# 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:** 93
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1844 "2025-12-02T18:35:53Z")
“On the road” in the sense of a photo taken while traveling? In general, any time during a trip, or more specifically taken during the active travel? Or a picture literally taken on a road? Or more abstractly on (or of) any avenue of transportation which might metaphorically be labeled “a road”? Or do we just post something _we believe_ qualifies and let the community’s votes determine if it’s too much of a stretch? 😆 Just hoping for a little guidance as I start scrolling through my archives, so I can narrow down what I’m looking for. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1845 "2025-12-02T18:39:33Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Or do we just post something _we believe_ qualifies and let the community’s votes determine if it’s too much of a stretch? 😆 I believe that’s the tradition. ---
**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 2, 2025, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1846 "2025-12-02T18:42:02Z")
Dan Fogelberg’s 1979 song comes to mind _Joy at the start_ _Fear in the journey_ _Joy in the coming home_ _A part of the heart_ _Gets lost in the learning_ _Somewhere along the road_ _Along the road_ _Your path may wander_ _A pilgrim’s faith may fail_ _Absence makes the heart grow fonder_ _Darkness obscures the trail_ Dan Fogelberg, Along the Road [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/e3os1EUnC4I/maxresdefault.jpg "Along the Road") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3os1EUnC4I) ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1847 "2025-12-02T19:15:33Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Or do we just post something _we believe_ qualifies and let the community’s votes determine if it’s too much of a stretch? 😆 Yes, IIRC in the past the rule has been that you’re free to interpret the theme however you want. In fact I think we’re encouraged to, so we can have a greater variety of entries. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1848 "2025-12-02T19:24:40Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > “On the road” in the sense of a photo taken while traveling? In general, any time during a trip, or more specifically taken during the active travel? Or a picture literally taken on a road? Or more abstractly on (or of) any avenue of transportation which might metaphorically be labeled “a road”? Yes. Any and all of those, and more. 🙂 ---
**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, 2025, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1849 "2025-12-02T21:17:05Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Yes, IIRC in the past the rule has been that you’re free to interpret the theme however you want. In fact I think we’re encouraged to, so we can have a greater variety of entries. Precisely. > [@Bullitt](#): > > Dan Fogelberg’s 1979 song comes to mind Upon seeing the theme my mind went directly to Willie’s “On the Road Again”. mmm ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1850 "2025-12-02T22:07:14Z")
I can’t seem to get ImgBB to post my image properly this time. Weird. I’ll have to try again later. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1851 "2025-12-02T23:31:24Z")
Ya know, it’s intimidating when you open up the new monthly thread and ALL the images are better than anything you have. Yes, I don’t expect to win but many of you are good enough that sometimes I don’t feel like trying. I guess I’ll have to see if I have or take anything in the next few weeks worthy of entry! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1852 "2025-12-02T23:39:44Z")
It’s a little surreal seeing “Not a Horse”, right above @ShadowFacts ’ picture. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1853 "2025-12-02T23:40:53Z")
I am never going to win because I take five basic snapshots a year on a cheap phone, so they all look bland and uninspired. But it’s a bit of a giggle, so I participate when I have something. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1854 "2025-12-02T23:59:03Z")
I know, holy crap! I think the winner’s already there. ---
**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 3, 2025, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1855 "2025-12-03T02:00:46Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Ya know, it’s intimidating when you open up the new monthly thread and ALL the images are better than anything you have I feel your pain. ---
**Author:** ![Twoflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twoflower/32/22_2.png) [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1856 "2025-12-03T02:04:15Z")
I’m just thrilled that most of my entries get a few votes. I can’t imagine that I’ll ever win, but it’s fun participating. ---
**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 3, 2025, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1857 "2025-12-03T02:22:33Z")
Same here! I’m kinda bummed, in fact, that I can’t think of an entry for this month, although I’ll go sort through my files. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1858 "2025-12-03T03:53:39Z")
I can only speak for myself, but I think it would be a terrible shame if Dopers were scared off from participating in the photo competition because they think their work doesn’t measure up. I participate in the contest not just because I’d like to win, but because I want to share my work with others, and I want to see others’ work. So as far as I’m concerned, please post what you have, regardless of whether you think you have a chance to win. I want to see your pictures regardless. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1859 "2025-12-03T03:59:41Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > I can only speak for myself, but I think it would be a terrible shame if Dopers were scared off from participating in the photo competition because they think their work doesn’t measure up I so agree! I don’t enter to win. I just enjoy sharing the best I’ve managed to do, and I’m happy with just that. Like I said, I’m tickled if I get even 1 vote. 🙂 The contests are fun and interesting, and we do have so many really excellent photographers. I hope everyone will keep sharing, irrespective of how they do in the overall lineup. I love all the perspectives! ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1860 "2025-12-03T04:16:33Z")
Hey, I said it was challenging, not that I was giving up. So I picked an interpretation of “On the Road” I found _important_, no matter the unskilled photography. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1861 "2025-12-03T13:58:13Z")
Is that Australia, @GuanoLad? I saw vistas like that when we were there some years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1862 "2025-12-03T14:09:27Z")
Thanks for the guidance, everyone. This is good news for flexibility, but bad news for trying to narrow down what I might want to share. 😆 Edit: went with an impulse choice. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1863 "2025-12-03T14:42:06Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > went with an impulse choice. I think I have a photo from the same spot 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642.md?page=92) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642.md?page=94)