Commons:Photo challenge
Photo Challenge
The Photo Challenge inspires photographers to take great pictures and upload them to Commons. Monthly thematic competitions encourage participants to try new subjects, new photographic or processing techniques, and to develop skills while improving the Commons repository of free images. Photographs entered into a competition must be new to Commons and taken by a Commons user. |
Formal things
- Challenges
Challenges are based on a theme and run for a month. The theme may be a concrete subject, an abstract concept, a photographic technique or artistic style.
- Participation
Everybody can participate in challenges open for submission. You simply
- Choose one or all of the current challenges
- Read the challenge description(s), which may vary in their rules (e.g., some place restrictions on when the photos are taken)
- Take picture(s) for the challenge(s) during the challenge period (or, if allowed, select from your own existing pictures that are not yet on Commons)
- Upload your picture(s) during the challenge period
- Submit your candidates at the top of the current challenge gallery during the challenge period. To do that you click the [Edit] button of the Entries section of your chosen challenge and insert the File name above the last entry (or above File:-Insert image here-.svg for the first entry).
- Add your entry between the <gallery> tags as indicated. Gallery entries are placed each on a new line, and consist of the filename, a vertical bar |, and a description. For example:
Electric steam iron.jpg|An electric steam iron
- For help on the syntax of entries in a gallery see Help:Gallery tag. Please do not add square brackets [[ ]] or include a thumb parameter or the full URL. The File: prefix is not required, but harmless.
- Add your entry between the <gallery> tags as indicated. Gallery entries are placed each on a new line, and consist of the filename, a vertical bar |, and a description. For example:
- Do not sign your submission(s)
- If you want, you can have a look at previous challenges and Vote
Challenges are open to any Commons user. Submissions must be your own work, not previously uploaded to Commons prior to the challenge date and should illustrate the challenge theme in the opinion of the photographer. Please read the challenge descriptions, as there may be additional rules or explanations for specific challenges. There is no limit on the number of submissions per user (unless specially so restricted in the challenge), but please choose from among your best and most varied images.
To submit pictures, you edit the gallery of the contest and add your candidate(s) to the top of the list.
New themes can be proposed and discussed here.
- Assessment
After the challenge has closed to new submissions, the pictures will be assessed by popularity voting in the subsequent month. You are allowed to vote for images submitted by others if your Commons account is at least ten days old and has more than 50 edits or if you participated in one of the challenges. Challenges open for voting can be found here.
- Winning
The best three pictures will be awarded first, second and third place. They will be displayed on the Photo challenge page and may use the template {{Photo challenge winner}} on the file description page.
Table of contents
New media viewing experience
Please note users can disable the media viewing experience for all images on Commons when logged in (uncheck "Enable Media Viewer" under Files and click Save in Preferences, Appearance).
Challenges open for submission
2024 – March – Gray
The new challenge features Color Gray.
Ideally, each submission should contain a summary description of the subject in the file information, including the location of the subject, and relevant categories should be added to the files to enable other Commons users to find them and use them. Please take care not to violate copyright in respect of non-free creative works, and observe our educational project scope and the personality rights of identifiable people, or your files may be subject to deletion.
The challenge will remain open for submissions throughout March UTC.
Checklist for this theme:
- Photographs must be the work of the nominator.
- Photographs must be newly uploaded to Commons during the challenge submission period i.e. March 2024 UTC (but may have been taken earlier).
- Submissions must be added to the top of the "Entries" section below.
- Please do not nominate lots of similar photos; instead choose just your best and most varied images.
Add your entry between the <gallery> tags as indicated. Gallery entries are placed each on a new line, and consist of the filename, a vertical bar |, and a description. For example:
Electric steam iron.jpg|An electric steam iron
For help on the syntax of entries in a gallery see Help:Gallery tag. Please do not add square brackets [[ ]] or include a thumb parameter or the full URL. The File: prefix is not required, but harmless.
- Restriction: A maximum of four entries can be submitted per photographer.
There are 13 days 2 hours left before this challenge ends. (refresh)
Examples
Entries
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Smog in Yekaterinburg
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Airport railway station in Kazan
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A pigeon
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Moscow-Sheremetyevo Terminal F
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Wildenberg Castle in Zernez. Stone bench.
