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Weekly #493 - Red Competition

Competition Details
Closing Date: 25/12/2016
Judge: davidtrout

We've had competitions for blue and yellow that I know of and probably green and purple. And I know we've used red as a theme previously but as this is the most dominant and eye catching of colours - its also the colour favoured by Father Christmas - lets go with it again.
I'm looking for pictures where the colour red forms a prominent, or at least an arresting, part of the image
The subject matter is wide open and can embrace landscapes, portraits, architecture, sport, nature...... etc.
Just remember the pictures must be taken on Pentax cameras or closely related clones and the winner is expected to pick the following week's topic, judge the entries and comment on them. Deadline: Sunday Night midnight GMT. That's Christmas Night. JEEZ.
Competition Entries
davidtrout
Posted 26/12/2016 - 00:30 Link
PENTAX WEEKLY COMPETITION RED

Dredging vessel by Perspicador
The image is interesting because the heavily loaded dredger/barge is so low in the water you fear for the safety of the crew. The weight of the load can be seen because the vessel is pushing a bow wave of titanic proportions. The red is there (in the wheelhouse) and draws the eye despite the fact that it occupies only a small area in the frame. A little more contrast might add to the quality of this picture.

Christmas in Maderia by Paulinesunlady
There's a simple charm to this colourful scene, it lifts the spirits and shouts CHRISTMAS at you. The composition is also well balanced. This appears to be Pailinesunlady's first entry in a weekly competition and also a first submission of any kind on Pentax User. Welcome aboard and here's looking forward to many more contributions.

Red stars by peterf
Another competition first timer here. Peter's capture of deep rich red colour in a Stuttgart market is is very attractive. The image has the added bonus of depicting the window panes which set the scene in context.
An accidental shot of someone's feet by kh1234567890
What fun. If this was an accident as opposed to a carefully worked out idea then you have put it to good use. I like the passing feet in the background but this would have worked better if they had been (a) less in focus or (b) given movement blur

Male northern cardinal by chrisseager
This is delicious to the eye, what a beautiful colour and wonderfully controlled background. The angle of the branch which forms the perch is perfect and there is enough detail in the bokeh to give the image its natural history context. It might benefit from a little bit of cloning in the upper half of the right side of the frame to get rid of an intrusive piece of the twig but the overall effect for me - a non-natural history photographer - is wonderful

Nicola by johnriley
What a beautiful portrait. The model has a winning smile with an air of innocence but as with the Mona Lisa there is a faint hint of mischief in there. The colours are striking, well balanced and harmonious. Handled by a photographic expert.

Baubles by gennyop
Yet another competition newby, although gennyop has been a member since 2015. This is so simple and like Peterf's entry the subdued lighting gives the colour a very satisfying richness. The dominant bauble is beautifully sharp and is set against an OOF backdrop. I notice from the EXIF this was shot in manual mode. It suggests to me that gennyop is an accomplished photographer, confident in handling the difficult technicalities of a scene such as this.

Welcome to the vortex by GlynM
Glyn says he was trying to do something different - well he often does just that and he's done it again. Close ups of flower heads are very beautiful when expertly photographed but you see so many of them only those that are different stand out from the crowd. This is a stand out example. The details of the procedure used to achieve this result are well explained and interesting but for the purpose of judging I'm concerned only with the end result. And I love it.

Amanita the red by Dariusz
Another vivid rendition of the colour red, by yet another competition first timer. I really enjoy looking other photographers' macro shots because (a) they explore detail rarely noticed in an ordinary view, and (b) it's not a branch of photography I've ever done. This fascinating shot is slightly let down by not being critically sharp where it needs to be but it's still a good effort and a worthy entry in this competition.

Red Royal Scot by Froggy
This locomotive has changed its colour since this photo was taken - it's now green. Fortunately you caught soon after it was restored when it was. I suspect this was shot from quite a long way off with a long lens and then blown up but you've rendered the engine very sharp. It appears to be on the move as there is exhaust steam coming from the chimney and it has good head of steam, the safety valves have lifted. I like the fact you've colour popped the engine against a mono background to isolate it from the landscape.

