Weekly Competition #297 - Backlight Competition

Thanks for all the entries in the first competition I have set. The standard of judging will be difficult to follow and I'll do my best, but please bear with me as I'm no expert and I will tell it as I see it in my humble eyes.

Gloomy Place by johnriley
I like the lead in line of the fence to the main subject and the shadows cast by the animals. Shame the background is overexposed with the bright light and snow which needed an ND grad to hold it back.

Jellies by Sean282
Really unusual this shot. Couldn't quite make it out to start with. It definitely fits the bill but not clear enough and too much black for my liking.

Dandelion by coker
Nice view point being down so low and therefore getting the light behind the subject. Also good macro with background out of focus. Not an easy shot.

Sppech of Street by velimir
Good urban shot which suits the b&w conversion and fits the topic nicely of being backlit. The converging lines bring you into the picture and it takes a few views to notice the surrounding detail. Would have liked to seen it sharper but still very good.

Misty Trees by AndrewA
This to me has loads of atmosphere and is well captured in getting the backlight but still keeping the forground well exposed. The shadows and broken branches on the ground show up perfectly and the vignetting effect draws you in. A little editing to take out the bright spots in the branches would finish this off. I wish I could get up early enough to get these sort of shots.

Heading Home by Davidtrout
Not quite backlit but close enough for me to still like it. The shadow of the gent being in line with the path is excellent and the wall has real texture. Again the b&w conversion is the right way to go for me. Also spotted the gents reflection in the window. Good timing.

Soaring by bforbes
Superb shot of this seagull in flight and remarkably sharp. I like the way the light comes through the back of the wings and the edge light on the front.

Never Again... by AxelLuther
Backlit shots certainly lend themselves to a silhouette and this is a great example. The subject is well positioned against the ball of light and as you say, looks like an explosion. Certainly creates some emotion it you think about it.

Moonstorm by aliengrove
This is a great moody shot and I can only assume taken from an aircraft. The way the clouds are lit by the lighning is excellent and a well timed shot. I see that the exposure was 2.5 seconds long so you have done well to keep the sharpness.

Spring by Perspicador
Although this is a pleasing shot of what looks like a hawthorn in bloom it is rather flat and does not draw you into the picture. Also there is not much backlighting. Sorry, doesn't do it for me.

To Work by Dr Mhuni
I do like the way this has been lit by the early, low sun and the fact that it is so well exposed for the bright light, the subject and the surroundings. It would have been all to easy to get this exposure wrong. You have also done well in the positioning of the subject who is walking into the frame and therefore leads you in.

Late sun on fountain by wvbarnes
This photo needs something to emphasise the scale and distance as there are just the three fountains. The few plants in the foreground are out of focus and don't hold interest and the background is obscured. Maybe a slower shutter speed and a lower view point would help and possibly a portrait orientation.

Bridge over Dronfiels Bypass by Paulb531
Well backlit by the sun and I like the lead in line of the railings and the reflection on them, but it lacks a central subjet.

Backlit Baboon by Noelcmn
Nicely backlit but not quite enough detail in the subject and the flare in the bottom right hand corner detracts from the image.

Backlit Rose by Geordie01
I like the composition, colours and working of the light in this image. For an image at f16 with a long exposure I would have expected it to be sharper. Shame it's not or it would have made the short list.

Fountain by Mowser
A fountain shot needs that something extra to make it stand out or something different that holds your interest but I'm afraid this doesn't have it.

The Suns by ArsenAl
Plenty of summer colour here and makes me look forward to later in the year when summer arrives (by the way, summer is on a Tuesday this year so don't miss it....). I like the way the sun is poking through the petals of the flower but I think a tighter crop would have suited to eliminate the grey cloud and give more emphasis on the sun flowers.

Snow Scene by JAK
The trodden path, bridge, forground fences and the road lead nicely into this picture of a well exposed winter scene and reminds me of those calm cold days heading home for a mince pie and coffee when out for a long walk.

Bridge Across the Burn by Nicesparky
One of those scenes that look so good when you are there and take the shot but yet does not have the impact once it comes out of the camera. I know, I've done it a thousand times myself. Maybe some post production in boosting colours and contrast would help pick this up.

Charles Bridge Tower by DanielH
This fits the task well with the sun reflecting on the arch and shining through the tower to cast long shadows. I also like the way the rest of the scene is reasonable well exposed so that you can look around to see all that's going on. The portrait orientation also adds to the impact.

Early morning Poppy by Dromfit
Great composition in this shot with the poppy in the intersecting third and that one bead of dew in the opposite corner. Colours are great with sharpness in the focal plane drifting off to an out of focus background. Bring on summer.............

Orchids & Blinds by Davidstorm
Another great shot with exceptional sharpness in the orchid and nice colour tones. One of the few in the comp with artificial light enhancing the natural light.

I must say that critiquing all these photographs didn't come naturally so I congratulate all those that have come before me in doing such a good job. I thought I had the result all sorted but some late entries had me thinking, however the results go to:-

First.......Misty Trees by AndrewA

Second......To Work by Dr Mhuni

Third.......Early morning Poppy by Dromfit

Highly commended and in no particular order to:-
Sppech of Street by velimir
Heading Home by Davidtrout
Never Again... by AxelLuther
Moonstorm by aliengrove
Backlit Rose by Geordie01
The Suns by ArsenAl
Charles Bridge Tower by DanielH
Orchids & Blinds by Davidstorm

Good topic and a fine piece of judging David. You had some outstanding images to look at for your first ever judging session. Well done. AndrewA's winner is stunning and well deserved while another Andrew, Doc Mhuni, once again came up with a stunner. Well done also to Tim on his third place. Personally I had expected room to be found on the podium for Jon (Aliengrove) for his amazing thunder storm in the clouds. All round, a good competition.
David

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

Wow thank you for judging me as the winner! There was some superb entries so I am really pleased.

Well done to everyone, great topic too.

Congratulations Andrew and all those mentioned. Well done snakey, nothing wrong with your subject or judging. Are you sure it was your first time.

Thanks for the judging Snakey. Nicely done. Congrats to AndrewA and the others you singled out, and cheers for the much-coveted second.

Congratulations to those singled out. Some cracking entries. Didnt resonate with the critique of my entry but that's opinions for you. Well done...not an easy task

Congratulations Andrew A for a great winning shot, and congrats to the other podium places too! Thanks for my HC, and congrats to my HC's too.

My shot was indeed taken from an aircraft, the sharpness from the 2.5 secs exposure was due to the lightning acting as a flashgun. This shot was Highly Commended in this WPO award's, so this is my second HC!

Thanks for the "Third Place"... the translucence of simple flowers shot against the sun always appeals to me.