competitions & Themes
Our monthly competitions give members an opportunity to get feedback on their photographs by experienced judges to further enhance their skills.
CREDIT: Sonja Grunbauer
Welcome to CTPS competitions. Our monthly competitions take place on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 PM at the SASNEV Hall, Central Square, Pinelands. The meetings are also streamed live via Zoom.
We have a print section and a projected digital image (PDI) section and you may enter up to three images. There is a Set subject, which changes monthly, and an Open section in each and you may enter in either or both. Set subject images may not be older than one year (365 days) from the final entry date. Please read the “competition rules” in the file on the bottom of this page.
Your PDIs and digital copies of your print images must be entered via PhotoVaultOnline.com. Maximum size is 1920 x 1080 pixels and either the height must be 1080 pixels or the width must be 1920 pixels. The file size may not be more than 2 MB. Please see the documents below for help in registering on Photovault and uploading your images.
Set themes for 2025-2026
| MONTH | SET SUBJECT | JUDGE/S | COMPETITION DATE | ENTRY DATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | GATES, DOORS AND DOORWAYS. These should form the main subject of your image. Manipulation is allowed. Colour or monochrome | David Barnes (Set) Andrew Pike | 14th January | 7th January |
| February 2026 | ON THE COAST. Images depicting all aspects of coastal life can be entered here. Manipulation is allowed. Colour or monochrome | John Alexander, Steffne Hughes (Set) | 4th February | 28th January |
| March 2026 | STAGE PHOTOGRAPHY. Images captured during any live performance on a stage can be entered here. Manipulation is allowed. Colour or monochrome | Rob Heffer (Open) Laetitia Kenny (Set) David Barnes and Nicol du Toit (Prints) | 4th March | 25th February |
| April 2026 | PORTRAITS-HUMAN AND ANIMAL. A likeness, personality and mood of a person or animal where the subject is dominant in the image. Portraiture is not restricted to head and shoulders and may include just a part of the face, a back view or even a full length study. Colour or monochrome. Manipulation allowed. | Francois Oosthuysen (Set) Joan and Clive Rathband Kim Stevens (Prints) | 1st April | 25th March |
| May 2026 | NATURE-BIRDS ONLY. Images of birds in a natural setting are allowed here. NO manipulation allowed. Colour only. Refer to the PSSA definitions for this category | Alta Oosthuizen (all PDIs) Steff Hughes (Prints) | 6th May | 29th April |
| June 2026 | LOW KEY PHOTOGRAPHY. A low-key image is one that contains predominantly dark tones. Like high key images, low key photography conveys atmosphere and mood. Where a high-key image feels airy and light, a low-key one is usually dramatic and full of mystery. Manipulation allowed. Monochrome only. | Hanli Smit (Set) Francois DuBois (Open PDIs and all prints | 3rd June | 27th May |
| July 2026 | ABSTRACTS. Abstract photography uses elements like light, texture, color, shape, and form to create images that don’t have an immediate connection to the physical world or recognizable objects. The goal is to express ideas, emotions, or sensations rather than to depict a realistic subject. Manipulation allowed. Colour or monochrome | Kittie Groenewald (Set) Peter Hardcastle (Open) | 1st July | 24th June |
| August 2026 | ABANDONED AND DISCARDED. Images depicting anything abandoned or discarded can be entered here. There should be a strong focus on story telling. Manipulation allowed. Colour or monochrome | Clare Appleyard (Set) | 5th August | 29th July |
| September 2026 | WINTER MOODS. Create an image evocative of Winter. Manipulation allowed. Colour or monochrome | Jane Bursey (Set and all prints) | 2nd September | 26th August |
| October 2026 | SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY. Sports photography covers any aspect of a sporting event. Images must depict an active pastime or recreation involving physical exertion and/or skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often of a competitive nature. NO manipulation allowed. Colour only | 7th October | 30th September | |
| November 2026 | MONOCHROME. A black and white work toned entirely in a single colour will remain a monochrome work able to stand in the black and white category. Manipulation allowed. Monochrome only | 4th November | 28th October | |
| December 2026 | TWISTS AND TURNS. It could be the winding lines of a country lane,the curl of a leaf, the twists of a roller coaster, or the patterns you notice in everyday life. Manipulation allowed. Colour or monochrome | Carina de Klerk and Phil Sturgess | 2nd December | 25th November |
Refer to download files below to help you with your entries:
What is manipulation? Click here to find out
- Competition rules 2025
- PhotoVaultOnline Club Entries
- PhotoVaultOnline procedures for CTPS
- CTPS Preparing Images for Upload
- CTPS Print Entry Form – attach this label to your prints
Rankings and advancement.
Login to PhotoVaultOnline.com . You can check on your ranking status and advancement by clicking on the My Clubs/My Advancement tab. Once your ranking changes please change your ranking status (club star rating) on the My Details tab. Please keep your personal details, contacts, etc., up to date by clicking on the My Details tab.