Weekly Competition #271 - Shadow-play Competition

Shadow-play (Pentax User Competition Judged September 2012)

The entries for this competition have been of a very very high standard indeed and could easily form a gallery exhibition for this theme. For this reason it has been very difficult to judge but also incredibly enjoyable. What a wealth of talent exhibits on this site.

I would also like to ask the entrants if I could use these entries for a critique with my photography students – if you could let me know if you object I will remove your image with no hard feelings.

You'll never walk alone – DavidTrout
An impressive start to the competition. Very strong to theme. Nicely framed to give an intrigue as to the none complete pedestrian leaving the shadow as the main interest in the image. Definitely works well as a B & W with those strong hard textures. An almost film noir capture. The theme tune to the third man started playing in my mind viewing this image.


The Nutters - Bettyswollocks
The Britannia Coconutters…. Lancashire’s finest…? Well to theme with the centrally placed shadows. A busy picture, giving movement and atmosphere and almost a hectic feel. Maybe the decapitation is a little harsh but gets you to concentrate on the shadows as the point of interest.


Ghosts from the Briny – John Riley
This image appeals to my dark side as it has undertones of a publicity photo once used to promote the film “The Fog”

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=the+fog&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1280&bih=563&tbm=is...

The combination of textures (Water and Rock) lift this image above the norm. Well spotted and captured.

Wheat Field – Sandinista
A beautifully crafted image as we have come to expect from Jim. Vangogh through a lens – without the crows. The converging leading lines and the excellent proportions for the hoirizon give this image a real WOW factor. The textures and some would say unusual B&W conversion work very well here.

Shadowplay – DrOrloff
Very strong to theme and a really captivating image. The vignette framing and the unusual surface of the hay bale for the projection, and the story that you can read into combine to give this capture a great appeal. Wonderful!

Victor Emmanuel Monument, Rome – Gartmore
I adore this image for it’s immediate simplistic appeal when viewed. Then as you look at it further the high angle and the wonderful way that the individuals are all included within the cast shadow shows great professionalism from the photographer and makes it representative of a single moment in time.

No EXiF as is from a scan, but you can tell it’s a Pentax……. It’s a great shot!

Just chillin – Bassman
A shot with great depth and an endearing quality – viewing this image you can almost feel the heat of the sun on your skin. The extra window cast and the crop showing the detail of the chair at the bottom left gives this shot context. A great title too, it is a lovely relaxing image.

Peeking at the Sunset – JudithAnn
Wonderful thoughtful expression captured in this image – the soft tones give a lovely finish. A portrait with an extra edge and bound to be a family favourite for many years to come. Great control and professionalism are evident to achieve such a timeless result.


Scooter Boy – Paulb531
The background detail gives this image context. The slight movement blur aids in this too. Maybe the shadowing at the bottom of the image obscures some of the clarity that could be gained from taking the shot away from what I presume is a building. An atmospheric shot if only we could all go back to the playground!

two's company – dannyh
A captivating image strong to theme. The plain background sets the scene. The position of the girls arms/legs work to give the feel of movement and the central framing works well here. Great! She seems in her own personal world….. maybe elbow protection to mirror the knee protection would be some advice for her to follow.

Mr & Mrs Shadow – AndrewA
Wonderfully titled, excellent framing and execution. I love the way that the shadow area inverts the texture of the paving rather than just being dark. Filling the frame to the top extent by using a crop gives a feeling of reach. A great image.


Piazza shadows – Dr Mhuni
This is a very stylish capture, which is a trademark of Dr Mhuni. The thought evoking nature of the image makes it indeed a special offering. The combination of shadow, shadow within the detail as well as the silhouettes give it great strength in this competition. Love it.

Chain – GaryJohn
Simple and stylish, which I really like. Nicely textured, nicely structured. Maybe “Chain, String and Wire” ? Striking decorative art.

Just Shadows – bforbes
A fantastic viewpoint and structure in this capture. Great depth and I love images which tell a story…. Or in this case you can make up your own. I find it has a tension to it. Shadows within shadows a great entry.

Playing in the shadows – Stopher
Chris…. Who told you of my soft spot for Meer cats? A literal interpretation maybe but a great capture. The strong shadow area shows that in terms of light, nothing can be a strong (something) element to an image.

Sicily Sunset – yosxik
Beautiful rich deep colour setting a scene of tranquillity. A real moment in time shot that would have been totally different a few minutes either side. Lovely strong silhouetting. I must be honest the logo does have a bad effect as to the relaxed nature of the capture.

Blyth Beach Huts – Geordie01
A very strong geometric structure. Wonderful mixes of texture and light and shade. Very strong to theme as with the shadows being so important to the final image. Very professionally crafted. A true Gem.

