’t need to enter the contest to vote, but participants (and I hope there’ll be lots of you!) are *strongly* encouraged to vote!
Please only post contest photos in this thread. Starting Saturday, April 25 (00:01 Paris time), only votes should be posted.
Key dates: You can submit your photos from today until Friday, April 24, 2026 (23:59 Paris time—Xavier, you can do the math for Perth 😏). Voting starts the very next minute and ends on Thursday, April 29 (23:59 Paris time). Results will be announced on Thursday, April 30, 2026... The next host can take over on Saturday, May 2 (yeah, May 1 is a no-work day 😛)
Ready, set, shoot!
The 139th edition of this contest is now open, and this month’s theme is:
« Metal, Metallic».
From ore to rockets, wire to the Eiffel Tower—or in a pinch, even a self-portrait at the bottom of a spoon—the theme is broad enough that you should be able to come up with at least three ideas pretty easily! Sure, things might get tricky when it’s time to vote, but that could just be a sign of a successful contest, right?! But we’re not there yet.
Contest rules: You can post up to three photos, each in a separate message, clearly indicating their number (1, 2, or 3) along with the location where the photo was taken. Any explanations about your photos are welcome.
You’ll vote for three photos, clearly stating the name of the participant you’ve chosen, followed by the photo number. The first photo in your vote will receive three points, the second two points, and the third one point.
The winner will be the person whose photo earns the most points. In case of a tie, the winner will be the one with the most first-place votes—or, if still tied, the most second-place votes. Finally, if it’s a perfect tie, the winner will be the one who reached their score first. The winner will then have the pleasure of choosing the theme for the April 2026 contest and organizing it. Ties for any position other than first won’t be broken. Lastly, you don’t need to participate in the contest to vote. However, participants (and I hope there’ll be lots of you!) are strongly encouraged to vote!
Please only post contest photos in this thread, and starting Thursday, March 26 (00:01 Paris time), only votes.
Key dates: You can submit your photos starting today, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, until Wednesday, March 25, 2026 (23:59 Paris time). Voting will begin the minute after and end on Monday, March 30 (23:59 Paris time). Results will be announced on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 ... if all goes well!
A discussion thread for this contest is open HERE: The photorama can be found HERE
From ore to rockets, wire to the Eiffel Tower—or in a pinch, even a self-portrait at the bottom of a spoon—the theme is broad enough that you should be able to come up with at least three ideas pretty easily! Sure, things might get tricky when it’s time to vote, but that could just be a sign of a successful contest, right?! But we’re not there yet.
Contest rules: You can post up to three photos, each in a separate message, clearly indicating their number (1, 2, or 3) along with the location where the photo was taken. Any explanations about your photos are welcome.
You’ll vote for three photos, clearly stating the name of the participant you’ve chosen, followed by the photo number. The first photo in your vote will receive three points, the second two points, and the third one point.
The winner will be the person whose photo earns the most points. In case of a tie, the winner will be the one with the most first-place votes—or, if still tied, the most second-place votes. Finally, if it’s a perfect tie, the winner will be the one who reached their score first. The winner will then have the pleasure of choosing the theme for the April 2026 contest and organizing it. Ties for any position other than first won’t be broken. Lastly, you don’t need to participate in the contest to vote. However, participants (and I hope there’ll be lots of you!) are strongly encouraged to vote!
Please only post contest photos in this thread, and starting Thursday, March 26 (00:01 Paris time), only votes.
Key dates: You can submit your photos starting today, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, until Wednesday, March 25, 2026 (23:59 Paris time). Voting will begin the minute after and end on Monday, March 30 (23:59 Paris time). Results will be announced on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 ... if all goes well!
A discussion thread for this contest is open HERE: The photorama can be found HERE
This is where we share stories (or post extra photos) around March’s theme Metal, Metallic.
Back to the March 2026 contest: HERE
The Ghan (train connecting Adelaide to Darwin), at dawn.
Back to the March 2026 contest: HERE
The Ghan (train connecting Adelaide to Darwin), at dawn.
