MPC Assigned Topic Definitions 2026-27

Abstracts
Images that emphasize shape, form, color, texture, pattern, light, or movement over literal representation of a recognizable subject. The subject may be partially or fully unidentifiable, altered through perspective, cropping, motion, focus, or post-processing.  May involve (but not limited to) use of selective focus, intentional camera movement (ICM), multiple exposures, long exposure, zoom blurs.  The intent is to create visual interest and emotional or aesthetic impact rather than to clearly document a specific object or scene.

Windows / Doors
Images where windows and/or doors are the primary subject or a dominant compositional element. This includes interior or exterior views of any architectural opening designed for entry, exit, light, or visibility. Subjects may be traditional, modern, rustic, or abstract, and can range from detailed close-ups to wider environmental compositions, as long as windows and/or doors are clearly central to the image’s visual impact or storytelling

Insects / Bugs
Images featuring insects or other small arthropods as the primary subject, including butterflies, bees, beetles, dragonflies, ants, spiders, and similar creatures. The subject should be clearly identifiable and visually dominant within the composition. Images may show insects in natural environments, in motion, or at rest, with emphasis on behavior, detail, or interaction with their surroundings. Creative composition and macro detail are encouraged where appropriate.

Leading Lines
Images that use strong linear elements within the composition to guide the viewer’s eye toward a subject, focal point, or through the scene. These lines may be natural or man-made and can include, for example, roads, paths, fences, shorelines, architectural features, shadows, light, or repeating patterns. The effectiveness of the image depends on how clearly and intentionally these visual lines create direction, depth, and compositional flow.

Macro/Close-up Photography (no insects/bugs)
Images that reveal close-up detail of small subjects, emphasizing texture, pattern, and structure not necessarily visible to the naked eye. Regardless of cropping, the ORIGINAL UNCROPPED subject must be no larger than ONE Dunkin Donut (your choice of course), smaller than a smartphone -or no larger than an adult human hand, if you prefer. The image should demonstrate clear macro/close-up-scale magnification.

Acceptable subjects include small natural objects (excluding insects and other bugs), as well as non-nature subjects such as everyday objects, manufactured items, food, fabrics, tools, and other small-scale materials, provided they are rendered in close-up detail that highlights form and surface characteristics.

Abandoned Buildings/Structures
Images depicting man-made buildings or structures that appear deserted, neglected, unused, or left to decay. Subjects may include homes, factories, barns, schools, bridges, or other constructed forms showing signs of abandonment through deterioration, emptiness, weathering, or disrepair. Creative interpretation is permitted, but the sense of abandonment should be clearly conveyed.

Reflections
Images that prominently feature mirrored or reversed visual elements created by reflective surfaces. Acceptable subjects include reflections in water, glass, mirrors, polished metal, ice, or other reflective materials. The reflection should be a key compositional element, contributing significantly to the overall impact, symmetry, or visual interest of the image, rather than being incidental or minor within the scene.

Images of New Jersey (NJ)
Photographs that clearly depict subjects located within the state of New Jersey. Acceptable content includes landscapes, wildlife, cityscapes, architecture, nature, landmarks, street scenes, or cultural subjects that are identifiable as being in New Jersey. Images should convey a recognizable sense of place within the state, whether through iconic locations or clearly identifiable local settings.  Title must include locality/location where taken. Must have been taken in New Jersey.

Wildlife (No Bugs/Insects, No Hand of Man, No Domestic Animals)
Images of non-domesticated animals in their natural environment or behaving naturally, without human presence, influence, or constructed. This excludes insects/bugs, pets, domesticated animals such as horses, cattle, chickens or other livestock, and any signs of human intervention (such as feeders, cages, roads, fences, or buildings, maintained grass, paths, footsteps etc). The focus should be on wild mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, or other qualifying non-domesticated vertebrates, captured in natural, unaltered settings. Images of captive animals (such as in a zoo) are allowed as long as no hand-of-man is evident in the image.  Images should show the wildlife without creative interpretation.

Open
The open category has no subject restrictions and can also be in the subject area of any of the assigned subjects.

MPC End Of Year Competition
The End of Year Competition is broken out into the categories Nature and Pictorial (Open), you can submit 2 images for each category. The images are judged by an outside club, often out of state, if not out of the country. During the competition the images are presented in a slideshow.