DECAY, CORROSION, RUST...

“And behind door number 2 – a brand new…….”

US television prizes – all about the “new”.  Though we often focus on the new and shiny there is amazing beauty in the decayed, the corroded, the rusted and it can make images of those items so much more compelling and interesting.

Consider the textures and colors in an abandoned, dilapidated factory or prison, the rust on an old bike, contrasting plaster and lathing on a corroded wall and the myriad of possible captures in a junkyard.  Neighborhoods, disparagingly called "run down", are treasure troves of "decayed" tumble down houses, "corroded" discarded toys, "rusted" cars, trash cans and so on. 

 Decay, Corrosion, Rust.... can take many forms; black and white, color, abstract - all photographic media are welcome. 

As with all NYC4PA calls, all 2D photographic art is accepted.  Note – Images awarded an NYC4PA prize within the past 2 years are not eligible. Images submitted that were not selected for a prize may be submitted at any time.

Colors  of the Commonplace

The word “commonplace” suggests things we see without really noticing them.     Some synonyms are vanilla, customary, every day, mundane, with examples like doors, buildings, benches, cars, teacups, glasses that you come across everyday while out walking, on the train, in the car, at the supermarket, or even in your own house. The challenge for this call is in creating images where the “Color of the Commonplace” creates an image with impact and makes it pop.

Show us how you choose to meet this challenge. As with all NYC4PA calls for entry all 2d photographs are welcome.

Both through world travel and exploring the neighborhoods we live in, we come across the vast variety of botanicals both indigenous to local areas and, with controlled climates, those native to far away places. We gain an appreciation for the variety of life that starts with a seed, whether it be the spectacular greenery of a forest or jungle, the exciting beauty of flowers bursting with color, wonderful edibles like bright red tomatoes and pink blushed peaches or the textures and layers of botanicals in a black and white print.

With autumn approaching in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern, capture your unique view of favorite flowers, trees, variegated leaf patterns, vines, fruit etc. in gardens, at the beach, on your window sill, in a snow covered park, or in the rain forest.

Photography is all about light – its presence as well as its absence. There is an iconic photograph of Grand Central Station with streams of sunlight filling the airspace as it reflects off dust particles in the air. For photographers the time of day an image is captured can be as important as the selection of the subject itself.  What may be nothing more than a snapshot at one time of day, becomes an impactful image at another.  Strategically placed lighting is critical in creating great portraits and late afternoon is a 
world of shadow and light that warms everything it touches.  

For this call we are looking for images where the presence, absence, and/or the location of light made the difference. 
Glare, flare, shadow, fill light all work as do lampshades aglow from an inside bulb, night lights in a city, streaming rays of sunlight. 

There are examples everywhere. Show us your shots where light is a key element.  All 2D photo mediums are welcome.