School Competition photo poll!

I am entering a school photography competition. The competition has no theme and as far as i know the judge or judges would not be very experienced photographers. I just need some other peoples opinion as to which photo I should enter. So please enter the poll!

1. [IMG]http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo295/pulveriser12/Best/IMGP0505-2.jpg[/IMG]

2.
[IMG]http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo295/pulveriser12/Best/IMGP1039-2.jpg[/IMG]

3.
[IMG]http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo295/pulveriser12/Best/IMGP1039-2-2.jpg[/IMG]

4.
[IMG]http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo295/pulveriser12/Best/IMGP1152.jpg[/IMG]

5.[IMG]http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo295/pulveriser12/Best/IMGP3123-2.jpg[/IMG]

6.[IMG]http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo295/pulveriser12/Best/IMGP4463.jpg[/IMG]

7.
[IMG]http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo295/pulveriser12/Best/IMGP4472.jpg[/IMG]

8.
[IMG]http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo295/pulveriser12/Best/IMGP4820.jpg[/IMG]

Also please say if i should edit one of them to make it better!

Most of these should do well

My personal preferance would be for the last shot, the girls eyes are totally black and give the image a certain "evilness" especially when combined with her expression, but that may put off certain judges, especially if theyre not photographers who are just looking for a "nice" picture.

I would clone a dead puppy where that out of focus bag? is and have the judges calling for you head (that was a joke and not a serious suggestion)

PS; do you want to buy a dead puppy

I did not enter the poll.
But some thoughts:
1. does not offer much, NO.
2. quite like it. YES.
3. no 2 is better !
4. out of focus. NO!
5. Not totally sure. Are the eyes in focus??? If not, then NO.
Nice girl, but what is message?
6. Ok. If for school comp. At the same time - not clearly understandable, what they do there. writing a word? silhuettes are nice.
but.....
PS. I do not like the branches in right upper corner.
7. Both 6 & 7 - a lot depends how you name the pics. Actually this remak goes to all pics. first thing that comes to head is "J. Christ" I do not think it is a good "heading" !
8. I like the green/red balance, the grainy look, and the expression of te girl. I doubt about the white thing on rigt side (?)

Summary: my fav: no 2 and 8 (the last one)
Good luck, whatever you choose !
You have to get lot other opinions as well. I am not professional.
My words may seem harch, do not mind.

I really like the 'lo=fi' quality of the last shot.
I like the slightly distorted / grainy background. How did you achieve this?

Agree with spider, there is something sinister about it.

I would enter this one.

Thank you all this is just what i need...

Aiki, what you said is very useful and you are right to speak the truth about a photo...there is no point in just being nice for the sake of it! thanks

Karl: I believe the lens was the main reason for the distorted/grainy background. An old 135mm accura supertel...like you i was using a manual lens on my K100D...looks like we're on similar budgets
here is the original before editing...
[IMG]http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo295/pulveriser12/Best/IMGP4820-2.jpg[/IMG]

oh....anyone got any thought-provoking names for number 8?
and should i remove the white bag in the top right?

The judges - are they staff or students?

Mike

I would enter the last one, also.
As a suggestion I would try to crop off anything on the girls left hand side.
Then clone out the remains of the basket.
So you end up with a square format and the young girl looking right through your soul.
Possibly turn it into a high contrast grainy B&W. (Accentuate the dark, evil, brooding look)

Either way, this picture has a lot potential.

Martin.

Yes I'm with Martin on this.
Her eyes would then be near/on the top-right focus point, making sure she gets your attention. Then try some effects like you've now or an B&W to make it stand out of the rest.
If you keep the effect you've now, try to make her eyes better. They are a lovely grey with the normal photo, although the black eyes also have something.... I don't know, simply try it out and see what you like.

I'm very bad with names so better not give you any advice on that

Number 2 for me jerome.It made me pause the longest to ponder what she's thinking about

Martin,
you idea may be good. I do not argue. My imagination started working.

But...
If Jerome does the way you told, there will be more of you in the pic. Let the author do his work so that he is himself. Even if your idea is better. BTW both of you have your own good points I really do enjoy the green and red....

He may play with your ideas just for fun and learning. But if it is a competition....he must be himself ! His own ideas.

of course, it is only my opinion.

He asked advice about possibly editing, to make them better. It was only a suggestion. I don't do his work, I just point him in a direction.
What ever he decides....... It will remain his picture.

Martin.

we all give advices. You advice takes him quite far from the original.
Your suggestion is ok. It is good to pull imagination and help others to see new possibilities. I said. But.... ...., as I said.

We all have our opinions
Jerome has also. His choice - to do whatever.

If i was not an independant minded person it would hinder me but as i am, the suggestions only help.

I tried b/w but it doesn't really work as her clothes are actually way ove-exposed (i'm not used to working with manual lenses). I will try the other suggestions out

I think it may be students...quite weird because, as far as i know, no-one else in the school is into photography as much as i am!
Oh well, i can only try my best if they have no idea what they're doing they'll choose some shot that uses a 'cool' technique like HDR but has no compositional virtues.

thanks, jt

Hi Jerome,I say square crop the last,and call it Clockwork Orange,vis a vis the look.That should stimulate a debate! Hope that's not too barmy.Tony.

P.S.A prophet is never recognized in his own village.