Photo Contest Monthly Themes

BetterPhoto's photo contest is the most fun, most objective, and most inspiring photography contest on the Web.

And the incredible photo contest winners will inspire you to pick up your camera and head out photographing!

Each month, several categories will be a specific, new twist on an old theme. Other themes will remain more general.

Contest Theme Suggestions:

If you have ideas for upcoming specific contest themes, contact us and let us know your thoughts and suggestions.

Upcoming Categories: MAY 2022

• Nature / Landscape
• Animals
• People
• Elements of Design
• Techniques
• Travel / Place
• Still-Life / Flowers
• Details / Macro
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Current Categories: APRIL 2022

• Nature / Landscape
• Animals
• People
• Framing in Photography (Elements of Design)
• Techniques
• Travel / Place
• Still-Life / Flowers
• Details / Macro
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: MARCH 2022

• Nature / Landscape
• Animals
• People
• Elements of Design
• Quotes that Inspire or Make You Laugh (Techniques)
• Travel / Place
• Still-Life / Flowers
• Details / Macro
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: FEBRUARY 2022

• Nature / Landscape
• Animals
• Selfies (People)
• Elements of Design
• Techniques
• Travel / Place
• Still-Life / Flowers
• Fire or Ice (Details / Macro)
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: JANUARY 2022

• Snow and White (Nature / Landscape)
• Animals
• People
• Elements of Design
• Black and White Photography (Techniques)
• Travel / Place
• Still-Life / Flowers
• Details / Macro
• Food Photography (Man-Made)
• Catch-All

Past Categories: DECEMBER 2021

• Nature / Landscape
• Animals
• People
• Elements of Design
• Techniques
• Travel / Place
• Still-Life / Flowers
• Holidays (Details / Macro)
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: NOVEMBER 2021

• Fall Colors (Nature / Landscape)
• Animals
• People
• Elements of Design
• Techniques
• Travel / Place
• Still-Life / Flowers
• Details / Macro
• Man-Made
• Thank You (Catch-All - What are you grateful for? Describe your gratitude in the Photo Title or Description)

Past Categories: OCTOBER 2021

• Nature / Landscape
• Animals
• People
• Elements of Design
• Techniques
• Travel / Place
• Remember When (Still-Life / Flowers)
• Remember When (Details / Macro)
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: SEPTEMBER 2021

• Nature / Landscape
• Animals
• People
• Elements of Design
• Techniques
• Travel / Place
• Still-Life / Flowers
• Details / Macro
• Man-Made
• Song, Book, or Movie Title (Catch-All - Got a fav book, song, or movie? Do a photo that represents it. Include title in the Photo Title or Description)

Past Categories: AUGUST 2021

• Nature / Landscape
• Dog Photography (Animals)
• People
• Elements of Design
• Photography Tricks (Techniques - Looking for Super Cool Hacks... Tell us about it in the Description)
• Subjects that begin with "B" (Travel / Place)
• Still-Life / Flowers
• Subjects that begin with "P" (Details / Macro)
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: JULY 2021

• Photographing Water (Nature / Landscape)
• Animals
• People
• Dynamic Diagonal Lines (Elements of Design)
• Creative Aperture and F Stop (Techniques)
• Travel / Place
• Still-Life / Flowers
• Details / Macro
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: JUNE 2021

• Nature / Landscape
• Zoos (Animals)
• Work or Leisure (People)
• Elements of Design
• Photography Tips (Techniques - Share a Tip with Your Peers in the Photo's Description)
• Travel / Place
• Still-Life / Flowers
• Details / Macro
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: MAY 2021

• Golden Hour (Nature / Landscape)
• Animals / Pets
• People
• The Rule of Thirds (Elements of Design)
• Techniques
• Travel / Place
• Still-Life / Flowers
• Close-up of Eyes (Details / Macro)
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: APRIL 2021 (one month rest on the sub-themes)

• Nature / Landscape Photography [finalists]
• Animals / Pets [finalists]
• People [finalists]
• Elements of Design [finalists]
• Techniques [finalists]
• Travel / Place [finalists]
• Still-Life / Flowers [finalists]
• Details / Macro [finalists]
• Man-Made [finalists]
• Catch-All [finalists]

Past Categories: MARCH 2021 (The Party Continues! Join us in celebrating BetterPhoto's 25th Anniversary on March 23rd)

