The popular monthly photography competition hosted by the ComputerBase online community has entered its next phase, with members now participating in two simultaneous voting processes to celebrate outstanding photographic achievement. Following the conclusion of the December 2025 contest, which featured the theme 'Spitzen'—a German word meaning peaks or points—community member K P K secured first place with a striking architectural photograph of the walkable roof area at the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn, Germany. The image captured nearly thirty-nine percent of the total votes cast, demonstrating strong community appreciation for its geometric composition and technical execution, and now serves as the final monthly winner eligible for the prestigious annual competition.
The ComputerBase photo contest, which has been running continuously for several years, operates on a straightforward and transparent system that encourages participation from photographers of all skill levels. Each month, registered community members may submit one original photograph that has never been previously published in the forum or entered in past competitions. Submissions must be authentic photographs rather than digital drawings, paintings, AI-generated images, or 3D renderings. The December competition attracted nineteen entries, showcasing diverse interpretations of the 'Spitzen' theme, from natural mountain peaks to architectural details and macro photography of sharp objects, though K P K's architectural interpretation ultimately resonated most strongly with voters.
As the winner of the December contest, K P K earned the privilege of selecting the theme for January 2026, choosing 'Uhren' (timepieces or clocks) as the subject matter for the next round of submissions. This theme invites participants to explore the world of horology through their lenses, encompassing everything from grand cathedral clocks to intimate wristwatches, from ancient sundials to modern digital displays. The inclusive brief encourages photographers to interpret the concept broadly, welcoming images of timekeeping devices both indoors and outdoors, large or small, mechanical or electronic, analog or digital. Community members have until January 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM to submit their entries via email to contest organizer lowrider20, including their ComputerBase forum username with their JPEG or PNG file.
The contest maintains strict technical and ethical guidelines to ensure fair competition and protect participants' rights. All submitted images are resized to a maximum dimension of 3,840 pixels in height or width, and EXIF metadata is removed to preserve anonymity during the voting period. This prevents voters from being influenced by camera equipment or photographer reputation, focusing attention solely on the artistic and technical merits of each image. Once the submission deadline passes, a nine-day voting period begins, during which all registered forum members can cast votes for their favorite photographs. If more than forty entries are received, only the first forty submissions are included in the final ballot, encouraging early participation and ensuring manageable voting options.
In addition to the monthly competition, the ComputerBase community has launched its annual poll to determine the best winning photograph of 2025, allowing members to select their favorite from among the twelve monthly champions. This special voting process, which runs until January 15, 2025, asks participants to consider not only the aesthetic quality of each image but also how effectively the photographer interpreted and executed the specific monthly theme. The twelve winning photographs represent a diverse range of subjects and styles, reflecting the community's varied interests and the creative flexibility of the monthly themes. The photographer whose image is crowned 'Photo of the Year' receives special recognition within the community forum and a permanent place in the ComputerBase photography hall of fame.
The ComputerBase photo contest exemplifies how online communities can foster creative engagement and skill development among hobbyists and serious photographers alike. By combining monthly challenges with an annual championship, the competition maintains ongoing participation while building anticipation for year-end celebrations. The initiative also strengthens community bonds, as members discuss techniques, share constructive feedback, and appreciate each other's work in dedicated forum threads. As the January 2026 submission period begins and the 2025 annual voting continues, the ComputerBase photography community demonstrates the enduring appeal of grassroots creative competitions in the digital age, where passion for visual storytelling transcends geographic boundaries and brings together enthusiasts from around the world.
