Weekly Competition #396 - New Life Competition

Thanks to all who entered. My comments and the full results are below. (This is my first time as a judge, so please forgive any indiscretions)

First Bean Shoot by GlynM
Nice lighting particularly the rim light. I like the precisely controlled depth of field and the contrast of the dark soil (peaty compost?) and the shoot. Shame you didn’t win the competition with your Dad!
Fresh Chicken by tyronet2000
Good idea and subject, but I don’t think you really did it justice. I suppose you couldn’t have taken it from the other side?
Is it safe to come out yet? By simonarron
Beautiful shot. Great control of the exposure to retain detail in the highlights and the shadows.
Water Lily by michaelblue
Ah, one of my favourite flowers. Technically excellent shot, lovely reflection and great colours.
Awakening by davidwozhere
I like the idea (I’ve tried similar shots myself), but I don’t think the execution is quite there. I feel there’s too much out of focus matter in front of the main subject, which makes it difficult for the eye to locate the subject.
New Life by talete
Very good street shot and I like the story – but would I have got it without the words? I love the echo of the position of the feet in the poster by the subject’s feet.
Bud by palani
Lovely colours. I think I’d prefer the second bud at the bottom of the frame to be either in or out of the frame, rather than partly in.
Introducing Sarah by ken2390
Lovely peaceful baby picture. The crop is a bit tight for my taste.
Roll Call by johnriley
Lots of new life here! That mother certainly has her work cut out. Technically spot on.
Manufacture of Bubblewrap by drofmit
Interesting take on the subject and I understand why you chose it. I find the two overexposed highlights just too distracting.
New Born by noelcmn
Great depth of colour, especially that hair (I’m jealous too!) I think I’d prefer more depth of field, because the writing on the shirt seems to be the sharpest part of the frame, leaving the face just not sharp enough to my eye.

Result:
1st – Is it safe to come out yet? by simonarron
2nd Roll Call by johnriley
3rd= First Bean Shoot by GlynM and Water Lily by Michaelblue
Highly Commended – New Life by talete

Excellent, well done everyone and many thanks to SteveF for his first judging!

Congratulations to the Winner and other places. Thanks to SteveF for the interesting subject, judging and comments.

Yes, I could have taken the shot from the other side but would have probably killed the chicken in the process. As it belonged to some one else I took a quick shot the immediately replaced the incubator lid.

Thanks for the nomination, Steve - and also for the thoughtful comments. Compliments, too, to t'other front-runners. New comp now up and running in the usual place: link

Many thanks Steve for the joint 3rd place. Thanks too for such a well managed competition with a great original subject.

Congratulations to Simon for the excellent winning image and everyone else for a very nice set of pictures.

Glyn

That would have been my choice too, an excellent winning image, lovely details. A hearty congratulations-what excellent timing on that shot. Congrats extended to Johnriley, GlynM, Michaelblue and the HM Talete. A fine challenge, and an equally fine judging exercise. Thanks Steve.

A bit late coming to this....
been very busy, we have the roofers in!
Good job I didn't post the winner!

Great winning shot and podia...
the winner would look good as an Athena poster!

"I find the two overexposed highlights just too distracting."
Yes, me too!
Hence my comment with the photo about carrying Blu-Tac...
those highlights are two of the LEDs....
I now have three small blobs stuck round the inside of the "macr:roll stand"...
which are also useful for cutting down the amount of flash in close-up.