Weekly Competition 22 : RED
Posted 09/12/2007 - 20:30
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K10D / D-FA100 Macro / f8 / 1-125sec / ISO100 / AF360FGZ
Joining the Q
Posted 10/12/2007 - 00:10
Link
Ok here are the results.
I am not an expert so any views are just my take on the picture. I hope I don't upset too many people.
McBrian
Lovely shot, beautifully composed and exposed. The texture and detail of the dress keeps my eyes wandering around the image. The stool itself adds to the composition by dividing the image of the dress into 2 distinct parts. Finally I like the fact that the background and seat cover are also reds and compliment the main subject. This week’s winner.
Niblue
Interesting shot. Slight grainy appearance which is because you had to use a high ISO I guess. I like the way my eye moves from the Union flag; to the motorcyclists jackets; to the officer’s jacket and leg stripe; and finally to the cone. I would have cropped a bit tighter to remove the three lanterns. Ps. Is the chap on the right falling off!
Clarky
Very interesting and angular skyline, it could almost be a section of a large warship! I would have preferred more of a silhouette with less detail of the buildings, but that is just personal preference. A little bit too orange rather than red for me, but that is splitting hairs really.
Justgetoutandride
Great picture which would look super printed in the letter box format you have used here. Reminds me of cross between Dante’s inferno and a scene from Lord of the Rings. Lovely combination of textures and colours in the sky, an egg yolk setting sun and an added bit of interest from the lights of the town on the side of the hill.
Prieni
Glorious colour here, and you have picked up the fine detail of the rim of the flower. The out of focus background has a very warm feel to it. I am not sure about the three shadows at the front though, I think the picture would have been better without.
Amoringello
River of fire ! I really like this shot. Obviously a fun firework display, but the image has a vibrancy that keeps my attention. The fall off of light on the river just over half way up the picture leads me to think there is a steep waterfall there, and even though I know there probably isn’t, together with the red tones, this adds an air of danger (or am I just getting carried away).
Nimitz
There is certainly red in the picture, and the whole Christmas thing is strongly associated with the colour, but I am afraid this doesn’t do much for me.
Ericp
Lovely vibrant red in this image. I really like the contrast between the sharp lines and colour of the scooter, and the soft colour and texture of the wall. I personally would have cropped this some more, and I think it could benefit from applying a bit more sharpening.
Johnriley
I don’t know what to make of this one. I am pretty sure it is a Sutton Hoo style mask that has been given a “makeover”! This gives it a very psychedelic 1960’s feel. It is a very striking image and I keep getting drawn back to it.
Ernie
Red berries…very seasonal. The main subject is sharp enough, but I think the background a bit flat, and the picture lacks punch. I think a wider aperture than 9.5 would have blurred the background more, and a tighter crop would help.
Ammonyte
The “Trevor McDonald” shot! Very nice. Despite shooting in what must have been difficult conditions at ISO 800 you have a noise free image. It appears the point of focus is slightly in front of “Trevor”’s head, but I don’t think that matters as you have “captured the moment” perfectly. The background is devoid of distracting elements, and I like the fact that the “red” is not the main subject. Well done.
Malo1961
Interesting shot which I think works very well in total monochrome. The eye wanders from the different frames behind the woman to the patterns on the pavement. You have captured the woman very well, and she provides a contrast to the other neat and angular lines. I don’t think the red pillar (water hydrant?) treatment adds anything to the shot, sorry.
Davem
Another strong vibrant red in this shot, but I am afraid the rest of the picture is a bit too busy for me.
Gartmore
Very nice. Exactly what I was looking for. Bold colour with the rivets and joints providing added interest, topped off with the blue rope providing contrasting colour as well as pattern. I do think it is sufferers a bit from vignetting however, or it could just be my eyes. Second place
GlynM
I bet you were cleaning it all weekend! I have to say I would have preferred to see more of it in focus especially the front nearside headlamp, but I do appreciate you are working with a narrow depth of field. Also possibly a black background might have given it a bit more punch. Nice model though.
