March 2026 Photo Contest Theme: Metal, Metallic

Hey Alain, The photos are numbered in order of appearance... just like in the good movies!!!

Hi everyone,

My March votes:

3 points: Kate no.1 (Spain, France ??? *) 2 points: Ragamuffin no.2 (Japan) 1 point: Bluequark no.1 (Poland)

*Only Kate knows...

hgb

3 pts: Envallis_1 The Navajo Bridge emerging as if from the bowels of the earth. 2 pts: UnaMilanese_3 Like an embrace of metal. 1 pt: Montagnard_1 Ouch ouch ouch.

Thanks, Xavier, for hosting this contest—it finally found its place!

My votes: 3 points: Envallis 1 Navajo Bridge, for the contrast 2 points: Attila 2 Namibian Recycling, for what it evokes in me 1 point: Kate 2, Stopover in Pondicherry.

Special mention for the opening photo of this theme, which deserves 4 points:

It’s really tough to choose, and I don’t know much about photography, so I’m judging by instinct:

3 points: Bluequark, photo #3 2 points: Bluequark, photo #2 1 point: Bluequark, photo #1

Without seeing the names, I was drawn to these three, and after reviewing them again, they’re the ones I find the most beautiful—so I must be a fan.

I would’ve loved to give honorable mentions to four or five others that could’ve easily made the top 3. It’s so hard...

Here’s my vote.

Envallis photo 2 – 3 points Ragamuffin photo 1 – 2 points Unamilanese photo 3 – 1 point

Here’s my vote (as always, lots of hesitation between 6 or 7 photos): 🙂🙂🙂 Envallis 1 (Arizona) for the surprise effect of this bridge appearing out of nowhere. 🙂🙂 Bluequark 2 (Philharmonie de Paris) for its amazing reflections in the dark. 🙂 Rouquine38 3: the eye of Calatrava for its perfect symmetry.

Hello

Lots of originality in this contest. Here’s what caught my eye!

🙂🙂🙂 Tylassin1, Mongolia. 🙂🙂 Capalest70 1, Japan 🙂 Rouquine38 3, Valencia

Capalest70 photo 1: 🙂🙂🙂 Kate 2: 🙂🙂 Muriel18 2 🙂

Hello,

Envalis 1: 3 points Rouquine 1: 2 points Montagnard74 2: 1 point

Hard to choose, but I went with photos where the "metal" subject isn’t distracted by humans.

3 points Attila 1 The curves of the Guggenheim in Bilbao 2 points Bluequark 1 Symbolic and well-framed Gdansk shipyards 1 point Envallis 1 Navajo Bridge, great contrast between metal and stone

Thanks to everyone who reminded me I need to visit Bilbao and see the Paris Philharmonic.

Hello!

For this month, here’s the breakdown:

Kate 1: 3 points. The contrast between the smooth, shiny hardness of metal and the matte, supple skin of hands. Do they work together? Music!

Muriel 2: 2 points. Some aluminum men—pretty well-built, I must say 😎. And then, something like dance follows the music.

Montagnard from I don’t remember which department, 2: 1 point. Classic, and lovely in the soft light of Lisbon night.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Cat

Montagnard from I don’t remember which department, 2: 1 point. Classic, and lovely in the soft light of Lisbon’s night. Have a great weekend, everyone! Cat

74, Catherine, 74 ¾. You know, on the other side of the tunnel ;) Thanks for the point anyway

After some hesitation,

3 points: Puma2A 1 or 3? Garabit Viaduct 2 points: Una Milanese 2 1 point: Gaura 1

My selection

Rouquine38: photo 1 Ragamuffin: photo 1 Kate: photo 2

Thanks and have a great weekend everyone

Hello

(Sunday is voting day in Belgium 😛)

3 points for Kate's photo No. 3 - Ah, Indian trains 😉 Ah, Puducherry, a city that's much easier to reach by bus than by train

2 points for Rouquine38's photo No. 2 - Ah, those old dead cars ignore the metamorphoses of stone or wood, and their inert metal knows no destiny but this absurd, this useless permanence. Jacques Lacarrière - Chemins faisant

