Weekly Competition #204 - Animal Emotion Competition

Apologies for being slightly late for choosing the winner - it's my first competition and judging has proved to be harder than I thought would be

Congratulations to marklj!

Comments will follow later today as I am still jetlagged.

Congratulations to Marklj- one of my favourites as well. Look forward to the comments Alex- when you're a littel more rested!

Good Morning and thank you Alex. A nice surprise.

Congratulations to marklj - a cracking shot.

Looking forward to the full results

This one could have come from the set of Babe, Mark - well done.

Cheers Alex - lead on with the rest of it!

congratultions! excellent photo,but where is emotions???

Great shot Mark, well done.

Cant wait to see the comments that was a fun comp! Thanks for the subject Alex.

Nice one marklj - you had a lot of competition amongst those shots.
Great idea for the subject matter Alex - look forward to the comments.

Tony

Congtats to all & Marklj.

Very tricky subject.

Bit a philosophical debate, not really for this website I guess. Do animals have emotions, can they display them? I am in the camp that would say animal emotion does not exist and any emotion we percieve exist within the human only.
Therefore to capture any animal 'emotions' we can only hope to capture momments an angles where human like expression are created by chance and impart a emotional feeling.
I believe ArsenAl's was the only one, or most succesful at least, in to doing this

Dodge69- I'm with you on the emotions front- animals do not have the facial muscles that we have so their expressions do not convey emotion, I think it is absolutely our interpretation that lead to the humanising of animals. I think they could feel emotions but they don't display them via expression. The new comp has me intrigued though....

I submitted this one as these two sheep are quite well known for being 'sandwich predators' on Pavey Ark and I thought the pair exuded a quiet menace in this picture. You can decide if thats an emotion or not but that was my thinking.

Congratulations Mark a great image

Congratulations to mark well done great shot, As for your first competition and judging,dont worry you will be fine its all fun

Congratulations Mark. A great shot full of character. You just tell that your sandwiches aren't safe with these two around .

I thought your photo was flawless Mark, but not knowing that these two were thieves....I could not see any expression except a stare which looked kind of neutral to me.

In all fairness however, I do believe it is the RIGHT of the judge to have his or her fancy in the matter.

I would like to add that I thought the kitten's expression was adorable....(but not a particular good quality photo.) I also LOVE the squirrel by arsen...the iguana by Darlene and Dr Orloff's Donkey cracked me up with laughter!!!

I thought the topic was fun and original...and Of course, I have not heard from the judge why he chose what he did, and neither do we know who was 2'd or 3'd or commented

Here is hoping that the judge is rested and we get a peek at the rest.

Regards;

JA

Sorry again for the late comments.

I find the number of entries complying with the rules to express an intensive animal emotion has been quite low. Excellent captures and portraits of animals (although random to the topic) dominate over shots actually expressing emotions. Nevertheless It's been quite hard to name the winners.

Darlene – Emotion
It indeed seems that the iguana is smiling. I like this shot a lot and it would have definitely been ahead if it had more contrast and/or colour.

Thoughton – Feed Me Mum
Excellent idea, DOF and composition, unfortunately the blown highlights and the sharp shadow on the mother seagull do not do it a favour.

JohnRiley – A Hard Day at the Couch
Nice shot of a really beautiful cat. Nice timing, too. However, being sleepy hardly classifies as “emotional”.

AxelLuther – Antithetic emotions
A woundrous dramatic shot. I appreciate it's timing and rich colours.

Marklj – Reggie and Ronnie
To me this picture stands out being a very dramatic shot. I had doubts pronouncing it the winner as though being emotional it can be interpreted in so many ways. I decided this is actually what makes it so great, everyone seems to incorporate their own perception.
To me the black sheep looks like the dominant one, and the white one intimidated - with the ears back and a more submissive posture. The shot has a kind of a solitary, lonely feeling, as if those sheep are the last ones left on earth, all being accentuated by the B&W. I like the overall quality of the shot, the vertical positioning and the composition.

ArsenAl - WOOOOOW!!! WHATS THAAAT????
The squirrel is funny indeed and made me laugh too. I think it's out of focus from the shoulders down – otherwise it would have been a really great photo. I wonder if a crop of the head will look better.

VonBatCat - Animal Emotion
In terms of animal emotion this shot expresses a strong bond between the animals and depicts compassion. However I could not call it the definite runner up because of the distinct bluish tint and the lack of sharpness which let it down.