Pnjmcc
Our first film entry of this week. Filling the background with a single colour in this case the red garage door, has made this an interesting picture. It contrasts with the boy and focuses our attention on him much more than a distracting background would have done. Perhaps slightly overexposed (front of his head), and another picture which would benefit from some sharpening.
GaryMoffat
Come clean Gary, just an excuse to show off your car!! Seriously though I think there was potential here for a slightly better image. The three red doors with the red framework beneath it do keep the eye moving round the picture. Different framing, avoiding the grass and brick behind the car, and I think you could come up with a more interesting shot.
Freetobe
Very interesting, I would like to know how you came up with the image. It is very striking and I like it a lot. There are a few blown highlights on the flowers, but I don’t think that detracts from the image which overall shouts movement. If I can criticize I would say this picture is crying out to be resized in a square format, and a bit more saturation of the reds would make it even more striking.
Sussexsurfer
I think the most interesting thing about this picture is the red reflection on the pavement, where the squares and lines change the shapes and give us more than we would get with a flat surface. To this end I feel that the cars on the right and the bright shop windows distract from the scene. I cropped your picture vertically removing everything to the right of the car in the centre, and I think it worked better. Have a go and let me know what you think.
HowardJ
Image of our native red squirrel, from another film user. I don’t know how much the original was blown up to produce this image but I am afraid it is too noisy and unsharp for me, sorry.
ThePup
Great portrait with just the right amount of subject sharpness. I think you have captured the moment perfectly…. Exposure spot on and just the right aperture to blur what otherwise would have been a very distracting background. Great angle too.
karma mechanic
karma, you had my office playing a guess the car competition last Friday so be prepared for more requests.
I really like this shot. There is something about raindrops on metallic paint that works. Some might argue that the exposure might be too much at the top of the picture or that the reflection of the trees (?) at top left and centre are distracting. I don’t, I think as a complete image it is very attractive, well exposed and sharp. Commended
Aunt Sally
Ah, one of my favourite tipples. Great lighting, very sharp, nice bit of out of focus area at the bottom. Expertly captured. I also like the close image. I can remember one of the first books on photography I ever read said “fill the frame”, and I personally think it is great advice.
AdrianP
Beautiful image, taken in what I guess was quite tricky lighting. Very Kodachrome reds on the tree, but what I think makes this image is the carpet of leaves under the tree and its neighbours which contrasts nicely with the green grass beyond. Commended
Lilly
I am not normally a fan of a coloured section in a monochrome image, but I think in this case it works. Lovely delicate detail on the leaves themselves, but what really captivates me is the way the light has caught the “hairs” on the stems. I would like to see the original.
Lenscape
Very good image. I don’t take glamour shots so can’t possibly critique from knowledge, but seems to me to be well lit and exposed, and a natural looking model. I would liked to have seen more detail in the dress, perhaps that could be lightened a bit. I note the shadows from the studio lights forming an X behind the models legs, could that be removed with photoshop ?
Viewfinder
Finally…..Santa makes an appearance. Is it me or does he look like he has fallen asleep? A very colourful and busy scene, but that is what one expects with this subject. Personally I would have cropped to remove the overexposed highlights at the top, and zoom in a bit closer. I think a bit more saturation to boost the redness would not go amiss also. But overall a good representation of today’s Christmas scene.
Tyr
He is quite a cute little dragon. Tyr, I had a look on your picasa site and preferred the version I saw on there! Seemed sharper. Anyway, Red Dragon at his altar surrounded by mystical stones other mystical things….I like it, probably because he reminds me of a song I liked when I was a boy.
The cloth draped on the laptop did well here to give the impression of a cave, and seems t have a luminescence of its own
LiamD
I have no idea what the flower is either, but it is beautiful capture. Focus is spot on, and the out of focus leaves and background give a warm soft feel to the picture. Very nice. Commended
Daniel Bridge
A cracking shot here Daniel. A well executed sharp picture which grabs my attention. The warmth and texture of the aged red leather is contrasted with the red coloured wood at the top. The silver door handle finishes the composition perfectly. Third Place
hefty1
Not what I was expecting but it fits the bill. There is plenty of detail and the texture makes for an interesting picture. Not sure if it’s one for mantelpiece though !
