Weekly competition #377 - Airborne Competition

Hi Guy's

I haven't finished commenting on all the entries but wanted to post the winner as soon as possible.

Well done Colin. Think its a really fun image that really stands out. Hopefully you'll be able to tell us a bit about how you got the shot.

I'll post the comments later

Sean

Can't argue with that choice. B/W choice is an excellent one for this.
Congratulations Colin. I'm also interested in knowing the finer details. Thanks Sean for another interesting challenge, that brought out some stunners. And for judging too!

Apologies for getting this to you all so late. I didn't keep up with the entries as the came in and ended up busy with a charity event over the weekend. Without further a due here are my comments

Airborne

Gull by Mudge
Great start to the comp mudge. A super action shot thats very well exposed. Is he coming in for landing or possibly spotted a stray chip that's soon to be his. Theres something about the faming that's not quite right to my eye but after messing about myself I can see its not an easy one to frame.

Heaven by michaelblue
Thats a lovely shot Michael. There's a real 3D effect to it. Actually thought it was Aliengrove's handy work when I seen it first so you can take that as a compliment

Attitude by stu62
Attitude at altitude . Very well captured image stu. THe timing and focus spot on, but I find the background really distracts my view. Its just to dark and busy for the image to pop.

Gannet in flight by Perspicador
What an elegant bird the Gannett. I think the framing is excellent. The way the birds head gets framed by the break in the cloud really helps it stand out. Both the exposure and focus are spot on. I really like this shot

Hovering Bee by Glynn
Viewed large this really pops. Having tried on may occasions to get this shot with both bees and hover fly's I can only dream what its like to get the focus on one of these shots as Ive yet to get a keeper. I'd be very pround of this shot

Graceful legend by simonarron
I think you're underselling this image simon. This backlit image presents the outline of an iconic piece of history. I love the lighting the background and the lead in for the Lancaster itself. Its a wonderful shot.

Red Arrows by TiffRaw
Love the treatment on this image Tiff. The contrast really gives it that 3D look and its an image I could look at for a long time and enjoy.

Flight Of The Dragon by Colin Donaldson
I'd love to have got the story on this one. I love it. The framing, the positioning of the limbs and the facial expression bring it to life. The background lighting adds to it. This is a contendor

Only Just by Martynprescott
. The birds body position reminds me of a prisoner hanging in medieval dungeon chains. The shot itself does not sing to me I have to say. The background is dull and the bird looks over exposed. I think a wider aperture and a faster shutter speed might have got a better shot. It certainly would have helped with the motion blur on the wing tips if focus could be nailed.

Airborne by Daroni
Exposure and focus are spot on but I'm not loving the distracting and uninspiring distracting background Daroni. The athlete is just not well enough isolated in the frame.

Heron in Flight by johnriley
Love the shape of the wing in this shot John and the focus looks spot on. I was thinking initially that the background was distracting but actually the contrast between the subject and background makes it still work. Just a shame that over hanging branch has such an impact on the overall shot

Paragliding over Stanage Edge by paulb531
There's a HDR look to this image paul. You'll have to explain how you treated this. There's a lot of detail and points of interest in the shot. Too much I think. Actually playing around with this square crop, I found that taking rectangular landscape crops from both the top and the bottom produced 2 very pleasing images. Try it and see what you think

Bella flying low over Wimbourne by SteveF
Dancing in the land of fairies and elves . I like the body position of the prancing dancer but I want her to be more in frame and isolated from the background.

High Rise Window Cleaning by dinneenp
Sorry Patrick. Looks precarious but also looks as if it doesnt fulfil the criteria of the competition

Gannet and Twig by bforbes
That is a beautiful shot Barries. Wonderfully isolated, focus bang on. The feather colours and their detail are just fantastic.

All Alone by ken2390
Fulfils the criteria of the competition ken but that's about it I'm afraid. Theres nothing to interest the eye in the shot. Sorry

Grey Heron in flight by Noelcmn
Like the framing of this shot Noel. Its a great lead in and shows of this majestic creature beautifully. Its a shame the background chnages on the top of the image as it distacts and draws the eye away from the heron itself

Cherry B...by drofmit
Another hovering insect shot that very well executed. The bee is well isolated and in focus and sits well in the frame. I personally would love to get closer to the bee but I think we all know thats easier said than done? Wondering if the white balance could do with a slight adjustment?


So onto the podium places

1st Flight of the Dragons - Colin Davidson
2nd Gannet and twig - bforbes
3rd Graceful legend - simonarron
HC's
Gannet in flight - Perspicador
Gull - mudge
Red Arrows - TiffRaw

Well done to all those who entered

Many thanks Sean for a great competition. I thought your subject choice worked very well and your comments and judging were excellent.

Congratulations to Colin for the wonderful winning image, Barrie and Simon for the other podium places, the runners up and everyone else for a great and diverse set of interpretations.

Glyn

Thanks for the coveted second place Sean. Also thanks for taking the time to set, judge and in particular comment on each entry.

My congratulations to Colin, Simon and all those who entered your worthwhile competition.

Thanks for the HC Sean!
Congratulations to Colin and the other podium winners, and to Sean for a well thought out set of comments

Surprise. Taken as a bit of fun. The toy was hung from a washing line with fine thread which was cloned out of the final image. The original was too garish hence the monochrome treatment.

Many Sean for an excellent competition with comprehensive feedback - always appreciated. Congratulations to Colin for a excellent winning effort and well done to Barry and Simon.

I try to avoid archive stuff if I can. I went out shooting for the competition and for some reason I only took the 12-24 which wasn't ideal. I tried cropping and wasn't happy with the quality so I went with what I had. It's not HDR - I don't particularly like it. I darkened the blue and lightened the yellow to make the paraglider stand out.

Best Regards

Paul

Really enjoyed this one. Many thanks, Sean for my first Commendation! Yes, good versatile theme.