Photo Credit: Sandi Parsons

Photography | Reflect | Sandi’s April Prompt

Reflect: April Prompt

April Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Reflect”

Reflections deceive. Distance is just perception.

I’ve always thought this is a cautionary photo. That death is always one step behind us. It’s a reminder to keep your eyes looking forward, lest you lose your future by dwelling on the past.

While the photo is layered with deep meaning, the story behind taking it is not. In April 2022, it was my very first month editing SWPSC, and the prompt was Graffiti Street Art. I knew as an editor, I had to be proactive in this challenge, so when I discovered a treasure trove of graffiti at the top of a nearby shopping centre carpark, I was delighted.

One sunny Sunday, I arrived at the shopping centre two hours before doors were due to open. I had the whole carpark to myself. I took several wide-angle shots. Then I spotted the skulls.

Could I get them reflected in my car’s passenger side mirror?

If anyone had been watching, I’m pretty sure it would have played out like a Mr Bean episode. I drove my car up. Parked. Jumped out and hopped in the passenger seat. Took the shot. Checked the photo. Jumped out and ran back to the driver’s side. Then, after a quick roll forward followed by an extremely short reverse, I managed to move my car approximately three centimetres to the left.

I repeated this about 40 times — I do hope if the security guards were watching, they had a good laugh!

Eventually, I was happy with how the photo turned out, except it just wasn’t quite right for the Graffiti Street Art challenge. However, it’s perfect for the theme of “reflect.” Past Sandi was obviously looking towards the future that day!

The April Challenge is “Reflect”

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

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

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

1. “Reflect” can refer to something emotional, mental, spiritual, or physical. What moments make you stop and reflect on your life? Are you surrounded by people who reflect you? What about the time you were dancing in front of the mirror, and that guy you had a massive crush on saw you?
2. “Reflect” can refer to something in nature, the universe, or the life cycle. You know — like an actual reflection. Any polished surface, such as glass or metal, can reflect light, images, or colors, allowing us to see our surroundings or ourselves reflected back.
3. “Reflect” can refer to something material. Does your habit of collecting odd bits of junk reflect a hidden desire to assemble a time-travel machine? Is your collection of antique chamber pots a sophisticated design choice or a whimsical reflection of your quirky taste in home furnishings?
4. “Reflect” can refer to food or drink. Does your favourite food reflect your culture? Or is your refusal to eat lamb based solely on reflecting back to that time when your mother told you that your pet lamb was for dinner — and you knew she wasn’t joking? Is your refusal to eat pineapple on pizza a reflection of your firm belief in culinary integrity or a traumatic childhood encounter with a rogue pineapple?
5. “Reflect” is YOU and your perspective. It’s something that represents the meaning of “Reflect” in some way or form, from your individual viewpoint — that connects to your photo and story. Maybe it’s your insistence on wearing mismatched socks a reflection of your rebellious spirit or just a subconscious rebellion against conformity?

What’s your “Reflect” story?

The Purpose of “Reflect”

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

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

“Reflect” 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 April 1, until NOON, Pacific Standard Time, April 30, 2024.

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 April Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Reflect” (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 “Reflect” in some way. The connection to “Reflect” 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. Write your own six words. Do not use a quote written by someone else! 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.

“Reflect” is open for submissions from April 1 until NOON, April 30, 2024, 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 “Reflect”

Grab those cameras or dig into your archives — you may be empowered and surprised to see what you come up with. Embrace the power of “Reflect”

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 favorite husband and two problem puppies. As a teen, she loved to dance in front of a mirror — but she'd always get sidetracked by her reflection.