Weekly Competition # 329 - Children at play Competition

Thank you to all who participated in this challenge, all are true to theme (ttt) and my heart was certainly warmed just looking at all these images. Judging here has been largely subjective- and the only real criteria I have used is that of whether it is true to theme. Other elements have included quality and what it communicates. I should mention I have with me two gentlemen-one an elder and one a deacon of the church where I am pastor to comment on all the photos. I need help in judging- the quality here is so good, so their input is acknowledged. Not that we have agreed, but some consensus has been reached.

Johnriley- Sophies turn
Beautifully captured, John, and the intensity is palpable in Sophie. Birthdays are always fun and exciting, and the fact that this is taken in the context of a family and a home - safety and security - makes it all the more appealing.

Perspicador-Cooling Off
What a pity you cut off the legs-everything here speaks of fun, innocence and none of that self-conscious nonsense of adulthood. A tongue sticking out tells me it is done with abandonment. And a public place by all accounts too. Good timing and an even better photographers eye.

Michaelblue- In his own world
Love this simplicity of a very powerful image and apt title too. DOF spot on, yet not detracting from the central subject, the boy absorbed in doing whatever it is he was going to do-I’d even say grim determination. B/W also adds another dimension. Initial thinking is it was a fishing rod, which would have been perfect for this challenge- only it is a stick-well a dose of mystery never detracted from a photo.

LancashireLad – Kirsty at a pond dipping event
Delightful is my immediate reaction, and Kirsty too is somewhat absorbed in what she is doing. I like especially the sharp focus, on Kirsty, deliberate I am sure (grandparents are like that) rendering the other, though pleasant enough background, of lesser importance. Just wondered if a darker hue would make this better.

Paulb531-Face Paint
Oooh I love this-having spent hours on occasions just watching children having their faces painted like this, and their delight is wonderful, and here captured to perfection. I am tempted to say the background is a bit cluttered, I also recognize that it’s probably a fair/picnic or something of that nature, which gives context. That outstretched hand-so familiar, adds a lovely extra and tells me Dylan is very comfortable in the knowledge that this is all fun with Grandpa. That is how it should be-even cute Amelia is comfortable. They are enjoying themselves- and that is being communicated. Good shot.

JAK-Fountain play
An apology is offered-right pointing out that not only have I out grandchildren and children of friends, but also bluntly assuming all have children or connections to children-the real world dictates otherwise. So kudos to you for rising up to the challenge, and a super image to boot. Love the DOF on this one, which only adds a delightful setting for these children. Never mind that they are statues, all that rightly belongs to children is here-fun, laughter, innocence and no child (that I know at any rate) can resist playing with a fountain. Granny and grandpa sitting in the background? I want to visit this place- which will tell you I consider it worthy enough for a brochure.

JudithAnne-Dress up time-The Royals
And the fun is palpable, never mind that one should be male- such complexities, for children at any rate, are best left for later. Love this- sharp, DOF well controlled leaving little to distract you from these girls. Can tell you this-if I was the photographer, there be a couple of hundred photos added to my collection of just these two playing. Is that a missed PP glitch on the right hand of the one on the right? Not that it detracts. Delightful.

Tyronet2000- Thomas and friends
Another exciting vibrant image- and I had wondered if Thomas would make an appearance-seems somehow that you can’t separate children and Thomas. Lots of children, photographers, lots of fun, which tells me the focus is on the children. Train is beautifully captured.

Velimir-The other world
Excellent-another capture of children absorbed with something-not a care in the world, as it should be. Lovely DOF, and the girls barefooted on such stony terrain tells me this is fun. I like the composition- waiting for one to be kneeling and the other standing. And I want to know where this is?-looks like a delightful place to take children.

Tiny2-Water ride
Thanks Tiny2- I feel young again, as you evoke memories of my own childhood. Nothing nicer than an old truck/tractor inflatable tube to float around some water. Except here, it is motorized, which I am sure will only add to the fun. These girls are certainly having that in big doses. Good timing on this photograph.

