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Weekly Photo Contest - May 8 - May 15 (Theme: Water)
- Thread starter lharvest
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Results
Sorry for the length of this, but there were a large number of entries:
AlexH Always a big fan of the look off the pier into the sunrise (sunset?) photograph. Nice symmetry on the bottom third with the pier itself and I like how the brightness of the sun offsets the darkness of the hill and trees. The sky does its job by providing plenty of interest with a wonderful blue gradient and a mixture of striated and puffy clouds. The jet stream is a little distracting, but thats almost not worth mentioning. Great colors, nice exposure, well done!
Melizard The lack of color adds to the documentary feel of this photo. Im always amazed at the amount of damage that can be done by the same element that is essential to life. While this photo does a nice job of showing the expanse of the flooding, Im not left with any true sense of the impact. Perhaps most of that could be attributed to my lack of familiarity with the area, but a more powerful image would portray that impact regardless. That being written, I do get a sense of desperation when viewing the photo. Assuming that was part of your goal, then well done.
SLC Flyfishing Nice subject choice for a panorama shot. At first, I was thinking there was too much cloudless sky, but upon reflection, I think it works to help balance the rest of the photo. I do find myself distracted a little by the buildings and water tower (?) in the center of the frame. However; I think it is an impressive capture.
Razeus I like the composition choice of not showing the actual trees in the frame. That, combine with the ripples in the water, add a little mystery to the location of the photo. I envision a pair of palm trees reflecting off the rippling water of an island lagoon. Im torn between whether I would have preferred deeper, darker coloring or the more pale pastels youve captured in the picture. Overall, a very interesting photo. Well done!
Captpegleg First, I hope whoever the subject of the photo is was alright. Great timing, capturing the moment right before the inevitable splash. The image is pin sharp with great detail even in the wall of white water. Nicely done all around.
Keleko Im also a sucker for butterfly photos. I love the stillness of the water in this one and how it beads around the edges of the leaves. It would have been nice if the butterfly in the back of the picture had its wings open, but some moments never come. I couldnt quite identify what is in the middle of the leaf, but it is neutral enough not to detract from the picture for me. Perhaps a slightly lower angle would show more of the butterflies and a touch more vibrancy would make it pop a bit more. Overall, a very nice capture.
Pmxperience I like the location and the picture certainly has potential. The bright greens of the leaves, the dark browns of the branches, and the white water offer plenty of contrast, but I would have preferred a longer exposure. As captured, the frozen action doesnt quite portray the peacefulness I associate with a waterfall.
Fireman32 Here is a nice example of using a timed exposure to provide not only a sense of motion, but the tranquil nature of a very powerful force. Im curious as to what might have been above this section of the falls as the water in the middle of the upper third keeps catching my eye. The water itself has a bluish tint as if it was shot later in the evening not sure if that is the case. Wonderful picture of what looks to be a beautiful place.
03tom Once again, a great example of a timed exposure. Very nice, straightforward composition. The trees on the either side of the picture provide interesting framing around the focal point of the waterfall itself. Very nicely done.
Cupcakes2000 There is much I like about this picture, but I think it ultimately suffers from having too much at which to look. I love the exposure, the conversion to black and white is done well (something I struggle with) and the contrast is sharp. But Im challenged to find a focal point that is compelling. My eyes are drawn to the big rock when the water looks much more interesting. I think the variety of sticks and logs in the waters path make it a little too busy for me. However; I do keep coming back to the photo.
Ravaroo A classic sunset over some distant land photograph. Beautiful colors, the sun has just passed over the horizon, and youve adhered nicely to the rule of thirds. Id like to see something more in the photo to maintain interest, but, overall, it is a very pleasing photo that I can easily get lost in.
BarryJ Very nice take on the subject certainly one of the more unusual photos in this collection. Nice patience in allowing the water to settle as its calmness certainly adds to a sense of isolation and focus. Nicely done!
MagicWok Great symmetry and colors. The pier leads the eyes to the boat I just wish the boat would have been more of a payoff. I found myself enlarging the photo to get a closer look at the boat, but couldnt get a clear picture of what kind it was. I think it might actually be a more powerful image without the boat. I tested this theory by covering up the boat and Im almost convinced its removal would work. At that point, the picture would be inviting me to spend time in the virtual endless expanse of the ocean. If I removed the boat, I would also remove the tire tracks in the sand. All that being said, I do really like the photo.
jabbott Classic black and white photo of an impending rain storm. In fact, it looks like there might already be rain off in the distance. Great contrast between the trees, the rocks on the shore, and the grayness of the clouds in the sky. Makes me want to run for shelter. Great job.
Somepix At first I thought this photo was taken from high in the air, showing several miles of shoreline. Obviously, after closer inspection, I see it is several feet of sandy beach, with the occasional rock mixed in. The sand definitely contains some great earth tones with a nice blend of reds and browns. Certainly, a pleasing picture to look at, but nothing to maintain interest for a period of time.