I am not an expert so any views are just my take on the picture. I hope I don't upset too many people.
McBrian
Lovely shot, beautifully composed and exposed. The texture and detail of the dress keeps my eyes wandering around the image. The stool itself adds to the composition by dividing the image of the dress into 2 distinct parts. Finally I like the fact that the background and seat cover are also reds and compliment the main subject. This week’s winner.
Niblue
Interesting shot. Slight grainy appearance which is because you had to use a high ISO I guess. I like the way my eye moves from the Union flag; to the motorcyclists jackets; to the officer’s jacket and leg stripe; and finally to the cone. I would have cropped a bit tighter to remove the three lanterns. Ps. Is the chap on the right falling off!
Clarky
Very interesting and angular skyline, it could almost be a section of a large warship! I would have preferred more of a silhouette with less detail of the buildings, but that is just personal preference. A little bit too orange rather than red for me, but that is splitting hairs really.
Justgetoutandride
Great picture which would look super printed in the letter box format you have used here. Reminds me of cross between Dante’s inferno and a scene from Lord of the Rings. Lovely combination of textures and colours in the sky, an egg yolk setting sun and an added bit of interest from the lights of the town on the side of the hill.
Prieni
Glorious colour here, and you have picked up the fine detail of the rim of the flower. The out of focus background has a very warm feel to it. I am not sure about the three shadows at the front though, I think the picture would have been better without.
Amoringello
River of fire ! I really like this shot. Obviously a fun firework display, but the image has a vibrancy that keeps my attention. The fall off of light on the river just over half way up the picture leads me to think there is a steep waterfall there, and even though I know there probably isn’t, together with the red tones, this adds an air of danger (or am I just getting carried away).
Nimitz
There is certainly red in the picture, and the whole Christmas thing is strongly associated with the colour, but I am afraid this doesn’t do much for me.
Ericp
Lovely vibrant red in this image. I really like the contrast between the sharp lines and colour of the scooter, and the soft colour and texture of the wall. I personally would have cropped this some more, and I think it could benefit from applying a bit more sharpening.
Johnriley
I don’t know what to make of this one. I am pretty sure it is a Sutton Hoo style mask that has been given a “makeover”! This gives it a very psychedelic 1960’s feel. It is a very striking image and I keep getting drawn back to it.
Ernie
Red berries…very seasonal. The main subject is sharp enough, but I think the background a bit flat, and the picture lacks punch. I think a wider aperture than 9.5 would have blurred the background more, and a tighter crop would help.
Ammonyte
The “Trevor McDonald” shot! Very nice. Despite shooting in what must have been difficult conditions at ISO 800 you have a noise free image. It appears the point of focus is slightly in front of “Trevor”’s head, but I don’t think that matters as you have “captured the moment” perfectly. The background is devoid of distracting elements, and I like the fact that the “red” is not the main subject. Well done.
Malo1961
Interesting shot which I think works very well in total monochrome. The eye wanders from the different frames behind the woman to the patterns on the pavement. You have captured the woman very well, and she provides a contrast to the other neat and angular lines. I don’t think the red pillar (water hydrant?) treatment adds anything to the shot, sorry.
Davem
Another strong vibrant red in this shot, but I am afraid the rest of the picture is a bit too busy for me.
Gartmore
Very nice. Exactly what I was looking for. Bold colour with the rivets and joints providing added interest, topped off with the blue rope providing contrasting colour as well as pattern. I do think it is sufferers a bit from vignetting however, or it could just be my eyes. Second place
GlynM
I bet you were cleaning it all weekend! I have to say I would have preferred to see more of it in focus especially the front nearside headlamp, but I do appreciate you are working with a narrow depth of field. Also possibly a black background might have given it a bit more punch. Nice model though.
Pnjmcc
Our first film entry of this week. Filling the background with a single colour in this case the red garage door, has made this an interesting picture. It contrasts with the boy and focuses our attention on him much more than a distracting background would have done. Perhaps slightly overexposed (front of his head), and another picture which would benefit from some sharpening.