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Gray Sky and MASP
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Estádio do Caninde 2
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A mosquito corpse on the desktop of gray leisure wood desk
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The long-lost eagle of the 9th Legion
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Juvenile snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) in snowfall in Québec, Canada
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Lagoon in the twilight, archipelago of Magdalen Islands in Canada
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Grilho em folhagem
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Gray clouds over Lake Starnberg
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Gray head of a greater rhea ('Rhea americana) in the Südliche Weinstraße Wildlife Park
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Gray pavement laid as segmental arches in shed form
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Gray espresso cup with amaretto
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Snowy trees on a gray day
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Note: The photo was already uploaded on March 9, 2015
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The Cankarjev dom building in Ljubljana
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Lac de la Patinoire, Vanoise National Park, summer
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Garden Lizard in Sand
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Fishing in sea
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Wildenberg Castle in Zernez. Stone fountain.
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The grey ghost - Montagu's harrier
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Hassan II Mosque Casablanca Morocco
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winter hike
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Drei sichern den Luftraum für den "Lütten" der Familie
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Gray marble plaque on the rear side of Padua City Hall showing former Italian colonial empire.
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Dhikr in Ramadan
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Writing in the dust of a roller shutter.
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Ceiling in a food court, Eden shopping center, Prague, Czechia
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Prägung über Geschichte im Bad Schlema, Erzgebirgskreis 2H1A7593WI
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Decrepit sign for the former Salem, VA water filtration plant
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The reflection of the far shore/tree line of a lake at sunset
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The Roanoke, VA Mill Mountain Star on a foggy night
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Partially gray cat lounging in a sunbeam from a window
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Fishermen in the fog.
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Elbe at Brná
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Una ragnatela tubolare di ragno, fra le radici di una quercia
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house in Charleroi.
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Paesaggio alpino
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Nebbia in Riviera del Brenta, Dolo, Italia
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Carved stone piers in the Twin-Minarets Madrasa, Erzurum, Turkey
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Telecommunication tower in Prague, Czech Republic
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An icy wind blows over the Put van Nederhorst (wind force 9 at -2 ° C). Through the splashing water ice deposit on tree stump and branches.
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Plaque, Giorgio Morandi's studio, Bologna, Italy
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Lion. Location, Chinese garden, the Hidden Realm of Ming in the Hortus Haren in the Netherlands.
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Cape Zanpa's Light
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Cat in a Cat Cafe
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Zanpa Lighthouse
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Chimney of the University Institute of Mental Health in Quebec City, Canada.
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BPS22, museum in Charleroi. "Between light gray and dark gray, there is always light."
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Auf einer Plancha marinierte Miesmuscheln
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Grey Lake at Torres del Paine National Park, Chile.
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A large berg floats on a dull gray day at the Grey Lake in Torres del Paine, Chile.
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A dull gray day at the Grey Glacier at Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
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Buffalo at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
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Building at Levant Mine, Cornwall
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Glacier Point View of Half Dome at Sunset at Yosemite National Park, Calfornia
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Donnington Castle, England
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Sieben graue Köpfe
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Baumstruktur am Strand von Jekyll Island
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Snowy moutains of Valle Imagna
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Valle Imagna in the clouds
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Steinwand in La Caleta auf Teneriffa mit Blick auf den Atlantik
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Sonmarg
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Sonmarg
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Ufa, the mansion of Buhartovskie
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Boreholes in a blasted block in a quarry
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The heavy cloudy over Tamsui river left bank sky
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Snowy Qixing mountain
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Foggy and chilly mountain scenery outside Hualien station
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Cork - bark in Portugal
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The rock of Gibraltar - as seen thru the mist
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Sailing by Gibraltar
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Scree slope at the Pizzo Carbonara, Sicily, Italy
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Grey ribbed vault, Exeter Cathedral St. Peter, UK
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Sperbereule (Surnia ulula) IMG 7704WI
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Trees and shrubs are reflected in a small pond in the Majorelle Gardens in Marrakesch
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It's raining outside
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Cloudy sky over the beach in Warnemünde
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Walkers on the sun-drenched bridge in Mostar
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Kreuzer "Aurora" in St. Petersburg. Крейсер "Аврора" в Санкт-Петербурге 2H1A4609WI
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Banded gneiss
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Sunset over La Gomera
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Zahmer Kaiser north face
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Fraueninsel island in Chiemsee lake
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Olympiaturm in Munich
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Reflection of clouds
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Church of the Jesuit College
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Canary Islands Grey Shrike
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Ringeltaube, Columba palumbus 2H1A9471WI
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A ceiling in Riddarholmen Church
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Public toilet in Rostock, Germany
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Mariott Hotel in the Bundesviertel in Bonn
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A mast of the USS Massachusetts from below
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A 1937 Oldsmobile Model L37 club coupe at the RE Olds Museum in Lansing, Michigan.