Let’s stick with the water theme—it’s definitely the season (maybe a bit *too* much for some of those dealing with floods 😕).
After the flowing waters (with varying energy levels), let’s take it easy with still waters:
Lakes (Annecy)
Ponds (near Moustiers Saint Marie)
Lagoons (Bacalar)
If you’ve got nice photos of a pond—or even a puddle—why not? Natural bodies of water only: no pools or fountains (reservoir lakes are accepted… because they often look like natural lakes ).
The contest rules are the same as always 😉: Up to 3 photos per member, one photo per post (a little explanation is better), and past winning photos from other VF contests aren’t allowed. You have until Sunday, February 22nd at 11:59 PM (Paris time) to post your photos. Voting starts Monday the 23rd at midnight—rank your top 3 photos in order (3, 2, and 1 points). Voting ends Saturday, February 28th at 11:59 PM. Results will be announced on March 1st. The winning photo is the one with the most points (in case of a tie, the photo ranked first the most times wins). The lucky winner gets to organize March’s contest 😎.
Dig into your archives…
Lakes (Annecy)
Ponds (near Moustiers Saint Marie)
Lagoons (Bacalar)If you’ve got nice photos of a pond—or even a puddle—why not? Natural bodies of water only: no pools or fountains (reservoir lakes are accepted… because they often look like natural lakes ).
The contest rules are the same as always 😉: Up to 3 photos per member, one photo per post (a little explanation is better), and past winning photos from other VF contests aren’t allowed. You have until Sunday, February 22nd at 11:59 PM (Paris time) to post your photos. Voting starts Monday the 23rd at midnight—rank your top 3 photos in order (3, 2, and 1 points). Voting ends Saturday, February 28th at 11:59 PM. Results will be announced on March 1st. The winning photo is the one with the most points (in case of a tie, the photo ranked first the most times wins). The lucky winner gets to organize March’s contest 😎.
Dig into your archives…
For those who want to chat quietly by the riverbanks, this is the place!
The first theme of 2026 is:
"Waterways Around the World".
Water is present almost everywhere on our blue planet, so I’ve narrowed the theme down to waterways—rivers, streams, brooks, and the like.
Seas, oceans, lakes, or other stagnant waters won’t be considered for this month’s theme 😅. However, waterfalls and cascades are very welcome 😊!
Practical details:
**Participation** Each VF member can submit up to 3 photos, until Sunday, January 25th at 11:59 PM Paris time. Each photo must be posted in a separate message, with its number (1, 2, or 3). Don’t forget to add a little explanation (commentary, location, etc.).
**Voting** Each VF member can vote for the 3 photos they consider the best, based on their own criteria and the theme.
Voting will take place from Monday, January 26th to Saturday, January 31st at 11:59 PM Paris time.
Photos should be ranked in order of preference: - 1st photo: 3 points - 2nd photo: 2 points - 3rd photo: 1 point
The winner is the photographer whose photo receives the most points.
Results will be published on February 1st. In case of a tie, the number of first-place votes will decide. The winner will have the honor of organizing February 2026’s contest.
Photos that have already been nominated (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place) in another contest are not eligible to participate in this one.
This thread is exclusively for contest photo submissions. All discussions, comments, and chit-chat should take place in the thread: here
Water is present almost everywhere on our blue planet, so I’ve narrowed the theme down to waterways—rivers, streams, brooks, and the like.
Seas, oceans, lakes, or other stagnant waters won’t be considered for this month’s theme 😅. However, waterfalls and cascades are very welcome 😊!
Practical details:
**Participation** Each VF member can submit up to 3 photos, until Sunday, January 25th at 11:59 PM Paris time. Each photo must be posted in a separate message, with its number (1, 2, or 3). Don’t forget to add a little explanation (commentary, location, etc.).
**Voting** Each VF member can vote for the 3 photos they consider the best, based on their own criteria and the theme.
Voting will take place from Monday, January 26th to Saturday, January 31st at 11:59 PM Paris time.
Photos should be ranked in order of preference: - 1st photo: 3 points - 2nd photo: 2 points - 3rd photo: 1 point
The winner is the photographer whose photo receives the most points.
