There’s nothing quite like bonding with a member of another species. Inviting creatures, large or small, into your home to love and care for is one of the great joys of life. And though it may not be easy, it’s surely worth the effort. After all, (most) animal pals give us unequivocal love, comfort us without judgment, and make us smile when we’re blue. So, for this challenge, we want to see your best pet portraits.

This week’s theme

This week’s theme is all about non-human friends, everything from ants to alligators, owls to aardvarks. If they’re your animal homie, that’s good enough for us! All forms of photography are welcome too. Want to make a cyanotype of your dog’s paw? Go right ahead! Or a large format print of your esteemed horse Jimacko? Right on. How about a collage of your lobster Florence, snapped with a Game Boy Camera? Uh, sure! We can’t wait to see what you’ve got.

How to enter

To submit, use #popphotooftheday on Instagram or Twitter, or submit to our Flickr pool or our Facebook group. If joining the Facebook group, please answer the membership questions and agree to the group rules.

And please limit your entries to no more than three per platform.

More info

For more info on Photos of the Day, including the official rules, head here.

The post Scales, feathers, or fuzz: Show us your best pet portraits appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

For this week’s reader challenge, we asked you to submit photos of the inanimate. And as always, you delivered. While some folks settled on more unusual subjects to photograph, the vast majority of you stuck with classic still life hallmarks, including floral arrangments, skulls, glassware, and more. The winning images range from dramatic to lighthearted to just plain spooky.

Want to be featured in a future gallery? Weekly themes are posted Sundays. To enter, you can upload your submissions to our Flickr pool, tag them on Instagram and Twitter, or join/upload them to our Photos of the Day Facebook group.

Lead image by David Terao. See more of David’s work here.

Channeling the Dutch masters

Skulls are a staple of the still life genre and Instagram user Skzikit brilliantly channels the work of Dutch Golden Age painters like Pieter Claesz with this shot. Plus, with Halloween nearly upon us, the spooky factor feels especially fitting.

Eggs? Eggs.

Sometimes the simplest subjects make for the most enjoyable images. And Susan Liepa‘s image of eggs is a good example. Something about it makes me smile, maybe it’s the delicate way they’re stacked, the gentle tones, or the soft focus. Or maybe I’m just hungry for a hardboiled… nope, definitely the former.

Swirls of shadows & highlights

This is a particularly gorgeous image of a subject most simple—the humble glass—captured masterfully by José Luis Funes. The swirling highlights and shadows play nicely off the plain, slightly textured grey backdrop. And the framing gives ample breathing room around the subject.

But perhaps most importantly, it appears no beverages were spilled during the making of this shot.

Standing straight

This still life, captured by Robert Serbinenko also put a smile on my face. Though the subject is once again quite ordinary, the results are both humorous and eye-catching. I feel like I’m looking at some tiny soldiers standing straight in a line against a setting sun, or maybe an unreleased Pink Floyd album cover. Or maybe both.

Horizontal arrangement with lilies & flax

This classic still life scene was captured by Judith Hamblyn using her Samsung S10 smartphone. The arrangement looks professionally styled, i.e. gorgeous. And I love the way the floral colors pop against the dark green backdrop.

’69 GTO

Finally, we have this awesome barn scene, featuring a 1969 Pontiac GTO, snapped in Southern Alberta, Canada by Gordon Hunter. While old cars, busted bikes, and rotting dolls may not be the first thing you think of when you think “still life,” the scene surely works! I can only imagine what other treasures are hiding in there.

The post Freeze! The week’s best reader-submitted still life photos appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

From Cézanne and Van Gogh to the Flemish aces, still life is a genre much studied, quite revered, and difficult to master. Done right, images are rife with symbolism and filled with compositional mastery. So, for this week’s Photo of the Day challenge, we want to see your interpretation of the still life genre, whether it be a traditional take or one with a contemporary spin. 

This week’s theme

Despite the historic nature of the theme, don’t be afraid to branch out and try something new. After all, the only thing a still life requires is an inanimate subject. For a more traditional take, consider objects that relate to nature or humanity, from fruit and skulls to plants and glassware. Or simply grab some household items, try your hand at arranging them, and snap a photo. (i.e. skip the skulls).

How to enter

To submit, use #popphotooftheday on Instagram or Twitter, or submit to our Flickr pool or our Facebook group. If joining the Facebook group, please answer the membership questions and agree to the group rules.

And please limit your entries to no more than three per platform. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!

More info

For more info on Photos of the Day, including the official rules, head here.

The post Fruit bowls and floral arrangments: Show us your best still life photos appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Graffiti and street art can be found nearly anywhere in the world—from the streets of Tahiti to the train yards of New York City. What was once a frowned upon art form now enjoys a much more popular acceptance and appreciation. And this week’s winning Photos of the Day showcase the kaleidoscopic chaos found in the streets and, in one instance, the story behind it. 

Related: Martha Cooper revisits the chaotic, gritty & enchanting world of graffiti in 1980s NYC

Want to be featured in a future gallery? Weekly themes are posted Sundays. To enter, you can upload your submissions to our Flickr pool, tag them on Instagram and Twitter, or join/upload them to our Photos of the Day Facebook group.