1 point for Muriel18's photo No. 2 - "metalface" in Cape Verde

Honorable mentions for:

- Puma2A and the Garabit Viaduct ... by Gustave Eiffel (for me, it was in 1959, and the little kid I still am was left in awe)

- Bluequark and the Gdansk shipyard ... Solidarnosc and Lech Wałęsa (1980)

- Montagnard74 and Lisbon's famous tram 28, a true landmark of the city

- 4ecofuel and the statue of a diver (?) from a bridge in Wellington (NZ)

- UnaMilanese and the transporter bridge in Rochefort (Charente Maritime, France)

There are 7 other Transporter Bridges around the world:

The Bizkaia Transporter Bridge (1893) near Bilbao, Spain,

The Newport Transporter Bridge (1906) in the UK,

The Osten–Hemmoor Transporter Bridge (1909) in Germany,

The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge (1911) in the UK,

The Rendsburg–Osterrönfeld Transporter Bridge (1913) in Germany,

The La Boca Transporter Bridge (1914) in Buenos Aires, Argentina,

The Warrington Transporter Bridge (1916) in the UK.

Hello,

3 points: Ragamuffin-2 – The exterior and interior metal of a JR (Japan Railway) train car, Osaka

2 points: Montagnard74-1 – Twin Subjecter, Adelaide, Australia

1 point: Tylassin-3 – Giant statue of Chinggis Khan, Tsonjin Boldog, Mongolia

🙂 A fan, how cool! Thanks for the votes.

Hi there

Here’s my vote:

Envallis, photo 1, 3 points A spectacular and desert-like landscape. I really like the contrast between the metallic structure, a human creation, and the natural beauty of the canyon.

Muriel18, photo 2, 2 points Had to be bold! But the organizer said yes 😉 In this contest, the photos reflect the theme: cold, like metal. This one is among the rare human-focused images (along with Ragamuffin’s) submitted this month.

Bluequark, photo 3, 1 point A very dark and metallic photo. I like it, but I would’ve brightened the shadows a bit, especially those on the ground, for better visibility.

It's 10:00 PM in Perth but only 4:00 PM in Paris... and already 1:00 AM on March 31st in Nouméa. So the three participants* who haven't voted yet only have a few hours left to do so. * 4ecofuel, Rouquine18, and Puma2A Thanks to Voyaou, who, even though they're not participating, was one of the first to vote.

Okay, we already have a good idea who'll be "on duty" in April, but there are still a few uncertainties about the other spots on the podium.

Awesome photos and creative ideas! My shortlist was long, but since I had to choose, here’s my pick:

3 points for Envallis’s photo 1 (Arizona) 2 points for Bluequark’s photo 2 (Paris) 1 point for Attila’s photo 1 (Bilbao)

Thanks to all the participants!

Hi, Definitely not easy to choose! 3 points for Montagnard74 and their photo 2: Lisbon’s tram 28 2 points for Kate and her photo 1: Andalusian melody 1 point for Bluequark and their photo 1: Gdansk shipyard

Here’s my vote:

3 points: Kate - Photo 2 - The Call of the Open Sea

2 points: Montagnard 74 - Photo 1 - Twin Subjecter Adelaide

1 point: Bluequark - Photo 2 - Philharmonique Paris

Okay, if I haven’t messed up my calculations, here are the results of the March contest, which received 45 entries—26 of them scored at least one point. Four participants had all three of their photos earn points (Kate, Rouquine38, Bluequark, and Ragamuffin). While there’s no doubt about first place, the other two spots were really competitive, which is great because it means more happy winners.

So, a big congratulations to Envallis, who’ll be putting together April’s contest, and kudos to Capalest70 and Kate for their second-place finish, and once again to Kate, along with Bluequark and Montagnard74, for their third-place finish.