Results will be published on February 1st. In case of a tie, the number of first-place votes will decide. The winner will have the honor of organizing February 2026’s contest.
Photos that have already been nominated (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place) in another contest are not eligible to participate in this one.
This thread is exclusively for contest photo submissions. All discussions, comments, and chit-chat should take place in the thread: here
To chat about waterways, this is the place.
I suggest we compete with photos of towers. No magic tricks or potter’s wheels—we’re talking about "tour" as in the feminine noun. So, a kind of tall building, round, square, or polygonal, or a high structure that could be metallic, or a flat-topped bell tower (campanile), or a high-rise building (building)...
You can find them almost everywhere in the world and from all eras.
The tower(s) must be the main subject of the photo.
Examples:
The first photo, which is Saint Mark’s Square (with the Campanile), won’t be accepted.
The second one, where the Campanile tower is the main subject, will be accepted.
Have fun and surprise us! Photos of computer towers are excluded 😏
Have fun and surprise us! Photos of computer towers are excluded 😏
This is the place to chat about December’s theme!
I’ll start with a little TOUR of the world’s TOURS.
Of course, you can submit multiple photos of the same tower in the contest—it’s the quality of the photo that’ll be judged during voting, not just the subject!
Of course, you can submit multiple photos of the same tower in the contest—it’s the quality of the photo that’ll be judged during voting, not just the subject!
Good evening everyone,
So, it’s settled—the first idea (this book about the lush garden of a New York state parsonage, "this garden obsessed with the love this man had for his late wife." Reverend Cheney musically noting all the birdsongs, the water droplets in the watering can, the wind rushing through cloaks at the end of the 19th century) will be the theme.
Garden: A plot of land, usually enclosed, attached or not to a dwelling, planted with useful or ornamental vegetation.
So, private gardens, vegetable patches, herb gardens, botanical gardens, winter gardens with their lush greenhouses, the "hortus conclusus" of cloisters evoking the Garden of Eden, public gardens, and their extension into parks are all welcome. I’m sure I’ve forgotten some...
Photos can be posted until Monday, November 24 at midnight, following the usual rules: one per message, numbered from 1 to 3, with the location of the shot and, if you’d like, a few details.
Voting, where you explicitly assign 3 to 1 points to your top 3 photos, will take place from Tuesday, November 25 at 12:01 AM until Sunday, November 30 at midnight. The results will be announced on December 1.
Your turn! 😉
Catherine
PS: This thread is reserved for contest photos. For all other photos and conversations under the trees by the fountains, it’s here.
Good evening everyone,
This is where we chat and post non-competition photos. Happy wandering (jogging is also welcome).
See you soon.
Cat
Hi everyone!
This theme has probably been done before... but not recently, at least 😉 Doors—open, closed, of houses, castles... even if only the threshold remains. Since I’m not home, I don’t have access to my photos right now, and regarding the rules, I’ll let you refer to one of the previous contests.
Photos can be posted until Thursday the 23rd at 11:59 PM (Paris time). Voting will take place from the 24th to the 30th of October, and the results will be announced on the 31st during the day.
See you soon! 🙂
This theme has probably been done before... but not recently, at least 😉 Doors—open, closed, of houses, castles... even if only the threshold remains. Since I’m not home, I don’t have access to my photos right now, and regarding the rules, I’ll let you refer to one of the previous contests.
Photos can be posted until Thursday the 23rd at 11:59 PM (Paris time). Voting will take place from the 24th to the 30th of October, and the results will be announced on the 31st during the day.
See you soon! 🙂
Hello again!
If you'd like to post non-contest photos or chat about this month's theme, this is the place! 🙂
If you'd like to post non-contest photos or chat about this month's theme, this is the place! 🙂
Hi there, 🙂
The point of this contest isn’t to photograph Mathilde or even to frantically click the "report" button on every post in a thread.
It’s to post **road signs**!
Whether they’re official or not...
Funny or serious...
Of all shapes, all colors, in all languages...
The rules are the same as usual—I’ll let you check out the previous contests for reference. 😛
Just a quick reminder:
- Max of 3 photos per person.
