I love spotting themes in my creative work. Sometimes I pick a theme to work with, sometimes it’s like the theme picks me. An idea/image shows up and comes back several times during a period of time. Themes that are not consciously chosen are often revealed later when I look back through my photo folders. These themes, conscious or unconscious, often occur in my photographs and by collecting some of them into one big photo post on my blog I hope to inspire you to: take more photos, look for (and work with) themes, to select some and show your own photographs in a special blog post!

iHanna

The quote above is from a blog post where I wrote a introduction to the spotted photo theme idea in 2013 when I first had this fun blogging idea. I shared a few themes over that period but then it fizzled out and I forgot about it. Then, during NaBloPoMo last year it resurfaced in my mind and I decided to go back to this idea again and see what I’d find.

Restart of Spotted Photo Theme 2025

Our first themes of the year will be

January – shadows

February – pairs

March – round

On my friend Tammy’s suggestion I decided to announce only the first three themes and then come back in March and set three more for the first half of 2025. In that way participants can get a feel for how difficult or easy these abstract themes are to collect photos for, and we can evaluate together. You are also most welcome to suggest new themes and ideas below in the comments or later on, and I will keep those in mind when I decide on upcoming photo themes.

I’m excited to look through my photos and to get to see yours as well. I do hope you’ll take the time to join. It is really satisfying to show of some of our old work and not constantly be productive and make new things.

Just note: this is not about going out and snapping new photos for the theme but instead to look through your photos already taken to see if you can spot the theme! Of course, if you are inspired a few new ones can also be added. Then compile a blog post with all the photos on the theme if the month. Please mention the challenge and link back to this blog post.

And for me, I also really enjoy a few words about what it is we’re seeing on each photo. Context is not always necessary, but it is fun and gives another dimension to why you took the photo and your thoughts about it.

The first theme in January is about how shadows and light play together and create stark contrasts in your photography. Light is a very important ingredient in any photo, but almost all natural light comes at an angle and there are always shadows present, right? Look for long summer shadows and patterns created by plants or glass maybe. I don’t want to give any photo examples today because that might hinder you more than help you. But if you do need help let me know.

For February, with love as my reoccurring theme every year, I thought pairs would be a fun theme to explore. Love pairs maybe, but it could also be anything from socks and hands to flowers or still life as long as they’ve been captured as a pair.

And in March, anything that is round. Plates, Christmas baubles, stones, hula hoops, hair ties, sculptures, natural formations? Collect what you find and share it with us. I can’t wait for this one.

I will share my photos on the 15th of the month and continue to share around the middle of the month throughout the year. You may share any day of course, but it would be fun if several of you also shared on the same day or thereabouts. And if you want ideas and examples before the month ends you have time to read my blog post (and maybe a few others) before the month ends as well. I want to give you inspiration and freedom, ideas and opportunities rather than restrictions and strict rules. I hope this challenge does that.

You may jump in at any time. Please share a direct link to where you shared your photos of the current theme in the comments of my blog post on the current theme (posted on the15th). Link to this blog post from your post. Comment on as many of the participants blog posts as is possible to you – and this is important! Let’s be encouraging to each other this year, I know I need it and maybe others are feeling the same.

Thank you and happy new creative year!

Previous themes includes floors, hearts, favorite color, critters, bridge, street art, winter trees, favourite animal and vehicles. Take a look and hopefully you’ll be inspired to dig through your own photo archive for new and old favourites.

You might also want to read the post In retrospect : an invitation to look back from last year. I hope you’ll enjoy my revived blog challenge this year.

Join iHanna’s Spotted Photo Theme Blog challenge. Themes in 2025 are January: shadows | February: pairs | March: round | April to December: to be announced, suggestions welcome.

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Photography in found themes