Competition

Thursday, July 9, 2026 - 6:45pm to 8:00pm
Online Zoom Meeting - Refer to Meeting Announcement
Judge: 
Charles Needle
Theme: 
Eyes

Eyes have been called "the windows to the soul”—and in photography, they can be the gateway to emotion, story, and connection. This theme invites you to explore the power of eyes in all their forms: human, animal, symbolic, or abstract. Whether it’s a piercing stare, a subtle glance, a hidden gaze in a crowd, or even the “eye” of a storm or needle, we challenge you to capture a photo where the concept of “eyes” is central, evocative, and unforgettable. Look closely. What do you see?

This month, Charles Needle is returning as judge. Charles is a Colorado-based fine art photographer, author, speaker, and workshop leader with a unique eye for design and artistic interpretation. His popular “Art of Nature” creative macro workshops have attracted students nationwide.

Charles's photos have won many awards, including semi-finalist in the 2014 Nature’s Best International and finalist in the Kew Gardens International Garden Photographer of the Year award. A popular conference and camera club speaker for more than two decades, Charles has written three cutting-edge instructional books: Tiny Worlds: Creative Macro Photography Skills (Amherst Media, January 2015), Impressionistic Photography: A Field Guide to Using Your Camera as a Paintbrush (March 2014), and Creative Macro Photography: Professional Tips & Techniques (2011).