Weekly Competition #282 'Decay' Competition

Weekly Competition #282 Decay
The entries are all fine photographs and its given me a lot of pleasure to view them. Some have exceptional quality while one or two others would have been better by getting in closer and concentrating on the detail and framing rather than trying to include the whole scene.
The three podium pictures I have chosen are very different and anyone of them could have qualified as the winner. It was tough deciding between three that have such different qualities. Each one perfectly depicts decay. My choice was between a straightforward graphic image which clearly depicted the theme, another of exceptional technical excellence and one with poignancy and a tragic story to tell.
The result is just my choice based on personal preferences. I don't believe there is a best picture in the competition, just the one I liked best. There can only be one winner but I gave two equal 2nds instead of 2nd and 3rd.

Lecterns and Ladders by Johnriley

John gets this week's competition off to a cracking start with a classy shot demonstrating the highest technical ability. When I saw the ladders I wondered if this was really decay or the start of restoration work. But the piles of rubble and the caption reveal all, its a dumping ground for the parks department. Lovely textures, use of colour and compostition. The hint of burn out in the light from the window adds to the atmosphere rather than detracting from it.

TLC needed by TimE

Rust and peeling paint, dream ingredients for photographers with a love of textures and colour. This is a text book example of the genre because the composition and execution of the photograph are so very well done.

Past its sell by date by Tyronet 2000

This could be a distant planet with those lovely splashes of colour. I've got a similar looking photo of a ball of molten glass at Sunderland so I can respond to the abstract feel of this image. Its what the viewer wants to make of it. Good idea to illustrate this week's theme Stan. Perhaps a little work with the sliders in Photoshop might have lifted the exposure and contrast a little, but done with restraint so as not to spoil an excellent picture.

Forgotten by bforbes

This is delightful. The past-their-sell-by-date onions have become photographic fodder. Sometimes the simplest of images are the most satisfying, as here. The basket, rusty hook and door frame compliment the onions and make a perfect image. I don't mind the door frame fading away to burn out, bottom right, as I think that even adds to the scene. Is this one from Beamish Barrie?

The Old bannister by JudithAnn

This a a lovely shot JA, so well observed and having a simlar mood to the previous picture by Barrie. The constituents of the image are well arranged to make a perfect composition. I like the post processing, sepia suits the mood and the added frame is a master touch

Volets en detresse by ASmith

Welcome to Pentax User Andrew. I'm impressed by you entering a competition of your first day. I'm also impressed by this delightful image. The age worn wood and weathered stone work are superb and make a very attractive photograph. A slight correction in Photoshop to the perspective distortion would help but this is the sort of image many members here will enjoy.

Stll standing by Darlene

There's some lovely textures and crazy shapes in the old brickwork and the foliage creeping through the hole in the wall suggests nature reclaiming it's territory. Thanks for telling us the context of this picture Darlene, it helps me to appreciate the shot even more.

Rusty rail by Arrondee

The colour of that rust is just perfect; a lovely rich reddy orange. If it had been possible, or safe, to stand very slightly to your left you would have got more of the nearest handrail in shot, showing extra detail. But as it stands its a wonderful example of decay with no background distracting detail, except perhaps for that tiny spot of turquoise on the bottom rail which is easily cloned out.

Dust to dust by CMW

I love old gravestones and pictures like this work on two levels when the subject is decay. First there is the reminder that life itself is lmited and ends in decay. And then there's the fact that even the tombstone decays. And that's where photography comes into it. The textures and late evening lighting are lovely. This is an excellent shot, all the more poignant because of the ages of the deceased, the weather-worn incriptions revealing they were just 5, 11 and 26. You had good lighting for the picture and the fact that nothing is level adds to the overall impression of decay. Getting in slightly closer, or a crop to get rid of the fringe background, would strengthen this image.

Art of sacrifice by PedroCosta

This is beautifully photographed with excellent detail throughout by another new member entering his first weekly competition. Welcome on board Pedro. But everything is in such good condition I'm finding it hard to see the connection with decay.

Fade to grey by simonarron

This is an original view of the topic and I like it a lot. I wondered about the extremely narrow depth of focus but it certainly concentrates the eye on the golden spot in the photo, a the intersection of the thirds top left. The metal barriers don't sem to be decaying much but I bet the track surface is breaking up and the sense of decay is heightened by the plant life taking over. Nice use of black and white too.

The sentinal on Putrifaction's portal by Dromfit

Two immediate impressions here.
1: That's one helluva title.
2: Its one helluvan image.
The textures are lovely, the colour is arresting and you get top marks for keen observation in seeing the face. The image has a direct and immediate impact without any subtle hidden meanings and does exactly what the theme of this competition requires. I love it.

Chilli by GaryJohn

At first viewing I thought this was more of a colour/ pattern picture rather than depicting decay. But there it is, chilli number four from the left, well past its sell by date and obviously qualifying for the competition. The chillies look like a line up of show girls kicking their legs and supporting the ailing member through the act. Nice touch.

