Bowie-Crofton Camera Club
Throughout Central and Southern Maryland.
Competition Themes
Competitions are generally held on the first Monday club meeting of the month, October through May. Please arrive early for competition nights as the lines for entry are long and entries will not be accepted after 7:25 PM. Members are encouraged to enter the 8 monthly intra-club competitions, competing with peers at their own skill level (Novice or Advanced) in one or more of their chosen media (digital, monochrome or color print). Digital entries must be filed on the club website no later than midnight of the Tuesday prior to competition. Login and password is required for digital entry submission.
Each competition provides expert, constructive criticism of each picture by outside judges, thus becoming a teaching tool for improving photographic results and personal satisfaction. We are also affiliated with regional organizations through which B-CCC members are eligible to participate in several competitions outside of the club.
2025 - 2026 Competition Themes
| October 6 | Open | Anytime, anywhere, any topic |
| November 3 | Night | The image must have been taken under dark skies. It can be of celestial objects, or objects on the ground, such as buildings, walkways, highways, or nature. The photo must have been taken after sunset and before sunrise. |
| December 1 | In Detail (Not Necessarily Macro) | For this competition Zoom in to reveal some of the details of your subject that are usually overlooked. It’s often said that “God/The Devil” is in the details. Not necessarily with a Macro lens, but wouldn’t hurt it if you have one (don’t buy one just for this competition). |
| January 5 | The Art of Imperfection (Wabi-sabi) | Find the beauty in everyday, aged, weathered, imperfect, impermanent, incomplete...Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic that encourages people to accept imperfection and transience. |
| February 2 | Travel | Travel Images should be taken greater than 50 miles from Bowie/home and should capture a place or time, land or culture. Show us your best images and have us long to go there. The Ernie Nagy Travel Award will be given to the best of show. |
| March 2 | A Softer Focus (Pictorialism) | Creating impressionistic, painterly images, beyond simply documenting a scene with your camera. Let’s prove photography is an art! |
| April 6 | Nature | Focus on nature and natural things. The rules say the photograph cannot depict any evidence of the “hand of man”. Simply put—no fences, cans, man-made structures, etc. The Novice Nature Trophy will be awarded during this competition for the best in show Novice nature image. |
| May 4 | Open | Any subject, anytime, anywhere. |
| June 1 | End of Year Competition | End of Year Competition |
The End of Year entries will be collected following the May competition. These may include any image that won a ribbon of any kind during the past year.