Thanks to all the participants (though still not enough of you, unfortunately) and to those who contributed by sharing their amazing photos in the discussion thread, helping us discover the diversity of metal in our surroundings. Good luck, Envallis

Well, who would've thought? I (finally) won a contest 😛

Thanks to all of you who voted for this photo 🙂. For a theme that didn’t really speak to me at first, I got lucky with this shot of Navajo Bridge, taken back in 2009—I think—with a Nikon Coolpix!!

I’ll be back soon with a new theme for April (this weekend, I think). It’ll definitely have something to do with the sea 😉

See you later

CORRECTION Bluequark kindly pointed out that I made a mistake in displaying the winning photos. Oops... so we’re replacing Muriel18’s photo (the carcass at Solitaire) with this one.

Sorry

Xavier, Solitaire’s car isn’t me—it’s Rouquine38 ;)

Hey Mickael, Well, look at that—it finally happened!! Congrats on the win, I’d bet on the right horse (fitting for Navajo country 😉). Thanks to everyone who put my tram on the podium.

Congrats Michael on your win! 👏

Congrats Michaël on this well-deserved win, and see you in the next contest!

Solitaire’s car isn’t mine, it’s Rouquine38’s😉

Weirdly, I keep mixing you two up—must be that 8 at the end!!! About time this contest wrapped up!

I’ll be back soon with a new theme for April (this weekend, I think). It’ll definitely have something to do with the sea 😉

True, in April, the fish... 😉

The 139th edition of this contest is now open, and this month’s theme is: « Metal, Metallic ».

Quick, put my mind at ease before closing this contest—did you count them? 😛

Thanks to you, I feel like I kinda won this contest (🤑) because when I read your profile, I almost feel like it’s identity theft!

I’ll get back to you soon with a new theme for April (this weekend, I think). It’ll definitely have something to do with the sea 😉

True that in April, the fish... 😉

Heh heh... 🙂

Thanks to you, I feel like I kinda won this contest (🤑) because when I read your profile, I almost feel like it’s identity theft!

Except I’ve never been to India :P

Spare me the doubt before closing this contest—did you count them? 😛

No need, some members kept a list that I update regularly.

1. Public transport 2. Jobs around the world 3. The color blue 4. A prayer 5. Street scenes 6. They’re leading us on a wild goose chase... 7. The world in music 8. Expressions and looks 9. Women of the world 10. Shadows and light 11. Bad weather 12. Food 13. Numbers and letters 14. Games and toys 15. A window on the world 16. Man and his animal 17. Nature and landscapes 18. Celebrations 19. Unusual 20. The color yellow 21. Water in all its forms 22. Long live advertising 23. The road 24. Reflections 25. Friendship 26. Nocturnal 27. Reading 28. Bridges of the world 29. Forests and people 30. Sports 31. Circular shapes 32. Cultivated lands 33. The sun, its rise and set 34. What if we took a nap? 35. Accumulations, clutter, and chaos 36. Animals of the world in the wild 37. Clothes, outfits, and costumes 38. Writing surfaces 39. Taxis of the world 40. Interiors 41. Hello! 42. A purr-fect contest! 43. He who laughs last laughs best 44. By bicycle 45. On the way to school 46. Fragments of dreams, fragments of elsewhere 47. Alignments 48. The world seen from above 49. Dwellings of the world 50. The crowd 51. Once upon 3 times... 52. Are you getting on or off? 53. It’s my round! 54. Little things 55. A monumental world 56. Wanting to change the world 57. Textures from around the world 58. Seeing red 59. The world of rail 60. Contrasts 61. Doors around the world 62. What if we went to the beach? 63. World Street Art 64. Hands 65. Markets of the world 66. Waiting 67. Museums of the world 68. Caught in your own trap 69. My village, my town, my region 70. Impression of movement 71. Being old 72. I wish I were in your shoes 73. Spirituality and beliefs 74. The frame within the frame 75. Seen from behind 76. Urban geometry 77. Oh, how cute! 78. Complicity 79. Say it with flowers... 80. A world abandoned 81. Umbrellas, parasols, sunshades, and company 82. Deserts, empty spaces 83. Green in all its brilliance 84. One is good, but two is better... 85. Rivers, streams, and other waterways... 86. Jobs around the world 87. Old cars around the world 88. The wind and its effects 89. Kitsch or not kitsch 90. Statues 91. Laundry day 92. Shops and storefronts 93. A horseback ride around the world 94. The most beautiful tree in the world 95. Dreaming, Herbert?? 96. Walls 97. Public transportation 98. Strange, bizarre 99. All sails out 100. Dance now 101. And tenderness, damn it! 102. How beautiful the mountain is 103. Smile at me 104. The sky in all its states 105. Hats off 106. Polychrome diptychs 107. Heat 108. Wines of the world 109. Sands of the world 110. What if you took me hiking 111. Autumn colors 112. Religious buildings around the world 113. Castles and palaces around the world 114. Let’s go fishing! 115. Volcanoes 116. Alone in the world or solitude 117. With family 118. Parades and processions 119. Multicolored 120. Vertical(s) 121. Travel in black and white 122. Places, scenes of departure or arrival