Raid Thanks for entering the contest photography is a very personal medium and it isnt easy opening oneself up to possible criticism. As for your photo, it is a truly wonderful shade of blue and the glares of light add several points of interest throughout. Im not really sure if it would have been possible, but I think a greater depth of field would have made for a more engaging picture. The out of focus portions of the photo detract from it, muting the brilliance of the light.
JDDavis In contrast to an earlier entry, here is a situation in which a faster shutter speed works well. The turbulent nature of this wall of water and the pool below it would have been softened too much with a longer exposure. The fog adds yet another layer to the ominous feeling of impending danger. However; I did have to chuckle at the lonely branch that sticks out from the lower left hand corner of the picture that looks a bit out of place. Regardless of that, I like the choices you made throughout they made for a powerful picture.
AMariaJ Nice picture of what looks to be a beautiful and peaceful place. Deep, rich colors throughout. Nice balance between the reflection and the actual objects themselves. Overall, nicely done.
Sdabr-s Another interesting take on the topic. Once again, I love the shade of blue in this photo. The deep focus here works well and provides a greater sense of expanse almost as if Im standing in the middle of a frozen lake that has shattered but have not yet fallen through. The light plays off the edges of the ice, creating contrast that complements the smooth, glass-like surface. I like it.
Jodelli A different take on the topic as clouds are certainly a form of water. While the cloud is formidable, it just doesnt seem unusual enough for me to have qualified as the focal point of a picture. Obviously, it caught your eye and you did a good job of framing it.
Chappers Nicely composed photo of something I would most likely have overlooked. The fading light reflecting off the gently rolling waves not only creates an interesting array of colors, but adds to the sense of peace and tranquility. I can see myself laying back in a small boat, letting the waves rock me back and forth. Nicely done.
Sideonecincy Wonderful capture of a truly marvelous location where was this taken? The photo is well composed with great earthy tones contrasting with the bright, white water. Well done.
Bartlindon This is a very striking photo that is nicely composed. The band of red through the center third does a great job of drawing attention to both the spray of the wave and the sailboat in the distance. The dark clouds look like they will make good on their threat of a storm. If I could see the individual spray droplets with more clarity, that would add another layer of depth. Great job.
Pakyooh I like the treatment you gave the photo in post processing and the subject holds promise. However; I cant quite tell what the dogs are doing (are they playing? Is the one attacking the other?). Seeing the face of at least one dog would make this a better photo, in my opinion.
Acearchie Nicely done silhouette that does a great job of capturing the sense of calm Im sure you and your companion enjoyed on the walk. It looks to have been a wonderful Spring (?) day. The nice colors, interesting clouds, and reflections in the gently rippled water make for an engaging photo.
Dhelsdon In my mind, an otherwise beautiful shot suffers a bit from too much going on in the frame. The sailboat still commands my attention, but my eyes are constantly drawn away from it to either the man in the kayak, the boat in the immediate background, or the many cars passing by on the road/bridge. The fog (or haze) does a nice job of fading the background.
Nicolasdec Great, rich, vibrant colors combine with a very unusual boat to make a wonderful photo. At first, I struggled with the fact the roof of the boat was in line with the horizon, but I think Ive come to appreciate your choice on that. Moving it elsewhere would have compromised the separation between the clouds/sky and the water/shore. Very nice.
Prince134 Classic sunset on a beach shot. Beautiful colors and the sun isnt overly dominate in my opinion. Perhaps a straightening of the horizon would help, but with the car given a little more prominence, I could see this as an advertisement. Nice job.
Great job by all! I hope you enjoyed taking these wonderful pictures and/or looking through your collection for the right one. Im amazed at the diversity of the photos and that makes it a challenge to pick a winner. However; thats why we have the contest, so here they are:
Third place 03Tom.
Second place Nicolasdec.
First place Sideonecincy.
There are too many honorable mentions to list here, as I think there were at least 10 I considered for the top spot.
Thanks to all and congratulations Sideonecincy!
Sorry for the length of this, but there were a large number of entries:
AlexH Always a big fan of the look off the pier into the sunrise (sunset?) photograph. Nice symmetry on the bottom third with the pier itself and I like how the brightness of the sun offsets the darkness of the hill and trees. The sky does its job by providing plenty of interest with a wonderful blue gradient and a mixture of striated and puffy clouds. The jet stream is a little distracting, but thats almost not worth mentioning. Great colors, nice exposure, well done!
Melizard The lack of color adds to the documentary feel of this photo. Im always amazed at the amount of damage that can be done by the same element that is essential to life. While this photo does a nice job of showing the expanse of the flooding, Im not left with any true sense of the impact. Perhaps most of that could be attributed to my lack of familiarity with the area, but a more powerful image would portray that impact regardless. That being written, I do get a sense of desperation when viewing the photo. Assuming that was part of your goal, then well done.
