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 2026-2027
| MONTH | SET SUBJECT | JUDGE/S | COMPETITION DATE | ENTRY DATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | WINTER MOODS. Create an image evocative of Winter. Manipulation allowed. Colour or monochrome | Jane Bursey (Set PDIs and all prints), Chris Kinross (Open PDIs) | 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 | Quintus Heine (Set PDIs and all prints), Leon Jacobs (Open PDIs) | 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 | Mariana Visser (Set PDIs and all prints) Hendrik Louw (Open PDIs) | 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 |
| January 2027 | URBAN POETRY. The emphasis is on storytelling. This could include graffiti, street photography, nature reclaiming an abandoned space, contrasts between old and new, long shadows between buildings, etc. Manipulation allowed. Colour or monochrome. | 13th January | 6th January | |
| February 2027 | THE DECISIVE MOMENT. The precise split-second when action, emotion, and visual composition line up perfectly to capture the true meaning of an event. Manipulation allowed. Colour or monochrome | 3rd February | 27th January | |
| March 2027 | ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY. Capture subjects in motion. Freeze fast-paced moments like sports, wildlife, or dancing using fast shutter speeds; or use slow shutter speeds to give the feeling of fast action. Manipulation allowed. Colour or monochrome | 3rd March | 24th February | |
| April 2027 | ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITS. Create a portrait executed in the subject’s usual environment, such as in their home or workplace. It typically illuminates the subject’s life and surroundings. Manipulation allowed. Colour or monochrome. | 7th April | 31st March | |
| May 2027 | LEADING LINES. These are visual elements in a photo that guide a viewer’s eyes toward the main subject or through the frame. They create a sense of depth, direction, and three-dimensional space. Manipulation allowed. Colour or monochrome | 5th May | 28th April | |
| June 2027 | NATURE INCLUDING WILDLIFE-NO BIRDS. As per PSSA guidelines. No manipulation. Colour only. | 2nd June | 26th May | |
| July 2027 | NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY. Photographs taken after dark. Manipulation allowed. Colour or monochrome | 7th July | 30th June | |
| August 2027 | WATER. Water is the source of life. It should be the main feature in your photograph. Manipulation allowed. Colour or monochrome | 4th August | 28th July | |
| September 2027 | RURAL LIFE. Rural life is living in the country away from big cities. It has wide open spaces, quiet surroundings, and a close connection to nature, farming, and local animals. Manipulation allowed. Colour only. | 1st September | 25th August | |
| October 2027 | INTENTIONAL CAMERA MOVEMENT (ICM) and/or MULTIPLE EXPOSURES. Manipulation allowed. Colour or monochrome. | 6th October | 29th September | |
| November 2027 | TABLE TOP (STILL LIFE). Manipulation allowed. Colour or monochrome. | 3rd November | 27th October | |
| December 2027 | FEATHERS. All aspects of feathers, they should be the main subject of your image. Manipulation allowed. Colour or monochrome | 1st December | 24th November |
Refer to download files below to help you with your entries:
What is manipulation? Click here to find out
- Competition rules 2026
- 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.