Fortnightly Competition no # 12: Your best shot ever.

George,

After this bloody hard three day shoot that forced me to cough up £270 to those very nice men at Calumet for a background support system, background paper and a very nice case for lighting stands, none of which were used in the picture posted, I have another 600+ snaps on my hard drive.

Why didn't I use film? As Martin pointed out I would have a nicer grain structure and guess what? I would have just handed the lot over to another bunch of nice men and women at One Vision and not had to do any PP at all!

Ken

I prefer the mono version. I really think that colour, as it often is (but never in Ralf's photographs), is a distraction here. Great picture!

Ken

Ken, you have a PM.

Martin.

Congratulations to Prieni, what did I say as soon as you posted it

I must be starting to understand these things better, I had already picked first and second identical to Martin. I had a different third place, but hey, it wasn't my decision.

Thanks for your comments Martin, you are right, of course, it is too noisy. I really must get myself a checklist to run through before releasing the shutter

Wow. I think Martin just won "Judge of the year". Seriously, I add my thanks to the thorough way you considered the entries, and the effort you put into commenting on them.

I too am a great fan of this fortnightly competition, having to produce a piece of work rather than finding one in "Blue Peter" style.

Ralf's winner is superb as usual (well done). I very much liked TonyO's;RR's; and gartmore's entries this week. But I absolutely adore Dr Muhni's entry, well done to you too.

ps. yes Martin, there is a dog in the picture. I had taken the 300mm to the canal towpath to try and capture some wildlife and only got a couple of boring duck snaps which I deleted immediately. Walking back I only just caught this chap out of the corner of my eye walking his dog across the field, and quickly grabbed 3 frames one of which became this entry. It all happened so quickly, I had no thoughts of solitary or earth coloured tones when I captured it. I only saw this when I reviewed it on the screen. There is a lesson there I suppose.

Congratulations to the winners and my thanks to Martin for his very helpful comments on my work, who knows I may try again one day.

PS sorry I broke size rules I did not realise I had, will make sure if I try again that I get it right.

Would that be one day during the next 14

Got to admit, although I don't always get to enter, I like this format as I don't have a huge stock of photos I can fall back on, so it sort of levels the field. ( Having said that, my entry in the weekly this week is about 12 months old, so I can't really use that excuse anymore ).

Congratulations to all winners and to The Judge It's so difficult to review pictures, give them constructive critique and choose winners. Scary thing to win the competition, isn't it?

Oh! no, it may be many a long day before I have the courage and a shot I like at the same time, so please don't hold your breath

Gosh! just noted I am no longer venerable, if that because I posted oversize?

Congrats to the winners. As usual I overcooked my entry by spending too much time in PS ! Lesson learnt. I hope.

Not to be discouraged though... bring on the next theme Ralf !

Congratz to everyone really, some amazing photos their and Martin for spending so much time on judging and commenting on every photo, you did a great job like always!
Prieni hopefully you come up with an interesting subject since I finally have some real time at hand to go out and shoot.

Congratulations to Prieni for a lovely winner, and Malo1961 for taking the time for some thorough and interesting judging. What I learnt this time is red kites move very quickly, so even 1/2000 won't freeze them. Next time...

Robert.

Congratulations to both judge and winner - a really good selection of shots there

Scary ???? Not really. Exhausting yes!

Martin.