2019 iPhone Photography Award Winners Announced

[jcphoenix]

Okay "that guy." The first picture has too much exposure. It actually has the color washed out and also crushed detail in the image. Also isn't cropped well, because it has to much being shown other than the subjects the photographer wants you to see. Actually I see no "rule of thirds" or any main compositions actually being used.

The 2nd photo uses "the rule of thirds" which it utilizes "Leading Lines" pretty well. The problem is it could have been done at a better angle. It's also in black and white, so it doesn't help your color argument.

My photo utilizes "rule of thirds" with leading lines to a subject. Also you mention colors and I have great color display without it being overly saturate. I went with a darker tone by increasing the contrast because I wanted the Alley to look gritty. But you still see great highlights coming from the sun bouncing off the graffiti walls.

With that being said. I'm no Scott Kelby and all, and I'm sure he could pic away at my picture. I know you're upset that I don't agree with your opinion or the competition, but my photo looks much better imo. 20 other photographers on Instagrams seem to like it as well, and none that follow me are friends.

1. There is washed out detail on the beach but this seems perfectly fine to me artistically and the reasons for it being washed out were mentioned on the previous page - limitations of the sensor. The skin of the subjects is exposed perfectly though and the juxtaposition of the pastel beach against the subjects is the point of the photo to me and why it's not simply a cropped in photo of the subjects. The fact that you are so focused on "crushed details" and "great color displays" and say the first photo makes you think it's shot on a point and shoot is telling of what kind of photographer you are - the kind obsessed with megapixels and technical details over art.

2. Rule of thirds is literally the most basic rule in all photography or film. Please. There's nothing wrong with it but there's nothing remotely interesting about it on a fundamental level. It's literally just the beginner guideline to creating the most basic rudimentary "pleasing" composition. And yes, I was fully aware the second photo is in black-and-white. It's also graded well in black-and-white, and the third photo's colour grading is fantastic.

3. Your photo has no focal point. It's literally just an alleyway. I refrained from talking about it in the first post but like the other guy said (and since you went there with the winner), you have overblown highlights too and a car that you didn't quite catch that adds nothing to the photo. Your colour grading (what little there is) may be mostly accurate which is fine in a photojournalism sense but not when we're talking about creating a tone and atmosphere. It has no atmosphere whatsoever. You telling me you wanted the alley to look gritty - to me the sharpness of your photo actually detracts from this goal. It probably would've been better in b&w for that purpose. Frankly, I don't even think it's a good photo (let's be clear, we're not talking about crispness or technical elements but artistically), let alone a photo that could come anywhere close to winning this competition.

I'm not upset that you don't agree with my opinion or the competition. You don't have to like the photos there. Like I said, I wasn't blown away by them but I did think they were good and pleasing to the eye. But I'm awestruck at the fact that you think the photo you posted has *anything* on the photos in the competition, let alone beats any of the three.

I think it's great for us amateur photographers to strive to create. But c'mon, I think you should also have some awareness of your own limitations (as I am fully aware of mine), especially when you post a photo as lacking in storytelling, atmosphere and tone or even a focal point as almost as a dare and state that you think it's better than the winner of this competition. How can you grow as a photographer otherwise?

 

[henrikhelmers]

Is it my screen or are the highlights in the first image blown out?

The subject is in my opinion good, but like you I also feel that the lack of detail is the sand is detracting from the image. I can't see any noise, so the image could have been underexposed and brightened in post, to better make use of the (limited) dynamic range available.
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1. There is washed out detail on the beach but this seems perfectly fine to me artistically and the reasons for it being washed out were mentioned on the previous page - limitations of the sensor.

Good practice is to expose to the right while protecting highlights. All sensors have limitations, with skill you make the most out of what you have. And I don't believe that the sand in that image looked white to anyone on the beach.

 

[sofila]

as a photographer my self them shots are really nothing special

For future reference: when dissing someone, you want to demonstrate your superior qualifications to make the assertions you do. Maybe you could demonstrate the awards that you have received, or the galleries where you have pictures on display, that would work!

As a long time photographer I know one thing for sure: asking those who denigrate the work of others to show you theirs always has a disappointing ending.

 

[arkhanjel]

Is it my screen or are the highlights in the first image blown out?

It might actually be this post. It looks slightly different than what’s on the ippawards site.

 

[Tick410]

1. There is washed out detail on the beach but this seems perfectly fine to me artistically and the reasons for it being washed out were mentioned on the previous page - limitations of the sensor. The skin of the subjects is exposed perfectly though and the juxtaposition of the pastel beach against the subjects is the point of the photo to me and why it's not simply a cropped in photo of the subjects. The fact that you are so focused on "crushed details" and "great color displays" and say the first photo makes you think it's shot on a point and shoot is telling of what kind of photographer you are - the kind obsessed with megapixels and technical details over art.

