Embracing Dawn: December 2024 Photo Contest
FR

Embracing Dawn: December 2024 Photo Contest

by UnaMilanese

in Other › Travel games

Translated into English.

MO Montagnard74 Globetrotter ·
Time to vote because your today will soon be my tomorrow 😊

Solène 40 photo 3: 3 pts. Also a bit thrown off by the framing, but I really like it. Unamilanese photo 2: 2 pts. Because Venice is one of the cities in my heart. Raga photo 3: 1 point. Because that little Peaky Blinders vibe—such a great Netflix show I loved, and it’s what the photo reminds me of.

And thanks to Agnès for the montage!
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux." Marcel Proust
KA Kate Globetrotter ·
Hello everyone!

Well done, Catherine—I’m not sure I’d have had the courage to take on such a big organization! It wasn’t a sure thing, yet there were quite a few participants and some really high-quality photos.

Here are my picks: I mostly skipped the sunrises over sand, beaches, or lakes—except for one—and focused on what made me feel like I was traveling.

Montagnard74, photo 3, 3 points. My little crush! I love the ochre tones in this misty atmosphere, the composition where every element is perfectly placed. A true travel photo!

Solene40, photo 2, 2 points. A beautiful image that really captures India. Great composition and lovely reflections. The overall tone is a tad too green for my taste, but the little pops of bright colors help balance it out.

Rouquine38, photo 3. A lovely long exposure that adds softness to the water and movement to the sky. I find the shadows a bit crushed (though it might just be my screen). Still, a gorgeous shot!

I also really liked Herodotos’ #1, Unamilanese’s #2, and Kola’s #1.
Mes photos sur Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/153304262@N05/albums "Le Temps nous égare. Le Temps nous étreint. Le Temps nous est gare. Le Temps nous est train".
RI RichardXI Regular ·
Hi everyone,

Here are my picks:

Montagnard74’s #3: 3 pts

Herodotos’s #1: 2 pts

Solene40’s #3: 1 pt

And congrats to all the participants.
UN UnaMilanese Veteran ·
Hey there,

Last few hours to vote. 🙂

Cat
By this, and this only, we have existed. Which is not to be found in our obituaries. (T.S. Eliot)
RA Ragamuffin Globetrotter ·
Hello,

Thanks, Catherine, for daring to keep the VF contest adventure going 😎.

Here’s my vote for this contest, which, like the sun rising each day, seems to be reborn little by little.

I chose three photos of places where I made the big effort to wake up at dawn to appreciate their tranquility (not at Angkor, though) and also the light—but I prefer "embracing the twilight" (it’s easier 😛).

So, not really aesthetic criteria, but rather (as they say) strong memories tied to the places shown in these three photos.

Let’s start with photo No. 2 by Solene40, taken in Pushkar (Rajasthan, India) (3 points).

I arrived in Pushkar on Christmas Eve 2004 and decided to wake up before dawn to have breakfast at the Lotus Guest House on the eastern banks of the lake, so I could watch the colors change over the town to the west at sunrise. It was magical—it warmed my heart, I was over the moon and at peace on the empty terrace. In short, I was in Nirvana... without realizing (and I’d only hear about it two days later) that at that very moment, a devastating tsunami was claiming over 200,000 lives around the Indian Ocean.

Next, photo No. 2 by UnaMilanese, Venice (2 points), where I also woke up before dawn to enjoy the absence of crowds in Piazza San Marco. It was a success—aside from a few pigeons (the real kind), there was no one... really no one... not a soul... for a few minutes... until the first Japanese tourist arrived, swallowed his smile, and committed hara-kiri as soon as he saw me. It was May 6, 2002, the day after the second round of the French presidential election (Chirac vs. Le Pen), so no comments like, "Hey! It’s not like back home in France."

And finally, photo No. 3 by Montagnard74, Bagan (1 point), with its hot-air balloons 🤪, whose colors rival the hundreds of pagodas scattered across the plain: "Hey! It’s just like Luxor here!"

Fortunately, I didn’t see them during my two stays in Bagan, which I recommend discovering by arriving from the south (Yangon, Pyay, Magwe, Chauk... Bagan) and getting there in the late afternoon on the roof of a truck for a beautiful approach with the sunset lighting.

Save the dawn discovery for the day after your arrival—by balloon or from a modern observation tower. I was lucky enough to go at the very beginning of the century and still be able to climb some of the pagodas.

