# 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:** 98
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2026, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1944 "2026-01-11T08:05:01Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > and set an expiration window on the photo upload site. I can’t see the photo in this thread or the contest thread. I just get a link to the postimage site. ---
**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:** [January 11, 2026, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1945 "2026-01-11T10:41:49Z")
I’m sorry about that. I have re-uploaded from a different host and requested via post report that the image link in the prior post be broken. The internet as we knew it a few years ago is quickly rotting away. To whatever extent casually free services may still exist, they will be inherently dodgy for one or another reason (geoblocking, limited bandwidth, general enshittification). This will all get worse before it gets better. Here is a re-upload of the promotional flyer I mentioned above. [![](https://8upload.com/image/869576b6e2b69d93/20240201_170417.jpg) ](https://8upload.com/image/869576b6e2b69d93/20240201_170417.jpg) ---
**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:** [January 11, 2026, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1946 "2026-01-11T13:12:14Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > I know we’re not supposed to post discussions in the contest thread, but maybe when the contest is over you could post this there (assuming it’s OK with @Mean_Mr.Mustard ). Once the voting is concluded in a monthly contest thread, any and all discussion is fine. 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:** [January 15, 2026, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1947 "2026-01-15T14:20:30Z")
Posted in the [Photo of the Year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-photo-of-the-year-poll/1026431) thread: Join me in congratulating @zimaane for winning the 2025 SDMB Photo of the Year award! Their May entry, under the theme of “Nature macros/close-ups”, is a sharp, beautifully composed image of a plant stem bejeweled with reflective water droplets. Huzzah! 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:** [January 15, 2026, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1948 "2026-01-15T14:26:33Z")
**2025 Themes and winners:** January—Blue—beowulff February—Motion—minor7flat5 March—Gritty—Turek April—Smooth—MacDoc May—Nature macros/close-ups—zimaane June—Colors—Bullitt July—Patriotism—MacDoc August—Eye or eyes—Mean\_Mr.Mustard September—Doors or gates—ShadowFacts October—Spooky—Dung\_Beetle November—A Whole Lot of \_\_\_\_\_—Turek December—On the Road—romansperson ---
**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:** [January 15, 2026, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1949 "2026-01-15T15:02:37Z")
Congrats to @zimaane! A beautiful macro with double reflection. 🌱 I am chuffed to have tied for second - truly hard to believe, though I assume the cat did most of the heavy lifting. And I find it really hard to believe that @Mean_Mr.Mustard 's tractor (#8) didn’t get more votes. Not only are the colors and the jaunty composition perfect, it also has such character. I can totally imagine that dude as a Pixar character. That was my vote for #1. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2026, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1950 "2026-01-15T15:09:29Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > One way around this is to use HDR (high dynamic range), where you take more than one shot at different exposures, and use software to merge them. The software helps you pick the right exposure for each part of the shot (e.g. a darker shot for snow and a lighter shot for other stuff like trees). HDR can give good results when used judiciously. When overdone the result has too little contrast. > > HDR requires multiple exposures, so it doesn’t work well for moving subjects (like fire). A bit tough when I’m shooting Tri-X 120 format film 🙂 I shot my entry last winter with a Mamiya 6 Automat, one of the last of the “folding camera” era. Unfortunately, I had inserted the pressure plate backwards and scratched the whole roll, but that didn’t make the photo any less cool. I did 8 x 8 inch print of it which is hanging on my wall. The ice wasn’t very thick, so the mysterious traveler was risking life and limb. ---
**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:** [January 15, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1951 "2026-01-15T15:11:23Z")
The cat definitely helped, but the colors in the wall and flowers also really popped. Yours was one of my votes. ---