Rudolph who? mine's better by Ken2390
A fun colourful picture which perfectly fits the remit of this competition. I like the suggestion of an arch in the background which frames the clown nicely. It's a traditional sort of clown picture but it's been well handled. In the background there's a suggestion of a window arch adds some context. This entry changed its title after it was first downloaded.

What's this one for by JAK
The red here is so vivid I sought out my sunglasses. The only other colour of any significance is the subdued OOF blue which nicely compliments the red. The scene is well captured in classic street photography style - a fleeting moment in time captured candidly and un-posed. Nice one.

Gred lead by davidwozhere
Clever idea, well set up and photographed and very effective. I don't know what the 'gred' means but ..hey...it's the picture I'm judging not the title and I like it.

Tyne guardian by Andymat
One of Tyneside's lesser known landmarks - at least by people from outside the area. But this lighthouse is much loved and photographed by we locals. Andy's picture is a classic. Using the dunes grasses as a foreground has worked very well and interest is held by the view across the mouth of the Tyne to the North Pier. The light house is perfectly positioned in the frame. What's not to like?

Stillness of the harbour by Velimir
The red ship enlivens what appears to be a dull day, it stands out against the muted colours of the dockside building, while cloud detail in the overcast sky has been well rendered. At first I thought the large foreground area of grey water was rather dead, but on second thoughts this adds to the quality of this rather bleak scene in a positive way.

Red and grey by AndrewA
On first viewing this reminded me of pictures I've seen of the holocaust memorial in Berlin but obviously this is quite different. I love abstracts such as this that test the mind and imagination - just as I believe did the original artist. By abstracting detail Andrew has turned someone's artwork into a new piece of creative art, beautifully composed and leading the eye round the picture to explore details as well as exercising the mind. One of these days I must get to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

Red with a touch of blue by Vic Cross
....and also a touch of green. Fun on a summer's day is just what we need to be reminded of at this time of year although Vic's shot suggests it wasn't a particularly sunny day, although the rather dull cloudy sky might be due to shooting upwards causing slight under exposure.

Four red telephone boxes by mikeindevon
Eye catching detail which accurately meets the brief of the competition. Phone boxes are becoming a rarity these days. However I would like to have seen something more to animate the scene, such as a person in or entering one of the boxes, or anything that would give the image a focal point such as a broken window in one of them or a splash of graffiti. Please don't interpret this as me inciting vandalism.

The red box by grahamevans
I like the historical details in this - an elegant Victorian era post box and the much older buildings in the background. The vibrant red of the box really stands out against the houses. The scene works well as a period piece record shot with no modern yellow lines to spoilt the effect, though the road surface does look modern.

Red float at the Nerja San Isidro Parade by Marqueemoon
Wonderful vibrant colours hit me in the eye when I first looked at this fine photo. These little people have been caught candidly. I like the pose of the children, three of them are looking to the right at whatever event is going on but the two little girls in the centre are more interested in their private conversation. A nice liitle slice of life with plenty of red thrown in as a bonus.

Cafe Rouge By Paulb531
As Paul says, you’ve got to try something different and its paid off here. I like the treatment which concentrates the eye on just three colours, red. blue and green. And of course red is the dominant factor. The arrangement of the furniuture is excellent. I don’t know if you took this as seen or whether you indulged in a little re-arranging. Whatever, it works.

Red ring by Michael Blue
The EXIF attached to this image is misleading – it says the photo was taken on something called a %G7 and I immediately thought Canon. But when I uploaded it to my laptop and checked the EXIF declared it was taken on a Pentax K10D. Michael has also PM'd me tp confirm this.Problemn solved.
I really like the composition and the use of red/white and black. The red cloak is rich but what I really enjoyed was the tiny touch of red in the finger ring. Masterful.

Auburn Diamond by Stephen-s
I like the back lighting which gives her hair a wonderful glow as it does her red hair decoration. Detail has been well retained in the shadow area, including her red neck adornments and her red…..err…top. It looks like one from the Goths Festival which has provded many of us photographers with some wonderful photo opportunities over the years, as is evidence here.

