Weekly #433 - Fire and smoke Competition

Weekly competition #433 Fire and Smoke
Thanks to everyone who entered and gave us a wide interpretation of the subject. I've enjoyed all of these images.

Camp fire by Perspicador
I like the warm orangey red tones of the flames set against the green of the background. The burning wood is so vividly depicted I can clearly imagine the crackle of the fire and smell the wood smoke.

Tidying for winter by John Riley
Another shot that oozes all the atmosphere of a bonfire with the smouldering heap of the fire set against the trees and the russet forest floor. It's the smoke that takes centre stage rather than the flame as in the previous shot. The smouldering heap of the fire itself is so evocative of scenes such as this that it almost brings tears to the eye.

Gunfire and smoke by JAK
This image conjures up a sense of the loud bangs of gunfire rather than smoky eyes and of military precision in action. I was delighted to see this is a scanned image from film taken on a Pentax ME camera.

Flamma aerternvm by i-Berg
This is a fantastic ANZAC day photo, so original. Rather than a 'documentary view' of the occasion with lines of veterans and visitors standing to attention the Eternal Flame is the point of the picture, drawing attention to the text on the commemoration stone with the heat distorting the text.

Turn up the heat by Mudge
This looks scary, the huge flame shaped like some unwelcome ghostly visitor and also the menace of the fire which seems uncomfortably close to the staff and customers. It's certainly dramatic and packs a massive punch. On the downside detail in a large area of the flame is burned out.

Burned out by Tyronet2000
Some of the simplest ideas often make great images. A scene that is almost an everyday sight can evoke mall sorts of responses in the mind of the viewer, recalling the smell of smoke from a dying candle for instance as here. You've captured this beautifully Stan.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire by Pippinmels
This scene is full of atmosphere with the guys huddled up in their coats and jackets and the warm glow of the fire coming through. It's an appealing picture and its making me regret just how long it is since I had roasted chestnuts. It's just a pity the fire tripod is cutting through the face of the man nearest the camera.

Rainbow smoke by Cardiff Gareth
Artistic smoke, I love it. I've never tried this trick but I image there's a lot of trial and error involved but the end results are generally well worth it. This makes a very satisfying image of shape and colour.

Fire eater by Paulb531
Until I looked at the EXIF I thought this must have been a very high ISO effort, but you've done well to capture this so experty at just ISO 200. It works well in black and white so it would be churlish to suggest it might have been better in colour. Although this looks like a Halloween event (Scar of the fire eater's face) I was interested to see it was taken last May.

Fire on a misty morning by NoelCMN
I really like the soft, misty early morning light in this image. The subdued colour, pinpricked by the hot splash of red from the fire, has that feel good factor. There's so much of interest in the frame apart from the fire, the pile of logs, the gaunt winter tree and that hazy outline of the thatched building are all fascinating elements in the composition.

Lighting up the church on Basttille Day by Drofmit
A late arrival at the party, Tim's entry arrived half an hour before deadline with a bang and a sparkle. The firework display is beautifully recorded and the light show turns the church tower into a wonderful silhouette. I enjoyed the dimly lit but non-the-less clearly seen revellers, no doubt sampling their wine.

Results
1: Flamma aerternvm by i-Berg for artistic interpretation and simple but highly effective technique.
2: Burned out by Tyronet2000 for a beautifully rendered photo.
=3 cardiffgareth for Rainbow Smoke and NoelCMN for fire on a misty morning.
To all the other entries - you are commended.
David

Thank you David - a pleasant surprise, as I had three others picked (2, 3 and one other) as my top placegetters.

Congrats all!

On to #434

Congratulations to the Winner and other placings. Thanks to David for the interesting subject, the judging and the comprehensive comments. Thank you fo my unexpected 2nd place.

Congratulations i-Berg....
tyronet, cardiffgareth and Noelcmn...
great variety of shots... loadsa inspiration...
and David... yes, very late in entering, I'm afraid...
it took me almost all day to pick a winner in the monthly!
I was pictured out... mentally and physically!
Must make a note NOT to set a subject that will lead....
to so many similar images...
must set a subject more like this!!!
Clear differences between the images...
and I want some roast chestnuts, now, please!

Congratulations I-Berg, tyronet2000,cardiffgareth and Noelcmn. A well done and thank you to David for the competition and judging. Quite a challenging subject I thought which produced not one of my better efforts.

Regards

Paul

I loved this challenge, despite the heat wave around here, very pleasant images, and pleased as punch to get a 3rd spot. congratulations I-Berg, I agree with our competent judge's comments. Congrats too to Tyronet2000 and my fellow 3rd spot CardiffGareth. Thanks to our Judge for an appreciated challenge and judging exercise.

Congratulations to I-Berg, great shot as well as tyronet2000 and Noelcmn.

Also well done to David for the great judging