Commons:Photo challenge
Photo Challenge
The Photo Challenge inspires photographers to take great pictures and upload them to Commons. Monthly thematic competitions encourage participants to try new subjects, new photographic or processing techniques, and to develop skills while improving the Commons repository of free images. Photographs entered into a competition must be new to Commons and taken by a Commons user. |
Formal things
- Challenges
Challenges are based on a theme and run for a month. The theme may be a concrete subject, an abstract concept, a photographic technique or artistic style.
- Participation
Everybody can participate in challenges open for submission. You simply
- Choose one or all of the current challenges
- Read the challenge description(s), which may vary in their rules (e.g., some place restrictions on when the photos are taken)
- Take picture(s) for the challenge(s) during the challenge period (or, if allowed, select from your own existing pictures that are not yet on Commons)
- Upload your picture(s) during the challenge period
- Submit your candidates at the top of the current challenge gallery during the challenge period. To do that you click the [Edit] button of the Entries section of your chosen challenge and insert the File name above the last entry (or above File:-Insert image here-.svg for the first entry).
- Add your entry between the <gallery> tags as indicated. Gallery entries are placed each on a new line, and consist of the filename, a vertical bar |, and a description. For example:
Electric steam iron.jpg|An electric steam iron
- For help on the syntax of entries in a gallery see Help:Gallery tag. Please do not add square brackets [[ ]] or include a thumb parameter or the full URL. The File: prefix is not required, but harmless.
- Add your entry between the <gallery> tags as indicated. Gallery entries are placed each on a new line, and consist of the filename, a vertical bar |, and a description. For example:
- Do not sign your submission(s)
- If you want, you can have a look at previous challenges and Vote
Challenges are open to any Commons user. Submissions must be your own work, not previously uploaded to Commons prior to the challenge date and should illustrate the challenge theme in the opinion of the photographer. Please read the challenge descriptions, as there may be additional rules or explanations for specific challenges. There is no limit on the number of submissions per user (unless specially so restricted in the challenge), but please choose from among your best and most varied images.
To submit pictures, you edit the gallery of the contest and add your candidate(s) to the top of the list.
New themes can be proposed and discussed here.
- Assessment
After the challenge has closed to new submissions, the pictures will be assessed by popularity voting in the subsequent month. You are allowed to vote for images submitted by others if your Commons account is at least ten days old and has more than 50 edits or if you participated in one of the challenges. Challenges open for voting can be found here.
- Winning
The best three pictures will be awarded first, second and third place. They will be displayed on the Photo challenge page and may use the template {{Photo challenge winner}} on the file description page.
Table of contents
New media viewing experience
Please note users can disable the media viewing experience for all images on Commons when logged in (uncheck "Enable Media Viewer" under Files and click Save in Preferences, Appearance).
Challenges open for submission
2023 – January – Ice
The new challenge features Ice.
Ideally, each submission should contain a summary description of the subject in the file information, including the location of the subject, and relevant categories should be added to the files to enable other Commons users to find them and use them. Please take care not to violate copyright in respect of non-free creative works, and observe our educational project scope and the personality rights of identifiable people, or your files may be subject to deletion.
The challenge will remain open for submissions throughout January UTC.
Checklist for this theme:
- Photographs must be the work of the nominator.
- Photographs must be newly uploaded to Commons during the challenge submission period i.e. January 2023 UTC (but may have been taken earlier).
- Submissions must be added to the top of the Entries section below.
- Please do not nominate lots of similar photos; instead choose just your best and most varied images.
Add your entry between the <gallery> tags as indicated. Gallery entries are placed each on a new line, and consist of the filename, a vertical bar |, and a description. For example:
Electric steam iron.jpg|An electric steam iron
For help on the syntax of entries in a gallery see Help:Gallery tag. Please do not add square brackets [[ ]] or include a thumb parameter or the full URL. The File: prefix is not required, but harmless.
