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From 2026, our blog posts will be exclusively vegan! This means: we emphasise vegan-friendly places and refreshment stops to actively support vegan activities and vegan leisure tips. 12 topics in 12 hours, that was the Vienna Photo Marathon 2022. At 09:00 in the morning you get 12 topics that have to be completed by 21:00.
On 25.09 this year the Vienna Photo Marathon 2022 will take place. 12 topics + a photo for your start number must be photographed in 12 hours. Since 2020, you can take part from anywhere, upload your photos at the end of the day using an upload code and send them off. For me, this is a huge advantage, not only does it make it easier, but it's also much more interesting if you can choose where to take the photos.
At 09:00 in the morning you get a message with the 12 categories and every year I sit in front of it again and think to myself: “What the hell, how am I supposed to have an idea for a photo on these topics?“ I wasn't alone at the start of this photo marathon, Eli took part in the mobile phone competition and I took part in the camera competition. Which was a huge support for me and, above all, it was a lot more fun.😁🫱🏼🫲🏽
How do you start such a photo marathon?
It was my third Vienna Fotomarathon and I'm no longer quite so stressed about it. I usually prepare everything the day before. Which for me means my camera including a small selection of lenses and filters, my photo studio and a box with various items that could possibly be used to convert a theme. At 09:00 after receiving the 12 topics, it's time to brainstorm. I usually take 1 - 2 hours and think about how I will realise the individual themes. And then it's time to get started.📸
10.00 a.m. Meeting point at Eli's, who was just as desperate as I was at this time of day. But for the first 4-5 subjects we had a photo idea relatively quickly. So we packed everything we needed and didn't waste any more time. We had to drive to the photo spots, take photos and think about the other topics in between, and believe me, 12 hours may sound like a long time, but they flew by.⏰✈️
The themes for the Vienna Fotomarathon 2022
0) Start number (can be made before the start)
1) September morning
2) unusual
3) locked
4) Fit for the future
5) Meal
6) single-coloured
7) Life by the water
8) That works too...
9) Flawless
10) Worth living for
11) in balance
12) inspired by the night
Which competitions could I register for at the Vienna Fotomarathon 2022 and how do they differ?
The camera application📷
Photographs may only be taken in JPEG and with a maximum of 24 megapixels. All possible filters and colour settings (black and white) may be applied to the camera, but post-processing is not permitted. In other words, everything that can be adjusted before the shutter is released is permitted. Anything after the photo has been taken is an offence. Apart from the start number, the 12 topics must be worked through in sequence. This can lead to a huge disadvantage and problems. If you can't think of anything for the first topic, you can't continue, skipping and catching up is not allowed.
The mobile phone competition🤳
It's a bit easier with the mobile phone competition. Settings are irrelevant. You can edit all pictures afterwards, regardless of which app you use. But the best thing about the mobile phone competition is that you don't have to stick to any order. On the way to a photo spot, you discover a perfect motif for a different theme - no problem, you can take a photo immediately. The difficulty of realising the themes is the same when photographing with a mobile phone.
My conclusion
Whether you are a professional, amateur or hobby photographer, the Vienna Photo Marathon is something for everyone. You get out of your comfort zone, have to be creative and use your camera or mobile phone in a way that you wouldn't normally do. It's a huge change from everyday photography and, above all, it's great fun.😊
I have to admit that I was completely exhausted at the end of the photo marathon. I usually need the whole 12 hours. 12 hours where your head has to be in the game. I take a few hundred photos to get the perfect shot. You drive and walk from A to B and maybe even support a mate as a „model“. And at the end of the day, you have to look through the hundreds of photos, edit them if necessary and send them in by 9.00 pm at the latest. Definitely not a walk in the park.😰
Will I sign up again next year? - Absolutely, without hesitation. Should you also sign up for next year and try your luck? - Definitely.
Smartwatch: 
Smartphone: 
Headphones: 
Work tool: 
Backpack: 
Drinking bottle: 
Running shoes: 
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