Visit MPB Visit MPB Visit MPB

Weekly # 586 - A photographer is a friend Competition

Competition Details
Closing Date: 07/10/2018
Judge: Noelcmn

I find I am regularly taking shots of other photographers either at work, or leisurely strolling along with camera strapped to the shoulder. Just last week I met one such and we had some fun shooting at each other, complete with flashes firing. So, despite the envy, and sometimes distrust, and even animosity, photographers (should) respect and honor each other. For this challenge, I would like to see your images of other photographers, and I will include the use of cell phones as cameras. Also included is gear used in the film making industry industry - if you are lucky enough. And you may even opt to enter a selfie of you and your much loved Pentax.

Rules and guidelines:
1. Images can be specially taken for this weekly challenge, or from your archives.
2. Only Pentax Cameras and or their acceptable clones are allowed.
3. The winner is expected to set and judge the next weekly challenge.
4. The challenge closes on Sunday night at midnight, and DV, Juding and comments and critiques to follow
Monday morning.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing your submissions.
Winner
Competition Entries
Noelcmn
Posted 08/10/2018 - 12:19 Link
My apologies, this is later than I had anticipated, and occasioned by the arrival of 4 ducklings, probably Mallard, in my home yesterday afternoon, and which required that I take them to the local SPCA this morning. Have no idea how they got to my yard, as this more concrete suburbia with no dam/marsh or such anywhere near where I live, so probably dumped by someone in my yard. And then the other usual ministry matters such as fetching some congregants from hospital this morning. In any event, thanks to all who entered the challenge, and I am gratified not only with the quantity, but the usual high quality images I have come to associate with these PU Challenges making the judging exercise more stressful. Here are some of my thoughts, starting with the first entry.

Perspicador-The figure on the bridge – As usual first of the mark, a wonderful image, a photographer in a landscape setting, with an excellent pop of red against all those pastel colours. Beautifully composed, colours spot with no noticeable over-saturation. Lovely storyline to this image, all alone, hinting at a passionate photographer pursuing their own unique tastes. Lovely shot!

Vic Cross- “SNAP”-A Japanese Pentax user- A cracking portrait, beautifully composed, sharp with excellent details, in a lovely setting. Colours are spot one, highly commendable eye contact, and a warm smile to boot! A critique would be the slight tilt of the horizon, which could have been corrected. An excellent ad for the Pentax Brand! I hope you sent this on to him, worthy of a place on the wall.

Johnriley- Skye Photographers – Excellent shot for the challenge, with all the paraphernalia associated with photographer, tripods, bags and loads of untidy clutter . Stunning DOF you got here, contributing to a wonderful composition, and I like the action in this image. Here too, some excellent details, colours on the button. Good that you left the sign in the picture on the right, adding elements of context. And I do love the palpable camaraderie here!

Smudge – Hassan- Another excellent portrait shot, eye contact spot on, compositional elements all there and appreciate that you composed it with that tree, adding some lovely balance to this image. I should mention another aspect of the composition here- the almost two tone colours in his clothes and background, creating just the right setting to highlight the facial features of Hassan. Loads of appreciable bokeh in this one too. I find handling the reflections created by people wearing glasses a very difficult aspect of portrait photography and here it has been handled very well, minimal glare and does not distract from the overall impact! Pretty sure Hassan will want this in his collection and maybe even convert him over to Pentax!


NigelK – When a Pro visited the Forge – wonderfully crafted image, the (and probably harsh) light utilized very well, to create a lovely impersonal and mysterious image. Enough details here to create a storyline, with that OOF forger in the background. Focus, DOF, colours and composition are all spot on as is the selective focus on the photographer! Some would nag about whatever it is that is behind the photographer, but here I think it has added some nice contextual elements, along with other bits of a typical workshop.

JAK- Minecraft -. Lucky you! Your fellow walking into the shot has added a lovely human element to an already high impact image. WOW, incredible details you got here, and one of those shots where, despite the myriad of details, the lone figure with his camera holds the attention and creates a lovely story line and mystique. And I doubt very much if the colour version would satisfy in the same way that the B/W has done here! Makes for a wonderful impactful image. It is debatable if that lamp should be removed, personally I think it adds a wonderful “halo” over the fellow and adds contextual elements. Other’s may consider it distracting. Well done!

Tyronet2000 - Bombed by Loco – though the photographers are not the main subject in this image, they nevertheless hold one’s attention, creating wonderful storyline, and one which many a photographer is familiar with. That they are enveloped by that cloud of smoke is just awesome! Beautifully composed shot, with excellent details and as with JAK’s shot, I doubt if the colour version will have the same impact! Just love all the contextual elements in this shot, the tunnel and the wall in particular! Great Shot! Train lovers delight!