Oldhat- Where to now!!
I like this shot-innocence beautifully captured. And a bygone era recalled-refreshing to see children playing snakes and ladders-and he is enjoying it too. What with technology these days-children hardly ever play this game. Plus an Einstein moment as he lifts his finger in thought!

GlynM-On a path to wonderland
Another familiar connection with children- Alice in Wonderland. He’s enjoying himself-delightful to see him engaging with the Rabbit- the tail of it too. A big lad for 2. Good composition- hinting that he has already explored the other characters (statues). Come on- Show me Chesire Cat and the Mad Hatter.

GaryJohn- Gunplay
Gary-this has set me a challenge-I don’t like guns, and we never allowed our son to own a gun even a toy or water-any gun he received as a gift was duly exchanged for something else. So I am challenged to put aside my prejudice here and look at it objectively- and it’s delightful. Love all the elements here-normal suburban scene-complete with cleaning broom- an alley, and children playing, even the one girl having a giggle at Mr Macho there. Well some of us would be concerned about that dilapidated state of the building in the background but for children-they can and do play anywhere. They are playing- and have space and time to do so.

Camramadob-The hole in the fence
Ooooh-she’s cute, and no matter how much she is trying to be some unspecified monster-it does’nt work. I’d guess even other children would see that too-no matter- she’s out to have fun and will play-and is it not amazing that holes and children are so attracted to each other. Super sharp shot, everything here communicates good clean innocent fun- though I daresay mom may have other ideas. Good on you for enjoying children’s fun, and capturing it too.

Timcx500e-On the beach
A real heart warmer-my ideal “children at play” image. Playing together, and all in a natural but safe environment, siblings (I think or if not- family and friends) playing without the need for artificial toys. Good shot-with hints of silhouette.

And the winners:

1st place -Camramadob-The hole in the fence.
2nd place -JudithAnne-The Royals
3rd-JAK-Fountain play

And all others HM'.

Thanks for all the constructive comments and congratulations to a worthy winner and both runners up. All great shots!

Many thanks for the thoughtful judging and well done all who entered.

Many thanks for the third place. Had to do a bit of lateral thinking to come up with something for this comp!
Well done the other podiums who had photos of real kids as did everyone else.
It isn't that I didn't have photos of real kids playing as I ran scouts for many years - it is just that I wouldn't like to publish them without asking first.

John K

Very well done Noel. You put a lot of effort in and you got the judging spot on.

Thanks for a great comp. subject, it's such a shame that taking photos of children playing is frowned upon in western society today, I'm currently in Tanzania where parents love to have their child's photo taken (after a polite request of course)

Congratulations to Camramadbob! I knew this was a winner as soon as I saw it.....she's scary but cute.
Well done also to JudithAnne and Jak.

Look forward to next week's comp.

Great winning shot - would have been my choice too, love it.
Well done to everyone who entered, such a good variety of interpretation and context - great to look through them.
Noelcmn commented in a gun featuring in my shot - I share his view as my kids never had toy guns either [although I suspect there was the odd home made bow & arrow and catapult that us parents were not supposed to know about]. I just happened upon these kids playing in a side street in Alhama de Granada in Southern Spain - I do hope it was a toy !

Many thanks for a great competition, a lovely set of comments and excellent judging.

Congratulations to our winners and everyone else for a wonderful set of images.

Glyn

Why thank you kind sir, the sought after second place. No extra work this week. Although judging and writing up the comments does have a great element of fun and excitement too it.

Love the effort that Judge Noelcmn put into all his comment, great work!

Congrats to my fellow Pentaxians whom I share the podium with, your photo were fantastic.

I had to chuckle at the judges comment that he would have had a couple of hundred shots of these girls...I actually took 342 during the hour shoot...it ended with a " tea party" and a tiff over who was going to pour the tea!! LOL

JA


PS Judge: The question about the right hand on the right...are you speaking about the blond haired child " red" hand?

342 - That's excessive I meant 200 or so . Its the right hand of the one in red. Is she blonde- here we would call that Brunette.