I propose "Balance".

It could be a literal depiction of balance or something showing balance in the image itself ... tight-rope walkers, yin-yangs, see-saws, balancing a book on your head. You get the idea.

Some defintion's of balance ...

1. Steady state on narrow base: a state in which a body or object remains reasonably steady in a particular position while resting on a base that is narrow or small relative to its other dimensions. For human beings, this most commonly involves remaining upright and steady on the feet.

... or one foot.

2. Opposition of equal forces: a state in which two opposing forces or factors are of equal strength or importance so that they effectively cancel each other out and stability is maintained.

3. Harmony: a state in which various parts form a satisfying and harmonious whole and nothing is out of proportion or unduly emphasized at the expense of the rest.

4. Emotional stability: a state of emotional and mental stability in which somebody is calm and able to make rational decisions and judgments.

5. Weighing machine: a simple mechanical device for weighing objects, often consisting of a pivoted horizontal beam with a pan suspended from each end. Material to be weighed is put in one pan and weights of a fixed value are gradually added to the other until the beam returns to the horizontal.

6. Counterweight: something that offsets or counters the weight or influence of another element.

I believe this topic would involve all genres ... photography, fractal / abstract, CGI, & illustrations. Lot of possibilities to be creative I would think.

;-)

I'm going with white on light because it's going to be a challenge for any art form and the potentially minimalist qualities it will invite could be thoroughly illuminating of alternative aesthetics to the colour saturated aesthetic we often indulge in here. I like the technical challenge of grey days but feel it's not quite as wide open for fractalists and digital artists.

It looks like "Light on White" is going to be up there until it wins ...

Here's a photographic technique that leaves you to choose any subject you like, as long as it has a Dutch Angle

Another link here to examples of a: Dutch Angle

I think gray days is a perfect subject for this time of year.

Perfect? Maybe.

Challenging? Hmmm, not so sure..




"Light on White"

Description:

Create an image, or take a photo in which the background is white and the subject is predominantly a lighter colour.'



Dare I say it, the above could ... could, incorporate the photographic idea of 'gray days'.

And in turn, open up things a tad more on the creative side and with respect to other genres as well.

Thank you Sherree for a wonderful description to her recommendation of 'Balance' as a worthy topic.

Got curious on the Dutch Angle....LOVED the examples I found online....contest subject or not....I am gonna play with that technique!

Thank you, John. I like the concept behind 'Dutch Angle'. I've seen that technique before, but wasn't aware of what it was called.

I like 'Light On White' as well & then 'Balance'.

Some good choices that will lean towards some creative works.

Some creative food for thought ... "Light on White".


Fractologists?

No worries on this front. 'We' got this topic covered.

amirite?

I actually liked the White Wine entry best myself, I liked the hard angles & the soft curves. I think we can do rather well, but judging from those photographs I expect the photographers to come out swinging. :oD

UR right Les:) I do think Light on White would give me more than ample fodder for me to thunder forward with!! 2nd place would be Dutch Angle.

Well, it would appear another horse race is in the works for this contest topic poll.

That of;

'Shooting fish in a barrel' = 'Gray Days'

I.e. Go outside for those of you in the Northern hemisphere and photograph what you would be normally shooting this time of year.

More landscapes, anyone?


Or;

'Something that will challenge your creativity and in turn, you just might learn a thing or two about proper exposure, etc.' = 'Light on White'


Take the challenge ... please..

You should excuse the expression, but I think it end up being a photo finish. :o)


Wait...I think "Light on White" might be a nose ahead.

Thank you for posting the link for examples. While already interested in the concept of Light on White the examples are a nice visual!

I guess this is supposed to be an example as well?

Alright, looks like light on white it is... Hmmm, food for thought.

@Hannah:

Suppose that it could be..

Not a good one per se, but, yes ... an example.


Here is an excellent fractal example:

"Song of the Morninglark"

(/\ Perhaps, a slight change in the gradient used would bring this one .. more so .. into alignment with the "Light on White" topic.)


Annnnnd ... there are lots and lots ... and lots more great examples posted on site. :o)

Some reading material for photographers on exposure:

"Understanding... Exposure Compensation"

Topics covered include; Automatic Exposure Bracketing (AEB), Positive/Negative Exposure Compensation and Exposure Compensation vs. Changing ISO.


"Exposure: Preventing Blown-Out Whites"

Forum discussion from betterphoto.com.

Ok. What I'm about to say might be seen as the equivalent to drawing a mustache on Whistler's Mother.

For this, I apologize.

Don't always follow "the rules".

That being said, I'd offer this:

If you're going to do it wrong, do it well.

Ok, got your attention? I hope so :D

I can recall different images, both by me and others, where attention to detail and 'the rules' was so closely followed, that sight was lost of the big picture (I know..pun not intended). Blow the whites out. Raise the exposure one notch too high. Use a little too much diffuse glow.

But.

And it's a big one.

It had better meet two very important criteria. One, does the end result make you say "wow!"? If not, scrap it. Two, does it feel and look like it really belongs that way, or like you tried too hard?

Be honest. Painfully so.

I DARE YOU!


Ok, I'm done. Scram! ;-)

Thanks for the props Les, (*blows kiss*) but your 100% right, the gradient is way too bold for the contest & btw, the background was a very very faint gray~ish blue. :o)

So Rob is right, go ahead & paint a mustache or two, just keep them within the confines of the contest.

I'm off to hopefully see if I can do anything.

Ciao !

Les, you sure do get around and I am glad you do. Say, didn't I see you at Pulaski's? I appreciate the links you provide from the sources you find. Thanks.

Might there be any way to bring this description to a wider audience, Les?

An idea or two is floating around and being discussed, Rob.

Such as, once the contest topic is chosen ... providing the member has put forth a one, two line description of said topic ... that the description be added to the top of the Entry/Submissions page for all eyes to see.


Which might serve two masters at the bare minimum ... more thoughtful topics being put forth and then that of streamlining the contest process.

Well, while some seem to have completely or partially misunderstood (ignored?) the theme of the contest, there's certainly some interesting entries. Kudos to those who have gotten it, and I think I see one or two clear winners and/or finalists.

Darn, I didn't get an entry in & I meant to this round too. :o( That'll teach me not to procrastinate huh ? And the last time I looked at the entries I have to agree with Rob. And there were some very interesting entries & I definitely saw one I'd vote for.

Entries: 33% snow pictures
Results: 80% snow pictures

Entries: 16% abstract,
Results: 0% abstracts.

I guess folks just like snow. I thought the winners were very good, but I also thought the abstracts were really excellent. Don't give up.