• Patterns in Nature (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Community (Animals) [finalists]
• Kindness and Support (People) [finalists]
• Elements of Design [finalists]
• Techniques [finalists]
• Travel/Place [finalists]
• Still-Life/Flowers [finalists]
• Creativity (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Improvement (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All [finalists]

Past Categories: FEBUARY 2021

• Nature/Landscape [finalists]
• Animals [finalists]
• Your Best Friend (People) [finalists]
• Elements of Design [finalists]
• Your Best Before & After Improvement (Techniques... if you cannot composite two photos, just show an improved After photo and tell us what you did to make a BETTER photo, in the description ) [finalists]
• Best Park You Ever Visited (Travel/Place) [finalists]
• Celebrating BP's 25th (Still-Life/Flowers) [finalists]
• Details/Macro [finalists]
• Man-Made [finalists]
• Catch-All [finalists]

Past Categories: JANUARY 2021

• Photos of Snow or Water (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• We Love Our Pets (Animals) [finalists]
• We Love Our Kids and Grandkids (People) [finalists]
• Elements of Design
• Black and White Photography (Techniques) [finalists]
• Travel/Place
• Still-Life/Flowers
• On the Ground (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: DECEMBER 2020

• Nature/Landscape
• Animals
• Happy Photographers Having Fun (People) [finalists]
• Elements of Design
• Photos with Inspirational Quotes (Techniques) [finalists]
• Travel/Place
• Beautiful Leaves (Still-Life/Flowers) [finalists]
• Foodography Food Photography (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: NOVEMBER 2020

• Fences in Landscapes (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Turkeys, Chickens, or Pigs (Animals) [finalists]
• People
• Elements of Design
• Abstracts (Techniques) [finalists]
• Travel/Place
• Still-Life/Flowers
• Things That Make You Happy (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: OCTOBER 2020

• Nature/Landscape
• Animals
• Masks (People) [finalists]
• Elements of Design
• Techniques
• Nearby Places You Love (Travel/Place) [finalists]
• Pumpkins and Jack-o-Lanterns (Still-Life/Flowers) [finalists]
• Details/Macro
• Gates (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: SEPTEMBER 2020

• Clouds and Inclement Weather (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Animals
• Faces with Character (People) [finalists]
• Elements of Design
• Photos with Inspirational Quotes (Technique of Adding Text to a Photo) [finalists]
• Travel/Place
• Still-Life/Flowers
• Details/Macro
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: AUGUST 2020

• Nature/Landscape
• Animals
• Joy (People) [finalists]
• Elements of Design
• Techniques
• Rivers and Streams (Travel/Place) [finalists]
• Gardens and Wildflowers (Still-Life/Flowers) [finalists]
• Details/Macro
• Bridges (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: JULY 2020

• Water: From Puddles to Oceans (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• A Horse is a Horse, Of Course (Animals) [finalists]
• The Father (People) [finalists]
• Summertime Shadows (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Techniques
• Travel/Place
• Still-Life/Flowers
• Let's Learn About Bugs (Details/Macro) - Note: ideally, teach us something about the bug in the photo Description [finalists]
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: JUNE 2020

• Landscapes with Barns, Sheds, Etc. (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Birds (Animals) [finalists]
• People
• Elements of Design
• Techniques
• Favorite Places, Near or Far (Travel/Place) [finalists]
• Still-Life/Flowers
• Details/Macro
• Outhouses and Old Buildings (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: MAY 2020

• Sunsets/Sunrises (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Cats, Of Course (Animals) [finalists]
• People
• Symmetry (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Share Your Post-Processing Technique 2 - Note: go in depth on HOW you did the technique in the Description when you upload. Step-by-step. [finalists]
• Travel/Place
• Still-Life/Flowers
• Details/Macro
• Red, White, and Blue (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: APRIL 2020

• Nature/Landscape
• Dogs, Of Course (Animals) [finalists]
• People at a Distance (People) [finalists]
• Elements of Design
• Share Your Fav Photoshop Post-Processing Technique - Note: include HOW you did the technique in the Description when you upload [finalists]
• Your Home or Backyard (Travel/Place) [finalists]
• Spring is Here (Still-Life/Flowers) [finalists]
• Details/Macro
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: MARCH 2020

