Photography, “Power of One” | Mary’s June Prompt

Power of One: June Prompt

June Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Power of One”

One log daring one to cross.

I don’t know how it got there — one strong, solid tree trunk balanced in the ideal position. The power of temptation instilled by a lifeless tree — will I cross or walk away?

The June Challenge is “Power of One” brought to you by me — Mary Chang

Some of you may remember the “Power of 3” Challenge from November 2021 — today, I’m introducing the “Power of One.” The concept is to take a photo that somehow captures the meaning of “Power of One” 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 “Power of One” Challenge below.

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

There is more than one way to represent the power of one. The “Power of One” can bring joy, sorrow, contentment, solace, strength, or regret. It can be about your “firsts” or “lasts” in whatever you choose to write about or simply about the number one.

1. “Power of One” can refer to something emotional, mental, spiritual, or physical. Do you feel empowered when you spend time alone, or do you feel lonely? It could be about finding the one true love or strong connection in your life, whether it’s a person, place, or passion. Do you think one person can change the future and that one’s actions can affect or change the lives of many?
2. “Power of One” can refer to something material. Maybe it’s that one material possession that you’ve dreamed of and thought that as soon as you achieved it, your life would improve. Perhaps it changed you in some way — for better or for worse. Maybe it’s your wedding ring or the first tattoo you got, or buying your fantasy car. It could be about the first or last cigarette you ever smoked.
3. “Power of One” can refer to something in nature, the universe, or the life cycle. Maybe it’s the moon, the sun, or that magnificent old tree standing in the forest that makes you forget the others. For mothers — think of the time you gave birth to your first child or, for some — the time you lost a child through a pregnancy loss, an accident, or due to illness. Maybe it’s the experience of being an only child or raising an only child. It could be about the experience of choosing your child through the adoption process or perhaps the advantages of deciding not to have children and choosing to live alone.
4. “Power of One” can refer to food or drink. Maybe it’s that first time you tried that delectable dessert, that first sip of wine, or the experience of dining alone or eating popcorn and watching a movie at the theatre by yourself.
5. “Power of One” is YOU and your perspective. It’s something that represents the meaning of “Power of One” in some way or form, from your individual viewpoint — that connects to your photo and story.

What’s your “Power of One” story?

The Purpose of “Power of One”

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

Can you take a photo that represents the “Power of One” and tell a story about it in six words?

“Power of One” 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 June 1, until NOON, Pacific Standard Time, June 30, 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 June Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Power of One” (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 “Power of One” in some way. The connection to “Power of One” 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 or 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.

“Power of One” is open for submissions from June 1 until NOON, June 30, 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.

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, Mary Chang Story Writer — creator & editor of SWPSC, and my amazing co-editors, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, and Sandi Parsons. 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

Mary Chang is a writer, creator, and editor of the Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication. She’s also a parent and fitness enthusiast who loves creating monthly challenges. Mary believes that if she can push herself to take on new challenges, it may inspire others to try too. Her self-mantra is “Try, Mary, Try!”

Fueled by cartwheels, cold open water swimming, and the power of grit. Defying and embracing middle age.

Check out Mary’s new series, “The Fun & Funny Fitness Bitch!” She’s putting together her fitness adventures and experiences over the past four years into a series for 2023. Find all stories in the series to date here.