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A Leaf imprint on a concrete sidewalk during a rainy day
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Naples Pier in the Fog
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Outside the window
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Mannequin
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Bolshevik
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Светильник
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Мотор Chopper Bike 250cc.jpg North Macedonia
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At the edge of the glacier Nigardsbreen, Norway
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two stone sculptures in a backyard in Palermo
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A skylight that has become foggy over the years
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Sculpture of the horseman, the ancient Macedonian king Philip II, North Macedonia
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A storm is brewing with heavy rain clouds, North Macedonia
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Vergangene Schönheit
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Funghi Coprinopsis melanthina nel terreno in un giardino all'interno del Parco naturale Regionale di Bracciano-Martignano
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risto Blanco statue in Cuzco, Peru.
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North sea beach at Sankt Peter Ording with black lumps washed ashore
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The breakwater at the end of the Cobb in Lyme Regis, Dorset, England
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Pebbles at the Portland end of Chesil Beach in Dorset, England
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The beach at Perranporth against the sun
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Reflections - Shyok River
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Grays underground in a cave on Mallorca
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Grays underground in a cave on Mallorca
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Historischer Grenzstein an der Bayerisch/Hessischen Landesgrenze
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Historischer Grenzstein an der Bayerisch/Hessischen Landesgrenze
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Historischer Grenzstein an der Bayerisch/Hessischen Landesgrenze
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Silver Gray-Vizag beach-India
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The grays of ancient times
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The grays of ancient times
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Eléphant
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Nuages Gris
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Tourterelle à collier
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Briques Pilier
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Climbing wall, Tokyo, Japan
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Christ the Redeemer on the Corcovado mountain at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Knight
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Grigi di Roma: i Sanpietrini, la tipica fontanella nasone e i piccioni
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Atmosfera di grigio cielo e di acqua, Lago di Bracciano
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A gray stone Presbyterian Church on a cloudy day
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The GRAY-te samurai warlord, Todo Takatora (1556-1630), on a misty day at Imabari Castle, Japan
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A foggy road
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Snowy trees in winter
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Mount Shakushi, Japan
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Suburban Belgrade
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Suburban Belgrade
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Grey cat
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The Devil's Bridge in the Vasilevo Estate
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Juvenile Zebra Dove in the morning
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Nosarara Nosabatutu Tower in Palu - South Sulawesi at dawn
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dark clouds in the sky at Hong Kong
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Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, New York
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Celebration of the Patron Saint of Firework Makers in Tultepec, Mexico
2024 – March – Courthouse
The new challenge features Courthouses.
Ideally, each submission should contain a summary description of the subject in the file information, including the location of the subject, and relevant categories should be added to the files to enable other Commons users to find them and use them. Please take care not to violate copyright in respect of non-free creative works, and observe our educational project scope and the personality rights of identifiable people, or your files may be subject to deletion.
The challenge will remain open for submissions throughout March UTC.
Checklist for this theme:
- Photographs must be the work of the nominator.
- Photographs must be newly uploaded to Commons during the challenge submission period i.e. March 2024 UTC (but may have been taken earlier).
- Submissions must be added to the top of the "Entries" section below.
- Please do not nominate lots of similar photos; instead choose just your best and most varied images.
Add your entry between the <gallery> tags as indicated. Gallery entries are placed each on a new line, and consist of the filename, a vertical bar |, and a description. For example:
Electric steam iron.jpg|An electric steam iron
For help on the syntax of entries in a gallery see Help:Gallery tag. Please do not add square brackets [[ ]] or include a thumb parameter or the full URL. The File: prefix is not required, but harmless.
- Restriction: A maximum of four entries can be submitted per photographer.
There are 13 days 2 hours left before this challenge ends. (refresh)
Examples
Entries
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Local district court Speyer view from the Willy Brandt square
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Local district court Speyer view from Gutenbergstrasse
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Chur in Graubünden. Courthouse in Chur.
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Amtsgericht Hamburg-Harburg
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Municipal Court in Prague, Czech Republic
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Municipal Court in Prague and fountain with Saint Joseph column, Czech Republic
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The old courthouse of Passos-MG/Brazil
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Amtsgericht Hamburg-Harburg
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Amtsgericht Nordenham
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Langweer. Voorm. right house Doniawerstal Buorren 1. (National Monument).
