Monthly #57 - Books, Tomes and Librams Competition

Many thanks to all the members who entered their images in this. It's been a good turnout and the images are all relevant and produced well, none of which makes the judging of them any easier. There were a couple deleted for being out of time period, so do please remember that the monthly competition is for new images made in the month of the competition.

Onwards then to the judging.

Perspicador is hot off the starting line again, with the first image posted. The two bird books set the tone and the David Attenborough DVD has a vintage style cover that many bird books of the past would have echoed, so the chance was there to find something that echoed the style. That was not to be, and to be honest I don't see how Harry Potter really fits in with Books, Tomes and Librams. Not on DVD anyway. So some interesting ideas don't quite come together this time.

We get to learn a little of the tastes of davidwozhere as we examine his eclectic collection. I like the angle, which adds a certain dynamic to the shot. I don't know how the blue cloth fits in, but I might have moved that out of shot if possible.

newbiek50user may have to have that username revised as clearly the newbie status will not be lasting for very long. The shot is tidily arranged and in a sense this care has somewhat negated the idea of a miscellaneous untidy desk. It is entirely possible that there would be some horror if the level of untidiness of my own desk could be seen. Technically nice and sharp and the same care has been shown in levelling and arranging the composition.

laupd has produced a very interesting shot, with beautiful simplicity in its design. It is not the sharpest of the images here by a long way, but what it has is atmosphere and feeling. The emotional content is excellent, evoking a distant past in a highly effective way.

GlynM has given us a very very clear idea also, well exposed and technically spot on. I'm finding it a bit static though in terms of its composition. Now I know still life images are static by their very nature, but what I am trying to express is the lack of variation in the arrangements of the components of the image. The still life is a very demanding and difficult style of photography. In this case I think we need a more varied and interesting arrangement.

go4IT has made the start of an interesting arrangement and the idea of learning and an Apple for Teacher is a good idea. Unfortunately the apple isn't very sharp and has various over exposed areas. So again perhaps a re-arrangement of the components and also maybe consideration as to whether we should see the title of that foreground book rather than the opening edge?

paulb531 has spotted something interesting, but not just copied somebody else's artwork. Decisions have still had to be made as to how to present this, where to crop, and the result is working well. A shot selected with precision.

JAK has provided us with another coherent and well thought through tale. The vintage of all the parts is right, the focus good, the exposure fine. The only small point I have as a suggestion is that as much as possible of areas outside the table could be avoided. The curved edges top and bottom left do slightly distract. But let's not quibble too much, that's a minor point and it's a great idea.

noelcmn has also had a great idea and this works well in terms of the arrangement of the tomes. I would have moved the cup and the other competing details in the background, so that we could totally become absorbed in the pleasure of viewing all that fine leather binding.

tyromet200 is right up to the minute and gives us new books on new subjects. Unfortunately there is a slight technical hitch, with the picture showing a very slight amount of double image. this causes a slight blurring of the words, which I feel need to be totally sharp as we can't help being tempted to read what is written.

Moonraker has done an excellent job at arranging his image, with the open book giving us the vintage feel that complements the furniture perfectly. The strip of blank area top right could perhaps be done without, but otherwise very well done.

And finally, drofmit provides us with insight into the culinary skills of his household. Instinctively, it makes me reach for the coffee, but sadly the cup is already empty. Then I'm starting to think of breakfast, but that too is some hours away. So you've made me think of food and drink, obviously the picture has been quite effective.

Oh, the difficulty of choosing the winners! But we must, so this is the result.

First place goes to laupd for a very evocative and simple shot. The slight softness if anything enhances that 1950s feel. Excellent.

Second place to Moonraker. Lovely arrangement and style, really interesting book.

Third place to JAK whose homework has brought a good result. Great work, well done.

Noelcmn deserves a Highly Commended for a great effort, as does the dynamic composition provided by davidwozhere.

Many thanks to all who entered, and I hope you find my suggestions and thoughts useful. Now over to laupd to give us a competition for April.

Very fine competition, pity there were so few entries. Still, I like the variety of interpretations and techniques displayed here, not to mention some memories kindled by some images, such as Dromfit's, which reminded me of my late boss and colleague, who did exactly the same thing with his vast collection of books (he was a hoarder of note and books are the easiest to hoard), putting a strip of paper at important pages. Congratulations to Laupd -, an excellent image, and as noted by our competent judge, simple and evocative. And extended to Moonraker ( which I expected to bag this one) with another evocative image, and 3rd placed JAK, with thanks for reminding me of HOMEWORK . Congrats too to my fellow placed HM Davidwozhere, whose image I liked for its unusual angle, which is unusual for books and tomes. Thanks for the HM, and for a great judging exercise, comments and critiques, to our judge, I learned some here!

Congratulations to the Winner and other placings. Thanks to John for the interesting subject, the judging, and the comprehensive comments. Note to self: Use a tripod for every image

Congratulations to the winner (my choice too), and to the others mentioned. Thanks to John for a great subject and excellent judging and the helpful comments on my effort. Well done all. Sally 😊

Sorry Sally, my one failure in the carefully worded judging exercise! Or at least I think there was only one. Will do better next time!

Forgiven on the back of your kind comments John 😄 Sally.

Many thanks John for another great competition and your interesting comments.

Congratulations to our winner, the runners-up and everyone else for wonderful and diverse set of images.

Glyn

No surprise about the winner----a charmer. Hearty congratulations laupd!! John, your comments and observations are greatly appreciated, as well as your dispatch in reporting the results.

Now, back to the drawing board, lesson learned.

Go4IT

An enjoyable collection of images, well done all those who contributed and a special congratulations to laupd for first place

Congratulations to laupd - a well crafted shot. Many thanks to John for the competition and the expert critique.

Regards

Paul

Many thanks John for the feedback and, well, picking my image as the winner... naturally very pleased !

The irony of your feedback... I'd shot a series using a tripod, they a few handheld simply because the sun came out and created a warm light through the window. This shot was the next to last one taken and I chose it because it matched the 50s style I'd tried to create. Your feedback reflects exactly what I hoped.

Well done to all of the other entries, I will decide over night on the next theme and look forward to reviewing and awarding this time next month.

Paul

Super result Paul - (I had yours tagged for a win). And thanks for an interesting collection all round. I particularly liked the richness of the colours in Noel's shot, which must have been a bit of a problem for him in the composition dept. the way they stuck out everywhere. Very concise set of comments too - Thanks John.

Exactly!
Thanks for the placing John and well done to all the placings, indeed to all. It was quite thought wrenching to try and conjure up a suitable original image.