Newbiek5user – Waiting to photograph the giants waking- Liverpool 2018 day 1 – My initial reaction to this shot- What an interesting, fascinating shot! For so many reasons, not least that they are all looking in the same direction at something I cannot see, leaving a vacuum for a great storyline. And all the clutter so typical of photographers! And why? There is a wonderful statue worthy of a photograph right next to them, and yet, they are looking elsewhere! An excellent shot of the “Street Photography” genre with some wonderful contextual elements, loads of wonderful details, DOF is excellent, as is the composition. And this critique would not be complete if I did not mention that priceless fella on his knees, speaks volumes about the photographer, your patience and timing! I can just imagine “The lengths photographers are prepared to go” caption on this one.

Davidtrout – Framing – What an excellent shot this is, despite that it has such a tight crop. Intriguing and mysterious, add to that some bad weather, and a stunning composition and you’re sure to be in the winning! A lot can be gauged about the photographer from this image- Timing (just waiting for them to be looking in the same direct) focus (all four profiles) are wonderfully sharp. The muted background, though discernible, adds a lot to the impact. In the silhouette genre, this is up there with the best! And as with Newbiek50user’s image, that kneeling, framed photographer is priceless!

Noelm – The best seat in the house – And indeed it is. In the land where I live, this kind of shot is just not possible, such is our neurosis about these things, so you’ve created at the least, a longing for such an opportunity, and dare I say, one here utilized to the max! And from the comments on this photo, you can gather I’m not the only filled with envy! An excellent image, with so much details its almost mesmerizing.
The DOF is wonderful too, capturing the passenger waiting for the train, and that through the window. But it’s the photographer that holds the attention here, the whole gamut of emotions beaming from his face. An unusual setting for a portrait shot, but it works! Very well in fact. Some would niggle at the composition, such as that the Camera has too little details, but I appreciate that some things have to be sacrificed, and you’ve opted to keep the numbers and words in the top left! Beautiful Shot!

Aragorclub - One K3 photographing another – Lovely portrait of a photographer in action, and contextually very appreciable making it compositionally very nice! Equally lovely is the selective focus, the DOF, the colours here and the details! Adrian will surely be happy with this one!

Paulb531- Twitchers – Super shot! Lovely story line, with some mystery. Symmetry an added bonus, and the selective focus here is excellent, as is the textures. And as with other B/W images in this challenge, it has big impact. Like the contextual details, especially the little bit of tree/shrub in the bottom right corner. And some optical illusion with the photographer and the man behind her is wonderful!

Well, this has proved more difficult than I am prepared to admit. A good representation of B/W images.

Choices are:

1st Place to Davidtrout – Framed - Just an excellent all round image.
2nd spot and just pipped by Davidtrout goes to Vic Cross – “SNAP’ A Japanese Photographer – High impact image.
3rd Spot to Johnriley-wonderful documentary shot of photographers at work!

And I am happy to award HC’s to all the other entries- all excellent in their own right.

Over to you David
johnriley
Posted 08/10/2018 - 12:55 Link
Nice choice of winner, that caught my eye as well. Some great shots there anyway, so well done to all. It's great to also see prompt judging, it's been a really good run in that respect, so long may that continue!
Best regards, John
noelm
Posted 08/10/2018 - 13:39 Link
My favorite too. Loved the atmosphere and 'Lowryesque' figures. Good competition with excellent comments.
tyronet2000
Posted 08/10/2018 - 14:19 Link
I am not surprised at the choice for first place so Congratulations to a Worthy Winner. Well done the other podium places and thanks Noelcmn for the interesting subject the judging and the comprehensive comments.
Regards
Stan

PPG
Nigelk
Posted 08/10/2018 - 14:36 Link
A worthy winner. Good work all around including the judging.
vic cross
Posted 08/10/2018 - 15:03 Link
Well done David. Always the "Bridesmaid. Never the bride" As the saying goes. I like coming 2nd. or 3rd. as it means I don't have to set and judge the next one. Thanks Noel.
A Great set this week and really good judging.
CHEERS Vic.
Born again biker with lots of Pentax bits. Every day I wake up is a good day. I'm so old I don't even buy green bananas.
davidtrout
Posted 08/10/2018 - 15:59 Link
Just come in and found I've won. Thanks Noel for an interesting subject and your helpful comments. Congratulations to Vic and John. There were some super photos right across the board..
I like the 'other' Noel's Flying Scotsman footplate photo with the 'Max 75mph speed' reminder to the driver - back in its heyday this loco was the first steam engine to be officially clocked hauling a train at more than 100mph. I also enjoyed Paul's photo of the bird photographers in their hide,
l'll post the next topic shortly.

David
Edited by davidtrout: 08/10/2018 - 16:11
paulb531
Posted 08/10/2018 - 19:45 Link
Congratulations to David excellent shot, well spotted and the standout shot. Many thanks to Noel for the competition and judging. Some interestingly takes on the subject.


Regards

Paul

Add Comment

To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.