Meadows – Dodge69
A wonderful radial formation of shadows takes you in and around this image. Makes me look forward to the low evening lights of autumn we have coming around the corner. Very striking, atmospheric and again professionally crafted image Sean. Love it!

self-portrait – ArsenAl
Self portrait….. from the surface of the moon. The fish eye deformation gives this shot an extra dash of wonder for the viewer. Eyecatching and unusual in a very good way.

glass shadows – JimW
Just a bit of fun.
Messed with badly in PS.
Shadow cast on fridge, lighting by iphone torch app

Your words Jim – I love the thought, the experimentation and the ingenuity shown in this image. Which are traits that I try to promote in my students. There are lots of possibilities with this technique and equipment – keep experimenting! Great!

Lines and shadows – Tars
Another well crafted image. Wonderful use of leading lines. And shadows bringing interest to the often mundane subject matter of railings. Strong to theme smart capture.

A Shadow of its Former Self – GlynM
In your own words Glyn “Taking a slightly different approach to the normal light-bulb shadow shot” Love this approach. An extremely well crafted image a great idea well executed. Shadow and Play – a shot to be proud of!

Walking in shadows – Womble
Another fantastic entry Kris. A wonderful old/classic feel to the imagery. An intriguing framing. The image gives me a true feeling of movement and purpose, from the walking folio carrying character.

Set of six – Drofmit
Last entry and still shows a lot of promise. As a structured image the top distractions may be a little harsh. With the beautiful quality of the shadows experimentation could result in some epic results. Well Done.


Now for the results……. This is hard! Even on my scoring system we have multiple winners.

Gold (after the toss of a coin) is A Shadow of its Former Self – GlynM

Joint Silver Places goes to
You'll never walk alone – DavidTrout
Shadowplay – DrOrloff
Blyth Beach Huts – Geordie01

Bronze goes to
Wheat Field – Sandinista
two's company – dannyh
Ghosts from the Briny – John Riley

HCs to everybody – what a great collection – well done everyone! From the Cat

Many thanks for the considered judging VBC and for the good choice of subject - which prompted a rather better entry in terms of both numbers and quality than some recent comps. Congrats to Glyn for a most inventive and amusing winning shot; and to all those placed.

Fast and efficient wrap up to the competition! Yes, a great selection, and you are welcome to use my image as part of a teaching exercise.

Well done everyone who entered!

Thanks for a great competition VBC and for the judging which has obviously taken a great amount of thought. I also noted this week seems to have seen a revival in the weekly comp. Congrats to Glyn and the other winners. I don't envy him, having to follow VBC.

PS VBC I have no problem you using my entry for the critique

Gosh,that was a surprise. As a late entry I was just hoping for a mention and didn't really expect the top slot against such excellent competition. I thought David Trout had got it all sown up with such a fantastic opening to the competition.

Many thanks to VBC for setting such a good subject that was open to a broad interpretation. Thanks also John for the great set of comments and, obviously difficult, judging that you posted up so promptly. As Barrie has said it is going to be a very difficult act to follow.

Congratulations to my fellow award winners and everyone else for a wonderful set of brilliantly crafted images.

I have an inkling of an idea for the next subject which hopefully will firm-up so I can set the next competition shortly.

Glyn

Fantastic competition John and very well judged. Many thanks for my joint 2nd place and congratulations to Glyn for his fine winner. Also to my fellow podium companions.
By all means use my photo for your students.
David.

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Great competition John and a well deserved winner,ta for the placing and congrats to every one else.
Feel free to use the image for your students.

Well done Glyn great idea and execution in your image. Thanks for the placing John, a great honour amongst this very strong set of entries. Have thoroughly enjoyed reading your expert judging and comments. Well done all places and entrants.

congrats to winner and co-winners!

Well done Glyn an excellent shot and idea. And well done to VBC for such a quick result.

I think that was a good one, very enjoyable shots and judging!

The moment I saw the bulbs it was my winner! Well done GlynM.
VBC... Use my pic by all means... but publish the feedback, too, s.v.p.!!
On a vide-grenier/brocante stall.... YOUNEVEREVERMOVEANYTHING ... else you get someone breathing down your neck... pick it up and put it back by all means... but put it back within a millimetre of where it came from. As it was, this stall holder yelled at me for taking the picture!!
Yet, others are more than happy!?
Loved this subject, btw.

Still wishing I'd bought them though...

Great competition and feedback. No problem in using my photo.

Congrats to Glyn and the other medal winners. Many thanks to VBC for your comments!

Well done Glyn and everyone else.
Thanks to VBC for great subject and comments.
You are more than welcome to use pic.

Jim.