August 2010 Photo Challenge

[steve12553]

Opposites in gender, temperment, and color. Same Breed.

 

[chrispenycate]

Well, I agonised between Procrastinator's bowls and Leisha's minerals, but ultimately went with the Geode.

Yes, another month I didn't have anything to submit (despite having waited half an hour for a very small pony and a Shire plough horse in the same field to get close enough together that I could take them both in one shot; photoshopping them together would have been cheating). It wasn't even that I didn't have my camera – its memory is now full of family, brand new grandnephew, growing up grand niece, just about grown up niece – but inspiration never struck. I don't think I'm much of a photographer.

 

[The Procrastinator]

Lol Chris, I know how you feel, I have a very small dog and her best friend is a large dog, they're a perfect example of outside different inside the same, but due to the weather, lack of daylight and other difficulties (for instance the trials of photographing dogs with antics and fast heels) I haven't managed to get a good shot of them together. Separately, no problem, dammit. Cute picture of your dogs btw Steve - Llasa Apsos or something of that kidney?

 

[Vertigo]

On reflection and after reading some comments about critiques in the writer's challenge, I would like to apologise for posting critiques in my voting post. I now feel it was inappropriate; people post here for the challenge not to be critiqued.

However maybe we should consider a photography critique thread, either here or in the art section. I think it could be very interesting, particularly in these days of digital photography. Just as with writing critiques one of the great things about digital photographs is there is often an opportunity to go back and implement the comments made in something like photoshop and represent a modified version. It can also be educational when on occasion you disagree with a suggestion but still make the effort to implement it and then see whether the wider audience prefered your original or the modified one.

Another consideration is that there are no doubt some here who take a beautiful photograph but might not have the knowlege or the tools to do post production (photoshopping and the like) on it. Maybe those who do have the knowledge/tools could help out.

Just a thought and again, my apologies for inappropriate and uninvited critiques .

 

[mosaix]

Good idea, Vertigo.

Also, perhaps it would be a good idea to separate the photo' submissions and the photo' comments into two threads, in the same way as the writing challenge? Having the photos 'next to each other' makes then easier to compare, so to speak.

 

[Vertigo]

Yes I'd go for that - as you say I think it would make viewing the photos easier.

 

[Erin99]

The idea behind my Photo of the Day thread was to have a place photographers could post up work and ask for advice - if they wanted it, or if others felt they had something useful to say. But if someone wants to start another thread, perhaps with the title reflecting the critique element, then go ahead.

And, Vertigo, it's okay. Everyone makes mistakes (me more than most)!

Thanks for the votes and mentions, too. I can't believe I got *any*, because I'd shot the pictures last-minute, since I've been so busy writing (which is going well! I'm on the final 3rd of the final chapter before the epilogue!!!).

 

[Vertigo]

Yes I've viewed that thread and looking more closely at your first post on it I see that that is exactly what was intended. Maybe people are a little shy of critiquing others photos, but mostly people have just posted praise (which is always nice ). What I would like is to post a photo and have someone take it a part, in a nice constructive sort of way, like my old teacher used to do. And equally I would do the same for others. Maybe as you suggest another thread with the word critique in the title might fit the bill.

 

[Vertigo]

Slightly disappointed with his the second submission but the first more than made up for it.

By the way Mosaix I meant to respond to this comment 'cos I must admit I was too but I simply dried up a little and knew I was going to have no time later in the month. My original idea was to photograph a gnarly old man or woman's hand (had to be really old and gnarly) with a tiny babies hand laid on top of it, but I didn't have any models and no time to go find any .

 

[Erin99]

Well I've never got a critique on any of my pieces in that thread because I never asked for it. But if I'd wanted any, I'd have asked and received. You could always post up some photos and ask for critique on them there. If someone asked and I was around and had suggestions, I'd help.

TBO sometimes I wished people would ask for advice in there. There's plenty people here who know a thing or two about photographing and Photoshopping!


Anyway, I still haven't made up my mind about my winner for this month, so I'll have to get thinking!


Edit: That would have been a great picture, Vertigo! I once wanted to do the same thing for the challenge "Something Dear" - photograph my sister's hand, or her husband's, and get their baby son's hand resting on/in it...

 

[Vertigo]

Well maybe I'll have to do that... if I can just find the time to do some more photography. I really dropped out of doing any a couple of years back and the nice thing about this challenge is that it's getting my enthusiasm going again .

 

[StormFeather]

Glad I didn't miss the chance to vote!

I had one picture in mind over the weekend, but going back through this thread to have another look, I had to really think hard. I ended up with the following short list:

Vertigo - the Ice/Water shot - brilliant!
Mosaix - both the Fish and the Buildings - especially the buildings
TP - the Smiley Flower - loved it
AE - Grasses - really appealed to me
Mouse - both Flower shots - cheering and beautiful
Leisha - Sparkly!

In the end though, it had to be Vertigo's shot - absolutely brilliant, and the one that I've been thinking of all weekend.

Regarding the other conversations in this thread - I'm all for a seperate thread to discuss the competition, as I think it really would make it easier to view the entries without having to scroll through lots of text and comments.

Re getting photographic critiques - I've never had any guidance on photography, have an average olympus digital camera of the ilk that most people have, and have no real idea on composition, or even how to use the different settings that I do have access to on the camera menu. So any advice for me is welcome

 

[The Procrastinator]

Thanks for all the mentions everyone, and btw Vertigo, I know what you mean about uninvited critiquing but I for one didn't mind. Second opinions, especially educated ones, are always good - although perfection cannot always be achieved, its always good to know what to aim for! However I can't participate in more than one photo-bearing thread due to very slow internet. It would make sense to split the photos and the comments though, for the Challenge.

 

[Culhwch]

Also, perhaps it would be a good idea to separate the photo' submissions and the photo' comments into two threads, in the same way as the writing challenge? Having the photos 'next to each other' makes then easier to compare, so to speak.

I was actually going to implement that for next month, so stay tuned.

I like the idea of a seperate critique thread, as well. I think I may have suggested it at one time or another, many moons ago. But I'd certainly be happy to participate in that on a regular basis. God knows I have enough photos...

Incidentally, my vote is going to Vertigo's ice and water shot. Hands down the best interpretation of the the theme, as well as the most aesthetically executed.

 

[Culhwch]

And the winner of this month's challenge, and in a landslide, is:

VERTIGO!!

Congratulations, it was a deserving winner! I look forward to your theme for September!

 

[Mouse]

Congrats, Vertigo!

 

[Vertigo]

Sorry I've been so slow to respond to this - been one of those days - I actually managed to grab a sandwich for lunch at 16:30 !!

Thanks Mouse and Cul, and to everyone who voted for me, it is a great honour .

Cul how do I start a new theme, do I PM it to you so you can start the thread?

Also, if anyone is interested in how I made the image I will post details here. There was no special kit involved other than an external flash, it could have been done with any camera and using the built in flash, though there was a little photoshopping, though again not an awful lot.

 

[mosaix]

Well deserved, Vertigo.

Just copy and paste from this months and change the theme, dates etc. Cul will make it a sticky (if he remembers ).

 

[Vertigo]

Thanks Mosaix - I'll do that right now!

 

[Culhwch]

Just copy and paste from this months and change the theme, dates etc. Cul will make it a sticky (if he remembers ).

Done and done! Remembered early this time!