GaryMoffat
Come clean Gary, just an excuse to show off your car!! Seriously though I think there was potential here for a slightly better image. The three red doors with the red framework beneath it do keep the eye moving round the picture. Different framing, avoiding the grass and brick behind the car, and I think you could come up with a more interesting shot.
Freetobe
Very interesting, I would like to know how you came up with the image. It is very striking and I like it a lot. There are a few blown highlights on the flowers, but I don’t think that detracts from the image which overall shouts movement. If I can criticize I would say this picture is crying out to be resized in a square format, and a bit more saturation of the reds would make it even more striking.
Sussexsurfer
I think the most interesting thing about this picture is the red reflection on the pavement, where the squares and lines change the shapes and give us more than we would get with a flat surface. To this end I feel that the cars on the right and the bright shop windows distract from the scene. I cropped your picture vertically removing everything to the right of the car in the centre, and I think it worked better. Have a go and let me know what you think.
HowardJ
Image of our native red squirrel, from another film user. I don’t know how much the original was blown up to produce this image but I am afraid it is too noisy and unsharp for me, sorry.
ThePup
Great portrait with just the right amount of subject sharpness. I think you have captured the moment perfectly…. Exposure spot on and just the right aperture to blur what otherwise would have been a very distracting background. Great angle too.
karma mechanic
karma, you had my office playing a guess the car competition last Friday so be prepared for more requests.
I really like this shot. There is something about raindrops on metallic paint that works. Some might argue that the exposure might be too much at the top of the picture or that the reflection of the trees (?) at top left and centre are distracting. I don’t, I think as a complete image it is very attractive, well exposed and sharp. Commended
Aunt Sally
Ah, one of my favourite tipples. Great lighting, very sharp, nice bit of out of focus area at the bottom. Expertly captured. I also like the close image. I can remember one of the first books on photography I ever read said “fill the frame”, and I personally think it is great advice.
AdrianP
Beautiful image, taken in what I guess was quite tricky lighting. Very Kodachrome reds on the tree, but what I think makes this image is the carpet of leaves under the tree and its neighbours which contrasts nicely with the green grass beyond. Commended
Lilly
I am not normally a fan of a coloured section in a monochrome image, but I think in this case it works. Lovely delicate detail on the leaves themselves, but what really captivates me is the way the light has caught the “hairs” on the stems. I would like to see the original.
Lenscape
Very good image. I don’t take glamour shots so can’t possibly critique from knowledge, but seems to me to be well lit and exposed, and a natural looking model. I would liked to have seen more detail in the dress, perhaps that could be lightened a bit. I note the shadows from the studio lights forming an X behind the models legs, could that be removed with photoshop ?
Viewfinder
Finally…..Santa makes an appearance. Is it me or does he look like he has fallen asleep? A very colourful and busy scene, but that is what one expects with this subject. Personally I would have cropped to remove the overexposed highlights at the top, and zoom in a bit closer. I think a bit more saturation to boost the redness would not go amiss also. But overall a good representation of today’s Christmas scene.
Tyr
He is quite a cute little dragon. Tyr, I had a look on your picasa site and preferred the version I saw on there! Seemed sharper. Anyway, Red Dragon at his altar surrounded by mystical stones other mystical things….I like it, probably because he reminds me of a song I liked when I was a boy.
The cloth draped on the laptop did well here to give the impression of a cave, and seems t have a luminescence of its own
LiamD
I have no idea what the flower is either, but it is beautiful capture. Focus is spot on, and the out of focus leaves and background give a warm soft feel to the picture. Very nice. Commended
Daniel Bridge
A cracking shot here Daniel. A well executed sharp picture which grabs my attention. The warmth and texture of the aged red leather is contrasted with the red coloured wood at the top. The silver door handle finishes the composition perfectly. Third Place
hefty1
Not what I was expecting but it fits the bill. There is plenty of detail and the texture makes for an interesting picture. Not sure if it’s one for mantelpiece though !
Peter
My Flickr page
My Flickr page
Posted 10/12/2007 - 00:13
Link
Thanks Peter for a thorough and very prompt appraisal.
