Photography, Water | Vidya’s May Prompt
Water, Water: May Prompt
May Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Water”
Looking for hidden messages in water.
I am fortunate to live in a city with a lot of greenery. We also have a few charming lakes. The one in the pic above is at Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, the venue for flower shows and family picnics and some unusual wood sculptures and, of course, foliage. There’s also a glass house and lots of history attached to the place.
We love to visit in summer and also in January and August when the flower shows happen — the place is buzzing with activity always as it is an oasis of green, centrally located, and well-connected by way of transport. Families and friends, and couples make a beeline for the gardens to spend a pleasant day strolling around or just cuddling under one of the dense trees.
There are also street snack vendors to add to the experience. One of the things I love here is to gaze out at the water. Cranes flutter around. Ducks create ripples in the water. The gardens are home to over 200 exotic bird species. In summer, the red gulmohar (flame of the forest or Royal poinciana) trees are in full bloom and add to the charm. Often monkeys join me in enjoying the serenity. I have numerous photos of this lake and am always filled with nostalgia, thinking of the various trips we’ve made — in my twenties, with guests, then with our son — from when he was a toddler until his early twenties.
The May Challenge “Water” is brought to you by me — Vidya Sury
The concept is to take a photo that somehow captures the meaning of “Water” 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 “Water” Challenge below.
Possible Definitions of How to Use “Water” in Your Six Word Photo Story
You will all agree that water is important for our survival. In fact, roughly 60% of our body is water. So it is not at all surprising that when we’re thirsty, we are already on our way to being dehydrated. Besides detoxing our bodies and keeping us hydrated — I am talking healthy skin and all here — we enjoy water in various other ways.
Come summer, we’ll be looking forward to splashing around in the water. Who can resist a sip from that ice-cold tall glass? For those of us who live near the sea/ocean (looking at Mary here), so lucky! And for those who don’t, there are lakes, water parks, and ponds. Or bathtubs 😉 There are countless ways to represent water in photos. So take us to the water this May!
- “Water” can refer to something emotional, mental, spiritual, or physical. It may be memories of that meeting with a loved one.
- “Water” can refer to something in nature, the universe, or the life cycle.
- “Water” can refer to food or drink.
- “Water” is all about YOU and your perspective. It’s something that represents the meaning of “Water” in some way or form, from your individual viewpoint — that connects to your photo and story.
What’s your “Water” story?
Bring me the water!
- waterfalls
- sea, ocean, swimming pool
- pond
- fountain
- river
- a glass of water
- splashing in a puddle
- droplets on a window pane
- an aquarium — your aquarium
- waves
- rain
- laundry in progress
- boats/ships sailing
- your glass of healthy, infused water
- you, in the shower 😉
I can’t wait to see your photos 📷
The Purpose of “Water” Challenge
- The “Water” Challenge is an intuitive self-challenge to explore what water means to you — maybe it’s internal or external or both.
- The “Water” Challenge is an investigative challenge to observe and figure out what things in your life can capture the “meaning of water” through photography, contemplation, and six words.
- The “Water” Challenge is designed for YOU and your perspective.
Can you take a photo that represents “Water” and tell a story about it in six words?
“Water” Challenge Rules — Please read carefully
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 May 1, until NOON, Pacific Standard Time, May 31, 2023.
The Photo
- The photo must be taken by yourself (ORIGINAL & UNPUBLISHED elsewhere), and please include a photo credit.
- 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.
- 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
- Title: Choose your own title.
- For your subtitle: Please use May Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Water” (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.
- Please Tag your story using this tag: Monthly Challenge
The Six Word Photo Story
- The photo must be connected to your story and concept of “Water” in some way. The connection to “Water” should be made clear either in the photo, six word story, or (optional) backstory.
- All six word stories and optional backstories must also abide by Medium’s rules. Note: Any stories that the editors may view as disrespectful, or inappropriate, or that fall into a grey area will be reviewed at the discretion of the editors and may be rejected.
- 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.
- 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!
- IF you include a backstory, it can be 1–2 minutes.
- The 3 dots (like in this story) should appear directly below your backstory.
- 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
- Submit unpublished drafts only. Previously published stories (self-published or published elsewhere) will be unread and rejected.
- 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.”
- 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.
“Water” is open for submissions from May 1 until NOON, May 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 “Water”
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 “Water”
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, (for the order, please put lead editor of prompt first!) Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Sandi Parsons, 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
After a couple of decades in the corporate world in sales, marketing, and training, I am living my dream as a Writer | Editor | Blogger. I enjoy writing so much that besides writing on Medium, I juggle six blogs of my own. I started my own personal publication on Medium and would love for you to take a look. More about me here.
On really busy days, my free time is restricted to playing with my dust bunnies and showing my diabetes who’s boss. Oh, I love coffee, books, cooking, music, photography, travel, people, and collecting smiles. I believe there is a special place in hell for women who do not help other women. And that people will always rule over technology!
Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles ❤ Did you smile today?
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