- One photo per post (preferably embedded 😉) with a caption and the photo number.
Submissions close on **Monday, September 22, 2025, at 11:59 PM Paris time**.
Voting starts on **Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 11:59 PM** (and not a second before… 😇), Paris time, and ends on **Monday, September 29, 2025, at the same time** (still Paris time).
Results will be posted on **September 30, 2025**, sometime during the day!
Ready, set, snap!
(To discuss, it’s here…)
The point of this contest isn’t to photograph Mathilde or even to frantically click the "report" button on every post in a thread.
It’s to post **road signs**!
Whether they’re official or not...
Funny or serious...
Of all shapes, all colors, in all languages...
The rules are the same as usual—I’ll let you check out the previous contests for reference. 😛
Just a quick reminder:
- Max of 3 photos per person.
- One photo per post (preferably embedded 😉) with a caption and the photo number.
Submissions close on **Monday, September 22, 2025, at 11:59 PM Paris time**.
Voting starts on **Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 11:59 PM** (and not a second before… 😇), Paris time, and ends on **Monday, September 29, 2025, at the same time** (still Paris time).
Results will be posted on **September 30, 2025**, sometime during the day!
Ready, set, snap!
(To discuss, it’s here…)
For the contest, it's here !
Hi everyone,
Here’s the theme for August... the world’s felines.
Yep, wildlife photography! 😺
Forest cat
So, this theme isn’t exactly a "travel invitation," but coming up with a new one is quite a puzzle 😅. During February’s “white” theme discussion, we had pages of cats, so you should be inspired 😸. I won’t be restrictive—wild felines, domestic cats, and even those in zoos (though I’m not a fan) will be accepted. Plus, engravings, paintings, statues, or any other representations of felines fit the theme. The Sphinx is also welcome ;).
Practical details:
Participation: Each VF member can submit up to 3 photos, until Monday, August 25th at 11:59 PM Paris time. Each photo must be posted in a separate message, with its number (1, 2, or 3). Don’t forget to add a little explanation (comment, location, etc.).
Voting: Each VF member can vote for the 3 photos they consider the best, based on their own criteria and the theme.
Voting will take place from Tuesday, August 26th to Saturday, August 30th at 11:59 PM Paris time.
Selected photos will be ranked in order of preference: - 1st photo: 3 points - 2nd photo: 2 points - 3rd photo: 1 point
The winner is the photographer with the most points.
Results will be published on August 31st. In case of a tie, the number of first-place votes will decide. The winner will have the honor of organizing September 2025’s contest.
Photos that have already been nominated (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place) in another contest are not eligible for this one.
This thread is exclusively for contest submissions. Any discussions or comments should be posted here.
Forest catSo, this theme isn’t exactly a "travel invitation," but coming up with a new one is quite a puzzle 😅. During February’s “white” theme discussion, we had pages of cats, so you should be inspired 😸. I won’t be restrictive—wild felines, domestic cats, and even those in zoos (though I’m not a fan) will be accepted. Plus, engravings, paintings, statues, or any other representations of felines fit the theme. The Sphinx is also welcome ;).
Practical details:
Participation: Each VF member can submit up to 3 photos, until Monday, August 25th at 11:59 PM Paris time. Each photo must be posted in a separate message, with its number (1, 2, or 3). Don’t forget to add a little explanation (comment, location, etc.).
Voting: Each VF member can vote for the 3 photos they consider the best, based on their own criteria and the theme.
Voting will take place from Tuesday, August 26th to Saturday, August 30th at 11:59 PM Paris time.
Selected photos will be ranked in order of preference: - 1st photo: 3 points - 2nd photo: 2 points - 3rd photo: 1 point
The winner is the photographer with the most points.
Results will be published on August 31st. In case of a tie, the number of first-place votes will decide. The winner will have the honor of organizing September 2025’s contest.
Photos that have already been nominated (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place) in another contest are not eligible for this one.
This thread is exclusively for contest submissions. Any discussions or comments should be posted here.
This is where you can chat about all things feline.
Here’s a beautiful specimen already:
