Weekly #292 - Black Competition

Thanks for all the entries, there was a very good response to the theme, great diversity and a quality field which I have enjoyed viewing. Apologies for being a bit brief with this one. I've judged a similar competition elsewhere tonight so have had a bit of a marathon. As ususal these are neither the right nor the wrong opinions, they are just my opinions:


John Riley

I appreciate the skill in producing this image. It is very strange and creepy and I mean that in a positive way. I do like this but I have a strong preference for images that are more evidently of a photographic origin, particularly in a judging scenario.

Geordie

It is sharp. I like this simple, effective image. I like the patterns of the little platelets. There is a bit of horizontal perspective distortion so the 'sharp' slopes down to the right and I think this would be better corrected.

Bforbes

Another simple, effective abstract. I like the patterns. Because of the just off symmetry I would be tempted to dispense with the tyres at the side, maybe just blacking them out and then cropping to centre the main tyre and clone the mucky bits. I think it is thoroughly decent, I think it could be very good.

Davidtrout

It is a good graphic image. I feel the same way about this as with JR's image. I'm sure I would prefer the photo.

Sean 282

A very handsome find. Difficult of course to photograph in situ and I think you have depicted it very well considering. Somebody likes polishing.

Darlene

Always photogenic and somewhat comical. Good depth of field on this cute shot.

Dr Mhuni

Weird and wonderful, well spotted and well executed. Posh hotel meets the Hubble telescope. Probably in a genre all of its own.

JudithAnn

It's a great family album shot, the little fella in the middle is a hoot. To be honest it feels a bit strange having two looking away and one at camera. Unusual is good and I like the interpretation of the theme but I have seen finer portraits of yours.

AndyS

A very amusing moment. That bird quickly needs to remember how to fly.

Sandinista

To be honest it's not one of my favourite photos of yours, of which there are plenty to admire. But it is still good and more a reflection on your very high standards. I do like the clever interpretation of the theme and the accompanying story.

LukeSkywalker (can't spell it from memory the other way round)

Wet pavement and streetlight at night is good but at f4 there isn't much to focus and so it feels a bit soft. I would prefer the pavement to be more detailed and I think there needs to be a bit more visible of houses to the left. Nice idea to revisit.

Aliengrove

It is rare to come across unique looking images but here is one. A very good looking shot and well spotted opportunity. A little more space at the top would have made it perfect.

Wvbarnes

An evocative, almost fantastical scene. No exif, but presumably this was handheld at high iso. But I don't mind the noise here or the soft foreground, I think it adds to the atmosphere.

VBC

I like the pose, the mood and the composition. I am an admirer of your work but I'm not keen on this as the patch of light bugs me.

Gartmore

The image is only 314 by 450. This image won the first competition I entered here and deservedly so, it is a great portrait. But what am I supposed to do with this small version? Go and find it elsewhere and judge that or judge the image entered, which is too small to view or judge properly. Should a winning image be entered to a second competition?

Paulb531

I've been on the wagon since the New Year, so this is difficult viewing. Nice shot, very tempting.

Jim-w

A decent execution of a difficult shot. I think it needs just a little more detail somewhere, a more distinct form as a focal point but I do like the concept.

Tyronet 2000

The black cat in a coal mine shot with added black eyes. Definitely wins the blackest shot accolade. I think a more conventional composition of the cat looking into the space would have utilised the black optimally. The lighting is obviously very difficult and ideally would be more diffuse to minimise the bright speckles. Concept is excellent.

Cardiff Gareth

I suspect this was rather difficult to photograph. No tripod and behind glass situation maybe. So it is a bit soft but it is otherwise a very good looking shot.

AxelLuther

Almost as uncomfortable to look at as a pint of Guinness. A very good shot. The tight framing and the cutting off of the ears and mouth is I imagine calculated to look awkward and thus enhance the disconcerted feeling for the viewer.

Northgrain

Elegant simplicity, interesting silhouette, sharp outline, great colour in the sky and the more distant slope adds an extra dimension. This crop works well, I think there are other possibilities too, such as a bold crop down the 'V' to the left of centre leaving the most interesting section of the silhouette, the rock that looks like Barney Rubble, on a third.

Nicesparky

Plenty of product placement in this shot. It is different, I rather like it. It is a little soft though, some tripod movement possibly, and I think the blacks could actually be a little blacker.

Quackpants

Great subject and a basically very handsome looking mono with a gothic feel, the colour popping works well and the compo is very good. I just think the processing could be reined it a little as the edges of the pier look a little strange against the sky and there is some haloing here and there.

Dodge69

Hmmmmm. I really like the subject and the long exposure (I've been meaning to do exactly that for ages now) . The composition is good although the base of the chimneys would have been good. But the processing is not for me. I know I would much prefer this as a straight mono .

Velimir

I see what you mean and it adds a welcome touch of something a bit different, although the shot really isn't about that illsuion for me. I like the two 'fack's as wel, addsa bit of grittiness.

Andybrownhome

Quite a spooky looking shot, I'm sure that is intentional. The direction of the glance, missing ears and strange grin give that odd feel. It's not easy to do an unusual cat portrait so I like this.

Hyram,

Nice to see you back again. I like the idea of the shot, I'm not sure why I find it interesting but I just do. On balance I think I would prefer either better image quality or to accentuate the lack of it with a grittier or grungier feel.

GlynM

This doesn't tempt me as I don't like liquorice. A good subject and shot for the competition always deserves a pat on the back.. The reflections give it a quite harsh feel, no bad thing but I would like to see how the same shot comes out with diffused lighting.

Solas

A really interesting abstract, interesting patterns, composition and a good colour combination. Well spotted.

GaryJohn

Good abstract, a nice flow to the photograph. I'm not so keen on the wet leaf as it reminds me of drains, but cloning looks straightforward if wanted. This looks a bit too blue, like the white balance is a little off, although I can't be trusted to talk about what is normal with colour.

AndrewA

Eyes closed portraits are difficult to make work but this definitely suits the grumpiness which comes through strongly. Good interpretation, especially with teh eyelashes.

KPATEP

A pleasant Spanish corner. There is some silhouetting/semi-silhouetting and some darker areas but I wouldn't say black is particularly dominant in this scene. I suppose the moped (horse) is black but because it is shaded it is a bit difficult to tell.

Japers45

I like this portrait, quite intimate and there is an ambiguous mood to it so it can be interpreted in different ways. It looks a bit soft to me but if the exif is to be believed the subject did very well to remain so still for 2 seconds.

Results:

1 Dr Mhuni
2 Northgrain
3= Aliengrove, Solas

HC's

AndrewA, Andybrownhome, AxelLuther, Geordie01, Sandinista, Quackpants, Wvbarnes, Darlene





















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Brilliant judging.... a great comp with so many wonderful entries. well done to all.

Congratulations to the winner and other placings. An interesting challenge.

First class subject with succinct and accurate critique. Congratualtions to Judge Adrian and Winner Andrew and all the other placings.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Congratulations to Dr Mhuni - a worthy winning entry.

Many thanks to Dr Orloff for an interesting subject and for the judging.

Great compo, well done to the winners!

That's a surprise - some good entries this week. Thanks for the win, Dr O, and for the concise and pithy judging. Congrats to the others you singled out.

Thank you Judge....I did not chose it for the portrait effect but rather the blackness, it is often a challenge to use black and keep detail....I thought your topic terrific and challenging.

Congrats to all the winners, first place well chosen.

Regards
JA

Many thanks Adrian for another great competition. I thought the subject was very original and a terrific challenge.

I tried several different things that I just could not get to work and the liquorice was an easy fall-back.

Congratulations to Dr Mhuni for the wining image and everyone else for another fantastic set of images.

Glyn

Gosh, second

Very very happy with that given the quality and variety of the entries.

Congratulations Dr Mhuni - a great winning shot - and to the other placings.

And many thanks to Adrian for an excellent topic, his judging and typically constructive comments.

That was fun and well done the fabulous winner. Excellent summary in judging.

My Parga Greece shot EXIF by the way (no idea how it went missing, my error not spotting it) was for interest:
Pentax KR
1/5th Sec (hand held, leaning on a lamp post)
3200 ISO
35mm (18 - 55mm DA MkII)
Pattern metering

I now have a K5 so would love to go take it again

Congrats Dr M a great winning shot. Congrats too to the other podiums and thanks for the third place. Some great entries and excellent judging as usual!

very special topic and great judging - have seen so many good entries this week and I like all the ones on the podium - I still can't figure out the real composition of the winning shot - this is a very special shot, that pushes imagination a lot.