Lead image by Paula Gallagher Brown on Facebook. See more of Paula‘s work here. 

A balancing act

Sometimes it’s the people and the place together that make a photograph interesting, as is the case with Raymond Choo’s photo. Not only did he come across a vibrant piece of art, but he also captured an equally interesting passerby. If you look closely, the figure walks out of the frame, perfectly balancing an apple atop her head. 

New York, NY

Ted Meisel’s image of a wall in Brooklyn is equal parts whimsical and simultaneously…disturbing. But good art makes you feel something, and this definitely does stir up some emotion. 

The artist

When graffiti first emerged, artists worked in the dead of night to avoid the authorities. While still true in some cases, there’s more freedom now—including opportunities for street and graffiti artists to be commissioned for works. Here, Michael Pancier shows the creator revealed but still mysterious. 

It’s lunchtime

That dog sure does look hungry with its tongue hanging out. Bruce Bain is right, Joe the roach better be on the lookout, or else.

Hey there, Detroit

Raymon Thompson documents the spirit of a city with this colorful piece that gives off both serious ’90s vibes and a powerful message of community perseverance. Plus, who doesn’t love a groovin’ boombox?

We want it now

Donald Bilski’s image is poignant for the times. Peace now and be good to your neighbor, everyone. 

The post Reader-submitted graffiti & street art photos showcase a cacophony of color appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Public perception of graffiti has undergone a transformation in recent years. What was once seen by many as nothing more than an illicit activity or nuisance, is now being embraced by the contemporary art world, collectors, and everyday folks alike. In a celebration of art for the people, by the people, we want to see your best photos that incorporate elements of graffiti.

Related: Leica’s latest ‘drop’ may be the world’s trendiest camera

This week’s theme

For this week’s Photo of the Day challenge, show us shots that feature street art. Whether your chosen piece is the center of attention or simply a background element is entirely up to you. Of course, you don’t have to settle on showing off just one tag or mural. Maybe you know of a secret abandoned location filled with colorful imagery. Or perhaps you’ve documented someone in the act of creating someone beautiful. As long as street art is an element, there are no wrong submissions. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!

How to enter

To submit, use #popphotooftheday on Instagram or Twitter, or submit to our Flickr pool or Facebook group. If joining the Facebook group, please answer the membership questions and agree to the group rules—this is an effort to prevent spam.

Also, please limit your entries to no more than three per platform.

More info

For more info on Photos of the Day, including the official rules, head here.

The post Photo challenge: Show us your favorite shots of graffiti or street art appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

While itineraries, strategies, and plans usually promise order and an assured outcome, sometimes the unexpected is what delights us the most. That’s why we asked photographers to show us their best photos of serendipity in this week’s Photo of the Day challenge. The winning submissions were surprising in both their content and the backstories.

Want to be featured in a future gallery? Weekly themes are posted Sundays. To enter, you can upload your submissions to our Flickr pool, tag them on Instagram and Twitter, or join/upload them to our Photos of the Day Facebook group.

Lead image by JR on Instagram. See more of JR’s work here. 

The night trolley

Related: Katie Golobic captures the sacred chaos of being a mother

Robert Lalancette captures the energy of a city prepping for a positively electric evening. 

“[I was] taking a photo of something, and I really don’t remember what it was, in low light in Toronto one evening,” Lalancette recounts. “I heard the rumble of a tram passing behind me. Without much thought, I turned around, started to pan for a quick shot, and got lucky.”

Wave hello

Kevin Kielty got the shot of a lifetime when he photographed two surfers. The best part? Happenstance. Kielty didn’t even know this moment had happened until he was editing.

“A surfer high-fives a friend as he enters a barrel at Southern California surf spot, The Wedge,” Kielty shares. “I had no idea this had even happened until I was editing later in the day.”

Accidental impressionism

The Impressionist movement is known for soft focus, abundant light, and beautiful, bright colors. Raymond Choo found he had recreated the technique by accident, and nearly threw the image out before a change of mind. 

“While photographing tulips at the amazing Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands, I accidentally moved my camera,” Choo writes. “Prior to deleting the shot, I looked at the back of the camera LCD and decided to keep this accidental impressionistic image.”

Where’s my wrench?

A little humor for you, brought by Steve Ryf. Now we know what really happens when planes are delayed at airports. 

Everything was a blur

Serendipity found Angie Muzeni-Corino when she was getting the feel for a new camera. Proof that sometimes, unfamiliarity is a great creative tool. 

“I was using an old point-and-shoot camera that I hadn’t used in a while so I was struggling with the settings,” Muzeni-Corino recalls. “[I] didn’t intend for this shot to come out like this but was pleasantly surprised by the results.”

The post It came by happenstance: Reader-submitted photos of serendipity appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

A lucky photographer knows the feeling of pure serendipity. Sometimes, it’s being in the right place at the right time. Sometimes, the creation process is unexpected but yields a rewarding result. Other times, something completely accidental ends up elevating an image to new heights. And thus, this week’s Photo of the Day theme is all about happenstance. 