Rusty nail by Geordie01.

A few of these old staithes can still to be found in the North East though its many years since they were used for loading ships with coal from railway wagons coming down from the collieries. So this picture of decay is pitched at two levels - the physical decay of the wood and rusty nail, and the death and decay of an industry that once employed tens of thousands of people in this region. Good idea George, and very well photographed.

Scrollwork by Sandinista

The vivid colours are very attractive with the rusty red set against the blue and green bokeh. A perfect color match. Even the lichen, if that's what it is on the hinge, is in harmony with the background. The pin sharp detail of the rusty gate is superb. Overall a lovely picture.

Holy Trinity by DannyH

The decay in his architectural treasure is not immediately apparent apart from the weathered patches on the lower areas of wall. But as Danny points out this is due to restoration work. Recovery from decay is quite acceptable. The PP treatment is very effective.

Coeval mountains by Arsenal

Another lovely old building, this one hundreds of years older than in the previous image. Those weathered stones must have withstood ceturies of harsh weather high up in the mountains and its resulted in some delightful textures. Even the background mountains are decaying, gradually being ground down by weathering.

Fit for trees only by Noelcmn

I wouldn't normally choose to stay at a hotel littered with rusty cars but its a great opportunity for a photographer. The patchy light under the trees has been well handled but getting in closer to the car would have brought out interesting rusty detail. It would also lose some of the distracting background.

Decay of the day by Dodge69

Nice try Sean and a wonderful sunset scene but I can't see decay in this. I may be totally wrong but I believe the end of the day isn't decay - more the birth of night which leads to the birth of a new day. However its a beautiful photo.

1944 by Dr Orloff

An infamous date in European history - one of many - is uniquely recalled in this memorial which is now expertly recorded by Adrian. The use of a wide angle lens has thrown everything into sharp focus all the way from the wrecked cars in the foreground right through to the ruined building. The rusting hulks of the cars are symbolic of the ravaged bodies in the atrocity. The black and white medium works so well and that moody sky adds an appropriate sombre touch.

Rust and paint by AndrewA

Good position of the subject, it fits well in the frame. This Is a very competent rust picture with excellent colour and detail..the background bokeh is good and there's nothing to compete visually with the main point of interest.

Here decay gone tomorrow by Jim-w

There's plenty of decay in this shot which is very busy with different areas of interest competing. The rotten branch with its covering of lichen and fungus forms a pleasing arch across the frame which strengthens the composition but the old building in the background, also the bang on topic as decay, would have looked better thrown even more out of focus.

Jacobs Guylee by paulb531

No doubt about the rot in this sad building, a depressing scene to be found in many of our industrial towns and cities. You were right to present this in black and white, colour wouldn't have had the same impact in my opinion. The verticals could do with a little straightening.

Result:
1, The sentinal on Putrifaction's portal by Dromfit
=2 Lecterns and Ladders by Johnriley; 1944 by Dr Orloff
HCs: Sandinista; JudithAnn; ASMITH

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

Congratulations to the winner and other placings. Thanks to David for the interesting subject and judging.

That is a stunning image Dromfit. Well spotted and as David said, great impact despite its simplicity. CONGRATULATIONS.
Thanks for judging and for the terrific open theme David.

Wow love the winning shot! Great compo and critique.

Superb set of images from the winners, congratulations. Well set and well judged David. Yes David Beamish it is, Pockerley Old Hall.

(LOL - it was a impulse upload having been taken that day )

High quality comp, well done everybody

Really like the rather esoteric winner

That was another great competition, with lots of great images. It's interesting how, as photographers, we find so much beauty and fascination in decay and dereliction.

Nicely assessed, David, and top marks to the podium trio.

Thanks David... glad you liked it! Did you spot the stub of the Camel in his mouth? And congratulations to all, not just the winners/HCs... my personal choices were "a pair of old shutters", some "red hot chillies" and "a bunch of old onions with a skein of raffia"... not necessarily in that order... but it might be a guide as to what I look for in a picture!

It is always worth carrying a camera that fits in the pocket... my cheap little Optio has its drawbacks... lack of apperture control and an over sharpening alogrithm being two... but it is still a good camera, capable of capturing a nice image... and a very useful photocopier, to boot!!

Good subject, congratulations to a very enjoyable and amusing winner. Well done to fellow mentionees, some fine images in a class field. So thanks David for the coveted 2nd place.

Congratulations to the winners -- all thoroughly deserved -- and thanks to David for skillfully evaluating quite a wide range of photographs.

Well done Tim on a corking shot for the winner, congrats to podiums and fellow HC's. Quality cc and judging from you David, I always learn something when reading your remarks on the shots. Thanks for the HC very pleased given the strength and quality of the entries.

Well done to Tim and places and thanks to David for the great comp and judging.

Jim.