Weekly Competition #155 - Sunglasses! Competition

As usual, judging is extremely difficult. I hope I haven’t offended anybody with my comments, and would like to thank you all for your submissions!

Hyram concentration:
I like the pose, and I find the colour tone of the photograph really interesting. I think that conceptually the sunglasses are only an addition to a well executed portrait rather than the main point of interest.

Davidtrout - bi-focal
really nice portrait, well framed, technically good. a really nice expression as well, overall a very good effort!

Tomw - rayban
This is exactly the type of photograph I am looking for in this competition. the composition is really interesting, the b&w tones are superb, and the whole picture gives a really good feeling. well done.

axelluther - red glasses red nose
really good photograph. the focal length completely blurred the background and allowed you to compose perfectly, and the colours are truly stunning! I also really like the look of the boy, it really says it all!

TOZZA27 - Reflections on a sunny day in Jersey
Technically I think this portrait is very well executed, the exposure is spot on, and the colours are bright and warm. I am not too keen on the composition, as the tilt slightly bothers me, but mainly I find the background a bit distracting. The reflection is great, but you could’ve zoomed in a bit and get even more out of it.

BAJ – Dad Looking Cool
I like this portrait, the contrast is amazing even if there is very little tonal difference between the subject and the background, the reflection is nice, and overall it works!

Rux – Bladerunner
This is a truly awesome photograph. I love the detail when you look at it enlarged, the framing, expression, and mainly the colours are absolutely stunning. Great job there.

roger_d_barker - I'm real cool maan
I think this is really cute, lovely subject and a great expression on his face! The composition could have been a bit more interesting, maybe from a lower viewpoint, and perhaps the contrast a bit higher to bring out those bright colours.

PeterMac - Do these suit me?
Great subject, and your daughter looks cool! The exposure is a bit off, for the bright background, but I understand the difficulty of shooting in that light. Maybe shooting with a shorter aperture would have blurred the background and give more relevance to the subject.

Dexvet – Sunspot
Great piece of digital art, and the colours are really well matched. I like the idea and the composition, so well done!

Puma – Salesman
This is a really great portrait. Perfect depth of field, exposure absolutely spot on, really nice composition and the expression of the subject adds to the image. A great effort.

Flat4 - Blues Harmonica
I really like this photograph. It is really excellent and perfectly executed. This is really my type of photography, an environmental portrait of an artist, I only wished the sunglasses were more relevant to the picture, as they are a mere component of it.

Mas - Sukman & Pumo Ri
I absolutely love this photograph. The expression of the subject is the perfect framing for the magnificent reflection captured on those iridescent lenses. There is so much to see in those shades, and the image really captures the essence of the competition. And makes me want to be there. 

adi2410355 - California Dreaming
You have really captured the vintage feel of the 70’s. The colours are stunning, and the reflection really powerful. Post production wise this is a very very good product, and its really hard to fault. Great job.

Johnriley - Mr Craig Rose
I like the idea of this image. I think that scanning the negative has created a harsh shadow/highlight tone, and this makes the image a little flat. I think the composition could have been a bit more off centre, but overall its a good effort.

Alun – Reflections
Ok, so this image is ALL about the sunglasses, so on those basis it really works. Unfortunately the reflection is not very interesting, and once one is drawn to look into the details of the photograph, you can clearly see the photographer, and some other random crowd. A good idea, and a good execution, but a bit lacking in interest...

Aliengrove - The Sun in Shades
This is a really interesting idea. Its not a bad photograph, but maybe the flash is too harsh, or the background too white.. all in all, I am not too sure about the execution, but the idea is really lovely.

Mecrox – Street Bands
Like I’ve said before, this is a good environmental portrait, and I like the colours and composition. I find that the sunglasses are a mere component of the image, rather than integral part of it. Good capture nevertheless.

GaryJohn – Sunglasses
A fun, interesting, good composition, I really like the colours, and the idea is spot on. Maybe its a bit too busy, but I guess that’s the whole point of the image, so well done!

GlynM - Cool Carrot
Nice photograph, really funny and humorous, and very good composition and colours. Nicely done!

DrOrloff – Sorry I Can't Help You
Good portrait, the composition is a bit too centred and this detracts from the image. The expression is really nice, and I like the sunglasses and the two ... earrings? You could’ve pushed the contrast and colours a lot, and that would have created a bit more impact. Good portrait though!

Leogames - Dome of the Rock - I see you!
Very well executed photograph. I really like the subject, and the reflection is as majestic as the Mosque in it. Well done, really good image.

AndyElliott - Party Animal
I like the sarcasm of the title, it really fits with the image. The composition would have benefitted if the subject was placed a bit more to the side, but apart from that, this is a good portrait. The sunglasses are also an important part of the image.


So after much deliberation...

Commended - In no particular order:
axelluther - red glasses red nose
Tomw – rayban
Puma – Salesman
Leogames - Dome of the Rock - I see you!


3rd Place - Rux – Bladerunner

2nd Place - Mas - Sukman & Pumo Ri

1st Place – Winner - adi2410355 - California Dreaming


I find really interesting that the three top entries are all from new members that haven’t participated in the forum much. I think we would all want to see more of their work, as these examples are really amazing!

Just to remind Adrian, he is to name the next competition, and possibly comment on every entry like I’ve done above here!

Thank you all for a great competition,
Nathan

Congratulations to adi2410355 for the winning entry and many thanks to Nathan for the competition.

I take your point about the sunglasses in my entry being an addition rather than the reason for the portrait.

Thanks Natahan, excellent judging. Congratulations to adi2410355 on his winning entry and its good to see new members taking the podium positions. My favourite image in the competition was Sunspot by Dexvet for its graphic and colourful approach.
David

Many thanks Nathan for an interesting competition, very nice comments and excellent judging.

Congratulations to adi2410355, Mas & Rux for the winning entries and everyone else for such a good set of entries.

Glyn

Hope you had a good holiday, welcome back and many thanks for the quick and efficient judging!

Congrats to the winners!

Well done Adrian - cracking shot - some great lower positions too.
Thanks Nathan - good fun and well judged.

Tony

Thanks very much for all your hard work judging, and congrats to the worthy winners!

Oh wow, I've just opened the mailbox and whooo whoo
Many many thanks for your very kind comments, such a pleasure.
I will create a new competition in a second. I hope not to mess up too much being a newbie
Best wishes,
Adrian

edit: I hope it's waiting for moderation or something, I've added one about low-key and nothing's happened :-/

Aaaa, it's there, please ignore my last edit. I'll learn one day
Once again thanks for your kind words.
Adrian

Thanks Natahan