TPS Monthly Competition - November 2025

November was the last monthly competition for 2025. The Set Subject was "The colour orange". All scores listed below are out of a total of 15.

I submitted three entries into the Set Subject section, and 1 into the Open section,

Of the three images submitted into Set Subject, the one on the right was my favourite - a simple table top presentation. The judge scored the image 12 (a Gold award), but felt that the orange was too large and dominant in the arrangement. As you might guess, I felt differently, and had specifically left the orange that size so that the eye had a focal point to return to after looking at the rest of the image. The arrangement was done on our kitchen work surface. The pansy and tecoma flowers were from the garden, while the rose was part of a purchased bunch.  I particularly like the texture differences, with the soft flower petals contrasting nicely with the harshness of the orange and naartjie peel. Score: 12 (Gold award)

Orange textures and shades

Tipping point

Just a fun minimalistic image that I've wanted to do for some time, originally with a normal white ball, but the orange one works just as well. The judge didn't like the sun spots on the ball. I removed them after the meeting to see whether it would improve the image, and in the end think it's a matter of personal taste. But I should probably have removed them before submitting. Score: 11 (Silver award)

The final Set Subject image was a street photography shot taken at a Japan Day Festival held in Stellenbosch. Not the most exciting image, but it showed the mood on the day. The judge thought there was too much clutter, and that maybe a crop would have helped, but I had tried that before posting and it spoilt the message, so decided to post it as is. Score: 11 (Silver award)

Having fun at Japan day

My final image for the month is an unusual one, and my overall favourite of the four. 

The final phase of the Strand Seawall Upgrade Project is currently under way, and is expected to be completed by the end of November 2026. 

Construction status at 6 December 2025

In August, I took my camera and went for a walk along the construction area shown above, looking for possible photo opportunities. I came across a number of old, rusted water pipes that had been dug up as part of the excavations (they have since been removed). A number of them had really interesting rusted areas that were possibilities. My favourite of all was the shot below. It reminded me, and subsequently others, of an ancient map. The rust had eaten its way through some the blue paint on the outside of the pipe.

To complete the picture, I photographed an old-looking compass face, and added it to the image.

The judge enjoyed the image and scored it 13 (Gold award). It was the runner up image in the Open section for the month. A great way to end the year!