SANP Fall Photo Challenge: High Key - Seeing Fall Differently

Fall is coming and we are all ready for some cooler temperatures and bright fall colors. SANP has a couple of opportunities to get outside and photograph the changing seasons, including: Cades Cove & Tremont (9/28) and Sunrise & Chasing the Light (10/9). These opportunities are largely full or closing soon. They provide a great opportunity to participate in the Fall Photo Challenge. And, of course you'll have ample time on your own outside of these events to capture some winning images.  

Purpose of this Challenge:   For this fall's challenge, let's see fall differently. We often photograph autumn for what is immediately obvious: brilliant foliage, saturated colors, dramatic landscapes, and the contrast of colorful leaves against dark forests, or animals changing into their winter coats. The Fall Challenge asks us to move beyond that familiar approach and explore what happens when we deliberately simplify the scene through high-key photography.

High-key images are dominated by light tones, restrained contrast, and minimal deep shadows. They can be bright and airy, delicate, graphic, or ethereal, while still retaining enough tonal separation and detail to make the subject compelling. High key is not simply overexposure. It is an intentional use of light, tone, color, and negative space.

Look for the less obvious possibilities of autumn: a single red leaf against a pale sky, translucent backlit foliage, wildlife emerging from fog, a bird against an overcast sky, autumn berries or seed heads isolated against a light background, or a landscape reduced to subtle layers of light and color. The fall connection might come from the subject, its color, its behavior, or the seasonal environment. High-key is a deliberate approach, try it out as you capture your fall images.

For a more detailed explanation of high-key photography, including examples and the distinction between high key and simple overexposure, see the B&H Photo discussion: High-Key and Low-Key Photography.

Maximum Number of Participants (5 minimum for judging): No maximum.

Challenge Procedure:  You must register for this challenge if you want to submit images for judging. You may submit up to three images for judging, following the guidelines below for file naming, file size, and deadline. Judges will not know who submitted the images under review. If you have questions, contact Hill Henry, at thillhenry@gmail.com.

If a Participant wants his/her images displayed on Zenfolio but not judged, that can be stated in the email with the submissions.

Note: Challenge image submissions will be posted (anonymously until after judging) in a Challenge Gallery on the SANP Zenfolio website accessible to the public; winners will be displayed on SANP social media, the SANP website, and in the SANP Newsletter.

Equipment Specifications:

• Camera: Any handheld type of camera is allowed. 
• Lens focal length: Any focal length. 
• Filters: Neutral density, polarizing, and closeup filters may be used.
• Flash: On-camera or off-camera flash is allowed.
• Tripod: Tripods are allowed.
• Cell Phone: Cell phone images are allowed.
• Other: The photographer must get signed model releases from any people recognizable in a photograph.

Photography Technique Specifications: None 

Processing Technique Specifications: None

Entering Challenge Images for Judging

Entries must be received by midnight, dd, Mmmmm yyyy. Participants may submit up to three JPEG digital image files (not over 4 MB each). The Participant’s copyright information and the image metadata must be embedded in the submitted image files.

Send your entries to thillhenry@gmail.com. Entries received late, too large, or not in the proper file name format will not be judged. If you want your images displayed on Zenfolio but not judged, state that when you submit the images.

Name the digital files in the following format (PLEASE NOTE):

SANPPC-202502-Last_Name-First Initial-a

Where:

• SANPPC stands for ‘SANP Photography Challenge’ (do not change this)
• 202502 is the year and month (month is always two digits)
• Last_Name and First Initial are your last name followed by first Initial. (ex. Henry-H)
• "a" is the participant’s first entry (b = second entry, c = third entry)