We’re thrilled to have held our August-September photo competition theme: The B-Sides of Architecture! This theme highlighted the often-overlooked facets of architectural beauty, encouraging photographers to explore fresh angles and untold stories within architectural photography. Our judges were captivated by the creativity and perspectives in each entry, and after a stunning display of talent, the winners have been chosen. To see the winning photographs and learn more about the artists behind them, click here.
Frame Everyday Facades
Explore the hidden beauty and creative aspects of everyday buildings, focusing on light, colour, line, shape, form, and texture. Capture everyday architectural structures, doorways, and textured walls, highlighting details that often go unnoticed. This is a colour theme only, focusing on often overlooked architecture and structures, showcasing the charm of buildings in rural areas, modern settings, and everything in between. Here are examples of some aspects you can capture, although it is not limited to these examples:
- Geometrical Lines, Shapes, and Forms: Highlight the geometric elements found in everyday architecture, showcasing how they create visual interest and structure.
- Rooftops: Capture the varied and interesting angles, materials, and designs of rooftops, often an overlooked aspect of buildings.
- Stairs and Railings: Focus on the intricate designs, patterns, and lines created by stairs and railings, adding depth and movement to your compositions.
- Doorways and Entryways: Each doorway of everyday buildings tells a unique story. Capture the charm and character they add to architecture.
- Textured Walls: Walls worn smooth by decades of hands brushing against them, showcasing the passage of time and the beauty in wear and tear.
- Windows and Window Frames: Reflect the unnoticed beauty of everyday life through windows and their frames, adding depth to your images.
- Architecture and Nature: Capture architecture intertwined with the wild charm of overgrown wisteria or other natural elements.
- Farmhouse Entryways: Showcase the tranquillity of a unique farmhouse entryway, perhaps interrupted by a curious cow.
- All in Colour: Celebrate the vibrant hues and tones found in everyday architecture, whether represented in accurate colours or vintage tones.
Purpose of the Theme
This theme embraces often unnoticed architectural structures, the architectural echoes of the urban world. The goal of this theme is to help our tribe members grow their visual vocabulary, learn to pay closer attention to the beauty and visual elements of architectural structures we might pass every day, and, most importantly, have fun! It can follow minimalist or maximalist styles but is not your typical fine art, minimalist, long exposure architecture photography with state-of-the-art buildings.
For ideas and more inspiration, check out our Pinterest board: https://za.pinterest.com/DPCourses/architecture-b-sides/
Photo Series
We will consider single images for the winning shot, but there’s an extra twist! We will also be looking at the best series of images. You can upload up to five images, and it will benefit you tremendously to curate and select a series that works together as a cohesive set. A series of images should tell a unified story or explore a theme consistently, with each image contributing to the overall narrative. Consider aspects such as striking or consistent colour palettes, recurring motifs, and complementary compositions to make your series stand out.
Inspiration
- If you’re looking for inspiration, feel free to explore the following Pinterest board: https://za.pinterest.com/DPCourses/architecture-b-sides/
- Also check out Danie’s Urban Rust Lightroom gallery for inspiration on creating a series. Shot with his mobile phone, this gallery showcases mostly urban architecture and some street photography in a warm colour palette, featuring shades of brown, orange, and red. View it here: https://adobe.ly/3EaRlUT
Bonus Event Coming Up!
We are organising a Free Pro Event for those who want to practice their skills or capture urban architecture for this theme. Details will be posted in the Pro Group soon.
Judging Criteria
The judges will be looking for:
- Compositional Skill Prowess: Demonstrating exceptional arrangement of elements within the frame to create a harmonious and impactful image.
- Understanding the Subject Matter: Showcasing a comprehension of everyday architecture and the ability to highlight its unique beauty.
- Use of Key Elements of Art:
- Focal Point: Creating a clear and compelling focal point that draws the viewer’s attention.
- Light and Shadow: Mastery in capturing the interplay of light and shadow to add depth and dimension.
- Colour and Texture: Effective use of vibrant hues and textures to enhance visual appeal.
- Balance and Space: Achieving a balanced composition with well-considered use of space.
- Line: Utilising lines to guide the viewer’s eye and structure the composition.
- Shape and Form: Emphasising shapes and forms to create a strong visual impact.
Keywords (What It Is):
Colour, creative architecture, geometry, everyday buildings, hidden architectural gems, rustic charm, modern structures, textured architecture, artistic details, architectural textures, rural architecture, unconventional beauty, windows and doorways, urban details, architectural elements, community structures, intriguing facades, overlooked details, vibrant neighbourhoods, everyday beauty, historical charm.
Antonyms (What It Is Not):
Black and white, high-end skyscrapers, minimalist towers, sleek high-rises, iconic landmarks, ultra-modern skyscrapers, typical fine art architecture, pristine corporate buildings, high-profile architecture, famous architectural marvels, glossy magazine structures, sterile environments, commercial complexes
Competition Details
- Duration: The theme runs for two months, giving you ample time to perfect your work.
- Closing Date: 30 September 2024
Submission Guidelines
- Available to all members, both Basic and Pro.
- Up to five (5) photos per member.
- Only one picture per post and ensure you add a suitable title.
- Any camera can be used, including mobile phone cameras.
- Photos must have been taken within the last 3 years.
- Only Colour: Celebrate the vibrant hues and tones found in everyday architecture, whether represented in accurate colours or vintage tones.
- Post Processing: Edit to your heart’s content, but no composites and overlays allowed.
- Remember, no High-End Buildings: Steer away from architectural masterpieces and state-of-the-art structures.
- DPC instructors and staff can participate but will not be considered for competition.
- Submit entries ONLY in the Photo Themes group.
- Additional background information in the description is encouraged.
- Compulsory Hashtags: Ensure you include the following hashtags in your post description:
- #BSides2024
- #YourNameSurname (e.g., #JohnFrost) Create a unique hashtag for yourself and use it consistently in each post so that we can view your series of images as a whole. For example, if your name is John Frost, your hashtag should be #JohnFrost.
Submission Tip
It will benefit you tremendously to curate and select a series of images that work together and can be presented as a cohesive series, although individual images will be judged on equal footing.
Remember to only post your photos in the Photo Themes group and include the required hashtags in your post description.
Prizes
- Winning Image: Prize for the best individual image: R1000 cash prize.
- Best Series: Prize for the best series of images: One month free in our upcoming architectural mentorship programme.
- Second and Third Place: Special mention on our platform.
- Entries will be judged by a DPC expert panel, which consists of Danie Bester and Michael Tree. The winning photos will be featured on our website and social media platforms.
Announcement
- Date: Wednesday, 16 October at 7 PM (SA Time).
- Platform: Live on Zoom (further details to follow).
We eagerly await your captivating interpretations of The B-Sides of Architecture. Good luck!
