Monthly #65 - This Little Light of Mine Competition

One out of time image has had to be removed.

Thank You one and all for your entries. I am sorry for being late….I forgot to post until an e mail arrived from John! Sigh! Forgive me, December slipped in when I was not looking. I have enjoyed the photos as they were entered. These photos were amazing. Not a large amount entered, but to be honest, most of these were super creative, and show such superior skill levels! I am impressed.
Please remember that my comments are only my feelings and opinion. I am sharing the way I see and view your photos. I am always appreciative of your efforts and your time, so thank you all very very much!



Lighting up time
Perspicador:
It is amazing what kind of feelings can be ignited when looking at a photo. Even though I never have smoked, I did as a child grow in a generation of smokers. it was something nearly every adult did, or so it seemed to me that was true. I can remember my mum, cupping her hand, protecting her light, from the wind, as she lit hers. In the dark of the winter, her faced glowed, just as this photo shows. My first reactions to the photo was a warm childhood memory. The camera is focused more on the hands then the face, and I do not know if that was the intent or not, but I as the viewer, I wanted the eyes sharper. I think the real challenge in low light is to get the sharpness.
I am delighted that you entered the photo. In so many ways, it is a classic. How clever of you to think of this. Thank you.



Nap by Candle Light
Mag07
I really loved this photo. The beautiful bokeh, and the peaceful snoozing cat. I think in processing, I would have allowed more light on the cat, and just popped her out a bit more, or at least I would have done so and then compared it. I know I am sounding of two minds here, because I kind of am. The thing is, even though I feel the cat is a wee bit too dark, I am also drawn into the photo, to seek her out, to study her. You captured quite a masterpiece. Nice work.


First Fire
Wolvesrule
Ummm, you did read the rules, right:

“No huge bonfire, or burning buildings or such, for this comp.” The light did not appear very little?

And the truth is, it looks like a huge bonfire …..however it might be small and just looks big because of the angle and closeness of your camera . If that be the case, then I will judge the photo.
It is a wonderful picture of a fire. The bottom part of the photo is crisp and clear, and becomes softer as the fire rises in the sky. Like all fires, it is cool to look at. Fire, as destructive as it is, has a raw beauty all of its own. This photo did capture that beauty. I think I would have cropped off some of the black at the bottom of the photo also.



candle
davidwozhere
Oh David, we have a piece of art here. I could see this hanging in a gallery with people gathering around and having a great interruptive discussion on this photo. It is mysterious looking and compelling. The lower soft light at the bottom is wonderful in timing together all the dark between there and the upper flame. It is very creative. I really liked the way the flame spilled over the rim and doubled its light underneath. Best of all is the glowing rim. Super lovely work, thanks for entering.



I’ve Got Wings
derek897

Outstanding creativity. Wonderful workmanship. How sharp is that fire! WOW. The flames captures you, and you just want to stare at the form. How amazingly, the eye is pulled into the centre of the fire. I am 100 percent impressed. Three matches you say…. You are a genius I say. Magnificent capture! Thank you so much for your entry! WOW again.



Bottled Autumn
davidtrout

Another one of my favourite photographer on this site! What a wonderful photo this is. Sharp, colourful, and so interesting. I love it so much. I love the idea, and want to make one of these…and take a photo. Such detail and delicate soft beautiful light. AMAZING> Thanks for such a creative photo David.



Candle Light Owl
GlynM

Glen, I always love your work and again you keep me right up there full of admiration! That was a huge amount of work, and boy it really shows. How detailed and wonderful is this final image. Sharp! Super! I love your superior skill, your ability to be creative. All I can say is thank you so much for this masterpiece of “little light”



Oil Lamp
Noelcmn

Yeah! Thank you for a lamp. I really wanted one in the comp, and here it is. This photo is really done lovely. I like the way the top rim and the bottom base reflects back the softness of the light. The flame is soft and gentle, and really hit the theme bang on with being “little light”. It is simple, yet so elegant in the shaping of the glass with light. All round, it is a great photo. Thank you for the entry, it made my competition so complete.




FIRST PLACE: I’VE GOT WINGS : DEREK897

SECOND PLACE: BOTTLED AUTUMN: DAVIDTROUT

THIRD PLACE: CANDLE LIGHT OWL: GLYNM

Thanks so much for the interesting challenge JudithAnn, and for the enthusiastic comments on all the entries. Pity there hadn't been more of them. But I can't criticise other members, I don't enter many of the monthlies myself
Many thanks also for my second place and congrats to Derek and Glyn.
David

I heartily concur with our judge on that winning choice, excellent creativity and presentation. Congrats Derek897. And extended to Davidtrout and GlynM. Thanks JudithAnn, for the challenge and comments and critiques. Wonderful challenge, this, with stunning entries, and a pity there were so few entries. Over to Derek

Many thanks Judith for another excellent challenge and your wonderful reviews. I learnt quite a lot about shooting in the dark with this competition. Although I had several ideas my early attempts did not work well and made me think about how to go about achieving something presentable. It also certainly made it clear how good the other people's entries were.

Thanks also for awarding my owl third place. Although there were not many entries I thought they were all excellent images and so am honoured to be on the podium.

Congratulations to Derek for the brilliant winning image, fellow podium sitter David and everyone else for such a grand set of beautifully crafted pictures.

Glyn

Thanks Judith for an excellent comp, and very detailed comments.
The standard was very high so, I am really chuffed that you thought mine was worthy.
Congrats to all that entered.

No Pressure on me for the next one

Derek

And thank you everyone....as always this was an honour!

Leading lines uh? Okay lets go!

JA

Thanks Judith. We've come to expect high creativity from Derek - well done! As Glyn said, there was a deal of learning going on during this contest and it has produced some lovely images all round.

I'm confused. I entered an image a couple of weeks ago, I looked at the page a few times to show it to people, now my image is gone. What happened?

I suspect it might have been the image mentioned by John, above, that he removed because its shooting date in the exif was out of the range for this monthly competition. Entries for monthly competitions have to be shot during the month that the competition is running.

I hope this helps.

Glyn

Bit belated but nevertheless a hearty congratulations to all the winners. Thank you Judith for great comments. I do agree with you, but given the pic was taken in a completely dark room except for the few tea lights, it would probably require a bit more processing that I am normally comfy with to have the kitty better exposed Loved all the entries. Thank you again.