# SDMB Monthly Photo Competition - rolling discussion thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** photo\ **Created:** [November 27, 2022, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642 "2022-11-27T20:27:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 64
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1264 "2024-11-27T22:03:55Z")
Now you made me hungry. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1265 "2024-12-02T11:24:48Z")
Hearty congrats to @raza for the November win! mmm ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1266 "2024-12-02T14:57:45Z")
Wait…_what_? Are you certain? No possibility of voter fraud? I am shocked, genuinely. There were so many really, really nice photos; I am truly surprised mine was the winner. A bit of background regarding the photo: I like to engage in all sorts of photography (candid photos of people, particularly people I know, is my favorite); close-up macro shots being one of them, though I’m usually too “in the moment” to get properly setup for technical excellence. I got a used Canon EF 100mm lens that excels for close-ups and I use it on occasion (mostly for boring floral shots). The year of the photo we decided to make our own cranberry sauce, which turned out to be fun and easy and very aromatic and…colorful and interesting, with lots of textures. With a full-frame camera and working at macro distances the depth-of-field can be quite shallow, so without adding purpose-built lighting it was challenging getting the DoF to where it was deep enough, but still with some nice bokeh, and most importantly, still pay attention to my cooking duties. Thank you all again; there really are other photos that were submitted that I admire more than mine. I will wrestle with the mighty weight of choosing a December category. ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1267 "2024-12-02T17:01:16Z")
For the December contest I want to propose a subject that has an objective meaning, but broad enough to allow lots of creative freedom. Ideally, it would be seasonally appropriate. The leader in my mushy mind is: COLD MMM was very kind to send me a list of past topics as well as others that had been considered but not yet used. None of previously-unused ones really grabbed me; many I felt were way too broad (“beauty”) or that I think (I could be wrong) that many photographers would struggle to find/create something that fit (“out of time”; I like the concept, but cannot conceive of an image I’d be able to create). The group’s thoughts and preferences are welcome. I’m retired now and no longer used to making decisions. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1268 "2024-12-02T17:10:00Z")
I think ‘Cold’ was our November 2023 theme, wasn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1269 "2024-12-02T18:04:24Z")
I don’t know; below are the last 11 topics, so November 2023 would possibly be outside the range. If it was used 12-13 months ago, no sense repeating it this early. Bugs Big or Small Patterns Change Still Life Night Bridges Flight Flight – Non-Human Moody/Atmospheric Food ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1270 "2024-12-02T18:17:55Z")
Here is a list of all themes going back to the first contest in December, 2022: **2022** December - Outdoors **2023** January - Skies February - Animals March - Water April - Transportation May - Flowers June - Reflections July - Summer August - Home September - Shadows and Light October - Trees November - Cold December - Cozy **2024** January - Bugs February - Big or Small March - Patterns April - Change May - Still Life June - Night July - Bridges August - Flight September - Flight – Non-Human October - Moody/Atmospheric November - Food mmm ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1271 "2024-12-02T18:19:07Z")
…and a list of previously-suggested topics that have not yet been used: Accidental Weirdness Action Architecture Backlit Beauty Black and White Childhood Cinematography Color Color (one specific) Holiday/Season Industry Invisible Jump! Less is More Man-Made Object(s) Moonlight Operate Out of Time Over the Top Repetition Spooky Unexpected mmm ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1272 "2024-12-03T20:54:57Z")
Here are a few ideas; see if any are appealing to the group: - texture - contrast (maybe too similar to the prior “shadows and light”?) - stone or rock - handmade (non-food) I am open to idears. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1273 "2024-12-03T22:56:17Z")
It _is_ December; how about **Holiday/Season** from the above list? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1274 "2024-12-04T01:16:27Z")
Oh, I have some possibilities for texture. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1275 "2024-12-04T13:45:39Z")
Title, Photo, Story ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1276 "2024-12-04T22:26:48Z")
Absent any objections or better ideas, let’s go with **TEXTURE** And thank you all for not laughing me out of this competition; I’ve never competed in photography before. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1277 "2024-12-04T22:43:42Z")
Thanks, Raza. [December thread is up.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-25-december-2024-texture/1011173) mmm ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2024, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1278 "2024-12-05T00:06:40Z")
And here we go! I’ve put mine up. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2024, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1279 "2024-12-05T00:13:44Z")
EddyTeddyFreddy had that one in their back pocket. mmm ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2024, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1280 "2024-12-05T00:22:07Z")
LOL! Actually, I had something completely different in mind but couldn’t find it on this new laptop so went with what I did find. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2024, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1281 "2024-12-14T14:52:18Z")
I just posted this. [![](https://i.imgur.com/lWuQdM1.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/lWuQdM1.jpeg) My Jeep in a mustard field. Mountain View CA, January 2016. Posted here ➜ [Monthly Photo Competition #25 – December, 2024 – “Texture” - #13 by Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-25-december-2024-texture/1011173/13) ■ They paved paradise and put in a parking lot. And also a corporate park. This was in the city of Mountain View CA, and in January 2016 when I spotted this field I was surprised there was this large-ish open space still available here in the heart of Silicon Valley. There are very few open spaces left\*. When I spotted this mustard field I just _ **had to** _ drive out onto it. It was calling to me! The ground was a little moist with some light mud, and fortunately I didn’t get stuck in that field. I was able to drive out of it. [![](https://i.imgur.com/RPepAwY.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/RPepAwY.jpeg) In the field you can just barely make out a subtle pathway through the mustard plants between the driver’s door and where I’m standing to take this picture. I had just walked through there. [![](https://i.imgur.com/lCBPrrK.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/lCBPrrK.jpeg) In the Jeep here you can see my wife sitting inside, leaning forward into the sun and waving to me. In the other pictures she is seated back in her seat, in the shadow and practically out of sight. Within two years of when these were taken, that field was developed and built on. The DD coordinates of this spot is ▲ 37.3918, -122.053. If you punch those numbers into a map (remember the comma and minus sign) you’ll see exactly where this is. In a satellite view, the building and parking lot about 500 feet to the northeast was there. I entered the mustard field from that parking lot. In the picture I’m taking the photos while facing to the northwest. The camera is pointed northwest. \* — For local open space management do have POST, the Peninsula Open Space Trust. The remaining open spaces here on the San Francisco Peninsula are managed and maintained well. For example if you drive on US-101 from San Jose up to San Francisco, all you see is city after city after city. But if you instead take the parallel and nearby I-280, you’re almost exclusively out in open country and green, rolling hills. It’s a beautiful drive. Open Spaces here are valued and kept, and appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1282 "2024-12-19T23:50:17Z")
Good golly, we have some fabulous entries! It will be hard to narrow my choices down to three. ---
**Author:** ![Dogginit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogginit/32/16920_2.png) [@Dogginit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogginit)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1283 "2024-12-21T15:44:49Z")
No doubt, they all are high-class! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642.md?page=63) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642.md?page=65)