- Restriction: A maximum of four entries can be submitted per photographer.
There are 11 days 10 hours left before this challenge ends. (refresh)
Examples
Entries
2023 – January – Hospital
The new challenge features Hospitals.
Ideally, each submission should contain a summary description of the subject in the file information, including the location of the subject, and relevant categories should be added to the files to enable other Commons users to find them and use them. Please take care not to violate copyright in respect of non-free creative works, and observe our educational project scope and the personality rights of identifiable people, or your files may be subject to deletion.
The challenge will remain open for submissions throughout January UTC.
Checklist for this theme:
- Photographs must be the work of the nominator.
- Photographs must be newly uploaded to Commons during the challenge submission period i.e. January 2023 UTC (but may have been taken earlier).
- Submissions must be added to the top of the Entries section below.
- Please do not nominate lots of similar photos; instead choose just your best and most varied images.
Add your entry between the <gallery> tags as indicated. Gallery entries are placed each on a new line, and consist of the filename, a vertical bar |, and a description. For example:
Electric steam iron.jpg|An electric steam iron
For help on the syntax of entries in a gallery see Help:Gallery tag. Please do not add square brackets [[ ]] or include a thumb parameter or the full URL. The File: prefix is not required, but harmless.
- Restriction: A maximum of four entries can be submitted per photographer.
There are 11 days 10 hours left before this challenge ends. (refresh)
Examples
Entries
Challenges open for voting
Voting is open to all registered contributors who have held accounts for at least 10 days and made 50 edits, and also to new Commons contributors who have entered the challenge with a picture. Users cannot vote for their own picture. Voters may select up to three photographs in each theme to award points and can give praise to other photos without awarding points. Voting will be open for one month. The votes not complying with those requirements will be removed or converted to praises. In some cases users might be asked to correct their votes after voting ends.
December 2022
Previous challenges
November 2022
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Seestadt Aspern, Vienna, during construction (December 2013). |
stonemason carving letters | Детское творчество |
Author | Jacek79 | Virtual-Pano | Tiraspolsky |
Score | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Ирокез | Hairs on a horse snout in backlight |
Man with matted hair |
Author | Tiraspolsky | F. Riedelio | Sneha G Gupta |
Score | 17 | 9 | 8 |
October 2022
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Miami skyline from the ocean | Hudson Yards, Midtown Manhattan at dusk |
Flatiron building, Manhattan, 1969 |
Author | Matthew T Rader | King of Hearts | Foeniz |
Score | 17 | 16 | 12 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Plitvička jezera | Bamboo forest in Arashiyama (Sagano), Kyoto, Japan. |
Белый утёнок в зелёной тине |
Author | 66colpi | Naokijp | Vitaliy VK |
Score | 21 | 7 | 7 |
September 2022
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Light colors | Sand at a beach in the surf zone, Northern Algarve, Portugal |
Emtpy rooms and hallway in the Jewish Museum Berlin, Germany |
Author | Celeda | Lusi Lindwurm | Mozzihh |
Score | 11 | 10 | 9 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | День рождения. Праздничный торт | Shoes Filled With Gifts for Saint Nicholas Day |
Shiny Christmas balls |
Author | Tiraspolsky | Changku88 | Sneha G Gupta |
Score | 15 | 14 | 11 |
August 2022
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Isola di San Giulio dopo un temporale - Lago d'Orta |
Stellisee, Switzerland | Lago d'Orta Isola di San Giulio |
Author | 66colpi | Ka23 13 | 66colpi |
Score | 19 | 13 | 12 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Schwalbenschwanz-Duell (Papilio machanon) |
