avatarVidya Sury, Collecting Smiles

Summary

The undefined website presents Vidya Sury's August Prompt, which is a photography challenge themed around "Toys," inviting participants to capture the essence of toys in a single photograph and accompanying six-word story.

Abstract

Vidya Sury introduces the August challenge for the Six Word Photo Story publication, focusing on the theme of "Toys." This challenge encourages photographers and storytellers to explore the concept of toys through their lens and creativity, submitting original and unpublished photographs along with a concise six-word story. The website outlines the purpose of the challenge, the rules for submission, formatting guidelines, and the timeframe for entries, which runs from August 1 until NOON, Pacific Standard Time, August 31, 2023. Participants are also given the option to submit "Freestyle" stories that are not tied to the monthly theme. The website emphasizes the inclusive nature of the challenge, welcoming perspectives from all ages and interpretations of toys, whether they be physical objects, emotional connections, or elements in nature.

Opinions

  • Vidya Sury expresses a fascination with the variety of toys found in out-of-the-way places, highlighting the treasure trove quality of small toy shops in tourist spots, villages, and outside temples and monuments.
  • The author believes that toys are not just for children and that the challenge is an opportunity for adults to reconnect with their playful side.
  • The challenge is designed to be accessible and enjoyable, with an emphasis on the emotional, mental, spiritual, or physical connections people have with toys.
  • The website conveys a sense of excitement and discovery, encouraging participants to find unique angles, macro shots, and colorful compositions for their submissions.
  • There is a clear appreciation for the affordability and uniqueness of toys found in these non-urban settings, with the author admitting to purchasing and using items from these shops.
  • The rules and guidelines for the challenge are presented with the intention of fostering a respectful and creative community, ensuring that all submissions are original and adhere to the publication's standards.
  • The challenge's purpose is to inspire observation and contemplation, challenging participants to capture the theme of "Toys" through photography and a succinct narrative.
  • The website suggests that the act of participating in the challenge can be empowering and surprising, potentially leading to new insights and creative breakthroughs.
  • Vidya Sury's personal note at the end of the website reflects a commitment to community and support for underprivileged children, inviting readers to contribute through her Ko-Fi page.
A slice of India — A toy shop at a tourist spot in Karnataka — Photo by Vidya Sury © Mary will be happy to see that the guy self-camouflaged his face. Glad I didn’t have to blur his head.

Photography, Toys | Vidya’s August Prompt

Toys: August Prompt

August Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Toys”

Choices, choices — there’s something for everyone

Almost everyone has had a toy or two growing up. Some of us have toys after growing up, too! While we have our fair share of toyshops in every city, the ones that really fascinate me are those we see when we travel — in out-of-the-way tourist places. In villages, outside temples, and monuments.

To look at them, you’d think, oh, tiny roadside stall. But they are like a treasure trove of stuff.

We’ll see an assortment of all kinds of toys — from plush toys to plastic toys to playsets (kitchen, dollhouse, living room sets) to iconic Marvel characters (Spiderman is a big favorite) to sports sets. For those who want dainty things and enjoy playing make-believe, there are tiny handbags, makeup sets, and other glittery fancy stuff.

Moms can choose useful stuff like soap dishes, spatulas, fruit baskets, and home decor stuff.

No child or adult leaves one of these shops unhappy. I am guilty of buying quite a few things that we never get in the city and using them lovingly too! Strange, isn’t it? The best thing is they are all super cheap, at prices we can never even imagine in the city.

Who doesn't like toys?

The August Challenge is “Toys” brought to you by me — Vidya Sury

I had so many photos I meant to post for Sandi’s July Play challenge that I was still in the mood — and thought, why not continue the theme with toys and playthings?

The concept is to take a photo that somehow captures the meaning of “Toys” 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. Easy, right?

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

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

I am thinking Toys is a pretty easy theme. Everyone has had or seen them. It could be . . .

  • toys and playthings your kids or your pets or YOU enjoy playing with
  • toys and playthings you may have seen in a shop
  • toys and playthings you can stage and take a picture of
  • beach toys
  • games with family
  • your favorite toys
  • things you like to play with

Can be unique angles/macro shots; colorful shots; toys in nature; vintage or classic toys from your childhood, or something passed down to you in the family.

  1. “Toys” can refer to something emotional, mental, spiritual, or physical. Think!
  2. “Toys” can refer to something material.
  3. “Toys” can refer to something in nature.
  4. “Toys” is YOU and your perspective. It’s something that represents the meaning of “Toys” in some way or form, from your individual viewpoint — that connects to your photo and story.

What’s your “Toys” story?

The Purpose of “Toys”

  1. The “Toys” Challenge is an investigative challenge to observe and figure out what things in your life can capture this through photography, contemplation, and six words.
  2. The “Toys” Challenge is designed for YOU and your perspective.

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

“Toys” 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 August 1 until NOON, Pacific Standard Time, August 31, 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 August Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Toys” (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 “Toys” in some way. The connection to “Toys” 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. 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.

“Toys” is open for submissions from August 1 until NOON, August 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 “Toys”

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 “Toys.”

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, 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 Vidya Sury

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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Help me support underprivileged children via Ko-Fi. Thank you! Subscribe to my one-minute motivational tip posts on Substack

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