**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:** [January 15, 2026, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1952 "2026-01-15T16:02:24Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > And I find it really hard to believe that @Mean_Mr.Mustard 's tractor (#8) didn’t get more votes. I appreciate that, Shadow. Just getting your vote is all that my heart really wanted. 😄 mmm ---
**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:** [January 27, 2026, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1953 "2026-01-27T08:29:43Z")
Oops, I almost forgot to submit my entry! ➜ [Monthly Photo Competition #38– January, 2026 – “Fire or Ice" - #34 by Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice/1026256/34) ■ I recently returned from a month+ vacation in the Philippines. While there I rented a motorcycle and rode all over the islands. Quite the experience, because traffic is crazy, not just in the big city, Manila, but also in the small towns. On the main island of Luzon as I explored the northern islands group, Mount Pinatubo is about 2 hours northwest of Manila, Capital of the Philippines. I got this shot on the afternoon of Friday 09 January as I rode past it. I wanted to tour Mount Pinatubo while I was there. I’ve toured Mount St. Helens up in Washington, and that is very interesting to see and learn about the May 1980 eruption and first hearing of the term, pyroclastic blast. Alas, Mount Pinatubo sits on military lands and it would take 2 weeks to submit an application for clearance. Time I did not have. So I had to settle for this picture taken from near Mabalacat City, Pampanga. I wish I was closer to the volcano and could’ve gotten you guys a better picture, but this’ll just have to do. Some minor trivia of Mount Pinatubo follows… Mount Pinatubo erupted on 15 June 1991 (which was my 30th birthday). It was the second-largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, behind only the 1912 eruption of Novarupta in Alaska which released 30x the volume of magma of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. By comparison, Pinatubo’s eruption was 10x that of Mount St. Helens 1980. On the VEI scale of eruptions (Volcanic Explosivity Index, a scale of, generally, from 0 to 8), Mount St. Helens (1980, Oregon) was a VEI-5, Novarupta (1912, Alaska) was a VEI-6, and Pinatubo (1991, Philippines) was also a VEI-6. 847 people died but Typhoon Yunya, which arrived the exact same day as Pinatubo’s 15 June eruption, contributed to this tally. ---
**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:** [January 27, 2026, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1954 "2026-01-27T08:34:41Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I’ve toured Mount St. Helens up in Oregon 🤨 [![](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/half_width/public/thumbnails/image/3%20Cascade%20Volcanic%20Range.png?itok=5B4FPaF1) ](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/half_width/public/thumbnails/image/3%20Cascade%20Volcanic%20Range.png?itok=5B4FPaF1) Edit to add: Geographic error aside, I agree that the Mt St Helens area is fascinating. Back when I lived in the US, it was one of my favorite places to visit, especially after it first reopened following the eruption. It was like walking on the surface of the moon. ---
**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:** [January 27, 2026, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1955 "2026-01-27T08:35:40Z")
DOH! Ignorance fought! Thanks for that correction. Added: corrected! ---
**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:** [January 27, 2026, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1956 "2026-01-27T13:41:35Z")
January [poll](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice/1026256/35) is off to the races. Vote early, vote often. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1957 "2026-01-27T13:49:04Z")
I’m glad everybody who has voted so far is in perfect agreement with me. [![](https://i.gyazo.com/f26d8ade6b70f03378220bb51f1799d2.png) ](https://i.gyazo.com/f26d8ade6b70f03378220bb51f1799d2.png) ---
**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:** [January 27, 2026, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1958 "2026-01-27T13:51:16Z")
A little unfair, maybe, but I found myself drawn much more to the fire images. I’ve had quite enough of ice, lately. But if I had gone with ice, I liked @WildaBeast 's iceberg pic. ---
**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:** [January 28, 2026, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1959 "2026-01-28T02:28:24Z")
[votes] [looks at vote tally so far] Whoa! I believe this is not how it will end, as there are some truly fabulous photos in this month’s contest, but I deeply appreciate the recognition at this point. ---
**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:** [January 28, 2026, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1960 "2026-01-28T03:07:20Z")
I disagree, I think you may have a winner, there! I voted for it, anyway. ---
**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:** [January 28, 2026, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1961 "2026-01-28T03:37:33Z")
Aw, gee, thanks, but I had a helluva time picking out my own three choices to vote for. This month’s contest, like all the ones I’ve participated in so far, has showcased an amazing collection of brilliant photos. ---
**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:** [January 28, 2026, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1962 "2026-01-28T10:01:08Z")
@EddyTeddyFreddy that is a beautiful shot! ---
**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:** [January 28, 2026, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/1963 "2026-01-28T12:16:51Z")
Another friendly reminder: > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Reminder: Please do not discuss specific entries until poll has closed. mmm [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642.md?page=97) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642.md?page=99)