SLC Flyfishing Nice subject choice for a panorama shot. At first, I was thinking there was too much cloudless sky, but upon reflection, I think it works to help balance the rest of the photo. I do find myself distracted a little by the buildings and water tower (?) in the center of the frame. However; I think it is an impressive capture.
Razeus I like the composition choice of not showing the actual trees in the frame. That, combine with the ripples in the water, add a little mystery to the location of the photo. I envision a pair of palm trees reflecting off the rippling water of an island lagoon. Im torn between whether I would have preferred deeper, darker coloring or the more pale pastels youve captured in the picture. Overall, a very interesting photo. Well done!
Captpegleg First, I hope whoever the subject of the photo is was alright. Great timing, capturing the moment right before the inevitable splash. The image is pin sharp with great detail even in the wall of white water. Nicely done all around.
Keleko Im also a sucker for butterfly photos. I love the stillness of the water in this one and how it beads around the edges of the leaves. It would have been nice if the butterfly in the back of the picture had its wings open, but some moments never come. I couldnt quite identify what is in the middle of the leaf, but it is neutral enough not to detract from the picture for me. Perhaps a slightly lower angle would show more of the butterflies and a touch more vibrancy would make it pop a bit more. Overall, a very nice capture.
Pmxperience I like the location and the picture certainly has potential. The bright greens of the leaves, the dark browns of the branches, and the white water offer plenty of contrast, but I would have preferred a longer exposure. As captured, the frozen action doesnt quite portray the peacefulness I associate with a waterfall.
Fireman32 Here is a nice example of using a timed exposure to provide not only a sense of motion, but the tranquil nature of a very powerful force. Im curious as to what might have been above this section of the falls as the water in the middle of the upper third keeps catching my eye. The water itself has a bluish tint as if it was shot later in the evening not sure if that is the case. Wonderful picture of what looks to be a beautiful place.
03tom Once again, a great example of a timed exposure. Very nice, straightforward composition. The trees on the either side of the picture provide interesting framing around the focal point of the waterfall itself. Very nicely done.
Cupcakes2000 There is much I like about this picture, but I think it ultimately suffers from having too much at which to look. I love the exposure, the conversion to black and white is done well (something I struggle with) and the contrast is sharp. But Im challenged to find a focal point that is compelling. My eyes are drawn to the big rock when the water looks much more interesting. I think the variety of sticks and logs in the waters path make it a little too busy for me. However; I do keep coming back to the photo.
Ravaroo A classic sunset over some distant land photograph. Beautiful colors, the sun has just passed over the horizon, and youve adhered nicely to the rule of thirds. Id like to see something more in the photo to maintain interest, but, overall, it is a very pleasing photo that I can easily get lost in.
BarryJ Very nice take on the subject certainly one of the more unusual photos in this collection. Nice patience in allowing the water to settle as its calmness certainly adds to a sense of isolation and focus. Nicely done!
MagicWok Great symmetry and colors. The pier leads the eyes to the boat I just wish the boat would have been more of a payoff. I found myself enlarging the photo to get a closer look at the boat, but couldnt get a clear picture of what kind it was. I think it might actually be a more powerful image without the boat. I tested this theory by covering up the boat and Im almost convinced its removal would work. At that point, the picture would be inviting me to spend time in the virtual endless expanse of the ocean. If I removed the boat, I would also remove the tire tracks in the sand. All that being said, I do really like the photo.
jabbott Classic black and white photo of an impending rain storm. In fact, it looks like there might already be rain off in the distance. Great contrast between the trees, the rocks on the shore, and the grayness of the clouds in the sky. Makes me want to run for shelter. Great job.
Somepix At first I thought this photo was taken from high in the air, showing several miles of shoreline. Obviously, after closer inspection, I see it is several feet of sandy beach, with the occasional rock mixed in. The sand definitely contains some great earth tones with a nice blend of reds and browns. Certainly, a pleasing picture to look at, but nothing to maintain interest for a period of time.
Raid Thanks for entering the contest photography is a very personal medium and it isnt easy opening oneself up to possible criticism. As for your photo, it is a truly wonderful shade of blue and the glares of light add several points of interest throughout. Im not really sure if it would have been possible, but I think a greater depth of field would have made for a more engaging picture. The out of focus portions of the photo detract from it, muting the brilliance of the light.
JDDavis In contrast to an earlier entry, here is a situation in which a faster shutter speed works well. The turbulent nature of this wall of water and the pool below it would have been softened too much with a longer exposure. The fog adds yet another layer to the ominous feeling of impending danger. However; I did have to chuckle at the lonely branch that sticks out from the lower left hand corner of the picture that looks a bit out of place. Regardless of that, I like the choices you made throughout they made for a powerful picture.
