2nd Projected Image Competition: Open Monochrome and Cold Theme, with Susan Hancock, our evening's judge.

A good projected image competition has a lovely way of making everyone look at pictures more closely. Not in a scary “exam paper and squeaky chair” way, more in a “why does that shadow work so well?” way. The upcoming 2nd Projected Image Competition is one of those evenings where small choices matter, strong ideas shine, and nobody has to wrestle a print mount into submission. Bliss.

The competition takes place on Wednesday, 21st October 2026, at 7:30 PM in Lowestoft, and the two sections give plenty of room for creativity:

• OPEN MONOCHROME

• THEME – Cold

  
  

The evening will be judged by Susan Hancock, whose experience in photography and careful eye for image-making will help shape what promises to be a thoughtful, useful, and enjoyable night.

The competition gives every image a proper moment

Projected image competitions are a brilliant format because the focus lands cleanly on the picture itself. No frame, no print paper choice, no “why is this corner peeling?” drama. Just the image, the impact, and the decisions behind it.

For amateur photographers, that makes this kind of evening especially helpful. A digital image can be judged on things like:

• Composition

• Light and shadow

• Timing

• Story

• Mood

• Originality

• How well the image fits the section

  
  

It’s also a great chance to see how different people approach the same brief. Give ten photographers the word “cold” and you’ll probably get frost, fog, blue tones, a lonely bench, a penguin if someone’s been travelling, and at least one brave soul photographing a half-eaten ice lolly like it’s fine art. And honestly, why not?

OPEN MONOCHROME is about more than removing colour

The OPEN MONOCHROME section gives a lot of freedom. “Open” means the subject can be almost anything, from portraits and street scenes to landscapes, architecture, still life, wildlife, sport, or close-up details.

The key is that the image must work in monochrome. That usually means black and white, or a single-toned image, rather than a picture that relies on colour to make its point.

A strong monochrome image often has:

• Clear contrast

  Light and dark areas should help guide the eye.

  
  

• Good texture

  Weathered wood, stone, skin, fabric, clouds, and water can all look wonderful without colour.

  
  

• Shape and form

  When colour disappears, lines and patterns become more important.

  
  

• Mood

  Monochrome can make an image feel timeless, dramatic, quiet, gritty, elegant, or slightly mysterious, like a detective film where everyone owns a hat.

  
  

Before entering, try asking one simple question: would this picture still be interesting if nobody knew what colours were in the original scene? If the answer is yes, you may be onto something.

THEME – Cold can be literal, emotional, or atmospheric

The THEME – Cold section is where things get really interesting. A cold-themed image doesn’t have to show snow, though snow is absolutely welcome if it behaves itself and doesn’t turn into a grey mush on screen.

A cold-themed image might include:

• Frost on leaves, windows, fences, or cars

• Ice, frozen puddles, or winter water

• Mist, fog, and pale morning light

• People wrapped in coats, scarves, and gloves

• Empty beaches, bare trees, or windswept paths

• Blue-toned scenes that feel chilly

• A still life with cold objects, such as ice cubes, chilled glass, or winter food

• A person or place that feels emotionally cold, distant, lonely, or quiet

  
  

That last point matters. “Cold” can be a feeling as much as a temperature. An image of an empty chair in a dim room could qualify if it clearly gives a sense of chill, distance, or isolation. A street scene with harsh light and hard shadows might feel cold even without a snowflake in sight.

What helps is clarity. If the judge has to squint and think, “Is this cold, or did someone just forget to turn the heating on?” the theme may not be coming through strongly enough.

Susan Hancock will bring a knowledgeable judging eye

Susan Hancock will judge the evening, bringing her expertise in photography to both sections. A good judge does more than pick winners. They help everyone understand why certain images work, why others came close, and what small changes might make a picture stronger.

That feedback is often the best part of the night. Even if an image doesn’t score as hoped, the comments can give useful ideas for next time. Maybe the subject was strong but needed a cleaner background. Maybe the light was lovely but the crop could be tighter. Maybe the story was nearly there, but one distracting lamp post was waving from the corner like an uninvited guest.

Susan’s role will be to assess each image with care, looking at both the technical quality and the creative choices behind it. In a competition with two such different sections, that range of judgement really matters.

A few tips for stronger entries

A competition brief can feel broad at first, so it helps to narrow the approach before choosing final images.

For OPEN MONOCHROME, try these ideas:

• Look for strong light rather than colourful scenes.

• Choose subjects with texture, pattern, or bold shape.

• Avoid flat grey images unless the softness is part of the mood.

• Check that the main subject stands out clearly.

  
  

For THEME – Cold, aim for atmosphere:

• Shoot early or late in the day when the light feels softer and cooler.

• Use space around the subject to create stillness.

• Include breath, frost, mist, or condensation if it adds to the story.

• Try cooler colours, but don’t rely on colour alone.

• Think beyond weather. Cold can mean distance, silence, or loneliness.

  
  

And here’s a handy test. Show the image to someone without telling them the theme. If they say “that looks freezing” or “that feels a bit chilly,” you’re probably in business. If they say “nice sandwich,” maybe save it for another round.

Why taking part is worth it

Entering a competition is one of the fastest ways to improve. It makes you select more carefully, edit more thoughtfully, and think about what the picture is actually saying.

It also helps build confidence. The first entry can feel oddly dramatic, like sending your photograph out in a tiny boat and hoping it doesn’t sink. But once it’s on the screen, it becomes part of the shared learning of the evening.

The two sections offer a great balance. OPEN MONOCHROME rewards visual strength, simplicity, and control. THEME – Cold rewards imagination, mood, and interpretation. Together, they give plenty of room for both careful planners and happy wanderers with a camera.

For dates, venue details, and programme updates, check the club’s current listing here: view the current programme.

FAQ

When is the 2nd Projected Image Competition?

It takes place on Wednesday, 21st October 2026, at 7:30 PM.

What are the competition sections?

The two sections are OPEN MONOCHROME and THEME – Cold.

What counts as a cold-themed image?

Anything that clearly suggests cold can work. That might be frost, ice, mist, winter clothing, a chilly landscape, cool-toned light, or even an image with an emotionally cold feeling.

Does OPEN MONOCHROME have to be black and white?

It should be a monochrome image, usually black and white or a single-toned treatment. The subject is open, so the content can be almost anything.

Who is judging the competition?

The judge is Susan Hancock, who brings photographic experience and a thoughtful judging eye to the evening.

The best entries won’t just tick a box. They’ll make people pause, feel something, and want to look again. So pick carefully, trust the picture, and if the cold theme sends you outside in October, pack gloves. Cameras may be tough, but fingers are notoriously dramatic.