• Lone Trees (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Animals
• Authentic Joy (People) [finalists]
• Lines Leading Into the Distance (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Techniques
• Travel/Place
• Still-Life/Flowers
• Green for St. Patricks Day (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: FEBRUARY 2020

• Intimate Nature (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Animals
• People
• Elements of Design
• Techniques
• Ethnicity & Identity (Travel/Place) [finalists]
• Still-Life/Flowers
• Super Close-up (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: JANUARY 2020

• Snowscapes and Sandscapes (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Funny Animals (Animals) [finalists]
• Photos of People Helping People [finalists]
• Thirds and Rule of Thirds in Photography (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Techniques
• Travel/Place
• Still-Life/Flower
• Details/Macro
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: DECEMBER 2019

• Nature/Landscape
• Animals
• People
• Elements of Design
• Techniques
• Charming Places (Travel/Place) [finalists]
• Red and Green (Still-Life/Flowers) [finalists]
• Instruments/Music (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Ornaments/Decoration (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: NOVEMBER 2019

• Nature/Landscape
• Our Canine Best Friend (Animals) [finalists]
• People
• Opposites (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Techniques
• The People of a Place (Travel/Place) [finalists]
• Still-Life/Flowers
• Beautiful Food (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: OCTOBER 2019

• Beautiful Photos of Fall Colors (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Animals
• Dancers and the Dance (People) [finalists]
• Elements of Design
• Funny or Creative Photoshop Composites (Techniques) [finalists]
• Travel/Place
• Flowers w/ Mantis, Ladybugs, Bees & Flutterbies [Pictures of Butterflies] (Still-Life/Flowers) [finalists]
• Details/Macro
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: SEPTEMBER 2019

• Green (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Hiding or Camouflage (Animals) [finalists]
• People
• Lines and Perspective (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Techniques
• Windows and Doors (Travel/Place) [finalists]
• Still-Life/Flowers
• Details/Macro
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: AUGUST 2019

• Nature/Landscape
• Animals
• Best Friends (People) [finalists]
• Elements of Design
• Photographing Vignettes (Techniques) [finalists]
• Travel/Place
• Still-Life/Flowers
• Watching Paint Peel and Other Abstract Photos (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Balloons (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: JULY 2019

• Fireworks and the Night Sky (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Animals
• People
• Elements of Design
• Black and White (Techniques) [finalists]
• Villages & Village Life (Travel/Place) [finalists]
• Still-Life/Flowers
• Toys (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Photos of Strange or Funny Signs (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: JUNE 2019

• Nature/Landscape
• Baby Animals (Animals) [finalists]
• Creative Selfies, Portraits of Others Too... (People) [finalists]
• Elements of Design
• Smartphone Photography (Techniques) [finalists]
• Travel/Place
• Still-Life/Flowers
• Around the House (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Neon (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: MAY 2019

• Ancient Nature (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Animals
• Games (People) [finalists]
• Photographing Circles (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Techniques
• Stone (Travel/Place) [finalists]
• Still-Life/Flowers
• Details/Macro
• Stairs (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: APRIL 2019

• Nature/Landscape
• Birds in Flight (Animals) [finalists]
• People
• Colorful Abstracts (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Panorama (Techniques) [finalists]
• Travel/Place
• Sweets (Still-Life/Flowers) [finalists]
• Creative Pics of Coins & Jewelry (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: MARCH 2019

• Sand Dunes (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Animals
• Learning (People) [finalists]
• Elements of Design
• Digital Darkroom (Techniques) [finalists]
• Travel/Place
• Still-Life/Flowers
• Details/Macro
• Disappearing Technologies (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: FEBRUARY 2019

• Nature/Landscape
• Baby Animals (Animals) [finalists]
• People
• Arches Photography (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Sepia and Other Toned Photos (Techniques) [finalists]
• Travel/Place
• Bottles and Glass (Still-Life/Flowers) [finalists]
• Tools of the Trade (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: JANUARY 2019

• Trees in an Expansive Landscape (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Threes (Animals) [finalists]
• People
• Elements of Design
• Color-Popping Techniques
• Travel/Place
• The Most Beautiful Flowers in the World (Still-Life/Flowers) [finalists]
• Details/Macro
• Flying Things (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: DECEMBER 2018

