Not the time for Puparazzi! Throw it again!! | Photo Credit: Sandi Parsons

Photography, Play | Sandi’s July Prompt

Play: July Prompt

July Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Play”

Throw it again, one more time.

What is it with dogs and balls?

Like most dogs, Chilli loves playing at the park and chasing balls. From the moment I hold the ball aloft, her focus narrows. Her muscles tense in anticipation. As the ball flies through the air, Chilli springs after it, her legs rapidly propelling her across the grass. With ears back and mouth open, she snatches the ball mid-bounce, then returns at a rapid trot, ready to repeat it again and again.

And, of course, she always wants one more, especially after I’ve said those terrible words, “This is the last one.”

The July Challenge is “Play” brought to you by me — Sandi Parsons

The concept is to take a photo that somehow captures the meaning of “Play” in some way, whether it’s abstract or concrete, figurative or literal, physical or mental. The possibilities are endless — we’re looking for submissions with different perspectives, unusual stories, and brilliant photographs.

Please read about the Definition, Purpose & Rules of the “Play” Challenge below.

Possible Definitions of How to Use “Play” in Your Six Word Photo Story

There are countless ways we play in our lives. Play brings joy, lights up your brain, and sparks your imagination.

1. “Play” can refer to something emotional, mental, spiritual, or physical. Perhaps you're into social connection and bonding as a member of a sports team. Or you enjoy playtime with your grandchildren — or forget the grandchildren, you’re the eccentric “old” person who still goes down the slide backwards at playgrounds.
2. “Play” can refer to something material. Ever done a Paint ’n’ Sip session? Are you an actor who dresses up to play other people? Or perhaps you now collect toys that you used to play with in your childhood. (If only I knew where my Smurf collection disappeared to, I’d be a rich woman — who am I kidding — we all know they’d be on display, right?)
3. “Play” can refer to something in nature, the universe, or the life cycle. Play is not unique to humans. From naughty wildlife shenanigans to the hijinks of our pets, animals LOVE to play. Perhaps, like Mary, you love to play with nature to create nature art.
4. “Play” can refer to food or drink. Parents often tell their children to stop playing with their food (I know I was told that, and I repeated it to my son), but sometimes magic happens when we play with our food. Have you ever laid out a plate of food with a smiley face (I’m guilty) or shaped like a dinosaur (also guilty)? Have you played with various ingredients and made your very own cocktail — complete with a naughty name?
5. “Play” is YOU and your perspective. It’s something that represents the meaning of “Play” in some way or form, from your individual viewpoint — that connects to your photo and story. Play is a diverse and dynamic aspect of human life, and the possibilities for playful activities are virtually limitless.

Play is more than just “child’s play”. Play matters.

What’s your “Play” story?

The Purpose of “Play”

1. The “Play” Challenge is an intuitive self-challenge to explore how you play — maybe it’s internal or external or both.
2. The “Play” Challenge is an investigative challenge to observe and figure out what things in your life can capture “Play” through photography, contemplation, and six words.
3. The “Play” Challenge is designed for YOU and your perspective.

Can you take a photo that represents “Play” and tell a story about it in six words?

“Play” Challenge Rules

Guidelines, Formatting & How to Submit

Note: These apply to ALL stories in this publication. I know it may seem like a lot, but once you’ve submitted your first story to our pub, it’s easy to duplicate the formatting style!

Note: This challenge will run from July 1, until NOON, Pacific Standard Time, July 31, 2023.

The Photo

1. The photo must be taken by yourself (ORIGINAL & UNPUBLISHED elsewhere), and please include a photo credit.
2. Only ONE PHOTO can be featured in your story, and it must be placed ABOVE the title and subtitle. Your photo must be the first thing our editors see when we review your submission.
3. The only person that can be featured in the photo is YOURSELF. If you’re in the photo, it can be taken by someone else (please include the photo credit.) Photos of people other than yourself are NOT ALLOWED. See this article for legal reasons why.

The Title, Subtitle & Tags

1. Title: Choose your own title.
2. For your subtitle: Please use July Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Play” (like the subtitle used in this article.) Once you have written your subtitle, remember to highlight it and click on the small “T” to format it correctly.
3. Please Tag your story using this tag: Monthly Challenge

The Six Word Photo Story

1. The photo must be connected to your story and concept of “Play” in some way. The connection to “Play” should be made clear either in the photo, six word story, or (optional) backstory.
2. All six word stories and optional backstories must also abide by Medium’s rules. Note: Any stories that the editors may view as disrespectful, inappropriate, or that fall into a grey area will be reviewed at the discretion of the editors and may be rejected.
3. The story must be six words only. Once you write your six word story, highlight it and click on the small “T” to format the six words. This is so your six words stand out; it’s a formatting guideline unique to this publication.
4. The 3 dots (like in this story) should appear directly below your six word story. If you don’t know how to do this, view the formatting guidelines.

The Backstory (OPTIONAL) & 2-Minute Maximum Read per story!

1. IF you include a backstory, it can be 1–2 minutes.
2. The 3 dots (like in this story) should appear directly below your backstory.
3. The entire reading time of your story must be no longer than 2 minutes! This includes the photo, six word story, any tags, links, or promotion of yourself or other stories. It will be unread and rejected if your submission comes in as a 3-minute read or more.

How to Submit Your Story

1. Submit unpublished drafts only. Previously published stories (self-published or published elsewhere) will be unread and rejected.
2. To submit your unpublished draft: a) Click on the three dots at the top right corner of the screen b) Click “Add to publication” c) select “Six Word Photo Story Challenge” d) Click on “Select and continue.” e) Click “Submit.”
3. WHAT NOT TO DO! When submitting your unpublished draft, DO NOT CLICK “Publish” first. If you click “Publish” first — your story will be automatically self-published to your own profile page, and we will NOT accept it if you then attempt to submit your self-published story to our publication.

“Play” is open for submissions from July 1 until NOON, July 31, 2023, PACIFIC STANDARD TIME.

If you have any questions about the rules or need further clarification about the Monthly Challenge, please leave a comment on this story. For formatting step-by-step instructions (these are unique to this publication), see Formatting Your Six Word Photo Story.

NOTE: Stories not formatted correctly, don’t follow rules, or that require edits will delay publication or may not be accepted. Formatting guidelines are unique to this publication. If you’d like to be added as a writer and submit to Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication, please read and follow the submission guidelines.

It’s time to explore the meaning of “Play”

Grab those cameras (or dig into your archives) and let your inner child loose— you may be empowered and surprised to see what you come up with. Embrace the power of “Play.”

Freestyle stories

You also have the option to write a six-word photo story featuring a photo and topic of your choosing — as long as the photo and story are connected in some way. The story doesn’t need to be related to the monthly challenge prompt. For your subtitle: Please use your own subtitle followed by the word: Freestyle, OR use Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle. Please tag your story using this tag: Freestyle.

Submissions are always open for Freestyle stories.

— Village hugs, from the editorial team, Sandi Parsons, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, and Mary Chang Story Writer — creator & editor of SWPSC. If you don’t want to miss any future Six Word Photo Story Challenges, please follow us, this publication, and subscribe to our stories by hitting the “green envelope” button next to our profiles.

About the Writer

Sandi Parsons lives and breathes stories as a reader, writer, and storyteller. She lives with her favourite husband and two problem puppies. She thinks that play matters and that everyone should participate, no matter their age.