MPC Assigned Topic Definitions 2025-2026
Black & White A black and white image containing various shades of grey from black to white is considered to be monochrome photo. A black & white work toned entirely in a single color will remain a monochrome work able to stand in the black & white category (e.g., sepia toned). No additional colors will be allowed in the B&W images (e.g., selective coloring).
Night Photography Images taken between dusk and dawn but excluding sunrise/sunset photography in low light conditions. May use available light (like streetlights, neon signs, or moonlight) or artificial light added by the photographer (like flash or light painting). Includes long exposures, star trails/astrophotography, light trails, moonlit landscapes and fireworks or illuminated buildings. The images must be taken outdoors
Storytelling – Storytelling in photography is the art of using pictures to tell a story, convey ideas, or express a viewpoint. Provoking images capture the viewer’s imagination and get them involved in figuring out the visual story being told. The story may be the photographer’s personal story, told in metaphors and symbols, or a story about the social and political world told through the lives of people. Editing of image is allowed. For this competition, the story must be clearly evident in the image.
Photojournalism focuses on telling news/human interest stories through images. It combines photography with journalism to document real-life events, people, and issues in a truthful, objective, and impactful way. Images are documentary in nature capturing actual events as they happen without staging or manipulation. Images may inform, educate or evoke emotion are presented honestly and respectfully without altering reality. Images are candid and unposed. Subjects may include political events and protests, natural disasters and emergencies, daily life and cultural moments, sports and public ceremonies.
Negative space/minimalism Negative space and minimalism in photography focuses on thoughtful reduction of distractions, simplicity, restraint, and the deliberate use of space to create compelling visual narratives and evoke strong emotional responses from viewers.
The use of negative space isolates the subject and minimizes distracting elements that pull the eye from that subject. This may be achieved through depth of field, color separation, framing and composition and/or lighting. When done well, there is a sense of balance and harmony. The use of negative space may be used to illustrate emotion and adds to the story being told.
Minimalism in photography features simplicity with clean lines, uncluttered compositions and a clear subject, clarity, and the use of space to convey a powerful visual message. It may involve a limited color palette, emphasis on form and texture and may involve abstraction and symbolism
Water Images should include water in any form as the primary subject or compositional element in the image. Water may be in any form: liquid, frozen, vapor and may be still or moving. May include among other possibilities: Underwater Photography, Seascapes and Oceanscapes, Water in Motion, Droplet and Splash Photography, Water drop refractions, Reflections.
Travel Images should move beyond simple vacation snapshots and capture the essence of a place, its culture, people, landscapes, and everyday life. Images should convey the atmosphere and uniqueness of destinations close to home or around the world. Successful images will highlight traditions, rituals, lifestyle, capture the local environment (natural or manmade), may feature local residents and may be candid or environmental portraits. May include landscapes, architecture, street scenes, portraits, food, wildlife, and cultural events
Macro-No Flowers Features macro/close-up images of subjects smaller than a butterfly. May not include flowers or parts of flowers/plant material as the main subject. (An image of a butterfly on a flower would be acceptable.)
Flowers Includes images of flowers/plant material. May be Macro Photography, Still Life Garden or Wildflower Scenes, or Minimalist where flower/plant material is the primary interest. If image is abstract, it must be obvious that it is of a flower/plant life.
Open – The open category has no subject restrictions and can also be in the subject area of any of the assigned subjects.