Break from September 2020 – November 2024

123. Art Nouveau around the world 124. Embracing dawn 125. Laundry day 126. White as snow 127. Luggage 128. Fish 129. Reflections 130. A series 131. Wood in all its forms 132. Wild cats of the world 133. Signs around the world 134. Doors 135. Gardens and parks of the world 136. One or two towers 137. Waterways of the world 138. Lakes and ponds of the world 139. Metal, metallic 140. Feeling peachy?

That’s crazy! Thanks to Herikles, we also have the photo history 😄 http://herikles.free.fr/.VF/VFconcours.html

Total respect for the list 👌

But still! Same first name, same age, started traveling in 2007, one, two, three, then four of us. Though I’ll admit the destinations don’t quite match up.

It’s really tough to choose, and I know almost nothing about photography, so I judge by instinct:

3 points: Bluequark, photo #3 2 points: Bluequark, photo #2 1 point: Bluequark, photo #1

Without seeing the names, I was drawn to these three, and after reviewing them again, they’re the ones I find the most beautiful, so I must be a fan.

I could’ve easily listed four or five honorable mentions that might’ve deserved a top 3 spot too. It’s tough...

I totally agree with you, except for me, I’d have seen #1 as the winner. While sometimes the voting results seem correct, I often find them a bit random. I wonder if some people actually match their choices to the theme presented. And I’m definitely not the only one who thinks so.

Hey Jojo

Beauty’s in the eye of the beholder, right? In more "recognized" contests, one pro judge might give a photo a 9 while another gives it an 18.

But I totally agree with you about off-topic shots. The theme should take up most of the image or be its main draw.

Hi Joël,

I don’t know if you were referring to my vote. It’s possible since you mentioned it. If that’s the case, I don’t see how Bluequark’s photos of the Philharmonie wouldn’t fit the "metal, metallic" theme. To me, the Philharmonie is covered in aluminum, and the metallic effect at night is totally on point. And, in my opinion, it’s absolutely stunning. So, I do think I "made my choice by linking the photo’s compliance to the subject presented." Right?

That said, maybe you just don’t like my choices, but hey, I’m the one voting based on my tastes, aren’t I? I don’t know much about photography, okay, but I still have the right to have aesthetic preferences, even if they’re "whimsical," don’t I? For the next contest, should I ask for your advice on which photos to pick? 😄

Oh, and here’s something even worse for you: someone even gave me my only point (totally deserved, in my opinion 😄) for a gorgeous shot of a CGT magazine cover lying on my table, showing a protest with a banner that had the word "métal" on it. I even had my own doubts about whether it fit the theme, but someone saw it differently 🤷‍♂️

In my opinion, Bluequark’s photos were the best and most fitting. I’ll add that I preferred the first one.

The rest of my message really wasn’t aimed at you. 🙂

We’re on the same page about Bluequark’s photos.

Since you quoted my vote, I naturally thought you were challenging my ranking. So, please ignore my message... or take it as a public manifesto!

Why yes! And yours truly 😎