Could you guys quit whining about pumpkins... holy moly! Give the guy a break...😱 😎 🙂
The guy picked a topic he wanted, and that was his privilege since he won the previous contest... and it was fairly challenging, probably requiring most folks to actually go shoot something pumpkin related, since, like me, they probably didn't have much in the archives.
To the winner: Pick any topic you want. That's the challenge. Heck, in the fortnight challenge they've resorted to picking the latest word of the day as the topic... and it does make it challenging, but sometimes a bit odd. Challenge your entrants. If they don't already have a "winning" shot that fits the topic, maybe they can actually get their cameras out and go create one...
or they can wait until the next contest (a week.)
The contest will not die because only a few entrants participate on a given week, but it might die if the spirit of it goes away, and new people start feeling like they've got to please the old guard. I once had a topic which I though about long and hard, thinking it had lots of possiblities, "technology in our world" and only had a handful of entrants... I even suggested approaches folks could think about with the topic, to open up the creative brain storming. I expected tons of entries, but that didn't happen. I think it was too much for lots of people who just wanted to show a picture and get some feedback, and not have to think about it that much.
I'd say to just not overthink it. Go with your gut, and choose your topic. It'll either attract lots of entries, or it won't. But, it's your contest this week. And hopefully, I can come up with something to add to it... but... no promises. 😉