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Amtsgerichtsgebäude Aue- Bad Schlema, Erzgebirgskreis 2H1A5375WI
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Amtsgerichtsgebäude Aue- Bad Schlema, Erzgebirgskreis 2H1A5434WI
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Das Land- und Amtsgericht in Zwickau 2H1A2356WI
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Das Land- und Amtsgericht in Zwickau 2H1A2342WI
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Fórum Milton Campos, Jequitinhonha , Brasil
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Fórum Doutor Antônio Peixoto, João Monlevade, Brasil
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Palace of Justice in Antwerp, Belgium
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National monument. Former courthouse in Hattem.
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Gebäude des Bundesverwaltungsgerichtes
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Tushnov House, Arbitration Court of the Republic of Bashkortostan since 2010
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Tushnov House, Arbitration Court of the Republic of Bashkortostan since 2010
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Tetbury Old Courthouse with Pride Flag
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Cardiff Crown Court with Union Jack
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Security service also in front of the side entrance to the Paris Palace of Justice
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The main entrance to the French Palace of Justice in Paris
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The Paris Palace of Justice next to "Sainte Chapelle" (Sacred Chapel)
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The entrance of the palace of justice in Paris near La Chapelle
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Ort der Nürnberger Prozesse
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Leninsky District Court of Ufa with a paddy wagon in front of it
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Tower of courthouse of Paris, France
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Amtsgericht Oldenburg
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Main entrance to the Palacio de Justicia (Lima)
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Justizpalast in Gent, Belgien
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Palais de justice de Paris
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Palazzo di Giustizia di Roma
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Osage County Courthouse, Pawhuska, Oklahoma (front view)
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Osage County Courthouse, Pawhuska, Oklahoma (oblique view)
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Oakland County Courthouse, Pontiac, Michigan
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Rensselaer County Courthouse, Troy, New York
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Albany County Courthouse, Albany, New York
Challenges open for voting
Voting is open to all registered contributors who have held accounts for at least 10 days and made 50 edits, and also to new Commons contributors who have entered the challenge with a picture. Users cannot vote for their own picture. Voters may select up to three photographs in each theme to award points and can give praise to other photos without awarding points. Voting will be open for one month. The votes not complying with those requirements will be removed or converted to praises. In some cases users might be asked to correct their votes after voting ends.
February 2024
Previous challenges
January 2024
December 2023
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Gewinnung und Verbrennung | Lusatian lignite briquette of the Rekord brand from the former GDR |
Feuerraum einer Dampflokomotive. Топка паровоза IMG 5655WI |
Author | Mensch01 | Lusi Lindwurm | Kora27 |
Score | 22 | 16 | 13 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Sweet collection in a box | Escape artist | Blown out quail eggs in a cardboard box |
Author | Hgrobe | Горбунова М.С. | Ermell |
Score | 12 | 9 | 8 |
November 2023
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Through the flooded street on a bicycle |
Bicycle helihoisting | Silvia Persico and Esmée Peperkamp in Tourmalet during TDFF 2023 |
Author | Debanutosh | Ibex73 | Shougissime |
Score | 20 | 17 | 14 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial |
Pacific Sardines - Monterey Bay Aquarium (California) |
Eriophorum_scheuchzeri in Vanoise National Park |
Author | Foeniz | Changku88 | Ibex73 |
Score | 19 | 15 | 14 |
October 2023
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Silhouette of a black-winged stilt | Silhouette Bird on Window | La festa alla sera su di una scogliera |
Author | Stephan Sprinz | Sneha G Gupta | 66colpi |
Score | 17 | 14 | 9 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Industrial chimney of a pulp mill near Dalchau, Germany |
Northern gannet sitting on a nest made of plastic threads from scouring protection of fishing nets (dolly ropes) |
