PhotoCON (フォトコン, Fotokon) is a Japanese photography magazine that emphasizes the participation of and contests for its readers. Its title alludes to "photo contest".
The magazine has a complex history. Photo Contest (フォトコンテスト, Foto Kontesuto) was a monthly magazine whose first issue was dated September 1956. This turned into the much more ambitious and very different Camera Age (カメラ時代, Kamera Jidai), a monthly magazine that ran from January 1966 till January 1967. The earlier magazine returned as the twice-monthly Junkan Foto Kontesuto (旬刊フォトコンテスト) from May 1967, from January 1968 till October 1973 Gekkan Foto Kontesuto (月刊フォトコンテスト) and from January 1974 until December 2007 Japan Photo Contest Monthly (formally 日本フォトコンテスト, Nihon Foto Kontesuto; normally フォトコンテスト, Foto Kontesuto).
This Is Halloween
It's that time of the year. Halloween is almost upon us. So our contest this week is on Halloween.
Zz.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within the contest period. In case there's a gray area, or...
Autumn Leaves
Most of us here in the northern hemisphere are in the middle of autumn. The most prominent source of autumn colors are the leaves from the trees. So our theme this week focuses on these autumn leaves (or leaf).
Zz.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or...
Here Comes The Sun
This weeks contest involves the sun, as in the one in our sky. You may interpret this anyway you want, but there must be a clear representation of our theme in your photo.
This week's contest will run a few days longer than usual for us to get back to our normal "cycle"...
Exhilaration
The explanation for this week's contest is simple. Your photo must reflect the feeling of "exhilaration". However, this can be done in two ways: (i) the photo shows the human emotion of exhilaration, or (ii) the photos evoke the feeling of exhilaration onto the viewer.
Good...
Watch Me
In this contest, your photo must feature a wrist watch, or more than one wrist watches! While the photo need not have the wrist watch as the main subject, it must clearly show the presence of the wrist watch (i.e. it should not be a photo of lots of people, and one of them just...
This is basically a question to Andy.
As I already wrote in the outdoor thread I have a problem with pictures taken while in Croatia - in general far objects are never sharp. Initially I thought it is a problem with one of the lenses I was using, but after some browsing I realized it is not...
Say What?
For this week's contest, you have to find a photo, and then you must accompany that photo with a funny/humorous caption. Simply type in the caption with the photo that you submit. That caption will be included in the voting thread.
Zz.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo...
Gear:
Diver:
Pictures:
(no idea yet what the white thing is, I don't even know if it is a plant or an animal)
(sponge - Ircinia muscarum?)
(Anemonia sulcata AKA Snakelocks anemone)
(Anemonia sulcata AKA Snakelocks anemone)
(sponge - Verongia aerophoba)...
Watching Grass Grow
This week, the theme is slooooowwwwwwww. Your photo must convey clearly the idea of something that is moving or changing very slowly. Certainly this concept is subjective and relative. So it is up to the voters in the end to decide if what is being depicted can be...
Be Square
Square. A geometrical shape having 4 sides of equal length. Your photo for this week's contest must have, as its main subject, this geometrical shape.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within the contest...
See Food
Some of us are on a "see food" diet. So our theme this week is on ... FOOD! Your photo must have, as its main subject, food!
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within the contest period. In case there's a gray...
On A Clear Day, You Can See Forever
You may interpret the theme any way you wish, but it must have a clear representation of the phrase "On a clear day, you can see forever".
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within...
I'm Stuffed!
The theme this week is on stuffed toys. They could be stuffed animals, stuffed characters, etc. This includes plushes, beanie babies, and the likes.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within the contest...
Body Parts
This week, your photos must have, as it's main subject, human body parts! However, it shouldn't be gross, or obscene (those will get you kicked out of PF). Artificial body parts do not count. And yes, preferably, these body parts are still connected to the body (to avoid the...
Chaos
Our theme this week is "Chaos". You may interpret it anyway you like, but there must be a clear representation of the theme in your photos.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within the contest period. In case...
You cannot violate the laws of physics
Sure you can't, but can you find photos that makes it APPEARS to be that you are? That's our theme for this week. Your photos must contain something that makes it appears as if a law of physics is being violated.
Good luck!
Contest Rules:
1...
Book 'em, Dano!
If you know that phrase, then you may have dated yourself. That's the infamous line uttered by Steve McGarrett in the old Hawaii Five-0 series (although I don't know if they use that as well in the new series). But our contest this week has nothing to do with Hawaii, crime...
You're All Wet!
*** Administrative Notice - Change in contest rule ***
Starting with this contest, the maximum limit of the photo size has been increased to 800 x 600 pixels.
**********************Our photo contest this week deals with wet things. Your photo must have, as its main subject...
]Cloudy, With A Chance Of Meatballs
This week's contest should be rather interesting. Your photos must have, as it's main subject, either clouds, or meatballs (i.e. the food), or a combination of both! How about them apples, eh?! :)
Good luck!
Zz.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital...
Born Free
Our contest this week focuses on animals. But not any animals. These animals must be "free", i.e. not captived. This means that pets, zoos animals, and other animals that are confined are disqualified. Animals in the wild, or squirrels in your backyard, for example, qualify.
Good...
We're Number One
In this week's contest, your photo must clearly have the number "1", in numeral or in English word.
Zz.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within the contest period. In case there's a gray area, or...
A Moment Of Reflection
You get to interpret it any way you want, but your photo must have a clear representation of our theme.
Zz.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within the contest period. In case there's a gray...
What A Mess!