2. Rule of thirds is literally the most basic rule in all photography or film. Please. There's nothing wrong with it but there's nothing remotely interesting about it on a fundamental level. It's literally just the beginner guideline to creating the most basic rudimentary "pleasing" composition. And yes, I was fully aware the second photo is in black-and-white. It's also graded well in black-and-white, and the third photo's colour grading is fantastic.

3. Your photo has no focal point. It's literally just an alleyway. I refrained from talking about it in the first post but like the other guy said (and since you went there with the winner), you have overblown highlights too and a car that you didn't quite catch that adds nothing to the photo. Your colour grading (what little there is) may be mostly accurate which is fine in a photojournalism sense but not when we're talking about creating a tone and atmosphere. It has no atmosphere whatsoever. You telling me you wanted the alley to look gritty - to me the sharpness of your photo actually detracts from this goal. It probably would've been better in b&w for that purpose. Frankly, I don't even think it's a good photo (let's be clear, we're not talking about crispness or technical elements but artistically), let alone a photo that could come anywhere close to winning this competition.

I'm not upset that you don't agree with my opinion or the competition. You don't have to like the photos there. Like I said, I wasn't blown away by them but I did think they were good and pleasing to the eye. But I'm awestruck at the fact that you think the photo you posted has *anything* on the photos in the competition, let alone beats any of the three.

I think it's great for us amateur photographers to strive to create. But c'mon, I think you should also have some awareness of your own limitations (as I am fully aware of mine), especially when you post a photo as lacking in storytelling, atmosphere and tone or even a focal point as almost as a dare and state that you think it's better than the winner of this competition. How can you grow as a photographer otherwise?

lol no atmosphere, huh? Okay and lack of any edits? I also remember saying I'm definitely not the best and I know that. I only started 2 years ago, but most of what you said wasn't fact, but from your emotions because you feel like I'm dissing those people's photos.
Anyway, I only had 4 months experience when I took and edited this photo. Also used an App called Snapseed to edit it. I was recommended by a Freelance Photographer I spoke to. I still feel like it looks great 4 for months experience. Heres the before and after edits were done. Wasn't much difference, but enough where it doesn't look too crazy. Also this was shot using a Moto X Pure cellphone.

 

[fathergll]

Not sure why everyone is attacking this guy and another for their opinions? I would agree, I don't think that they're that special. Well accept for the last photo. I actually like that one. It's not hating or dissing, just fact. I started doing photography about 2 years ago, and I'm not the best shooter out there, but the first two photos just didn't really impress me.

I know most here wont agree, but I feel like this pic I took on my old Moto X Pure could rank higher than the first two. View attachment 849858

Trust me it's not as good as the other photos. It looks like you put the photo through a popular photo app like Snapseed and applied some blur to create a fake bokeh effect all while you have your highlights blownout. If this was shot on higher end equipment it probably could have worked just from a technical level(highlights would have probably been kept in check and the bokeh wouldn't have been an obvious app effect). It's not a bad photograph but I surely would not put that above anything of the photos listed.

 

[1050792]

Been an amateur photographer for over 20 years don't see what's so special about these photos....lol

I think Apple is letting their emotions decide what constitutes a good photo.

Where's the link for your published work, I'd like to check it out. Can I find it on Apple's website somewhere?

 

[Tick410]

Trust me it's not as good as the other photos. It looks like you put the photo through a popular photo app like Snapseed and applied some blur to create a fake bokeh effect all while you have your highlights blownout. If this was shot on higher end equipment it probably could have worked just from a technical level(highlights would have probably been kept in check and the bokeh wouldn't have been an obvious app effect). It's not a bad photograph but I surely would not put that above anything of the photos listed.

I didn't apply blur. I never touch blur effect.

 

[jcphoenix]

lol no atmosphere, huh? Okay and lack of any edits? I also remember saying I'm definitely not the best and I know that. I only started 2 years ago, but most of what you said wasn't fact, but from your emotions because you feel like I'm dissing those people's photos.
Anyway, I only had 4 months experience when I took and edited this photo. Also used an App called Seed to edit it. I was recommended by a Freelance Photographer I spoke to. I still feel like it looks great 4 for months experience. Heres the before and after edits were done. Wasn't much difference, but enough where it doesn't look too crazy. Also this was done using a Moto X Pure cellphone. View attachment 849960

Dude, all I'm going to leave this on is - in five or ten years down the road, when you've had way more experience and have grown as a photographer and have a much more critical eye, you're going to look back at the photo you posted in this thread that you claimed was better than the winners of the competition, and you're going to have a good chuckle at yourself.

 

[Tick410]

Dude, all I'm going to leave this on is - in five or ten years down the road, when you've had way more experience and have grown as a photographer and have a much more critical eye, you're going to look back at the photo you posted in this thread that you claimed was better than the winners of the competition, and you're going to have a good chuckle at yourself.

