Visit MPB Visit MPB Visit MPB

Weekly #705 - Flowers in B/W Competition

Competition Details
Closing Date: 21/02/2021
Judge: Noelcmn

After last weeks fantastic challenge and submissions of B/W images, and I had originally intended to submit a Flower (this one [img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48482954792_bc8a02daf3_o.jpg[/img][/url]B/W by Noel Bowers, on Flickr]link) but the EXIF was missing so dropped that idea and therefore I was quick to notice that there were no Flower submissions. Not all flowers lend themselves to B/W treatment, others just call out for B/W conversion. Let's see which Flower you would choose for a B/W conversion that will still bring delight to the beholder.
1. Only Pentax cameras and acceptable clones.
2.The winner is expected to set, judge and preferably offer some comments/critiques of submissions.
3. You are free to use images from your archives or opt to shoot something specific for this challenge.
4. The challenge closes on Sunday 21 February 2021 at midnight BST.

I look forward to your submissions and Good luck.
Competition Entries
Noelcmn
Posted 22/02/2021 - 09:04 Link
Well, what a delightful set of images for this challenge, and gratified that there are so many submissions, and a few names that I have not seen on the Forum before. Some quick comments before I head out to do some duties that call for my attention. With B/W images, given that colour is removed, composition, DOF, textures and even Bokeh become the more dominant aspects of an image.

MHOL190246- Feeding- And getting us off to a high standard with this submission of pair of scissor bees on a Harebell flower. Like this one a lot, DOF, textures and a solid composition makes it a contender. The bees adds a lot. Those bits of dust to the right of the topmost petal is a pity, it should have been removed.

Perpicador-LeFleur- Great shot, and doing imho, what a flower image should be doing-filling the frame. Lovely details. No issues with the composition.

JudithAnn-Posies and the Prince- It certainly fits the brief, and tugs at the heart of this judge. How CUTE is that! The problem with these kind of images, is that the subject here detracts from the flowers. Fabulous DOF. Top notch creativity. No issues with the composition. This I am sure, is simply stunning in color. Would love to see that.

Nigelk-Mono sunflower- well, yes, sunflowers are imho, one of those that lend themselves to B/W treatment, and like you, I like it. Super in-your-face composition that just gets your eye to focus on the flower. Textures and Bokeh there too and very nicely detailed shot!

PRYorksire-Backlit Sunflower- Appropos my previous comment, with this one adding some strong back lighting, and makes for a delightful image. I employ the backlit technique often, and this one is up there with some of the best ones I have seen. Understandably, some of the details are lost in this technique, but more than compensated by that glorious light. I like all those peeking petals of the other sunflowers in the background, as if they are vying for a spot before the camera.

Johnriley-Monochrome Orchids- well that was a learning curve, never done it, converting an Orchid to B/W, and you pulled it off. Superb isolation, employing a black background to highlight the orchid. Stunning composition, excellent DOF here, right up to that last petal peeking out at the back. Orchids are about texture, sometimes it can be quite difficult to capture, but here that is what you are confronted with. Don’t know about anyone else but I do want to get my forefinger and thumb around one of those petals for a rub. FAB shot. I would have removed the stamen and that bit sticking out the top to the left of the image-but that would be decidedly nit picking.

JAK- Snowdrop-A flower I have not seen yet, but have seen plenty of over the net and on the forums I belong to, and by all accounts, a worthy subject. Kudos for going the vignetting composition, works well here, and together with a shallow DOF, has highlight this beauty very well. Some textures evident, despite the use of a Macro lens. The two dust spots should have been removed.

Dorothea-Dare to be different- A double dose of delight of what I think are Cactus flowers. Beautifully composed shot, so sharp too. And that Bokeh! And textures. I confess I cannot resist (if they are wild) breaking off those flowers-this one would suffer.

Tyronet2000-Astrantia – What an interesting shot, and PP. A lot of noise which I think works well here, and a nice balance of interest between that bee and the flower. Pretty good for a focal length of 500mm. The whites on the flower seems a bit blown out especially compared to that of the Bee. No issues with the composition.

ConDaoultzis-Simplicity-another noisy image and which I also thinks works well here, and in interesting frame. Lovely Bokeh and super composition, with a those flowers moving across the image. Not the sharpest in this challenge but I appreciate that you’ve gone for an arty image. And it works.

