Weekly Competition #249 - A Character Competition

The theme was a character and for me that means there has to be a large natural looking element to the shot to convey that with conviction . Whilst the technical element is important it is far from the most important element in this competition. Thanks for the entries, a good field with a lot of shots that are clearly meaningful to the photographer. Here are my thoughts, as always no right or wrongs just my opinions:

Milamber

It does make sense. The shyness comes through, the glance does seem to be looking away rather than looking at something and it seems very natural. The skin tones and colours are very nice. I would have gone for a wider aperture to blur the background but it’s not too intrusive. Whilst I’d normally think the subject would be better positioned looking into more space I can see the bright background to the right might have presented more problems. Very good start.

Bforbes

Excellent choice of subject and the child is clearly acting well, the anxiousness is apparent. I would like to see a bit more context here, the comforting toy I think is important to the emotion but we can only glimpse it. The face is shaded and I wonder if some fill light could be deployed in pp.

Rocker

Wrong chord or whatever he did, he looks like he’s having a good evening. A well caught moment. The image somehow looks a little on the harsh side, a bit too contrasty. He could be naturally ruddy though. Fun.

Davidtrout

Lovely black and white, great expression, bags of character. I guess you’ve gone this close to focus exclusively on that character. I can understand that but I still find it a little tight, a little more space on the right would be perfect.

Hyram

A very natural portrait, classy looking girl with more than a touch of the Margo’s about her. It seems meaningful to you. Difficult to isolate the subject at a party and I rather like the bit of hairdo in the background which helps to date the image.

Doctor Jeff

Clever. I suppose from the description it is a studio setup but it has a much more natural feel, I like the expression in the girl’s face. I do feel it needs a bit of space to the left and that space would be worth sacrificing a bit of the shadow for.

Dr Mhuni

So much brightness in those eyes. They seem to look through you not at you. I actually prefer the wider version of this shot with more of the robes. I find the highlights could do with taming a little but the tones and detail on the face is superb. I’d have this on my wall, National Geographic quality.

Tyronet 2000

It most definitely qualifies as a portrait, and a very good one. I don’t need to describe this it has character in spades and the other characters add much. I find it a bit overexposed with some bright patches but it brings a big smile to the face.

AxelLuther

Very natural, I like the character here and the somewhat dissatisfied expression. The conditions here, bright sunshine, were clearly difficult for portraiture. This would have been very easy to get wrong, but it has been handled deftly. The composition is spot on. The bright colourful background speaks of place. Good shot.

Sandinista

Great looking conversion. This says French New Wave cinema to me although it’s nothing of the sort. Excellent framing, I could nitpick about a few things but my eye is so drawn in to the subject that it would seem churlish. Perfect timing.

Tozza27

On an emotional level this packs a real punch. The feeling shines through immediately and is merely confirmed by the description. There’s a little pp that could be done here, adding some fill light to the shaded side and toning down a few highlights, but actually I don‘t know if that would make much of a difference as warts and all this portrait just strikes a chord somehow.

Dinneenp

This is another excellent character study. The composition tells all. Convention would have the face in focus and the can of beer less so, but maybe that would be the wrong way round. No exif here so I trust it qualifies.

Gartmore

A very good looking shot, skilfully posed and taken. The lighting and tones are very good. As good as it is technically I’m less sure of the character here, the model seems a bit statue like. I’m too sexy for my pecs maybe.

Lee55555

I guess the subject means a lot to you and that‘s the most important thing. Certainly a pretty girl but I’m not sure what character insight I’m getting here as I fnd the expression a little neutral, maybe eye contact would help the dispassionate viewer and make up for some lack of image quality.

Alun

Another really good looking conversion. It’s a shame the eyes are shaded, but again the sunlight has been dealt with as well as it could be. Another shot that I think means much more to the photographer than it could mean to me as the eyes down gaze gives me little to connect with.

AndrewA

Certainly permitted. I like the tight crop here. The focus seems to be halfway down the nose rather than on the eyes,. I don’t know if this choice was deliberate and I’m not sure if it works, it might make the eyes a little more doleful. He certainly looks relaxed.

Frankie

This is another posed shot that is nicely done but it doesn’t really say that much to me. It’s a good pose but its very deliberate looking, like she’s following instructions. It’s a good enough looking shot (maybe the skin tones look a little flushed) and again the important thing is I suspect it means a lot more to the photographer.

Davidstorm

I didn’t really need to read the description as the eccentricity shines through. They look a very interesting couple indeed. I like the composition very much and the fact that we can see some of their environment. I’m not really a fan of that tone mapped look, but even though I’m pretty certain I would prefer a ‘straight’ and slightly higher contrast version it has been done with some subtlety.

Noelcm

I like the concentration and slight intensity of the expression, which I find engaging. The tight framing heightens the intensity and like the colourful background. The click through version is too small, I’d like to see it larger. It does appear a little over sharpened, especially the detail on some of the facial hair and highlights on the nose and under the eyes. I think a softer pp touch would do wonders.

Young Jockey

I really like the intense concentration/apprehensiveness which juxtaposes very well with the lively pony. The difficult light is well controlled and the composition really draws the viewer in to the girl’s eye. This is both one to be proud of for the family album but one that has plenty of interest for others too.