A worthy winner from McBrian, who is now invited to set the next task!
A worthy winner from McBrian, who is now invited to set the next task!
Best regards, John
Posted 10/12/2007 - 00:38
Link
Well done Peter for judging and everyone else for contributing to a really strong field. I am wowed at making second place amongst so many stunning images.
No vignetting, just natural shadows from gangplanks and the like.
No vignetting, just natural shadows from gangplanks and the like.
Ken
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
Posted 10/12/2007 - 01:08
Link
Excellent (and quick) judging, a very strong field and a worthy winner - congrats to all!
Joining the Q
Posted 10/12/2007 - 07:12
Link
Well done McBrian, and a good job of judging by Peter.
Commended is my best result to date.. dead chuffed..
Cheers
Liam
Commended is my best result to date.. dead chuffed..
Cheers
Liam
Liam
"Make your hands respond to what your mind demands." Jesse James
Best wide-angle lens? Two steps backward. Look for the 'ah-ha'. Ernst Haas
"Make your hands respond to what your mind demands." Jesse James
Best wide-angle lens? Two steps backward. Look for the 'ah-ha'. Ernst Haas
Posted 10/12/2007 - 07:25
Link
Well judged Peter and congrats to McBrian for a great shot.
Camera:|K-7|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
Posted 10/12/2007 - 08:40
Link
Peter
Thanks for setting such an interesting, and well judged, competition. I must say, though, that when I saw McBrian's absolutely stunning shot, right at the start of the competition, I thought it would be almost impossible to beat and such it proved to be. I'm really pleased with my 'commended' amongst such a strong field and am looking forward to the next competition.
Adrian
Thanks for setting such an interesting, and well judged, competition. I must say, though, that when I saw McBrian's absolutely stunning shot, right at the start of the competition, I thought it would be almost impossible to beat and such it proved to be. I'm really pleased with my 'commended' amongst such a strong field and am looking forward to the next competition.
Adrian
Posted 10/12/2007 - 10:00
Link
Congratulations to McBrian, and thanks to Pschlute for judging.
I cant wait to see what this weeks competition will be, especially as I have a film with about 10 exposures left that needs finishing.
Regards
PaulM
I cant wait to see what this weeks competition will be, especially as I have a film with about 10 exposures left that needs finishing.
Regards
PaulM
All cameras are equal but.....
Some are more equal than others
Some are more equal than others
Posted 10/12/2007 - 10:26
Link
Well done McBrian.... I nearly didn't enter because the standard at the start was so high ! Some nice judging too...
(The car bonnet is my wife's Mazda RX8 by the way)
(The car bonnet is my wife's Mazda RX8 by the way)
Posted 10/12/2007 - 12:38
Link
Yep, couldn't agree more with the judging or the comments after, Brian's was the clear winner, lovely texture and tone. Had us all beat before we'd even started.
And a surprising third for me, must try harder...
Dan
And a surprising third for me, must try harder...
Dan
K-3, a macro lens and a DA*300mm...
Posted 10/12/2007 - 12:56
Link
Wow well chuffed with all your comments, superbly judged by Pschlute, thank you.
I have to say that I saw a couple in there that I would have picked as the winner before mine, Karma Mechanic's and Dan's shot espescially.
I'll have a think this afternoon on the next subject and post it in the early evening.
I have to say that I saw a couple in there that I would have picked as the winner before mine, Karma Mechanic's and Dan's shot espescially.
I'll have a think this afternoon on the next subject and post it in the early evening.
Cheers
Brian.
LBA is good for you, a Lens a day helps you work, rest and play.
Brian.
LBA is good for you, a Lens a day helps you work, rest and play.
Posted 10/12/2007 - 13:04
Link
Quote:
I have to say that I saw a couple in there that I would have picked as the winner before mine...
That's because most of us are our own harshest critics, your's was most definitely best.I have to say that I saw a couple in there that I would have picked as the winner before mine...
Remember that, when you're judging next monday.
Dan
K-3, a macro lens and a DA*300mm...
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