Corkyboy- Back Garden Flowers- And art continues to dominate, this one almost abstract, with a nice touch of minimalism to it. I think they are Agapanthus. At a bit of a loss trying to understand why you left the dots scattered over the image, easily removed in PP. Great job on retaining the textures though and excellent composition.

MikeInDevon-Sedum Flower Head- Great Shot! What super textures, and focus where it needs to be, and you’ve got my eye roving all over this fill-the-frame shot. Just love the range of tones in this one, and details are superb with all those hairs scattered throughout the image! Add some nice Bokeh and you got a stunner! The dust spot below left should have been removed. One for the wall in the home!

Flan-First of the bunch-And must have delighted your heart, bringing as it does, messages of a change to the seasons. Daffodils are /can be difficult for a B/W conversion, but works here. The whites seem a bit blown out (though that may well have something to do with the fact that I’m using another computer as my regular one is in for repairs) and a toning down might make this more impactful. Such nice Bokeh, and I like that you focused on the Pistils/Stamens at the center of the flower. Nice one.

Retsoor-Petal. Lovely macro shot, and the tonal range here is wonderful. Tight crop, even cutting of the edges to the left and right has enhanced that petal’s texture, with very well controlled whites. As with Johnriley’s image, just want to get it between the fingers. Typically with Macro shots, DOF goes out the window, but a nice hint of Bokeh.

Jofford-Wilting Tulips- Well, we’d better have a word with them Tulips. They’re just great for a B/W conversion. Would love to learn of your PP technique here- Reflections done with PP programs, or a Mirror. In any event, it has worked really well, and despite the wilting, a delight to behold. It may be well worth your while to make the entire background black -some of the lines and white dots are distracting. Super control of the whites, DOF is top notch, and as is the composition. Struck me that this would be good fodder for a poet, and though I’m tempted, I’ll leave it for another time-besides my poetry stinks

Right onto the Judging exercise
1st Spot to John Riley- Excellent all round image
2nd spot to MikeInDevon- Beautiful tonal ranges and details.
3rd spot to Jofford-a lovely poetic image.

HC’s to Retsoor and PRYorkshire

Thank you all. Over to you John.
tyronet2000
Posted 22/02/2021 - 09:29 Link
Congratulations to the Winner and other places. an interesting competition well judged and commented on by Noelcmn
Regards
Stan

PPG
jofford
Posted 22/02/2021 - 12:31 Link
Congratulations to the winner; thoroughly deserved and thank you, Noel, for positive and constructive feedback. In reply to your query about PP; nothing special, I'm afraid, in terms of reflection; the tulips had wilted onto a black polished granite kitchen worktop and I stood my camera on the same worktop which gave the almost symmetrical mirror image. If you are inspired to write your 'Ode to Dying Tulips' let me know and I will be glad to read it. Thanks again, John
johnriley
Posted 22/02/2021 - 15:44 Link
Many thanks foir the winning place! It was an interesting idea as we rarely use black and white for flowers and plants, although at one time there was little choice for magazines and books.

Every shot was really good, so well done to everyone! Plus some excellent judging!

I'll sort out the new competition very soon.
Best regards, John
Flan
Posted 22/02/2021 - 16:45 Link
Congratulations to the winner and deservedly so. I picked about four that had everything,,and my one entry certainly was not even near this standard. Thanks Noelcmn for the insightful round up of all the entries.
Posted 22/02/2021 - 19:57 Link
Great competition with some excellent photos. Congratulations to John, MikeinDevon and Jofford for the top 3 spots and to fellow HC PRYorkshire. Thanks Noelcmn for the judging and good comments
Posted 22/02/2021 - 21:19 Link
Hi Noelcmn, great winning photo! Thanks for the 2nd place, I'm well pleased, sorry that I missed that dreaded dust spot, grrr! Plus also congratulations to Jofford and the HCs. Thank you for your topic, judging and comments.
JudithAnn
Posted 23/02/2021 - 09:55 Link
Congratulations to the winner and HC. The judge is very correct. With a subject like the prince, it does distract from the flower. I would have concluded the same as the judge. Thanks for the sweet remarks all the same.

JA

Add Comment

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