There's no place like home, right? But have you ever really looked at your neighbourhood through a lens? We want to see the creative ways you can photograph where you live. Show us the originality and uniqueness of your neighbourhood through your photography.
Excio is a photography community that connects photographers from around the world. We believe that everyone has a story to tell and that everyone can be a great photographer with the right tools, resources, and motivation. That's why we've created this competition - to give everyone an opportunity to share their stories and showcase their talents. Regardless of whether you're a beginner or a professional, we encourage you to participate!
Why is it important to participate in competitions as a photographer?
First and foremost, it's a great way to get your work out there and build your portfolio. Secondly, it's a great way to challenge yourself creatively. When you're up against other photographers, you really have to step up your game and think outside the box to make your work stand out.
And lastly, it's just plain fun! When you're passionate about something, it should be enjoyable too. So go out there and start snapping away! We can't wait to see what you come up with.
Here are some tips on how to get started:
- Look for unique angles. Instead of photographing your neighbourhood from ground level, try getting up high for an aerial shot. Or go low for an interesting perspective. When everyone is zooming in, try zooming out for a wide shot that captures the whole scene. It's all about thinking outside the box!
- Play with light and shadow. The time of day can make a big difference in how your photos turn out. Early morning or late evening light often creates beautiful golden hour hues, while midday sun can produce strong shadows that can either add or subtract from your composition depending on how you use them.
- Tell a story. A great photo doesn't just show us what something looks like - it should also evoke emotion and tell us a story about the subject matter. When shooting people or places, try to capture the feeling of the moment so that viewers can connect with the image on a personal level.
- Edit wisely. A little bit of editing can go a long way in terms of making your photos pop. But be careful not to overdo it! Too much processing can make an image look fake or unauthentic, which will take away from its overall impact. Play around until you find a look that you like best.
- Have fun! This is supposed to be enjoyable, so don't put too much pressure on yourself. Go out, experiment, and see what happens! You never know what kind of magic you might be able to create.
We hope this has inspired you to start thinking about your neighbourhood in new and creative ways! Remember, anyone can be a great photographer - you just have to be willing to experiment, have fun, and think outside the box.
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Hutt Valley NZ competition
For those of you with photographs of the Hutt Valley, don’t forget to submit them to the Excio/ Hutt Valley NZ Real Fresh Hutt Valley competition closing on November 30. You can enter here.
You can also explore the list of hot places and suggestions for the competition entries below:
Start with a Google Map: Snap pics here!
- Sunset shot of shops in Jackson Street e.g. the building that is the home of Schrodingers’ Books
- Avalon Park boats in front of the dinosaur in pond
- Jackson Street experience - outdoor dining or shoppers
- Main Street (Upper Hutt) experience - outdoor dining or shoppers
- Lower Hutt city centre - outdoor dining or shoppers
- People together looking out from the Wainuiomata Hill Road lookout
- Swimmers enjoying the water in Hutt River or their favourite swimming hole - from Birchville to Taita
- Golden hour at Days Bay - at the beach, wharf, eateries of picnics in the park
- People making a driftwood sculpture or teepee on the beach - Petone or Eastbourne
- Families or people having picnics
- Fish and chips at the beach
- People enjoying Wainuiomata Rec Area
- Manufacturing and people making things
- Brewtown outdoor environment
- Interacting with LOTR elements at Rivendell in Kaitoke Regional Park
- Harcourt Park and Maidstone Max picnics and family outings
- Hutt River Trail and Remutaka Cycle Trail especially during golden hour / sunset
- Shopping at local markets - Saturday Riverbank Market and artisan craft markets on during November
- Eating in the Sun on the deck at Crooked Elm looking towards Dowse
- Cyclists in Jackson Street
- Te Whiti Riser walkers on the boardwalk
- Children jumping around the “Play” big letters at Avalon Park
New December competition
For everyone else, no matter where you are in the world, start photographing as we’ll be launching our new Show us your neighbourhood! competition in December.
We can't wait to see what you come up with!
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