• Nature/Landscape
• Animals
• Celebrations (People) [finalists]
• Bird's Eye View (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Black & White (Techniques) [finalists]
• Photographing Market Day (Travel/Place) [finalists]
• Still-Life/Flowers
• Pictures of Ornaments & Decorations (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Man-Made
• Catch-All

Past Categories: NOVEMBER 2018

• Reflections in Water (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Pairs (Animals) [finalists]
• People
• Contrasts (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Digital Composites (Techniques) [finalists]
• Travel/Place
• Still-Life
• Details/Macro
• Lighthouses (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: OCTOBER 2018

• Fall Colors Photography (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Backyard Birds (Animals) [finalists]
• Photographers (People) [finalists]
• Texture (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Intentional Blur (Techniques) [finalists]
• Famous Destinations (Travel/Place) [finalists]
• Close Up Flowers (Still-Life/Flowers) [finalists]
• Miniatures (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Photography of Trains (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: SEPTEMBER 2018

• Sky Photography (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Cats (Animals) [finalists]
• Back to School (People) [finalists]
• Diagonals (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Freezing Action / Fast Shutter Speed (Techniques) [finalists]
• Rustic (Travel/Place) [finalists]
• Musical (Still-Life/Flowers) [finalists]
• Raindrops (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Paths (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: AUGUST 2018

• Light & Lightning (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Horses (Animals) [finalists]
• Babies (People) [finalists]
• Three of a Kind (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Framing the Subject (Techniques) [finalists]
• Photos of Funny Travels (Travel/Place) [finalists]
• Fruit (Still-Life/Flowers) [finalists]
• Bicycles & Bicycle Parts (Details/Macro) [finalists]
• Abandoned Buildings (Man-Made) [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: JULY 2018

• Sunsets with Silhouettes (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Lions, Tigers & Bears (Animals) [finalists]
• Life-Affirming Photojournalism (People) [finalists]
• S-Curves (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Wide-Angle with a Foreground Object [finalists]
• Windows and Doors [finalists]
• Books & Writing
• Butterflies
• Monuments and More at Night
• Catch-All

Past Categories: JUNE 2018

• Wide Angle Wonders (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Pet Photography (Animals) [finalists]
• Sports and Action (People) [finalists]
• Line Leading the Eye (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Long Exposure (Photography Techniques) [finalists]
• Unique and Interesting Places [finalists]
• Historical & Meaningful Rooms [finalists]
• Bees [finalists]
• Classic Cars [finalists]
• Catch-All

Past Categories: MAY 2018

• Bodies of Water (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Farm Animals (Animals) [finalists]
• Candids (People) [finalists]
• Patterns (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Black and White with a Splash of Color (Techniques) [finalists]
• People During Travels [finalists]
• Arranged Objects [finalists]
• Bugs [finalists]
• Craftsmanship [finalists]
• Smartphone Photography [finalists]

Past Categories: APRIL 2018

• Mountains and Hills (Nature/Landscape) [finalists]
• Birds
• Street Photography (People) [finalists]
• Abstracts (Elements of Design) [finalists]
• Black and White and Color Photography (Techniques) [finalists]
• Small Towns [finalists]
• Still Life: Bouquets [finalists]
• Flower Petals and Parts [finalists]
• Architecture [finalists]
• Catch-All