Red leaves with some bokeh by Noelcmn
This lovely. The red leaves against the beautiful blue bokeh make a wonderful picture which not only has aesthetic appeal but is also technically accomplished from a photography point of view. A very nice late entry.

Not the bishop by Drofmit
A similar style of picture to the previous one but none the less quite different. This is also extremely attractive but one in which the background detail plays a more prominent part in the image. My admiration for both these photos is equal and had they been vying for the top spot it would been difficultt seperating them.
I hope Tim finds Bishop before long.

Bus by simonmac
Just when you think you’re done judging along comes a bus, or rather a late entry with just one minute to deadline. Well done of catching the bus just in time Simon. Who can resist a red bus like this in a well captured street scene so thanks to you Simon and everyone else who entered this Christmas


1 GlynM
2 AndrewA
3 Michaelblue
HCs Andymat, Noelcmn Paulb531and Drofmit
Edited by davidtrout: 26/12/2016 - 00:40
Noelcmn
Posted 26/12/2016 - 05:06 Link
WHAT A FABULOUS CHALLENGE, and starting with a hearty thanks to our host and judge for this one I think is in order. Thanks David, what a pleasure it has been to view all the wonderful entries, and with so many, I was tempted not to enter. A Christmas bonus this one. And as usual, excellent comments and critiques from which to learn and appreciate. Congratulations GlynM, your PP skills make me envious, a deserved win, though I thought AndrewA's image had it in the bag. So a congratulations to him too a deserved 2nd spot, and Michaelblue, for that "Oh so elegant" piece of costume, wonderfully rich and cultured. And congratulations to my fellow HC's Andymat, Paulb531 and Dromfit. I'm too chuffed to get a HC, what with all these wonderful entries. Thanks for that one David, lovely way to start an early Monday morning. Great shots everyone, gratifying to see so many entries. 30 by my count. And hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. And now to prepare for New Years day celebrations, and for what Glyn has in store for us.
GlynM
Posted 26/12/2016 - 07:11 Link
Many thanks David for a superb competition. I was really impressed by the number of entries that it attracted but felt for the amount of work that you obviously had to put in, at what must be a busy time, with those wonderful reviews. It is certainly going to be difficult to follow.

Many thanks also for awarding my abstract vortex the top slot .

Congratulations to my fellow podium sitters Andrew and Michael, the HCs Andymat, Noelcmn Paulb531& Drofmit and everyone else for a fantastic set of red images.

I will have a think about a new subject and set up the next competition
soon.

Glyn
Edited by GlynM: 26/12/2016 - 07:24
Simonmac
Posted 26/12/2016 - 08:48 Link
Ha!

Great photographs as always.

Well done to all! Thank you David for the competition and lovely judging.

Unlike most buses here at least my entry was on time!

Simon
macmccreery.com
www.flickr.com/photos/simac/
www.500px.com/simac
andymat
Posted 26/12/2016 - 09:23 Link
A nice open and interesting subject has given you a lot to comment on! And over Christmas too. So many thanks for a not insubstantial amount of time and effort judging. Merry Christmas, what there is of it left and a happy new year.
paulb531
Posted 26/12/2016 - 10:52 Link
Congratulations to Glyn and other podium places. some excellent photos for this competition. Many thanks to David for an excellent competition and get the results and feedback completed on time at this busy part of the year - which was first class.

We have to way back to competition #351 since this subject was used. it's interesting to see what won it then

happy new year to all

Regards

paul
davidtrout
Posted 26/12/2016 - 11:31 Link
Noelcmn wrote:
Congratulations GlynM, your PP skills make me envious, a deserved win, though I thought AndrewA's image had it in the bag. So a congratulations to him too a deserved 2nd spot, and Michaelblue, for that "Oh so elegant" piece of costume, wonderfully rich and cultured. And congratulations to my fellow HC's Andymat, Paulb531 and Dromfit.

