Themes - Description & Scope
2026-27 Competition Set Themes with Descriptions and Scope
To see the full Competition rules and entry information .......click here
This is a list of the competition PDI and PRINT set themes for the September 2026 to May 2027 competition year.
For each of the monthly competitions (with the exception of the Monochrome and Open PRINT competitions, see below), members may enter one image in the set Theme for that competition and a maximum of two images in the OPEN section ie. three images in total.
The set Theme descriptions and scope are detailed below. The interpretation of how well a picture fits the set subject, and how to include this interpretation in the marking, must be left to the discretion of the judge for the evening. The judge will be told that the description and scope is the guidance (where applicable) that has been given to all members. It may go without saying, but just for the record, an OPEN competition may have any image subject entered. There are absolutely no restrictions on subject matter as long as it is in good taste.
15th September Competition 1 - Architecture (PDI)
Judge: Phil Newman ARPS AFIAP BPE5
Theme Description/Scope
Architectural photography is about capturing buildings and other structures – generally in a way that is both aesthetically pleasing and accurate to their forms. It’s not just about photographing high-profile buildings; it’s about structures of all kinds: towering skyscrapers, soaring cathedrals, suburban houses, and even solitary garden sheds, exteriors or interiors.
20th October Competition 2 - Open (PRINT)
Judge: TBC
Theme Description/Scope
Anything goes; 3 images of any sort you wish, as long as they haven’t been entered into a previous monthly competition.
17th November Competition 3 - Reflections (PDI)
Judge: TBC
Theme Description/Scope
Reflections can add a wonderful dimension to images. It might be trees reflected in a still lake or your own reflection in a shop window, or a street scene reflected in a puddle. Reflections can be fun and worked creatively into your image.
8th December Competition 4 - Monochrome (PRINT)
Judge: Derek Doar DPAGB
Theme Description/Scope
3 entries need to be a grayscale image ranging from black to white of any subject. Your photo may be toned entirely in a single colour e.g. sepia. However, no partial toning or additional colour is permitted
19th January Competition 5 - Scapes (PDI)
Judge: David Gibbins APAGB EFIAP/b BPE5
Theme Description/Scope
This can be a landscape, seascape or urban landscape. People may be included but should not be the main focus of attention and should only be a minor part of the overall image.
16th February Competition 6 - Portrait (PRINT)
Judge: David Kissman CPAGB BPE3 AFIAP
Theme Description/Scope
Your portraits can be posed or natural. Pictures can be pretty much anything people-related but try to show people's emotions or characteristics. We also welcome portraits that tell a story.
16th March Competition 7 - Boat or Boats (PDI)
Judge: TBC
Theme Description/Scope
The boat or boats, large or small and either in water or resting on land are what is needed here. The boats can be either stationary or moving.
30th March - Annual PDI - OPEN competition
Judge: TBC
Theme Description/Scope
As this is an OPEN competition images may be a mixture of both colour and monochrome, there is no restriction on subject matter. Members may enter a maximum of three images. Images may be either new or have been entered into a previous monthly competition.
13th April Competition 8 - Animal or Animals (PRINT)
Judge: TBC
Theme Description/Scope
Wild, captive or pets, but must be showing either movement or natural behaviour. No portraits. An animal includes birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, and insects.
18th May - Annual PRINT - OPEN competition
Judge: Robert Falconer
Theme Description/Scope
As this is an OPEN competition images may be a mixture of both colour and monochrome, there is no restriction on subject matter. Members may enter a maximum of three images. Images may be either new or have been entered into a previous monthly competition.
To see the full Competition rules and entry information .......click here
This is a list of the competition PDI and PRINT set themes for the September 2026 to May 2027 competition year.
For each of the monthly competitions (with the exception of the Monochrome and Open PRINT competitions, see below), members may enter one image in the set Theme for that competition and a maximum of two images in the OPEN section ie. three images in total.
The set Theme descriptions and scope are detailed below. The interpretation of how well a picture fits the set subject, and how to include this interpretation in the marking, must be left to the discretion of the judge for the evening. The judge will be told that the description and scope is the guidance (where applicable) that has been given to all members. It may go without saying, but just for the record, an OPEN competition may have any image subject entered. There are absolutely no restrictions on subject matter as long as it is in good taste.
15th September Competition 1 - Architecture (PDI)
Judge: Phil Newman ARPS AFIAP BPE5
Theme Description/Scope
Architectural photography is about capturing buildings and other structures – generally in a way that is both aesthetically pleasing and accurate to their forms. It’s not just about photographing high-profile buildings; it’s about structures of all kinds: towering skyscrapers, soaring cathedrals, suburban houses, and even solitary garden sheds, exteriors or interiors.
20th October Competition 2 - Open (PRINT)
Judge: TBC
Theme Description/Scope
Anything goes; 3 images of any sort you wish, as long as they haven’t been entered into a previous monthly competition.
17th November Competition 3 - Reflections (PDI)
Judge: TBC
Theme Description/Scope
Reflections can add a wonderful dimension to images. It might be trees reflected in a still lake or your own reflection in a shop window, or a street scene reflected in a puddle. Reflections can be fun and worked creatively into your image.
8th December Competition 4 - Monochrome (PRINT)
Judge: Derek Doar DPAGB
Theme Description/Scope
3 entries need to be a grayscale image ranging from black to white of any subject. Your photo may be toned entirely in a single colour e.g. sepia. However, no partial toning or additional colour is permitted
19th January Competition 5 - Scapes (PDI)
Judge: David Gibbins APAGB EFIAP/b BPE5
Theme Description/Scope
This can be a landscape, seascape or urban landscape. People may be included but should not be the main focus of attention and should only be a minor part of the overall image.
16th February Competition 6 - Portrait (PRINT)
Judge: David Kissman CPAGB BPE3 AFIAP
Theme Description/Scope
Your portraits can be posed or natural. Pictures can be pretty much anything people-related but try to show people's emotions or characteristics. We also welcome portraits that tell a story.
16th March Competition 7 - Boat or Boats (PDI)
Judge: TBC
Theme Description/Scope
The boat or boats, large or small and either in water or resting on land are what is needed here. The boats can be either stationary or moving.
30th March - Annual PDI - OPEN competition
Judge: TBC
Theme Description/Scope
As this is an OPEN competition images may be a mixture of both colour and monochrome, there is no restriction on subject matter. Members may enter a maximum of three images. Images may be either new or have been entered into a previous monthly competition.
13th April Competition 8 - Animal or Animals (PRINT)
Judge: TBC
Theme Description/Scope
Wild, captive or pets, but must be showing either movement or natural behaviour. No portraits. An animal includes birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, and insects.
18th May - Annual PRINT - OPEN competition
Judge: Robert Falconer
Theme Description/Scope
As this is an OPEN competition images may be a mixture of both colour and monochrome, there is no restriction on subject matter. Members may enter a maximum of three images. Images may be either new or have been entered into a previous monthly competition.
