Fortnightly Salon Competition No 32 - What Christmas Means to Me

[John Perriment]

Right, I think I've regained my composure so time to get the Christmas Salon underway.

The theme is: What Christmas Means to Me

Christmas means many things to many people. I'd like to see pictures that express what Christmas means to you. To some it might be Midnight Mass in church, carol singing or maybe a moment of quite prayer. To others it might be children opening presents, relaxing by the fire or Christmas Day lunch. Some may enjoy a brisk early morning walk or socialising in the village pub.

Then there's last minute shopping, Christmas lights and the office party. Or you may want to make a photo-journalism style social comment on the problems that sometimes accompany Christmas, such as loneliness, the homeless or drunken behaviour. The list is limited only by your imagination. Anything goes as long as it has a distinct Christmas theme.

I am particularly looking forward to seeing entries that are creative, original, thought provoking or humouros. The closing date is Thursday 3rd January at 20.00 hours.

Good luck!

John

Here are the rules:

1) All photographs are to be uploaded to the photo gallery at http://dpnow.com/galleries/
The resulting link generated for the photo will then be pasted into the next available space in the Salon thread.

2) One entry per user ID only please, which must be the personal work of the entrant.

3) Entries should be "In line" within the thread (not as links to an image held somewhere else, any external links or photos held anywhere other than the Galleries will be deleted.)

4) Comments only on entries are welcome within the salon thread itself.

5) After the close the curator will indicate a winner and a couple of runners up.

6) The curator's decision is final.

7) Winners should be offered first refusal to choose the next theme and curate the next salon.

8. If the winner is unable to curate the next salon the current curator may offer that "honour" to any willing volunteer, possibly the entrant in second or third place.

9) These rules are to be copied and pasted with a new theme by the new Curator at the top of the new Salon thread with a finish date and time.

10) As with all photos posted on DPNow, copyright remains with the photographer and DPNow will not use them without permission.

[Stephen]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No 32 - What Christmas Means to Me

Good theme John, here's a shot taken in our reception area

[Kurt]

Duck Shoot . . .



. . . or its cold out there . . .

[Pol]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No 32 - What Christmas Means to Me

It means getting to the town centre early enough to avoid the crowds (and hoping you can find a parking space). Trudging around with bags of shopping -and little kids getting lost or separated from their parents.



Pol

[paul.r.w]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No 32 - What Christmas Means to Me

Trees and Fairies

[Autumn]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No 32 - What Christmas Means to Me

Each year I look forward to a trip to Meadowhall to see the Christmas Trimmings. There is usually a different theme every year.

This year the red berries hanging from the ceiling look quite spectacular.

[Life in a Lens]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No 32 - What Christmas Means to Me

You know, I tried and tried to think of something else. But to me it's simple means family. Love and family. But every time I try to think of another way to portray that it just keeps coming back to one man. And because of that this is all I can give for this one.

Grandpa was Christmas. He was the big warm bear hug. The food man. The big heart. This man had the biggest heart I've ever known. He was always Santa. Maybe not in full suit but he played the role. He was the life and light of the season for me. Even up till the last time. This will be my first Christmas without him. It won't be the same without him.

[John Perriment]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No 32 - What Christmas Means to Me

Just a day into the competition and already a great variety of entries, showing originality, great composition, keen observation and poignancy. I can see already that judging is going to be extremely difficult!

John

[pewidane]

[RCE]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No 32 - What Christmas Means to Me

What Christmas means to me

[ryme-intrinseca]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No 32 - What Christmas Means to Me

There are so many Christmas cards with snowy pics on, and I always hope for a white Christmas, but it hardly ever happens, especially not down here in Dorset where the climate is mild. However, when this pic was taken I was living in Wales where snow is a little more common. After a very mild autumn and beginning of December, it finally started to snow the week before Christmas. There were still autumn leaves around and even some flowers, and it looked incongruous to see the two together.

By Christmas day, the snow had pretty much all gone, but it was nice while it lasted! This is my cat Milo investigating a leaf, which had been frozen into the snow for a week or two. The snow on the decking was still there, but on the driveway it had all melted.

[John Perriment]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No 32 - What Christmas Means to Me

Some good interpretations of the theme so far. Hope everybody has their cameras to hand to catch the opportunities over the Christmas period. I look forward to seeing some more entries in the next few days.

John

[fluffy penguin]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No 32 - What Christmas Means to Me

A time we can get away with silly hats and toys.


p.s notice my namesake has sneaked in

[John Perriment]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No 32 - What Christmas Means to Me

Hope everyone had a good Christmas and found time to take some pictures. Just 3 days to go for this competition, don't forget to post your entry.

Wishing you all a happy New Year

[Caz]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No 32 - What Christmas Means to Me

Unfortunately no suitable pictures from this Christmas - sure you don't want to see a picture of my nut roast dinner, so here's one from earlier

Christmas for the past 10 years has meant piling down the pub on boxing day to watch the Eydon Mummers perform their traditional play, which was revived in the 80s by the males of the Royal Oak Morris team. This year is the first I've missed this century - I took this one a couple of years ago, and I know the Devil has redeye but it fits!

The pub is always extremely crowded - hence the crooked shot, and for the last 2 years they have performed twice - once inside the pub, and then providing the weather is fine, outside. After a swift drink and a costume change, this is sometimes followed by a performance by the Morris dancers. Of course, if there is a repeat performance, you have to donate twice (they support a different charity every year).