Weekly Competition #111 - Serenity Competition

Thanks for the win Alun - seriously unexpected!

It's usual for the judge to award second and third places and explain his thinking to some extent. I'm sure you've noticed this with past competitions so if you could find time to do this I know all the entrants will be delighted.

I have chosen a new topic!

Mike

I have been looking with great interest as the images have been posted over the week. Serenity is an awkward concept to define – it is most easily explained by reference to that which it is not, ie the absence of turmoil and strife. Accordingly, I have looked for suggestions of these opposite but subjugated values to determine the winners.

Belinda B – A dramatic image, but the dark and deep foreground coupled with the threatening sky makes me unsure whether something nasty has just gone or is about to start. A little too much of the opposites!

lenscape – I like the interplay of the black and white, but find the activity of the fisherman a little vague.

Malo1961 – A beautiful sunset that suggests both rest and activity.

davidtrout – A lovely image of a peaceful moment combined with a hint of vulnerability suggested by the confining hillsides.

Adge – There is an attractive surreal quality to the small area of sunlit valley, set amidst a dark valley and glowering cloud. Very dramatic, an exciting image.

matwhittington – The lion sleeps tonight….. A lovely shot.

nathanever82 – This could be a still from a David Lynch film. Deeply ambivalent, very intriguing, and a little edgy.

simonarthurs – I feel that the balloon, floating in a small part of the sky, appears rather too much at the mercy of the whims of nature.

Pentaxophile – A little unsettling – is this the actual sky or the reflection?

darlene – I like the soft colours and the contrast of the mossy dell with the wilder wood beyond.

Givingtree – There is an attractive wistful quality to the face, but the background is rather distracting.

johnriley – One supremely relaxed and content duck.

Bill_and – I like the interplay of opposites, dark/light, solid/liquid which make up a very pleasing composition.

Prieni – The glowering sky over silver water is very effective, but the little boat does seem to be at the mercy of the sea.

molejones – I was drawn to this image early on by the expression of strength of purpose over a hostile environment, but the more I looked at it, the less comfortable the lighthouse looked.

Hyram – The sepia tone enhances the end of day feeling.
beakynet – A startling image that speaks to me of death and sterility, aided and abetted by the b&w image, copious snow and the stone angel peering at a rather odd gravestone. Effective, but not serene.

Bob and his Pentax – Calmness in abundance, but I am uncomfortable with the hint of agoraphobia in that huge sky.

JudithAnn – Attractive colouring and an evocative scene, but I am distracted by the post behind the boy.

CrispyDuck – There is an almost tangible sense of calm from the floating flower. A very pleasing image.

Galoot – I love the muted colours of the tree reflections, and the crop is very effective.

DrMhuni – Peace, as far as the eye can see.

Snappycaz – An attractive scene, livened by the water falling over the lock gates in the background.

Jyrkira – The midnight hour in Lapland gives an ethereal light to the landscape, but perhaps lacking a little contrast.

ASheridan – A very relaxed animal. I am surprised that black dogs are permitted in Santorini.

Kitchgamer – Another sleeping animal, but you have captured the texture and colour of his/her coat. And the strange head. Warthog?

GlynM – I like the sky/canal relationship, and the colours of the foreground reeds.

MarkD – An interesting sunset, particularly over the horizon, where the smoky clouds lie.

Mikew – A lovely image, crisply photographed. I like the simplicity and whilst the leaf has vulnerability, it holds its own on the inky black water.

Lilly – A study in concentration and relaxed virtuosity. I like the complimentary tones of the violin, his jacket and his hair. I would have liked to see his eyes, but they were probably closed.

Mecrox – There is a nice progression from the detail of the foreground straw to the distant hillside crops, but perhaps a little too much sky?

Draken – A very graphic image which lends itself to b&w and is given dramatic emphasis by the rose.

The winner: Mikew
Second: davidtrout
Third: nathanever82
Commended: Lily

Just the ticket!

Thanks Alun, I liked the way you defined the subject to arrive at a winner. Looking at opposite values was a clever way of pinpointing the qualities you were looking for.
Congratulations to Mike on a beautifully photographed subject which was a worthy winner.
Thanks for my second place, much appreciated.
david

Well done alun and well done mikew. Good winning shot and I also like the way you judged the shots.

Hurry on to the next competition then

Prieni

Another excellent competition - well done to all, but especially to Alun for judging and Mikew for winning

Thanks for the judging Alun, and congrats to Mike W & David - both great shots. Liked Nathanever's too - though am undecided about its 'serenity', not least because of the active angle!

Congrades to Mikew....Thanks for the judging....Its alway what I look forward to!!!