Thanks again, Catherine, for organizing this contest, and "Happy end of 2024".
"Nous ne sommes plus une communauté d'être humains qui se parlent mais un conglomérat de grappes de consommateurs en niches, séparés les uns des autres par des obsessions diverses et innombrables. Nous sommes de l'ère de la désintégration." Marc Moulin (1942-2008) in Humoeurs
UN UnaMilanese Veteran ·








Hi everyone, they’re in order, with Prague and Venice tied. So it’s our Savoyard traveler from the other side of the world who wins this second rebirth contest (20 votes), with Solene40 as runner-up (12 votes). I hesitated a lot and thank Kola for giving me a little push. I doubted the subject—back in the 2013 theme, sunsets overwhelmingly outnumbered sunrises—and I was wrong. The photos are still a bit rare, but very diverse. I smiled at the gray early mornings, opened my eyes wide at the bursts of color, and appreciated the gentle dawns. Thanks to everyone for sharing this. I wish you a 2025 bubbling with light like the winning photo, as serene as the second, and full of enchanted strolls in cities too crowded with tourists. Your turn, Bruno. 😉 Catherine
By this, and this only, we have existed. Which is not to be found in our obituaries. (T.S. Eliot)
KA Kate Globetrotter ·
So it’s our Savoyard from the other side of the world who wins this second rebirth contest

Haha, I knew it! I sent him a PM on December 11th telling him he could start thinking about a topic ;) Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be able to participate since I’ll be in India until January 30th.

Thanks, Catherine, for organizing this so smoothly. Thanks, Agnès, for the slideshow. And happy New Year to everyone!
Mes photos sur Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/153304262@N05/albums "Le Temps nous égare. Le Temps nous étreint. Le Temps nous est gare. Le Temps nous est train".
SO Solene40 Globetrotter ·
A big shout-out to my buddy Montagnard 👏👍. I can't wait to see what subject you'll choose 😄. Thanks for the second place, but I admit the dimensions of my photo are a bit weird, and I don’t even remember why I cropped it!! Kate, have an amazing trip to India, and I wish you all a wonderful 2025 from Ibiza, where I’m doing a sunrise cure by the sea 😊. See you soon, Christelle
Le monde est comme un miroir, si tu lui souris, il te sourit aussi!
MO Montagnard74 Globetrotter ·
First of all, hello everyone, and most of all, my best wishes for this new year—I hope it’s filled with travels for you 😉.

Thanks next for your votes. Catherine actually warned me, and I didn’t believe her, so I’m feeling pretty sheepish now ¾. But like Christelle, if someone mentions dawn, I always think of that early morning at the top of that pagoda, and I couldn’t resist submitting this photo.

It’s funny, actually—this is the second time I’ve won this contest, had the honor of proposing the next one, and the first time was also in January (2019, thanks Herikles for the recap). Seems like my year always starts off on the right foot. Then again, I was born in January, so it’s a good start 😉

Anyway, back to the point. Some of you have guessed—I’m currently on the other side of the world from France, in the land of koalas and kangaroos 🇦🇺🇺🇸, with just my smartphone as my tool. It’s tricky to get a new contest up and running, but I’m not one to back down, so I’ll take on the task with respect for those who voted . Just be a little patient with the timing—I’m on vacation and swamped with things to do and see, but it won’t last the whole month (I’m already missing work ).

So, I’ll reveal the theme right away (which I found yesterday while visiting the site)—*presto* (as a Milanese would say)—and I’ll create the discussion threads tomorrow morning (tonight for you). The theme for the first 2025 contest will be: When the Sea Battles the Land: CLIFFS OF THE WORLD

A nature theme, pretty straightforward—I think it’ll be the quality of the photography (lighting, colors, angles) that makes the difference. After all, this *is* a photo contest, right?

Just a heads-up: the battle of the elements is optional. You can also have peaceful coasts, but always with a cliff.

Alright, sorry for the long post! Thanks again to the voters, to unamilanaise for organizing the springboard for my win 🏴‍☠️, and to Catherine for the recap (and have a great trip to India!)
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux." Marcel Proust
MO Montagnard74 Globetrotter ·
And finally tonight there was a break, so it starts here: https://voyageforum.com/forum/falaises-monde-jeu-concours-janvier-2025-d10659247/

And the discussion is happening here: https://voyageforum.com/forum/discussion-falaises-monde-concours-janvier-2025-d10659248/
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux." Marcel Proust
VO Voyajou Globetrotter ·
Congratulations and best wishes.

Thanks again to the voters, unanimanilaise for organizing the springboard for my victory 🏴‍☠️ and Catherine for the recap (and have a great trip to India!)

