Photo Contests-Jan '11-Results and Critiques

[Paul]

Surprised somewhat. From the beginners category, I liked A far better than B. While I agree the lighting was a bit harsh, I felt it had a more interesting/artistic look.

Just for clarification ...........

Originally Posted by help

Photo A- CTB Blc Greenwich “Elmhurst”
but I’d shift it over to the left.

Were you referring to the subject or the frame?

From the advanced category, I personally prefered Val's 1st one, found the second one interesting, and liked the framing effect silken used in her last two. Ah well, shows how much I know

Btw, what is "merger" refering to exactly? (Is my ignorance showing?)

[Call_Me_Bob]

Thanks for your comments. This is the part where we can really learn

A merger is when there is something in he picture, that is cut off somewhere. Like a petal just barely off the picture, or a part of a bud that is jut barely poking in from a side, or behind the subject. I'll see if I can find an article online. I'm having a hard time explaining.

As for the judging, I didnt judge, so I won't speak for the judges.

You can call me Bob

[camille1585]

Thanks for explaining what merger was, I was really wondering. But what the heck do you do about it? Was I expected to hack some blooms off so that don't show up in the corner of the pic?

Another comment on my first pic (H) that I don't understand. The judge says it has a gray pixely background. But on my laptop and the PC I use at work it shows up as a nice black background. Anyone else seeing it as gray??

[Call_Me_Bob]

Try using different angels to take the picture. Sometimes it's inevitable, especially with plants, and thats okay. Try darkening that spot a little, to try and make it not stand out. Plenty of pictures have mergers, most actually, you just have to try to eliminate them by camera angles. Or darken the spot.

For your background, I see it a little bit. But it isn't that bad. I actually talked to the judge about it, and it wasn't a Factor when it came to placing.


Remember, the point of these contests is to learn and therefore improve our photography


You can call me Bob