I'm already better than I was a year and a half ago, and still say that it wasn't the greatest, but I still think it looks better than first two pics. It's just an opinion and definitely not fact. Can I see your work? I like to follow other Photographers if you're one.

 

[jcphoenix]

I'm already better than I was a year and a half ago, and still say that it wasn't the greatest, but I still think it looks better than first two pics. Can I see your work? I like to follow other Photographers if you're one.

Again, I will reiterate that I'm also an amateur who doesn't actively shoot on the regular or pretend to be anything but an amateur (although I come from a film background) but I take my Fuji x100T (which is a fixed lens camera) with me when I travel these days and an iPhone 5s for all the photos from Vegas/Hong Kong and before. Also, the occasional photo on my Instafeed is obviously put up for personal reasons rather than aesthetic or artistic.

https://www.instagram.com/apatheticape/

I'd also like to point out that earlier, I wasn't saying "lack of edits" in a negative sense, I was saying the minimal colour grading made me think more on a photojournalism level where the intention is to be as accurate to reality as possible rather than to paint a tone or atmosphere.

 

[Tick410]

Again, I will reiterate that I'm also an amateur who doesn't actively shoot on the regular or pretend to be anything but an amateur (although I come from a film background) but I take my Fuji x100T (which is a fixed lens camera) with me when I travel these days and used an iPhone 5s for all the photos from Vegas/Hong Kong and before. Also, the occasional photo on my Instafeed is obviously put up for personal reasons rather than aesthetic or artistic.

https://www.instagram.com/apatheticape/

I'd also like to point out that earlier, I wasn't saying "lack of edits" in a negative sense, I was saying the minimal colour grading made me think more on a photojournalism level where the intention is to be as accurate to reality as possible rather than to paint a tone or atmosphere.

I just checked out your page. You have really good shots there. I don't have too many Landscape shots. Majority are touch ups of models. I like what you posted though. I just need to travel more myself.

 

[AlexMaximus]

I'm sure it won because it's diverse and cultural.

It has political value..

 

[appahappa]

I think Apple is letting their emotions decide what constitutes a good photo.

Ehm, that's what art is about. A perfect picture without meaning or emotions is worth nothing.

 

[mollyc]

Majority are touch ups of models.

What does this even mean?

 

[jcphoenix]

I just checked out your page. You have really good shots there. I don't have too many Landscape shots. Majority are touch ups of models. I like what you posted though. I just need to travel more myself.

Thank you dude, I appreciate it.

 

[citysnaps]

I'm already better than I was a year and a half ago, and still say that it wasn't the greatest, but I still think it looks better than first two pics. It's just an opinion and definitely not fact. Can I see your work? I like to follow other Photographers if you're one.

It took me two years of making photos before I felt comfortable calling myself a photographer.

 

[Tick410]

What does this even mean?

It means cleaning up a models picture by removing unsightly blemishes, pimples cellulite and so forth. Also whitening teeth, fixing make up or even adding a bit more.
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It took me two years of making photos before I felt comfortable calling myself a photographer.

I just never use the word professional. Amateur is what I go by.

 

[smirking]

Been an amateur photographer for over 20 years don't see what's so special about these photos....lol

I think Apple is letting their emotions decide what constitutes a good photo.

Well, let's be honest. A lot of photo contests are won that way. It's the photography equivalent of the "critically acclaimed, but commercial failure" curse of the music industry. There's a lot of technically amazing photography that won't ever get a nod because nobody cared while a lot of mediocre images end up becoming the definition of a moment in time.

 

[RiddlaBronc]

It seems apple has an agenda. Winning picture is nothing spectacular.

 

[Baymowe335]

as a photographer my self them shots are really nothing special

Everyone is a photographer.

 

[mke_software_dev]

Been an amateur photographer for over 20 years don't see what's so special about these photos....lol

I think Apple is letting their emotions decide what constitutes a good photo.

An amateur after 20 years? That may be why don’t see what’s so special about these ...

You're ignorant, professional means it tightly relates to your career/profession, or you receive money for it.

Amateur, using google's first definition is someone who partakes in something but doesn't get paid. The second definition is someone who is not competent in a certain field. I'm sure after 20 years he was referring to the first definition of the word.

Amateur or professional doesn't capture how skilled someone is, unless you're referring to the alternate definition of amateur.

If you're going to dis at least google some definitions first, jeez.

 

[Cosmosent]

Does anybody know if any of the winning photos were Burst Photos with Vivid/Vibrant colors ?

 

[Stevie jobz 2.0]

Wow stunning photo View attachment 849839

No detail in the sand or the sky or the faces, brilliant.... you are judging the concept, nothing more...

 

[Suckfest 9001]

I love all these armchair photography experts trying to place an objective value to something that is entirely subjective. Reminds me of the audiophile community which is just as trashy.