Malcolm Leader

This is actually how I’d expect a steam engine enthusiast to look. I don’t mean anything patronising by that, moreover that this just looks right. I like the earnest expression, someone who takes a fine engineering heritage seriously. I do find the bright patch on the top of the hat and the arcs in the background take my eye away a little. The sepia suits it but I find the tone a little heavy. An enjoyable shot.

John Riley

There is a playfulness that comes through in abundance. I like the natural frame and lead in provided by the alcove. The composition is just right with the girl leaning to one side. This is another one that is more than a family album shot. I do find the highlights a bit bright on the coins and lintel and I think a vignette would tone these down nicely and allow a little contrast boost on the subject.

Bettyswollocks.

Makes you want to scratch too. Is this candid? No matter it looks it. The character element is certainly there and there is a slightly amusing element there. Even maybe a slight element of discomfort about looking at this character, that’s a good thing, it‘s a photo that challenges the viewer somewhat.. I like the framing (but would correct the verticals), but I do find the processing a little severe with harsh contrast. A blurred background would also add a little pop.

Stephanie0812

The rescued goat doesn’t look like he wants to be rescued. It’s quite amusing, I like the little beard. I do find the composition a bit central though and the standing goat (?) torso on the right hand side doesn’t add to the scene. Is that what I think it is in the bottom right corner. A welcome different interpretation though.

Timcx500e

It’s very well composed and posed, but it does look just that. It’s well done and it looks like every detail has been thought out in advance but as such I don’t see a natural character coming through. The focus on the eye is a little soft but it’s a very good looking shot.

Dannyh

It’s bright, sunny and confident, the scene and the character. The processing suits it, gives it immediacy. It makes you smile with the subject and I like the natural, relaxed feel of the shot. Joyful. I would clone out the little bit of finger below left.

ArsenAl

An accomplished scene, very well composed. Although it does feel a bit posed it has a very cool confidence about it. Depth of field is just right and the bokeh is very nice indeed. It doesn’t get much better than the 77. I’m not sure the sepia suits it though., I think I would much prefer this in black and white, particularly with the metallic tones on the bike.




1st Dr Mhuni
2nd Tozza
3rd= Davidtrout, Sandinista

HC: Dannyh, Stopher, Noelcmn, Davidstorm, Dinneenp, AxelLuther, Tyronet2000

Nicely done, Adrian. Many thanks for the judging and selecting my photo. Congrats to the others you've singled out.

Re. the highlights. I know what you mean - small areas look blown at this size, however, when I go hundred percent there is detail in all these areas.

BTW - do others notice a difference in colour when they click through to the larger version of this photo, or is it just my computer/screen? All my recent comp submissions have had this problem.

Dr Muhni I definately noticed a difference the large version seems to have more red/pink tones. Im viewing on a 17" laptop screen now to check mine:$

Dr. Mhuni - this is a time magazine cover photo quality portrait - absolutely professional picture.
Dr. Orloff (wow so many Dres - I should perhaps have mentioned that I made my PhD with the British Antarctic Survey to join the "club" )
Very brave to set this topic as it was likely that many entries will show up which means a lot of work - I think you did a fantasctic judging with lots of constructive tipps and tricks.
Congratulation also to the other podium members and HCs....

A cracking winner from Dr. Mhuni and a fine competition with excellent judging from DrOrloff.

About my entry - most of the photographs that I took at university were of buildings or parts of buildings etc. (related to the course work) but some I took were about life at university and this one was one of a set about life outside the studio

That was a well chosen subject and very well judged Adrian. There were some first class entries and Andrew's winner was my pick also, so congrats to him. I feel honoured to share the podium with Tozza and Sandinisa. Congratulations also to the HCs.
David

Well done everyone and congratulations Dr Mhuni on your win. When I click through to the larger image it seems to have more light, while the smaller version looks a little darker. Great shot. Thanks DrOrloff for your comments and judging.

Woweeeeeeeeeeeeee !!!

I got a second !!!!

Many many thanks - Peter would have been chuffed too !

Brilliant winner - so much character in one shot and some very good others as well.Strangely enough I`M honoured to be with David and Dr.Mhuni and Sandinista.
Brill judging and very comprehensive - well done sir.
I`m off to Buxton for the week - thanks for brightening my day.
Regards
Tony

Congratulations to Dr. Mhuni for his very well deserved first place. My thanks to DrOrloff for setting the competition, his speedy judging and constructive comments

A really enjoyable competition, lots of really great entries, and expert judging as always by Dr O.

A thoroughly deserved win for Dr Mhuni and I feel honoured to be given a podium place alongside Tozza and David Trout.

Well done HCs and all entrants

Many thanks DrO for your comments and for the excellent competition & judging.
Superb shot by Dr Mhuni...a well deserved winner. Congratulations to the other placing & HC's!

Congratulations to the top three, and thank you for the kind comments too.

A big 'thank you' from me Dr O as this particular competition must have taken some judging! Many, many high class entries and a worthy winner. I am very pleased to have a 'HC' commendation from you given the overall standard in this one.

Best wishes
David

Bravo Dr.Mhuni-excellent shot! Congrats to Tozza, Davidrout & Sandinista!