Fortnightly Salon Competition No.4

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No.4

Thank you so much Stephen for placing my photo in for me! Much appreciated! (Jocelyn)

[Bearface]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No.4

Okay, here's my entry. I think it's one of those love-it-or-hate-it images, but there's no denying the beauty of the flower. Or the erm... phallic symbolism for that matter...

[billbirchall]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No.4

Fortnightly Salon Competition No. 4
Sorry if I am too late but thought that as a 'newbie' I should try to participate even if my photo does not meet the very high standards I see on this board. This is a shot of an Alaskan seagull that flew into my view of a glacier.

Regards

Bill Birchall

[coupekid]

The Results are In!

Hi All,

Some superb entries, and a difficult choice I can tell you.

Here are a few comments I would like to make on the admissions.

Peter-Love the detail in the fly, an interesting shot and I love the natural background.

Pol-Another super shot, nice vibrant colours, and the focus throughout the cricket is spot on. I also love the composition, with the antenna going diagonally through the frame.

DennisP-Beautiful shot of a monkey looking very inquisitive, which I felt was a little let down by the twig in the forground.

Gina-A Poplar Hawk Moth, an interesting shot here, however, these things are huge (around 8cm in width!), and it would have been nice to see this fella in its natural surroundings to get a sense of its scale.

Archangel-Great take on the subject here, showing a very picturesque scene just bursting with life with so much going on.

Pops-A super fun shot, which had me smiling!

bigbob-A delightful shot with real 'aaah' factor, I think I would have been tempted to crop a little off the bottom. But very cute

Ian-The low key swans, I am in two minds here in all honesty, at first glance I wasnt that keen, but having pondered over this for a while, I am getting the feeling of moonlit swans, so its growing on me.

Tom-A very sad looking panda, which if I am honest makes me sad also. The bars to the right just gives me a feeling of imprisonment.

Autumn-The living world indeed Autumn! Another, less obvious take on the subject matter. I love the contrast between the primative way in which the salt workers are going about their business, and the motor bike in the shed, makes you wonder why they havent modernised.

spl-Taking into consideration of the way this has been processed to be on screen, this is a great shot, lovely balance and colours, and an interesting subject matter as well.

Stephen-Super shot, I love the low angle and the detail under the fungi.
the blade of grass in the bottom right is a little distracting though (yes I am nitpicking!)

Andrew Thatcher-I was blown away by this shot, I love the detail. It almost feels like the daisies are a bridge for the ant.

Mike Parr-Nice portrait of a horse. Nice detail.

Tinka-I really like this shot, its interesting. Looks as if the flash has been used and some gaussian blur which I think lets it down a little.

Scatty-Nice idea, and in focus. The main interest here, is really the textures of the bulb, and the roots. I would advise putting a dark peice of card behind and under the bowl, and getting down level with the subject ensuring the bottom of the bowl is in frame. (you could even take shots at different intervals and make a series shot!)

Wild Images-I was expecting a spectacular Cheetah, or something, but here is a specatular landscape instead. Superb.

Stan1968-Excellent take on the subject matter, very interesting and nice sharp detail.

Jocelyn Walker-spider shot, very creepy!, I personally would prefer this rotated 90deg counter clock wise, and cropped a little off the top.

Bearface-Its undeniably in yer face! A modern looking picture, I love the way the black background just make the flower pop out at you.

Billbirchall-I love this shot, its the second shot here that has put a smile on my face. It definately looks like the bird flew toward you whilst you were shooting those fantastic mountains. Another great 'fun' images.
(by the way, it would be great if you could upload the pictures a little smaller, as some scrolling was needed to view the shot)


OK, now the exciting bit......drum roll please!

In reverse order (of course)

3rd - Wild Images, one of those 'take your breath away' pictures.

2nd - Pol, I just loved the framing and vibrance of this shot.

1st - Andrew Thatcher, like I said, it just blew me away, I especially like this because it is wildlife on your doorstep, most people would ignore, overlook, and dismiss. Yet here it isas a peice of art. This would look great on a large canvas.


Thanks to all that entered, and a special mention to the newer members of the forum who rose to the challenge.


So congratulations Andrew! I now humbly hand the batton of Salon organiser to you, and look forward to what subject matter you have in store


Cheers All!
Ben

[Stephen]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No.4

Great stuff and well done Ben for a super summing up and choice of winner. Look forward to the next theme from Andrew. Agree also about some of the new members rising to the challenge

[Pol]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No.4

Great stuff and well done Ben for a super summing up and choice of winner. Look forward to the next theme from Andrew. Agree also about some of the new members rising to the challenge

Good salon, good summary thank you Ben. Cracking good shot, Andrew, nice one!

Also agreed about new members having a go and entering the salon. It's mainly for fun and your personal interpretation of the theme is what matters.

Please don't feel shy or concerned your shot might not measure up technically ... or feel you're "just an amateur". We're all on a never ending learning curve


Pol

[Ian]

Re: The Results are In!

It's Andrew's big day - as he's also the POTD photographer today

Ian

[coupekid]

Re: The Results are In!

It's Andrew's big day - as he's also the POTD photographer today

Ian

Party round Andrews then! haha!

[Bearface]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No.4

Great salon Ben - nice one

[Stephen]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No.4

I hate im, cos he must have a wider screen than me

[Mowgli]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No.4

Good summing up of the pictures, I think this helps a lot to see where the strengths and weaknesses are. I know we all interpret pictures differently but this actually encourages me to enter (yes I know I didnt enter the last one but I intend to in the future) Nice to see new people encouraged too.
Looking forward to see what the next topic is
Mowgli

[Autumn]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No.4

Congratulations Andrew on winning the Salon and such a beautiful picture of the daisies. I find them very hard to photograph. I always get blown out bits.

Also Pol, I thought yours was a winner from the beginning, so perfectly placed and exposed.

I have to say I think that Wild Images is a superb entry. The fields are so colourful and meaningful. I couldn't stop looking at it.

Also Congrats to Ben on conducting the salon together with the comments and of course such an interesting theme.

Audrey

[Archangel]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No.4

Congratulations to the winner (Andrew) and also to all other participants and of course looking forward for the next Salon Competition theme.


Regards

George

[Scatty]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No.4

Thank you very much for your comments about my photograph. Very pleased with them, It is the first time I have entered one. I have got a Casio Exilim 10.1. I am still learning how to use it properly, but am mostly just doing point and shoot and wait and see how the photo turns out. I actually did take some photos on some black card but I found it looked too dark. So changed it, I will post it in my gallery or the critque thread and you can see what you think. I hope to take part in more comps if I can. It has been fun. Thanks again.

[Andrew Thatcher]

Re: Fortnightly Salon Competition No.4

Thanks Ben nice surprise.
Well done to the 2nd and 3rd spots some great photos and well done to everyone else who had a go, Some wonderful shots this time. You and Ian have made my week I'm going to put some cash on the Lotto this week Its my lucky week.

Some background info on the photograph. It was taken on my kitchen work top with a black card as back drop, the flowers taken from the garden and placed in a small glass half-full of water. The idea was just to take some still life type photographs using my new macro flash. Then came the moment of serendipity when i saw this ant running all over the flower trying to find a way off it i took about 6-7 shots before it made its way off the still-life and onto my cheese sandwich.

Used a Nikon D200 and macro 60mm nikkor and two flash guns.

Thanks again Andy.