Mini Theme

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OUR NEXT THEME ACTIVITY IS FOR MARCH 2026

March Theme

We started our Mini Theme activities in late 2023 with an ‘Open’ Theme and it is time to return to that.  Here is a chance to test your knowledge and skills in developing a collection of images with a story or theme of your choice: composites, creative, contemporary, pick any genre you like. Make certain that there is a connection between your short explanation and your theme

Remember,  Mini Theme activities are one stepping stone towards the new APS Portfolio Awards.

Theme Conditions

• Participants are to submit a series of six [6] images on the designated Theme.
• Maximum of one entry per member for any theme.
• Individual images are to be 1920 * 1080 and 2mb max.
• Members are to write a short explanation on their approach to the theme. Text is restricted to 500 characters (this equates to 80-100 words).
• There is no time limit on when images were taken or processed; however, participants are encouraged to create new or refine existing images to meet the theme outline.
• For this theme: composites are permitted
• Entries need to be uploaded between 1^st March and 15^th April 2026

Image file names

• All images must have a unique title.  eg. Image 1 = 1_my_dog_rufus.jpg, Image 2 = 2_purple_flowers.jpg etc..
  

Judge (Evaluator):

Our theme Evaluator will be Mel Sinclair B.Vis, Dip. FineArt, MPhotog, ANZIPP, PSQ-A

Online Launch:   

Friday, 20th February 2026 7.30pm AEDT
Hosted by Mini Theme Coordinator Greg McMillan GMSPS EFIAP EPSA BPSA, join us for some hints and tips on this Theme: 'Open’.  We will be joined by our theme Evaluator, Mel Sinclair B.Vis, Dip. FineArt, MPhotog, ANZIPP, PSQ-A. 

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Ec8AVYXpTi6nGdiF09SFtA

Further details will be provided closer to this event

MINI THEME OVERVIEW

Concept

• This activity is designed to develop knowledge and skills beyond the concept of a single image approach to photography and build towards creating a collection of images for activities such as an AV, photobook or portfolio or encourage members to look at different approaches to their photography such as a contemporary approach to photography.
• This is a development / learning activity for APS members, so it is promoted under APSLearn and therefore it is open only to APS Members.
• The focus is on encouraging members to participate in this approach and develop their knowledge and skills of story-telling through multiple images.

Judging Criteria

• Criteria 1: Congruency of images – do they connect with each other (5 points)
• Criteria 2: Congruency of images to your text (5 points)
• Criteria 3: Storytelling (5 points)
• Criteria 4: Technical aspect of your images (5 points)

Judge/s

• The judge/s will generally be drawn from APS members with experiences in developing portfolio, story style photography and/or the designated theme.
• Depending on the number of submissions more than one judge may be used.
• Feedback will be via the Criteria score.  Judges will also provide some additional written feedback.
• The judges’ decision is final and neither the organisers nor anyone else may alter that decision.

Awards

• A 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Certificates awarded
• Highly Commended / Commended Certificates will also be provided for each Theme Activity.

Publication of Results

• All participants will receive a confidential copy of their individual scores and any comments made by the judge.
• Awarded entries will receive an e-Certificate
• Awarded images and text may appear in APS managed publications such as eNews, Free Expression and social media such as the APS Facebook page.

UPCOMING 2026 Themes

July 2026: Life can be Black and White

Monochrome images can be a terrific way to create a different perspective on life. Doing this as part of a 6-image story can even be more rewarding. Your images can be any aspect of ‘life’ so that means there must evidence of ‘life’ in your story: this could be people, flora or fauna related and if you think you can tell a story of ‘life’ using inanimate objects, then don’t limit yourself. Whatever you choose, it just must reflect ‘life’. For this Theme we will use a broader definition of Black and White to include grey scale monochrome images.

Evaluator: Margaret O’Grady EFIAP/s GMAPS SAPS PSQA

October 2026: My Favourite Place

You could see this as a travel theme but it is broader than that. Your favourite place might be a location you have visited on your travels, it may also be somewhere where you retreat for comfort and quiet: it just has to be your ‘Favourite Place’. Most importantly ensure your images, story and text let us know why this is your favourite place

Evaluator: Nilmini De Silva EFIAP GMAPS EPSA SPSA

2025 Results

March 2025 - Why I love my backyard:  What is your backyard, what does it look like and why do you love it.  Like our 2024 Theme Life Indoors, don’t be limited by the title. Be creative in your thinking.   Mel Sinclair’s APSlearn podcast on the Life Indoors theme would be a good one to review. 

March Results:
Nilmini De Silva (1st), Lynn Stephens-Tait (2nd), Anne Pappalardo (3rd), Brian Rope (HM), Alan Bennett (HM), Felicity Johnson (HM), Daniela Vavrova (HM), Milton Freeman (HM), Brad Mailer (HM)

July 2025 - Celebrating Amazing Men:  Who do you know who inspires, encourages, is successful, achieves or in your mind, is simply amazing. 

July Results:
1st: Nilmini De Silva , 2nd: Liz Hardley, 3rd: Daniela Vavrova 
Highly Commended: Paul Balfe, Martin Newland, Brian Rope, Lynn Stephens-Tait
Commended: Connie Little

October 2025 - Perfectly Imperfect:  A focus on all the things in the world that aren't perfect but are beautiful as they are.

October Results:
1st: Diny Jones, 2nd: Anne Pappalardo, 3rd: Kristie Richmond
Highly Commended: Leeanne Mason
Commended: Sue Allison

2024 Results

October 2024 – Theme: Be newsworthy.  This theme broadly covers a  photojournalism theme but don’t be limited in your imagination.  Mostly importantly, is the story in your images newsworthy? 

October Results:
Lyn Stephens-Tait (1^st), Suzanne Wacker (2^nd), Nilmini De Silva (3^rd), Darren Wright (Highly Commended), Daniela Vavrova, Gail Goodair (Gee) and Helen Brecknell (Commended)

July 2024 – Theme: Life Indoors.  What happens when you cannot go outside to work and play.  Provide a story about a life indoors.  Be creative, be innovative and be unique in your story-telling.

July Results:
Kim Cofield (1st), Brian Rope (2^nd), Margaret Stapper (3^rd), Morag Lokam (HM), Daniela Vavrova  (HM) and Brad Mailer (Com)

March 2024 – Theme: Celebrating Amazing Women.  This theme coincides with International women’s day.  Who do you know who inspires, encourages, is successful, achieves or in your mind, is simply amazing. 

March Results:
Valmae Ypinzar (1^st), Colleen Mahoney (2^nd), Tina Dial (3^rd), Morag Lokan (HM) and Daniela Vavrova (HM)