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u3a Eye

Get involved in u3a Eye

We are running a rolling photography project to encourage members to take and submit pictures of their surroundings. We post a different theme every two months and invite you to submit your photo on that topic.

This is not a competition and it is not only about your photographic skill – we are looking for any interesting photos and interpretations of the theme. Anything which has captured your imagination or caught your eye.

At the end of every deadline, we will choose and publish up to 15 photos in the online gallery below.

Please only submit one photo per person, per theme. Your photo should also not include any people.

This time, we are looking for your best and most interesting photos on the theme of 'Illumination'.

Judges pick based not only on the quality of the image but also on the interpretation of the theme.

We are now opening each theme for submissions for two months.

Deadline for submissions: 12pm on Thursday 23 January 2025.

October and November's Gallery - Orange

Thank you very much to everyone who took the time to submit a photo on October and November 2024's theme of 'Orange'. We hope you enjoy the chosen photos.

Photomicrograph of crystallisation

Orange Jelly

They move with a pulsating rhythm that is almost mesmerising. Although they have no heart, brain, or lungs and are 95% water, Jellies are three times older than the dinosaurs. Picture taken at Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Kevin
Poole u3a

Photo of the sky seen through the holes in a sculpture

Anasazi Progress

I was fascinated by the bright blue sky seen through this sculpture in Edge of the Cedars National Park in Utah. These ancient archaeostronomy markers chart the yearly migration of the sun and cultural connections with the sun, moon, and stars by the Anasazi, or Ancestral Puebloans, who tracked the time of year, solstices, and equinoxes from the movement of light and shadows interacting with these markers in the 12th century BCE. The marks showing the progress of humans, rabbits, wolves and deer really brought their history to life for me.

Tania
Washington Village u3a

Photo of sky reflected in water seen through a rusty fence

The End of the Season

Taken in the Winter whilst shooting end of Winter nature photos. This gate caught my eye and suited the theme.

Diane
Harrogate u3a

An image of a grey beach with a bright orange and white tower.

Porthcawl

A landscape view across the harbour at Porthcawl. Selective colouring given to a black and white image.

James
Cowbridge u3a

Photo of an orange

Bearded Dragon

The Orange Bearded Dragon lives in the arid areas of Australia, hence its colour to match the enviroment it lives in. This one belonged to a friend who has a collection of exotic pets. Its vibrant colour made it a must to photograph.

Noel
Mawdesley Villages u3a

A photo a lake flooding over a jetty and a bright orange safety ring

Flooded Windermere

This was the jetty at Pulwood Bay on Lake Windermere in floods. I don’t suppose the ferry was picking up passengers on this day.

Bronwyn
Tarporley u3a

Photo of an orange doorway inside the Taj Mahal

Orange doorway

This Orange doorway is inside the grounds of the awesome Taj Mahal.

Iain
Warsash u3a

Close up image of wine glasses with Aperol

Aperol Time

It’s that time of year and time of day to sit back and relax.

Keith
Stourbridge u3a

Photo of a workman's jacket and orange safety barriers

High Visibility

Taken on one of our Islington u3a 'Walking with a Camera' group's monthly outings. We started our walk at Angel tube and while everyone else was busy greeting each other, the intense colour of this high vis jacket, hanging over the bright plastic barrier caught my eye.

Katy
Islington u3a

Close up photo of a red hot poker flower

Red Hot Poker

Our U3A photography group (East Suffolk) visited the front at Felixstowe on a glorious autumnal day. The Red Hot Pokers were living up to their name and shouting out to have their photo taken.

Anne
East Suffolk u3a

Photo of physalis flowers arranged in a lantern shape

Oriental Lanterns

Chinese lanterns, harvested from the garden, arranged in a matching lantern shape.

Peter
Rotheram u3a

Close up photo of an atlas moth

Atlas Moth

I guess I was lucky to see this Atlas Moth at a Butterfly House in Noirmoutier France as their lifespan is only 1 to 2 weeks. They are one of the largest species of moth in the world, with wingspan of up to 12 inches.

Joy
Mawdesley u3a

Photo of a lit carved pumpkin by a tree at night

Abandoned Pumpkin

Whilst walking through the local woodland I came across this pumpkin lying at the side of a tree. I happened to have a flash gun with me so lit the pumpkin's hollow interior.

Neil
Rotheram u3a

Photo of marmalade making equipment

Mmmmmm Orange marmalade

Making marmalade with an ancient recipe book.

Rosemary
Alfreton Derbyshire u3a

Photo of an orange being dropped into water

Bob's Orange

The orange is caught mid-action in this carefully controlled picture.

Chris
Teignmouth and District u3a

View our judges' selections from previous themes:

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