Puma – Smile
It's an unusual (and obese) squirrel and if the shot is handheld, I appreciate your steady hands. I would have cloned out the white artefacts over the head and on the right.

Mudge – Who me?
I like the square cropping and the colours. The kitten is very sweet. Maybe a little different angle would depict it even better as now I feel it somehow merges with its shadow. The shot definitely lost much of its quality because of the scan.

Dr. Mhuni – Resignation
A very well composed, sharp shot. However the emotion can be confused with a sleep in the sun.

Mark-B – Trust & Devotion
It's one of my favourite shots in this competition – the emotion is clearly visible and intense. I think it would benefit from a different angle, though – the horse dominates the frame too much to my opinion.

Bill_And – Sleepy little hog
It's a cute hedgehog and it could easily become one of the best entries, had it been in focus.

Hyram - Happy Dreams
I like the details on this close up shot and the sepia conversion suits it well. It has a warm feeling corresponding with the heavenly state of mind idea and the closed eyes make it even more intense. It is a well balanced narrative.

TOZZA27 – And you expect me to do what?
The toad is the perfect model and I liked the contrast between the colour of its skin and the colour of your hand and your bracelet. To my opinion the anticipation shown in the picture would only benefit from a larger DOF.

I-Berg – Feeling Famished
Excellent sharpness and composition – the subject really stands out. The BW conversion adds to the general idea of the photo. It deviates from the competition subject by lacking a clear emotion.

malcolm leader – Scarlet Ibis
Great photo, excellent contrast between the colour of the bird and the grass, nice DOF. To me it's the perfect portrait of an ibis and I regret that I could not find any emotion in the picture.

coker - Tufted Duck
Nice contrast in the eyes in a monochrome image, giving the bird an angry look. I appreciate the shot, however, looking at it, didn't feel enough to call it emotional.

sandy - Shall we dance
A great depiction of some show off duck activity. I would love to see more vivid colors and stronger contrast between the bird and the background.

cardiff_gareth - The Menace
Excellent idea, the eye conveys the menace very well. I think the overall picture lack a little contrast although I understand that shallow DOF helps to convey the feeling.

sandinista - I've got my eye on you
A great photo, brilliant detail and post-processing that adds to the idea. It will make a lovely poster on the wall of a horse lover. However I think the eye itself does not convey an emotion but rather expects us to assign one to it.

aliengrove - Give us a kiss.....
A funny giraffe face, I feel like the shot is missing some context. It would benefit from having a background too – the cropped eyebrows look strange.

Dodge69 - Jimmy
I like the strong detail in this shot. It would be a nice picture for a pet portrait competition, but in this one Jimmy is not giving us any indication of his emotions.

stopher - Peek-a-boo!
Interesting idea with high potential, a beautiful cat plays the major role! Unfortunately emotion is not clearly defined.

DrOrloff - Eee aaw ee-always calls me that
A funny shot, really liked the donkey peeking into the lens, but I am afraid the background is not giving it any benefit.

JudithAnn - Beady-Eyed Pecker-Head
Humor again Would make a nice advertisement of 'free-range eggs', however not compliant with the topic to my opinion.

timcx500e - Molly Moo and Casey
I was expecting to see more of those 'pet & child' duets, really surprised they didn't come up in this topic.
In this particular shot composition is not perfect, it would be nice to see the child not being cut out of the picture and a faster shutter speed (around 1/250 to 1/500) to avoid the blur of the dog's movement.

nipper- ANGER
Funny little bird! The 'postprocessing' is a bit too much though and the bird itself could be a little more in-focus.

stevepresto - Oh dear!
I appreciate the humour and comical value, an unconventional approach for depicting a fish. It reminds me of “This Is A Film” song from the motion picture Arizona Dream.

japers45 - I find you a little Aloof
An interesting animal and a good detail! I somehow feel this shot is incomplete and expected a little bit more out of it.


The winner: marklj – Reggie and Ronnie:
Second place: a tie between Hyram – Happy Dreams and VonBatCat – Animal Emotion
Third place: Mark-B – Trust & Devotion

Highly Commended: sandinista - I've got my eye on you
Commended: ArsenAl - WOOOOOW!!! WHATS THAAAT???? and stopher - Peek-a-boo!

Thanks to all the participants and once again, congratulations to the winners

Alex,

Thank you for the detailed comments and also for the joint 2nd Place which I am very happy to share with VonBatCat

I appreciate the difficulties of deciding if an entry was actually displaying emotion.