Nut weevil (Curculio nucum) on a hazelnut |
Windenschwärmer (Agrius convolvuli) |
Author | Hgut1842 | Ermell | Hgut1842 |
Score | 20 | 18 | 11 |
July 2022
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Hand of Grandpa and Grandson | Big (E27s) and small (E10s) incandescent lamps |
Baby's fist in daddy's hand.jpg |
Author | Nikhilmore nimo | F. Riedelio | Palauenc05 |
Score | 22 | 15 | 10 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Detail of a crocodile at Cologne Zoo | Girl with sharp eyes | I Want to Have My Peace |
Author | Ermell | Saral Shots | Barbara-Ingeborg |
Score | 12 | 11 | 11 |
June 2022
Rank | 1 | 2 | 2 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Antalya Airport, Turkey | Split-flap display and airport check-in in Terminal 1 of Frankfurt Main Airport |
Operzioni di pulizia pista sotto l'Antonov 225 Myra a MXP |
Author | Roy Egloff | F. Riedelio | 66colpi |
Score | 11 | 9 | 9 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Dance classically with strobo flesh |
Dance and joy | Dance disco with strobo flesh |
Author | Mölchlein | Annatsach | Mölchlein |
Score | 14 | 13 | 11 |
May 2022
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Alexanderwerk kitchen weight scale circa 1910-1920 |
Preserving jar opener - wood, metal, plastic - patented by Havolit, manufactured in 1950s |
Asando cuy a la brasa a la puerta de una tienda en Baños (Ecuador) |
Author | Mariojan photo | Franz van Duns | Saldeplata |
Score | 7 | 5 | 5 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Water reflection of Kinkaku-ji Temple with a tree on a rock in the pond, Kyoto, Japan |
Arakurayama Sengen Park, Asama, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan |
Rhododendron garden, Japan |
Author | Basile Morin | Otto Domes | Ka23 13 |
Score | 17 | 9 | 8 |
April 2022
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Stairs to the station platform before 2013 (Mons Belgium) |
Vineyard stairway in the Enz valley near Vaihingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany |
Stairs at the lower entrance to the Bamberg lock |
Author | Anne Debaisieux | Foeniz | Ermell |
Score | 11 | 10 | 8 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Ostrich egg versus chicken egg. |
Box of eggs | Uova di lepidottero su foglie di Lonicera (caprifoglio selvatico) |
Author | Annatsach | Balise42 | Albarubescens |
Score | 16 | 15 | 7 |
March 2022
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Eastern facade of the Capitol in La Habana, Cuba | The House of Parliament | Parliament. View from the Danube |
Author | Virtual-Pano | Ermell | Vi Ko |
Score | 16 | 14 | 8 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Stift in Wasserglas | Krokuswiese in Glaskugel IMG 0193WI | Rainbow and drops on a CD |
Author | ThoBel-0043 | Kora27 | Balise42 |
Score | 13 | 13 | 9 |
February 2022
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Hohndorf im Frühling. Erzgebirgskreis, Sachsen 2H1A0954WI |
It rained constantly on Peyreleau, 74 inhabitants |
Seitengasse in Gordes, Bergdorf im Departement Vaucluse, Provence. |
Author | Kora27 | Celeda | Michael.F.H.Barth |
Score | 12 | 11 | 9 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Detail view of the pipe organ in the northern aisle of Speyer Cathedral |
Organ in the Memorial Church in Speyer | Orgel. Kirche in Wildbach, Sachsen 2H1A3852WI |
Author | F. Riedelio | Kmtextor | Kora27 |
Score | 9 | 8 | 6 |
January 2022
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | [[File:|x240px]] | ||
Title | Woman, Men, Muslims, Christians | Canadian First Nations girl in traditional costume with integrated earrings of worldwide Japanese brand "Hello Kitty" |
Fiori di glicine |
Author | Celeda | Marc-Lautenbacher | Repuli |
Score | 22 | 11 | 10 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Liebherr LRB 355 pile driving and drilling rig |
Discarded bucket-wheel excavator from open-cast lignite mining |
Schaufelrad eines Baggers im Braunkohletagebau Welzow |
Author | Ermell | Lusi Lindwurm | Staubi59 |
Score | 30 | 21 | 15 |