Glyn's and Andrew's entries came very close for top spot. In the end it was Glyn's impressive PP skills that swung it for me.
David
davidtrout
Posted 26/12/2016 - 11:37 Link
paulb531 wrote:
Congratulations to Glyn and other podium places. some excellent photos for this competition.
We have to way back to competition #351 since this subject was used. it's interesting to see what won it then

happy new year to all

Regards

paul

I thought that image was familiar. And to think I judged that competition as well.
But there is nothing in the rules to say you can't enter the same image more than once - even if its previously won a competition.
David
paulb531
Posted 26/12/2016 - 12:26 Link
Like you David I was convinced I had seen the image a few times before - I just had to find out where? Like you said nothing in the rules to say you can't enter photos over again and I don't have a problem with it.

regards

paul
johnriley
Posted 26/12/2016 - 13:19 Link
What an incredible display of eye-catching red this competition has been. Things have come a long way since the first Red competition, for sure.

Well done to all and congatulations to our last winner for 2016!
Best regards, John
AndrewA
Posted 26/12/2016 - 14:42 Link
Well done David for getting the results and comments done by the end of Christmas Day!

Congratulations Glyn and everyone else for some super entries, and thank you for second - that will do me with judging due by New Year's Day
Andrew

"I'm here because the whiskey is free" - Tyla

PPG link
Flickr link
Posted 26/12/2016 - 20:00 Link
Excellent competition and brilliant judging. I wouldn't have expected such comprehensive comments on Christmas Day, thanks for making such an effort.
michaelblue
Posted 26/12/2016 - 21:25 Link
Hello all and thanks David for a great competition.
Sorry about that mix up with the EXIF, (if anyone can explain why it always comes up as 'gobbledygook' when I upload photos I'd very much appreciate it)
Well done Andrew and Glyn, I must say also....... I thought 'Gred Lead' was very clever!
Also well done David for the very prompt and interesting comments, particularly at this busy time
Regards,
Michael
drofmit
Posted 26/12/2016 - 23:09 Link
Thanks for a great competition...
and congratulations to Glynn, Andrew and Micheal... and my fellow HCs
The last few "general" subjects seem to have drawn peoples' creativity....
I think Pentax Users like the freedom our cameras give us....
long may that be!!

Congratulations and thanks to you David for getting such a constructive set of comments out for Boxing Day early doors!!
Wishing all my fellow photographers a wonderful 2017.... and remember... digital film is free at the point of use!!
Never be afraid to talk about your techniques...
"Give a thousand photographers...
the same camera, lens and scene...
and you'll always get a thousand different takes!!"
Anon.
drofmit
Posted 26/12/2016 - 23:17 Link
And, on the subject of entering the same picture more than once....
I do not know about anyone else... but I don't tag my pix as entered before....
nor what subject the previous entry might have had...
so, if I enter something you seen me enter before...
apologies!
And I don't have any problems with anyone entering a previous winner again...
we all judge differently... it may not have won... and wouldn't if I'd set and judged...
I had another one that isn't in the winners or HCs as my favourite!!
Vive la difference!
Never be afraid to talk about your techniques...
"Give a thousand photographers...
the same camera, lens and scene...
and you'll always get a thousand different takes!!"
Anon.
davidtrout
Posted 27/12/2016 - 10:07 Link
MarqueeMoon wrote:
Excellent competition and brilliant judging. I wouldn't have expected such comprehensive comments on Christmas Day, thanks for making such an effort.

A few of you have commented on my 'prompt' comments particularly because this was at Christmas.
The fact is my usual method when I've had to set a new competition is to compose my thoughts on each picture as soon as they start coming in early in the week. This way I do a few at a time, no big deal.
I leave the choice of winners to the very last moment although my favourites have been coming to the top in my mind throughout the week - and also changing as new entries come in.
Three new pictures arrived late on Christmas night when I was at my daughter's extremely noisy family party.
I sat with my lap top playing the part of the grump in the corner while everyone else sang horribly out of tune, told tasteless jokes and drank far too much.
I went to bed around 1am reasonably sober, my head ringing and me hoping I hadn't cocked up the results.
David
Edited by davidtrout: 27/12/2016 - 10:08

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