Smog |
Author | Mozzihh | Lusi Lindwurm | BogTar201213 |
Score | 20 | 14 | 11 |
September 2023
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Cabourg beach, France | Cabourg beach, France | Taken in Hovs Hallar which is a nature reserve on the Bjäre Peninsula in the county of Skåne, Sweden |
Author | Ibex73 | Ibex73 | Pasi Mammela |
Score | 13 | 12 | 10 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Close up view of compost | Компост та кури | Biogas tank, in the foreground green cuttings |
Author | Niwrat | Любмир | Foeniz |
Score | 30 | 24 | 12 |
August 2023
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Proso millet in Zurich | Drying millet on the Bolaven Plateau (Laos) | Eat it up |
Author | Ephramac | Pierre André Leclercq | Sneha G Gupta |
Score | 22 | 15 | 10 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | 3(+3) dancers performing on stage | Nenda & Gilewicz live in Vienna |
Dancer on stage |
Author | Virtual-Pano | Tsui | Virtual-Pano |
Score | 15 | 9 | 8 |
July 2023
Rank | 1 | 2 | 2 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Storm Mathis - Lake Zug | oceans are rising | Contaminación atmosférica en la ciudad de Madrid |
Author | Roy Egloff | Spielvogel | Saldeplata |
Score | 13 | 9 | 9 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Farm track near Micheldever, Hampshire |
My birthday cake! Oops there's only half left! |
Ein in der Längsachse vertikal zerstückeltes Automobil. |
Author | Simon Burchell | Anna.Massini | Levin Holtkamp |
Score | 15 | 15 | 11 |
June 2023
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Tunnel at London King's Cross illuminated in rainbow colours |
Rainbow yarn for knitting, display in front of a needlework shop in Graz, Austria |
This shows the view directly above the basket of a hot air balloon. |
Author | The wub | Lusi Lindwurm | Hu Nhu |
Score | 19 | 11 | 8 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Kasachische Jurten in der Kyzylkum/ Usbekistan |
Chegem-001 | Chegem-002 |
Author | Carsten Siegel | Саня Новиков | Саня Новиков |
Score | 17 | 17 | 13 |
May 2023
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Close up photograph of wing of Papilio demoleus (Linnaeus, 1758) - Lime Swallowtail |
weibliche Schwarze Habichtsfliege (Dioctria atricapilla) mit Morgentau |
Caterpillar of the small frost moth on a rose leaf |
Author | ManaskaMukhopadhyay | Carsten Siegel | Ermell |
Score | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Victoria crowned pigeon | Western Crowned Pigeon in Geneva, Switzerland. |
Peacock feather close-up |
Author | Roy Egloff | RomanDeckert | Mister rf |
Score | 10 | 9 | 7 |
April 2023
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Pylon of high-voltage line crossing Elbe River at Hetlinger Schanze near Hamburg, Germany |
Street corner in Nice's old town | Ballonwettbewerb |
Author | Mozzihh | Virtual-Pano | Mensch01 |
Score | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 2 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Sheep with lamb, lying on a dyke, which they graze as dyke sheep for erosion control, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany |
Poitou donkey foal (Equus asinus) in the Lüneburg Heath Wildlife Park |
Baby alpacas of a Quechua Family (Huaman Quispe farm) - Alpacas bebes - Paqucha uña Nuñoa llaqtamanta |
Author | Lusi Lindwurm | F. Riedelio | Elwinlhq |
Score | 16 | 13 | 13 |
March 2023
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Facade of a house at 277, Fondamenta Cavanella in Burano (Italy) |
Washing clothes in a open area | Laundry lines in a residential neighbourhood in Venice, Italy |
Author | Ermell | Pauloleong2002 | Marc-Lautenbacher |
Score | 15 | 12 | 11 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Ice-Hotel in Quebec Canada, the only one in North America |
Spa at Tschuggen Grand Hotel | The Dolder Grand, Zurich, Switzerland |
Author | Marc-Lautenbacher | Roy Egloff | Roy Egloff |
Score | 15 | 14 | 12 |
February 2023
Rank | 1 | 2 | 2 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Handle of leather trunk from the early 1900s |
Handle Of A Pots Lid | Glättkelle mit rotem Holzgriff |
Author | Mariojan photo | OJjnr | VSchagow |
Score | 14 | 8 | 8 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 2 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Royal Clipper sailing the Med |
cruise vessel 'Expedition' in Antarctica |
Cruise ships in Geiranger Fjord, Norway |
Author | Cbuske46 | Virtual-Pano | Hgrobe |
Score | 26 | 10 | 10 |
January 2023
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | A growler became a sculpture | wind-blown rime ice found on a summit cross |
jogger crossing the icy right barrier gate of the Jahnwehr weir in Bamberg, Germany |
Author | Virtual-Pano | Roy Egloff | Ermell |
Score | 19 | 18 | 15 |
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
image | |||
Title | Hospital corridor in the “Marienhaus Klinikum Hetzelstift“ |
Hospital corridor covered with Namib sand in ghost town Kolmanskop, Namibia |
Ny del av Haukeland Universitetssykehus fra Møllendal gravplass i Bergen |
Author | F. Riedelio | Mozzihh | Odd Roar Aalborg |
Score | 16 | 14 | 11 |