• March 2018: Waterfalls
• February 2018: Smiles
• January 2018: Zig Zag
• December 2017: Ice
• November 2017: Trees
• October 2017: Harvest
• September 2017: Sun and Moon
• August 2017: Heavenly Light
• July 2017: Joy and Gratitude
• June 2017: Your Best Black and White Photography
• May 2017: Happy Travels
• April 2017: Street Photography
• March 2017: Confidence
• February 2017: Serenity in Nature
• January 2017: Fresh Starts, New Beginnings
• December 2016: Keeping A Sense of Humor
• November 2016: Splash of Color
• October 2016: Snuggle Up for Winter
• September 2016: On Top of the World
• August 2016: Down by the Water
• July 2016: Shadows
• June 2016: Threes in Nature
• May 2016: Summer Begins!
• April 2016: Reflections
• March 2016: Purple
• February 2016: True Love
• January 2016: New Beginnings
• December 2015: Giving
• November 2015: Family and Friends in their Best Light
• October 2015: Spectacular Fall Colors
• September 2015: Summer Rain
• August 2015: Summer Golden Hours
• July 2015: Summer Celebration
• June 2015: Favorite Travel Experience
• May 2015: Floral Creativity
• April 2015: Seasonal Showers & Inclement Weather
• March 2015: Seasonal Color
• February 2015: Love
• January 2015: Your Most Amazing Photo
• December 2014: Holiday Lights and Celebrations
• November 2014: Funny People Pictures
• October 2014: Favorite Destinations
• September 2014: Bokeh or Beautiful Blur
• August 2014: HDR (High Dynamic Range images)
• July 2014: Photoshop Filters and Plug-ins
• June 2014: Cute Pet Pictures
• May 2014: Water Droplets
• April 2014: Back to Basics
• March 2014: Creativity
• February 2014: Wild Color
• January 2014: Weather
• December 2013: Holiday Greetings
• November 2013: Home
• October 2013: Clouds
• September 2013: Back to School
• August 2013: Self-Portrait
• July 2013: Peaceful
• June 2013: Contrast
• May 2013: Pictures of Photographers
• April 2013: Only Natural
• March 2013: Showing Motion
• February 2013: Love Story
• January 2013: All Indoors
• December 2012: Joy
• November 2012: Family
• October 2012: Seasonal Color
• September 2012: Education
• August 2012: Sooooo Funny!
• July 2012: Celebration
• June 2012: Technology
• May 2012: Street Photography
• April 2012:Spring Colors
• March 2012: Green with envy
• February 2012: People who need people
• January 2012: New year, new photo
• December 2011: Things we want
• November 2011: Let's eat!
• October 2011: Trick or Treat
• September 2011: I Left my Heart
• August 2011: Fun in the Sun
• July 2011: It's all there in Black and White
• June 2011: Only Natural
• May 2011: Sharing
• April 2011: Delicate
• March 2011: Go Green
• February 2011: Loving Life
• January 2011: Something New
• December 2010: Action
• November 2010: Vintage
• October 2010: Seasonal Shapes
• September 2010: Expressions
• August 2010: Center
• July 2010: Circle
• June 2010: Unusual Shapes
• May 2010: Humor
• April 2010: Joy
• March 2010: Photos of People Taking Pictures
• February 2010: Friendship
• January 2010: New Beginnings
• December 2009: Family
• November 2009: Hope
• October 2009: Union
• September 2009: Response
• August 2009: Creative Power
• July 2009: Reconnect
• June 2009: Common Ground
• May 2009: Passion
• April 2009: Backyard
• March 2009: Thriving - to celebrate the 13th anniversary of BetterPhoto.com
• February 2009: Belonging
• January 2009: Re-Creation
• December 2008: Togetherness
• November 2008: Seasonal
• October 2008: Exhibit
• September 2008: Interaction
• August 2008: Global Village
• July 2008: Summer Fun
• June 2008: Brotherhood
• May 2008: Connect
• April 2008: Standing Out from the Crowd
• March 2008: Sisterhood
• February 2008: Diversity
• January 2008: Outdoor Fun
• December 2007: Nature's Gifts
• November 2007: Blessings
• October 2007: Kindred Spirits
• September 2007: Beautiful Blur
• August 2007: Pictures of People Taking Pictures
• July 2007: Bliss
• June 2007: Vacation Time
• May 2007: Gold
• April 2007: April Showers
• March 2007: Anticipating Spring
• February 2007: Love Story
• January 2007: Refreshing
• December 2006: Inspiration
• November 2006: Go Green
• October 2006: Autumn Events
• September 2006: Back to School Fun
• August 2006: Keep Cool
• July 2006: Summer Fun
• June 2006: Motion
• May 2006: Funny Stuff
• April 2006: Black and White
• March 2006: Celebration ... to mark BetterPhoto.com's 10th anniversary
• February 2006:Purple, Pink, or White
• January 2006:Transform
• December 2005:Joy
• November 2005: Adventure
• October 2005: Energy
• September 2005: Education
• August 2005: Simplicity
• July 2005: Pictures of Beach Fun
• June 2005: Scary Travel Photos
• May 2005: Roaring Lions and Funny Cats
• April 2005: Unforgettable Faces Photo Contest
• March 2005: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
• February 2005: Love
• January 2005: Renewal
• December 2004: Holiday Greetings
• November 2004: Gratitude
• October 2004: Seasonal Change
• September 2004: Blue
• August 2004: Humor
• July 2004: Independence