Monthly # 59- Documentary Competition

Not a great number of images for this challenge, and I, like so many others, are not comfortable with documentary images. They are difficult, especially in a digital age, where information is so readily available, and where “news worthy” events and stories are in abundance, to the point of boredom. Still, I am pleased with all the entries, all on the button as it were, and I expected to see quite a few B/W images, only to find one. For this challenge, I employed the services of some of the young people in our Church’s youth, explaining to them what the challenge was, and then asked them to choose the one they thought should be the winner. As can be expected, a lot of variation in choices, and I have gone with the one that got the most votes, which also happens to be the one I have chosen. Here are some of my thoughts with an apology that I have not been able to submit this earlier today, it has been a rather busy day.

GlynM-Women who made a difference- Wonderful opening salvo, and I do think you should give some more attention to documentary shots. Loads of juxtaposition here, life and death, smiles in the midst of sadness, and past accomplishments and present attempts (by the mayor) and a growing flower and cut flowers. The mayor certainly strikes an elegant pose, befitting such honour, albeit posthumously. Need I say that the young ladies of the youth were biased towards this one especially that it was honouring women.

Ramseybuckeye- Auglaize River overflow – This is a difficult subject to capture, especially with all the possible destruction that can happen and in my experience, limited as it is, usually better captured as a movie. You have done well here, combining documentary and aesthetics. Well you would certainly get a wad of sympathy from me for this farmers. I like all the details here, especially the rows of corn seemingly struggling for life. Wonderful shot!

Perspicador- Endangered Species – This did not get any response other than “what is documentary about that” from my young people, and that is no reflection on this image, much rather on their ignorance and to which must be added that ecology and endangered species does not exactly feature large on their socio-economic realities. Not for me of course, and it would be a pain to lose these. Wonderful capture, I like the composition and it seems as if it is aware of its own endangered existence, its wariness has been so well captured. I am intrigued about that little bit of hook present in the image, and would have been personally tempted to remove it, but on thought, gives more context of its hazardous existence in an ever encroaching humanity. Otis would approve

Go4IT- Memorial to honour Policemen fallen in line of duty – And another documentary shot with notes of sadness, and got a nod from the young people. A shot with which we can all identify, whether from loss of policemen or family in general, and sure to evoke some interest. The memorial itself is nicely arranged and equally well captured with superb DOF. Perhaps a human element would add more impact to this, but as it stands it is quite acceptable, and that probably adds a note of the neglect that some of our civil servants suffer. I am reminded of the words from Ralph McTell’s song- Streets of London- “one more forgotten hero, in a world that does not care”.

Paulb531- Joyland-Is it really? - Well, yes, they are depressing, if only for the reason that they conjure up memories of misspent youth. But the other reason is that they are increasingly becoming redundant in our fast paced digital technological age. Besides the details here, I like that woman standing on one foot, exuding boredom and even frustration, perhaps that is the reason she is having a smoke. Yet another reminder of just how “past it” these places have become. Love the way this has been composed, wonderful colours too!

Johnriley- Canal Street Lock, Rochdale Canal, Manchester –You’ve piqued my interest here, and I would love to see that image from 70’s for comparison purposes. So much to appreciate here, long look to study some of that old technology that worked, DOF superb, and I think the B/W does it more justice. Add to that a shot in the rain, and those drops in the foreground and you have a wonderful documentary shot. I would love to see a boat get through that. Must be a sight!

Davidwozhere- Practicality rules- LOL, I had a good laugh at this-Hope springs eternal came to mind. The main subject is nicely framed by those bricks, giving some wonderful contrast and a highlight has to be the differing textures. Lovely image recalling a bygone era, when the highlight of any day was a visit by the postman! 4:30? We could do with something like that around here- ours closes at 14:30. My young people could not understand this, as a consequence of their not knowing about post boxes and mailmen. They are too used to emails and Whatsapp.

Simonmac-Mr Egg- Wonderful documentary shot this, with a great story line. Sharp as needs be, sufficient enough DOF, and lovely composition, including all the necessary elements of context- Car, windows, bin/electrical Box? But especially the details are appreciated-just look at that beard, hair, saliva and down to a titbit of fluff on the jacket. Lovely candid, though I am sure he will not appreciate that you got him snoring his life away.

Mag07- Love in the making- Yes, well, employed this to embarrass the young people, telling them that this is not the position I ever want to catch them in . All the world loves a lover, or so the saying goes, so that will certainly attract attention. I really like the way you have composed this, with the couple in the corner, yet retaining all the attention. There is certainly passion there, enhanced by the young woman’s hand atop the young man head. Not forgetting the beautiful light on the water to the left- adding to the romance of the moment! Great textures too! No EXIF info for this one, but will accept that it was shot during the period of the competition.

First place – Simonmac- Mr Egg- a gripping documentary shot that left me wondering about his life, as it did the photographer.

2nd place-Ramseybuckey-for a combination of aesthetics and documentary.

3rd place- GlynM for a wonderful image loaded with juxtapositions.

I am happy to give all the others HC’s, for the simple reason that my interest has been piqued with memories, wonder and interest as a lover of history.

Over to you Simon.

Thank you Noel.

Very happy to have won. Sad at the same time, as I am every time I look at this photograph. So many appear to be lost.

Congratulations to RamseyBuckey and GlynM. Love these photographs and the stories behind them.

Love all the shots. I've learned new stuff, and that's always appreciated.

Thank you again Noel for an interesting competition, your lovely critiques and thank you to the young folk!

All the best.

Thank you Noel for your acuity and evident attention to detail. An explanation for the youngsters might read that anything 'factual' or real narrative can be considered documentary. The hook in evidence in the picture supports an array of bird feeders for the frequent comings and goings of Blue-tits, Great-tits. Coal-tits, Chaffinches and other birds frequenting the trees on the edge of the Glenmore Forest - so Red Squirrels are in good company for the Cairngorm National Park area that is brimming with wildlife - for no better reason than that road-kill is less evident in rural Scotland than most other areas of the UK. Thanks again.

Many thanks Noel for setting such a great challenge, your fantastic detailed reviews and of course the judging which even with the modest number of entries I am sure I would have found really difficult.

Thanks also for the third place. It was quite a difficult subject for me and I am really pleased that you liked my entry.

Congratulations to Simon for the moving and well deserved winning image, also to Ramseybuckeye as runner-up and everyone else for an inspiring set of pictures.

Glyn

Congratulations to all the winners. Great one Simon Apologies for the lack of meta data. Happy to link to the original file if needed. I usually export with all the info, must've mis-clicked something. Thank you Noel for an interesting topic and great comments.

Well done the podiums and thank you for an interesting contest. Simon's is a runaway winner without a doubt.
I think the point of mine was completely missed by an audience who have no knowledge of Irish history? All mail boxes in the UK are red. Eire, the Irish Republic, was once part of the UK and so they too had red mailboxes (hence "E R" -Edward VII- and the King's crown at the top of it). Why remove it and replace it at independence when all you have to do is change its colour? (to Irish Green). The image is a political commentary on the often very violent Irish struggle for independence from the ruling British and has nothing to do with a visit from the postmanwhatsoever.

I'd love to see this topic run as a monthly competition, I suspect there are not that many potential entries to hand, but a good opportunity to try something new. A shame I'd been so busy recently.

Mike