It’s clear you’re down under! 😎 Wasn’t the recap done by Agnès?
KA Kate Globetrotter ·
Catherine organized the contest Agnès put together the slideshow Kate (no relation) is off to India
Mes photos sur Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/153304262@N05/albums "Le Temps nous égare. Le Temps nous étreint. Le Temps nous est gare. Le Temps nous est train".
RO Rouquine38 Globetrotter ·
Congrats Bruno on first place—this photo was one of my favorites! 🙂 But my heart was really torn with Christelle’s, so congrats to her for second place too! 😉 See you in the next contest...
"Voyager est un triple plaisir : l'attente, l'éblouissement et le souvenir." Ilka Chase
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
Congrats on this win!

Wishing you an amazing trip—2025 is off to a great start! 😛

Best wishes for the new year to all participants! 🙂
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
MO Montagnard74 Globetrotter ·
Catherine organized the contest Agnès made the slideshow Kate (no relation) is leaving for India

Here’s my first hodgepodge— glad some of you still have your wits about you! January’s contest is doomed, mark my words! Good night, everyone 😉
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux." Marcel Proust
JO Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·
Not having a photo of a dawn in Aube on hand, let's head to the mountains.

Photo No. 2. The Dent Blanche (Valais) looks quite dark in this backlight.



An alpine hike, here on the "Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route", is always a chance to embrace the dawn, since you have to set off in the middle of the night with a headlamp. But those clouds coloring such a beautiful sky don’t bode well. We’ll have to turn back soon (from an analog photo).

I missed this one, and I just stumbled upon it.

What a magnificent, what a stunning photo!!

It’s not just the colors or the framing. What strikes me is that ray seeming to burst from a sparkling point at the peak’s summit.

A surreal image, one I could easily see illustrating a Jules Verne novel, like: "The Mysteries of the Fire Mountain."

Hats off to the artist!
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
HE Herodotos Regular ·
Love your post! 🙂

You seem to be the only one who noticed that ray of sunshine. Maybe that’s why the photo was deemed off-topic. But it doesn’t matter.

The shot was taken in July 1996 with a compact film camera (lightening the backpack was a must) and on the fly—better to watch where you’re planting your crampons first and not hold up the climbing team! I got lucky with such a rare and fleeting subject. A couple of hours later, when we had to turn back, everything was white on white—fog over snow!
https://www.myatlas.com/Herodote
JO Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·
Françoise and I have a keen eye for aesthetics—a quality that, unfortunately, isn’t all that useful otherwise.

Aside from the title of Jules Verne’s novel, my comment is indeed meant as you interpreted it: in my opinion, this photo belongs in the "out of competition" category.
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
VO Voyajou Globetrotter ·
With Françoise, we have a keen sense of aesthetics,

Personally, I have a soft spot for slender ankles. 😐
JO Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·
Sorry, it's just a fact. We can't take credit for it—we didn't make ourselves. Besides, isn’t that one of the conditions for being interested in the Photos section? 😏
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
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More discussions

RO
Rouquine38 14 hours ago · Valmichel86
July 2026 Photo Contest Theme: Bridges of the World
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
Open
RA
Ragamuffin 4 days ago · Tylassin
Discussion thread on the May 2026 theme: Staircases
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).
Open
PH
Philippebrg 2 weeks ago · Pagaljavab
June 2026 Photo Contest Theme: Such a Beautiful Landscape
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
Open
RA
Ragamuffin last month · Philippebrg
Staircases. Photo contest theme for May 2026.
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
Open
EN
Envallis 3 months ago · Muriel18
April 2026 Photo Contest Theme: Feeling Fishy?
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!
Open
XR
Xrctn 3 months ago · Jojoone1
March 2026 Photo Contest Theme: Metal, Metallic
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
Open
MU
Muriel18 5 months ago · Sinforosa
February contest theme: lakes and ponds around the world
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…
Open
RO
Rouquine38 5 months ago · UnaMilanese
Waterways Around the World: January 2026 Photo Contest
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
Open
GA
Gaura 6 months ago · Rouquine38
One or More Towers: December Photo Contest
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 😏
Open
GA
Gaura 7 months ago
December Photo Contest Discussion: One or Multiple Shots of Towers
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!
Open
UN
UnaMilanese 8 months ago · Attila
World Gardens and Parks – November 2025 Photo Contest


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.
Open
MU
Muriel18 8 months ago · Montagnard74
October Photo Contest Theme: Doors
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! 🙂
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Attila 10 months ago · Rouquine38
September 2025 Photo Contest: I Signal, You Signal, We Signal – Get Your Signs Ready!
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…)
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Rouquine38 11 months ago
World's Felines: August 2025 Photo Contest
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.
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UnaMilanese 12 months ago · Rouquine38
Wood in all its forms – July 2025 photography contest
Hi everyone,

