Weekly #439 - Family Competition

Thanks to all who submitted an entry - good to see some "outside the box" thinking on how the theme could be interpreted. My comments are nothing more than personal reactions to what I see, which may well be different from what the photographer saw and wanted me to see, so please don't be offended if I seem to have missed your point! We all "like" different things!

1. Greylag goose family - Perspicador
Nice, tight framing and good clear colours, with textural contrast coming from the birds against the watery background. A pity the near adult's head is not quite in focus.

2. On the beach - cardiffgareth
Lots to catch the eye here - textures of sand, water, shadows, sky. Would a slightly tighter crop have brought the children a bit closer without losing too much? Detail is a bit lacking in the dark background of the buildings, but that's obviously not the main attraction. The light coming through from back to front and the sense of movement in the children I find very appealing.

3. Seasoned family - johnriley
Unusual but effective composition conveying both an intimacy with the main subjects in the front row and the impressive size of the arena/audience. The inevitable mixed bag of spectators - some clearly watching the photographer, others totally oblivious - brings lots of depth of interest, I think, without distracting from the main focus of the image.

4. Birthday - judithann
Clearly a very happy family occasion - I can almost hear a fine bass/baritone rendition of "Happy Birthday" from Grandad! Difficult lighting to cope with for a spontaneous shot and composition less important than capturing the moment here.

5. Ebb and Flo - tyronet2000
This prompted me to read up on the "Couple", which I hadn't heard of before, so thanks for that! I like the shot - the perspective belies any sense of "miniature", the light is lovely, and what a backdrop! Maybe stretching the idea of "family" though?

6. The Partridge Family - drofmit
Another photo with an interesting commentary. What a pity the birds are mostly showing their less photogenic backs, as red-legged partridge plumage is really striking!

7. Family portrait - pipinmels
Interesting textures again in the sand and water and a nice structure for the image. Would we realise it was a family without the title? Not sure.

8. Proud Mum - Noelcmn
School-leavers these days look so grown up when they get togged up for their leaving do! No wonder Mums are proud! A lovely sharp image.

9. On the rocks - paulb531
Can't make up my mind about this one! Looks like a typically windy day up on the rocks, but I'm not sure about the B&W. It certainly lends clarity to the subjects, but it looks like there should be lots of colour in the boys' teeshirts which could have added to the impact and taken the eye more away from the foreground rock they are sitting on. Still, great to see them enjoying the fresh air!

10. Takuma family - davidwozhere
An original interpretation of the them of the kind I was indeed hoping to attract! I like the thought and the arrangement which I find suggestive of a traditional family portrait with the elders standing at the back and juniors at the front! For me, out-of-focus junior at the very front just takes the edge off the image, but I like the idea very much.

Thanks again to all entrants - I hope I've managed to say positive things about all, but in the end it's down to personal taste as always.

Third place, for interpretation of the theme: The Takuma family

Second place, for interpretation and an image packed full of interest: Seasoned Family

First place, for interpretation, interest and being the one I like to look at most: On the beach

Well done, Gareth! Over to you!

Fabulous pic, worthy winner imho. Congrats Gareth, and extended to John and David. Thanks to Jvs for the challenge and the judging.

Congratulations to the winner and other places. Thanks to John for the interesting subject the judging and the comprehensive comments

Wow, thanks

Congrats also to John and David and everyone who entered.

New comp now up

More congratulations Gareth - I saw that beach scene and thought, "that's the one!"
Now, where shall we all go to find some fog?