An interesting competition - thanks again

Alex,

Thank you for the 3rd place and your comments.

Congratulations to Mark, Hyram and VonBatCat.

Difficult competition to judge, so well done and thank you for the comments.
Congratulations to Mark and all the other placings and mentions!

Thanks again Alex

Tony

Thank you for that Alex - appreciate the comments.

Many congratulations Mark, Hyram, John VBC and Mark. And thankyou for the HC Alex. Thanks for the judging and comments as well Alex

Forgot all about this when the result wasn't up on Monday. Thanks for the judging Alex and congrats to Mark and the others.

The whole emotion issue was always going to be complicated. To my eye the vast majority of entries lacked any emotion whatsoever. I thought there was some in mine, but one's eye is subjective and I can quite understand if you felt otherwise!

Oh, Mr. Dodge, 69, if you think that animals are not able to express emotions, be aware that when you see a dog with bared teeth and standing on the nape hair, you have big problems! This is the first .. Second, facial expressions such as monkeys are much more pronounced than mimics human- or monkey are not animals? and thirdly, even if one assumes that the animals can not express emotion, what was the name of the contest EMOTIONS animals?

Thanks for the great judging Alex! I for one really appreciate the direct approach

And congratulations to Mark and the other podium places!

Arsenal the face of your squirrel really made me laugh, looks more like some kind of cartoon than a real animal!

TIM-thanks a lot! but I meant another squirrel, that's where the real expression of emotion! and at the viewers' attention, it was clear leaders!

PM replied-

1. A dog bearing teeth is not a display of emotion - that is a sign of threat, a display or power and intent to deter a challenger - the same as a octopus changing colours, or a bear standing on its hind legs
2. Many animals can express themselves through muscular or chemical display - whether this is emotion is debate, (where in which I would would say it is not.)
3. I do not assume anything in this world, but I think the point I was trying to make has been confirmed by the judge


As I said, a nature debate not really for a photgraphy website

that is a sign of threat, a display or power and intent to deter a challenger - the same as a octopus changing colours, or a bear standing on its hind legs-You say the same thing that I said just another word! threat, anger, rage is all the emotions .. a face and posture of the sheep do not express absolutely nothing!

really!

Well not quite my friend...
I am saying that if a dog bearing teeth, makes you feel fear then that is a emotion within the human. If a human looks at a dog bearing teeth and sees rage/anger then that is the human projecting the emotions of rage and anger onto the dog.
I believe animals live in the momment, (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi - FLOW) therefore have no awareness or need for ego or emtoion.
In this regard, the emotion we see in animals therefore must also be subjective to each one of us.
While you and I did not see or feel any emotion with the sheep others may have, particualary the judge. Infact my wife really liked it and thought they looked 'evil'.
(In any case there is certainly no denying it was a technically superb picture.)

then the image is technically perfect, I pointed out in his comment! what you say about the nature of emotions is not relevant to the theme of the contest! when you look at the fire, do you think about what is a chemical process connection of certain substances with oxygen resulting in the formation of oxides? If I see the face of an animal with teeth grin I think about what it is about it is very evil, but when the dog tucked its tail and ears, that she was very scared! and it is an expression of emotion! but what a wonderful shot, if a new contest who put together a great shot of four girls (boys, trees, etc.), although the name of the contest the third, too, might be called a winner?

The task of judging is an earned right and it is not an easy thing to do. I think it is important to respect the judge's decisions and interpretations.

Thanks for the competition and congrats to winners.

It's true! But I remember Mrs. Judith told me at my judging from what we have here not only for friendly pats on the back and word-of, all cool! and that criticism is very helpful .. and she was right!

The judge in this instance has provided criticism. With my shot for instance, the background was an issue. And that's fine. I think the brief was met.

OK! but I expressed my opinion and stated the reason for his disagreement with the choice of the judges! If someone does not like my opinion, it is his right! but next time I would like to see a more precise indication of the topic and more consistent theme of the contest .. and then you can put a black square of Malevich and bring it under any topic! )))

Arsen, sorry if I have not been precise enough in the indication of the topic. It's my first judging (as I indicated earlier) and I will do my best to manage better next time.

About Malevich - there's a Russian joke that his painting has been stolen 5 times from the museum, but every time the night guard manages to restore it before the morning

Kind regards,

Alex

great joke,Alex!!!!