Weekly #846 - Coverings Competition

I am so impressed with the submissions for this challenge, which really was more of an afterthought when I was thinking about a challenge, but has surprised me with the quality and variations of the theme here. A delight to view them all, each contributing to that angst that invariably attacks me when it comes to judging these images, each with their unique contributions and connection to me as the viewer! Well done all. Some comments.

Pipinmels- Cloudcover - I immediately want to know “how long did you stay and watch this?” If it was me that would have been my morning gone. Terrific opening landscape shot,, wonderful composition, with all the elements of a landscape—mountains, clouds, trees, earth and habitation, the placing of the latter in the image only makes it an excellent travel/tourism shot! Add to that wonderful light, and that appealing mass of clouds that begs “come touch me”. Would love to see this with my own eyes, though I doubt I would have taken a shot of it, probably because I would be rapt in wonder!

Francisbd-couverture- not the chocolate variety I hope! Fungus (I presume) and very fascinating too! I am struck with the vertical line of focus in this image, an excellent technique and composition to enhance the subjects here. Looks to me like a miniature eco-world all on its own, with the attendant variety and life forms! The colors only add to the fascination, and well worth looking at this larger on the screen. Nice!

Garethjmorgan- Lake Eidsvatnet – yet another equally fascinating landscape, albeit one that got me reaching for coverings, the kind to keep me warm. Except we are suffering yet another energy sapping heat wave, so this also makes me envious, but I’ll not hold that against you! Great choice to present this in B/W, giving a boost to that brrrr… feeling. Super DOF to this, and I like the multiple diagonals throughout the image. Solid comp! As with pipinmels image- I could stare and stare! Which I’ve just did

Davidtrout-well covered in a downpour- Wow for two reason- excellent for a near-20 year old image from a *istds , and for doing those steps- well worth it in my opinion and produced a memorable image. Bordering on minimalist genre, enhancing that lone figure in rain. Like the echo of the umbrella from that street light! Solid comp, and I like the inclusion of the almost abstract tree for context! Some motion to highlight that there is some drama here! Excellent!

Johnriley- tell it to the rain – What a CUTIE! A real cheerful image to counter that inclement weather. So very colorful, popping up throughout the image, though I think those Wellingtons steals the show when it comes to the pop factor. Nicely composed, sharp and DOF spot on! Pretty sure you would have explored this in a B/W, which would also be wonderful- one of those images that works well either way!

Nigelk- Frosty window – One for the wall surely! Tones, detail, and comp is just wonderful. I do want to run my fingers to feel all that textures here. Excellent macro abstract.

Flan- Under cover- What an excellent documentary image, so many questions-who, what, where, why. Besides the central figure under the bridge, the elements of textures, repetition, verticals and horizontals makes fascinating viewing. But the winning element in this is image is that out-of-sync diagonal staircase that leads to that lone reason-defying figure sitting there! Is that graffiti on the right center and a flag top left- all adds even more intrigue! Appreciate the timing of this one- no other figure in the image? Perhaps a deliberate set up? In any case, totally fascinating!

Stepehen-s- mud, mud, glorious mud – too much memories stirred in this one-I learned to drive on an Escort like this And then all those regrets of never having captured images from motoring rallies (which happened regularly when I started out in photography in the 80s in Johannesburg) but I digress. Energy and drama comes to mind, with a fine sense of movement here. The OOF spectators fixes the eyes on the Escort. Color contrasts are lovely, with all the mud induced browns everywhere, to highlight the blues. Comp solid too!

RayW- Cold start – another selective focus genre, excellently executed. As with garethjmorgans image- I’m getting out my gloves. Suitably communicating the brrrr and I like the almost monochrome rendering to make it feel even worse. And once again, I want to run the fingers (with the gloves on of course) through all that ice! Good documentary shot!

Retsoor-Covered in gold- Address please! After all I come from a country where we are re-processing our gold mine dumps to extract the gold dust therein. So I would be interested! Lovely documentary street shot, and wondering about this? An Antique shop perhaps? In any event I like the contextual elements here-the shop window and the gutter down pipes. But the golden man hold the attention, pops very nicely with his umbrella and satchel! Lots of textures here, but especially the “dirty” gold. Well spotted!

And over to the winners:

1st - Flan-absolutley fascinating documentary image
2nd -Davidtrout- wonderful downward view that captures the drama of weather conditions
3rd - Pipinmels – Postcard worthy image!

Happy to award HC’s to everyone else, with special mention to Nigelk’s icicles.

Thanks Noel, a good competition and entries with fine judging and comments. Congratulations to Flan, David and Pipinmels.
The man covered in gold was taken in St.Ives, Cornwall. I was amazed how long he was able to remain motionless before he changed poses.

Thanks Noel for the competition and your comments. My congrats to Flan and Pipinmels for their excellent 1st and 3rd and thanks for my 2nd. Being 2nd leaves many of us feeling slightly relieved as it means you don't have the responsibility of judging the next competition yet your picture has been appreciated. Not so bad as a few years ago - I recall in my early days on PUF up to 40 entries a week were not uncommon.
David

Thank you Noel for the win, well done to the David and Pipinmels for 2nd and 3rd respectively, also to the other contestants.
Great concise critique of all entries, so a big thank you.
No it is not set up, that chap just came down a few steps and sat with his bottle of lucozade , he saw me after a few shots and waved over

Thanks for the comments and feedback, and well done to the podium. I hope our frosty and rainy images helped offset the heat where you are!