This month’s contest theme is WOOD. Wood as a plant material—roots, trunks, branches that make up a tree. Dead or alive, splinters and knots. Sawdust too. Firewood, from the woodshed to the hearth. Wood as a crafting material and all the things it can become: from a spoon to a violin, a boat to a stave church, and so much more—way too long to list! 😉

Technical details:

1. Each of you can post up to 3 photos. One photo per message, numbered 1 to 3. Along with the shot, feel free to share a few written details—location, context, anecdote, or photography technique. Photos can be submitted until Tuesday, July 22 at midnight, Milan time.

2. Voting will take place from Wednesday, July 23 at 00:00 until Tuesday, July 29 at midnight. All forum members can vote for their 3 favorite photos, listing the photographer’s name and the photo number in order of preference: 3 points for first place, 2 for second, and 1 for third.

3. Results will be announced on Wednesday, July 30 during the day. In case of a tie, the number of first-place votes will decide. Photos already featured on a podium are not eligible to compete.

The winner will have the special privilege of organizing August’s contest.

This thread is reserved for contest photos. For other wood-themed photos and general discussions, head here.











Alright, your turn! 😛

Catherine
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Kate last year · LillieoneFE
A Series: June 2025 Photo Contest Theme
The theme for June is: A SERIES "A series is a set of coherent images that share several common points while still being different from one another."

In 3 photos, posted simultaneously in the same message, I’d like you to tell me a little story with a few words. You’re allowed 2 series.

They can be narrative or thematic. For example: 3 shots representing 3 professions, 3 places of worship, 3 market stalls, 3 trains... the ideas are endless—whether in the same place or in different countries... or 3 images of the same place, photographed from 3 different angles, under 3 different lights... or 3 images where the predominant color is the same... Narrative and theme can, of course, overlap.

Practical details:

Participation Each VF member can submit up to 2 series, until Saturday, June 21 at 11:59 PM Paris time. Each series of 3 photos must be presented in a single message, with its number indicated (series 1, series 2).

Voting: Each VF member can vote for the 3 series they consider the best, based on their own criteria and the theme.

Voting will take place from Saturday, June 21 at midnight until Saturday, June 28 at 11:59 PM Paris time.

The selected series will be ranked in order of preference: - 1st series: 3 points - 2nd: 2 points - 3rd: 1 point

The winner is the author of the series with the most points.

Results will be published on June 29 during the day. In case of a tie, the number of first-place votes will decide. The winner will have the honor of organizing July 2025’s contest.

Photos that have won (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place) in another VF contest are not eligible for this one.

This thread is exclusively for series submitted to the contest. All discussions, comments, and other chatter should take place in this thread.

...................................................................

Narrative: In Bali, I took a cooking class. We went to the market to shop with the teacher. We cleaned and prepped the ingredients to make, among other things, a lovely salad.







...........................................................................

Narrative and thematic: I really loved this place 30 km from Essaouira. A little souk "just as it is," as they say. The souk of Ida Ougourd.







...........................................................................

Thematic: Green in nature. The green of tea plantations in Munnar, a bamboo forest in Les Landes, and a park in Tokyo.



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Rouquine38 last year · Dolma
Reflections: Theme for the May 2025 Contest
Here’s the theme for the lovely month of May—no worries, it won’t be lilies of the valley! 😄

This month’s theme is: “Reflection(s)” This leaves a pretty wide scope: reflections in water, of course, but also in windows, on buildings... I’ll leave it to your imagination, but the reflection should be clearly visible.

If this theme has been used before, it doesn’t matter. It’s getting tricky to find new themes that can attract as many participants as possible.

I’m currently in northern Finland and don’t have access to my hard drives, so I’ll add a few photos when I return to France. Here’s just one I took with my smartphone yesterday late afternoon:



Practical details:

Participation: Each VF member can submit up to 3 photos, until Monday, May 26 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, May 27 to Saturday, May 31 at 11:59 PM Paris time.

The selected photos will be ranked in order of preference: - 1st photo: 3 points - 2nd: 2 points - 3rd: 1 point

The winner is the author of the photo with the most points.

Results will be published on June 1. In case of a tie, the number of first-place votes will decide. The winner will have the honor of organizing the June 2025 contest.

Photos that have already been nominated (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) in another contest are not eligible for this one.

This thread is exclusively for photos submitted to the contest. Any discussions or comments should be posted in the following thread: https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=10707526;a=10707526
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