Just like the title say, this week, your photo must have, as its main subject, something or some place that looks very messy. Shouldn't be difficult if you have a teenage kid!
Zz.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will...
Sing Me A Song, Play Me Some Music
Not sure if we should have a photo contest today, since it is, after all, our Doomsday. Oh, what the heck...
This week's photo contest will require that you find a photo that conveys either someone (or more than one) singing a song, or performing some...
You Don't Bring Me Flowers - Again!
We have had various incarnations of this theme over the years. But since Spring and sprung in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere, it is a good time to have this theme again.'
Our theme this week is all about flowers. So your photo must have, as its...
Over Exposure
Our theme this week deals with photos that, for one reason or another, is over-exposed. This means that the brightness of the photo is saturated.
BUT HERE'S THE CAVEAT! The over-exposure must be ACCIDENTAL, i.e. it cannot be done on purpose! So this is similar to the "Bad...
Parallel Lines
"Parallel Lines" is the title of Blondie's amazing album back in the 70's. But that's not what this contest is about. We will be dealing with the more direct aspect of this theme. Your photo must show, as its main subject, things that are in parallel to each other..
Good...
Quiet
We went with LOUD pictures last week. So this week, we'll swing in the opposite direction. Your photos must convey a sense of quiet, peace, and tranquility.
Have fun!
Zz.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted...
LOUD!
They say that a picture can say a thousand words. Well, can it convey a LOUD SOUND? That is the theme for this week's contest. Find a photo that convey the impression of a very loud sound.
Good luck!
Zz.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant...
Supersymmetry
The photos this week must have, as its main subject, something that has either a left-right symmetry, or up-down symmetry.
Good luck!
Zz.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within the contest period...
Many time with an outdoor landscape photo my sky will be white. I'm using new panasonic lumix. Usually I keep it on iauto. High dynamic helps but sometimes it messes with colors.
Farmville
Our contest this week involves scenes at a farm. This can be landscapes, objects, activities, livestocks, etc., all of which are familiar items found at a farm.
Zz.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within...
It Isn't What You Think
Since our contest this week will end on April Fool's Day, I thought it would be appropriate to have a contest with a related theme. So this week, your photos must be of something that isn't want it appears to be. The more a photo can fool someone into thinking what it...
Get Back!
Not the most unusual theme we have had, but it will be interesting to see the kinds of photos we will get for this. Our theme this week involves photos of a person, or persons, from behind. Now note, it is NOT photos of "their rear ends", but photos FROM behind, i.e. of their backs...
Illumination
This time, our theme is "Illumination". You are free to interpret this anyway you like. However, there MUST be a clear representation of the theme.
Good luck!
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within the...
A Brutal Winter
Many of us in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in parts of Europe and the US, went through a very rough winter this year. We have hope that with spring only a few weeks away, the most severe part of this winter is behind us. This week's contest will, hopefully, be the last...
Green With Envy
This week's theme is easy. Your photo must have, as its main subject, the color green.
Good luck!
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within the contest period. In case there's a gray area, or you're...
Give Me A Sign
This week, our contest theme is on SIGNS. These are signs, be it in words, symbols, or combination of both, that you read everywhere.
Note that these must be "official" signs, produced by either a government entity, businesses, or institutions. It cannot be "handmade" or...
Coffee Or Tea
This week's contest has the theme of "Coffee Or Tea". Your photo must have, as its main subject, something directly related to coffee or tea, or both.
Good luck!
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within the...
A Splash Of Color
During the bleak, cold winter (at least for us in the Northern Hemisphere), it is always nice to see pictures full of vibrant colors. So this is the theme for this week's photo contest. Find a photo that has sharp, vibrant colors as the main focus.
Good luck!
Contest...
What Time Is It?
The theme this week involves a time-keeper device. This includes clocks, watches, sundials, etc. The main subject of your photo must be the time-keeper device/s.
Good luck!
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be...
Sharp Corners
Our theme this week is titled "Sharp Corners". Your photo must have, as its main subject something that represents our theme as clearly as possible.
Good luck!
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within...
The Green, Green Grass Of Home
No, I'm not singing a Tom Jones tune, but that phrase makes for a perfect theme this week. Your photo must depict, as its main subject, a lush and green field of grass.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme...
It's All Downhill From Here
I'm sure you've heard that expression before. So let's see how you interpret it pictorially. Submit a photo that best represents that phrase.
Good luck!
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within...
Fireworks!
What better way to welcome the new year than fireworks! Show us your best fireworks photos!
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within the contest period. In case there's a gray area, or you're not sure if...
New Year's Resolution
With the dawn of another new year, many people will make their New Year's resolution. But can such resolutions be captured in pictures? See if you can be creative and capture some of the more popular new year's resolution.
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year...
Santa!
With Christmas barely a week away, it is time to make sure you are "nicer" than you are "naughty" this past year, so that the jolly big man will get you want you want. So this week, the subject of your photo must be on Santa Clause!
Good luck, and Merry Christmas!
Contest...
Holiday Lights
It is the time of the year where many parts of the world decorates for the holiday season. The theme this week focuses specifically on holiday LIGHTS. The lights can be for any type of holidays, so if your picture is of an obscure holiday that many of us are unfamiliar with...
Blinded By The Light
This week's theme requires your own interpretation. Can you find a suitable photo that makes a clear representation of our theme?
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within the contest period. In case...
Snow & Ice
Our theme this week will be snow and/or ice.
Contest Rules:
1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within the contest period. In case there's a gray area, or you're not sure if the picture is suitable, check with me first...