AMariaJ Nice picture of what looks to be a beautiful and peaceful place. Deep, rich colors throughout. Nice balance between the reflection and the actual objects themselves. Overall, nicely done.
Sdabr-s Another interesting take on the topic. Once again, I love the shade of blue in this photo. The deep focus here works well and provides a greater sense of expanse almost as if Im standing in the middle of a frozen lake that has shattered but have not yet fallen through. The light plays off the edges of the ice, creating contrast that complements the smooth, glass-like surface. I like it.
Jodelli A different take on the topic as clouds are certainly a form of water. While the cloud is formidable, it just doesnt seem unusual enough for me to have qualified as the focal point of a picture. Obviously, it caught your eye and you did a good job of framing it.
Chappers Nicely composed photo of something I would most likely have overlooked. The fading light reflecting off the gently rolling waves not only creates an interesting array of colors, but adds to the sense of peace and tranquility. I can see myself laying back in a small boat, letting the waves rock me back and forth. Nicely done.
Sideonecincy Wonderful capture of a truly marvelous location where was this taken? The photo is well composed with great earthy tones contrasting with the bright, white water. Well done.
Bartlindon This is a very striking photo that is nicely composed. The band of red through the center third does a great job of drawing attention to both the spray of the wave and the sailboat in the distance. The dark clouds look like they will make good on their threat of a storm. If I could see the individual spray droplets with more clarity, that would add another layer of depth. Great job.
Pakyooh I like the treatment you gave the photo in post processing and the subject holds promise. However; I cant quite tell what the dogs are doing (are they playing? Is the one attacking the other?). Seeing the face of at least one dog would make this a better photo, in my opinion.
Acearchie Nicely done silhouette that does a great job of capturing the sense of calm Im sure you and your companion enjoyed on the walk. It looks to have been a wonderful Spring (?) day. The nice colors, interesting clouds, and reflections in the gently rippled water make for an engaging photo.
Dhelsdon In my mind, an otherwise beautiful shot suffers a bit from too much going on in the frame. The sailboat still commands my attention, but my eyes are constantly drawn away from it to either the man in the kayak, the boat in the immediate background, or the many cars passing by on the road/bridge. The fog (or haze) does a nice job of fading the background.
Nicolasdec Great, rich, vibrant colors combine with a very unusual boat to make a wonderful photo. At first, I struggled with the fact the roof of the boat was in line with the horizon, but I think Ive come to appreciate your choice on that. Moving it elsewhere would have compromised the separation between the clouds/sky and the water/shore. Very nice.
Prince134 Classic sunset on a beach shot. Beautiful colors and the sun isnt overly dominate in my opinion. Perhaps a straightening of the horizon would help, but with the car given a little more prominence, I could see this as an advertisement. Nice job.
Great job by all! I hope you enjoyed taking these wonderful pictures and/or looking through your collection for the right one. Im amazed at the diversity of the photos and that makes it a challenge to pick a winner. However; thats why we have the contest, so here they are:
Third place 03Tom.
Second place Nicolasdec.
First place Sideonecincy.
There are too many honorable mentions to list here, as I think there were at least 10 I considered for the top spot.
Thanks to all and congratulations Sideonecincy!
Thanks for the thorough and thoughtful judging, lharvest! There were definitely a lot of good entries this week. The winning photo was taken at Multnomah Falls in Oregon. Sideonecincy, were you lucky in finding an unpopulated bridge, or did you use a neutral density filter or multiple shots to average people out? The one time I was there, the bridge was very populated.
Thanks for the comments. There were a lot of wonderful photos. My personal favorite is JDDavis - I found myself looking at this photo over and over. Great sense of movement and the fog makes it feel cold and mysterious. Great job!
Congrats to Sideonecincy and hats off to lharvest for completing a very difficult round of judging. I'm sure glad I didn't have to judge this one! It was definitely one of the stronger set of contest entries that we've had in this forum. Congrats to a lot of you for some very fine photos.
I was just there on a weekday and it happened to be not crowded. I am going back out there this year and I want to go to the top this time.
Thank you everyone.
Thanks for the feedback, I agree with what you said regarding depth of field, and focus 'issues'. At the time I was doing some experimenting with the controls of my camera while underwater. The somewhat limited depth of field and focus issues are probably due to the limitations of a point and shoot camera (taken with a Olympus 1030SW).
What I did like about this shot is that the AF lock captured the mid field admirably and the deep blue and combination of the bubbles gave it a gem like quality. There were probably better foreground focused pictures in that experiment set, but I kept this one as the focus on the mid field gave the image three distinct layers... I just wish the two larger bubbles in the foreground were smaller and not so distracting to give the out-of-focus feeling.
Hi....All of you have done a very good job. I like 1st one the most. It is simply outstanding. Thanks.