This week’s theme

For this week’s Photo of the Day challenge, we want to see pictures that represent serendipity. Defined as “the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way,” photographic serendipity comes in many forms. Maybe a light leak added the perfect element to your shot, or perhaps you snapped your camera’s shutter just as something remarkable unfolded. Heck, maybe you don’t remember taking the photo at all but it still came out awesome.

How to enter

To submit, use #popphotooftheday on Instagram or Twitter, or submit to our Flickr pool or Facebook group. If you’re joining the Facebook group, please answer the membership questions and agree to the group rules.

Please limit your entries to no more than three per platform. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!

More info

For more info on Photos of the Day, including the official rules, head here.

The post Sweet serendipity: Show us your favorite unexpected photos appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

A race car zips down the track to a child’s delight. The sun’s last golden tendrils cling to a cloudy sky. A horse and its rider share a tender moment. For this week’s Photo of the Day challenge, we asked readers to show us what they most love to photograph, and the results are a delightful mélange of subjects. 

Want to be featured in a future Photo of the Day gallery? Weekly themes are posted Sundays. To enter, you can upload your submissions to our Flickr pool, tag them on Instagram and Twitter, or join/upload them to our Photos of the Day Facebook group.

Lead image by Rudiescu on Flickr. See more work here. 

Best buds

Lucia Williams touchingly captures the trust and bond between a horse and its rider—something crucial when performing stunts. 

Shapes

Chris For’s use of B&W draws the eye to the structure’s distinct geometric patterns and the landscape’s fading light. There’s an air of drama and loneliness that pervades the frame. 

Cannonball 

Jeff Dennis makes a splash with a split-second frame from the 2022 Canada Games. The lines in this image add to its compelling allure. 

Sunset serenity 

It’s the last warmth and glow of a sunset, a daily event that always brings a little melancholy. Debra Clare’s image displays the wonder and awe of standing under a vast sky in the dying light. 

Zoom zoom

Angie Muzeni-Corino’s picture captures the energy of a day at the racetrack, buffered by the innocent curiosity of a child peering between the chain-link fence, hoping for a glimpse of the action. 

Red-winged Fairywren

A fluffy Fairywren precariously balances on a flower’s stem, the florals’ deep red petals a perfect punctuation mark on the scene shot by Dalida Innes.

The post JPEG jumble: the week’s best reader-submitted photos appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

We’re turning over a new leaf. Fall is on the way. And as we segue into cooler temps and a new season, the editors at PopPhoto are throwing this week’s theme out the window. Instead, we want to see images that capture your favorite subject.

This week’s theme

For this week’s Photo of the Day challenge, show us what you most enjoy photographing—we’re open to anything you’ve got! Maybe it’s landscapes and wildlife you enjoy capturing. Perhaps you’re a budding sartorialist snapping the latest fashion. Or maybe it’s delicious food, exotic travel, stunning architecture, or something else entirely. We’d even love to see your long-term passion projects.

Whatever your photographic muse, pick your poison and submit your best shots. 

How to enter

To submit, use #popphotooftheday on Instagram or Twitter, or submit to our Flickr pool or Facebook group. If joining the Facebook group, please answer the membership questions and agree to the group rules.

Please limit your entries to no more than three per platform. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!

More info

For more info on Photos of the Day, including the official rules, head here.

The post Free falling: We want to see your favorite subject appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

A Ferris Wheel glows in the twilight. Orange skies greet a new dawn. Baskets of apples signal that the seasons are changing. In the blink of an eye, summer has flown by. August winds down, vacations are over, and it’s back to work/school. These are our favorite reader-submitted photos that pay homage to warm evenings, an abundance of sunshine, and the general carefree spirit that characterize this time of year. 

Want to be featured in a future gallery? Weekly themes are posted Sundays. To enter, you can upload your submissions to our Flickr pool, tag them on Instagram and Twitter, or join/upload them to our Photos of the Day Facebook group.

Lead image by Tejus Shah. See more of Tejus’ work here.

Ventura County fair

What’s more summery than a state or county fair? We can smell the funnel cakes, hear the shrieks of laughter, and feel the stickiness of the cotton candy on our fingers. Susi Manners takes us on one last Ferris Wheel ride into the sunset. 

Sunflower sunset

David Bruner’s photo takes me back to my last Provençal adventure on the storied Valensole plateau, where lavender and sunflowers seem to abound endlessly.

Strawberry moon

There’s something special about sitting outside on a warm evening to watch a moonrise. Paula Gallagher Brown captures the wonder, mystery, and might in a single frame. 

Shorebirds

Frank Venditti segues us into fall with these birds in flight. Perhaps they’re off to find warmer weather, ready to nest for the winter. 

An apple a day

A sure sign fall is on the way? Apples. Especially if you live on the East Coast. Autumn surely promises a day in an orchard, eating as many apple cider doughnuts as you can muster, picking more fruit than you know what to do with, and wearing too much flannel. Robert Lalancette brings it all to mind with his image of this roadside stand.

The post Summer swan song: Our favorite reader-submitted photos of the season’s end appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.