Okay folks. Here it is. First the usual disclaimer: I do not really know anything about this stuff and I am making it up as I go along. Others have said that the judging is continually becoming more difficult as the quality of the submissions gets better. True that. As I started looking at the images while in the hospital (a great setting to think about this theme) I realized that the images that most resonated with the theme for me were the ones that were in some way the most unsettling, so I did consider that in my choices.
Alexander.of.Oz: A great image, as I would expect. This is one of several images that illustrate how something can be both orderly and chaotic at the same time. Each time I look at this, I see something new. My eye keeps getting pulled back and forth between the abdomen, which is the point of critical focus, and the red/orange of the cephalothorax. Normally, I would see that as an issue. In this case, however, it adds to the sense of chaos.
MacRy: VERY IMPRESSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are all wondering how you got a photo shoot with Homer. You nailed the theme but fell a little short of the “your own work” rule. Enough said.
inkmich: This bus looks like it came right out of the late 60s or early 70s which, at least in the States, was an extremely chaotic period. The bus itself reminds me of when my own life was a lot easier, but it does trigger those other thoughts. My only issue with the image is the line of cares behind. You had no control over that so I cannot be critical.
Robotti: I absolutely hate places like that. The rows of table only pretend to be orderly. Rarely can I handle that number of people and the noise. The open space in front draws me into the crowd where I then feel trapped. In other circumstances, I would see the scene as being too dark and want to see the shadows lightened up a little. Here, however, that dark is part of what makes it work.
dwfaust: There is not much to say here. You certainly nailed the theme. Not only are the wires so chaotic, they are also emblematic of a very chaotic part of society/culture. The almost monotonal quality of the scene adds to the sense of chaos.
georgeinnj: I love the scene, but it does not work for me for this topic. I understand what you are looking at with the crowd, but it is too minor of an element in the frame. I do like the scene and am very interested by such a mix of architectural styles on one street corner.
bigsid: I get what you are going for here. It is fascinating how branching patterns can be both chaotic and orderly at the same time. That is one of the beauties of fractals. The overall scene is bright, clean, and a little secluded. I actually feel very calm looking at this image.
Indydenny: The scrap heap is certainly chaotic. My eye, however, is drawn to the clean open space at the top of the image. This would have work better for me had you cropped the frame to be completely focused on the scrap.
CmdrLaForge: I know that corner……… Or at least the ones exactly like it in Jerusalem. They are noisy, dirty, cluttered, and chaotic. I miss living there. You captured this one perfectly.
Laird Knox: This is one of my favorite images in the bunch. I love the intensity and saturation of the colors, and the way the different kinds of light pull my eye in every direction across the scene. The use of the fisheye lens transforms what might be an otherwise uninteresting structure. I do not feel chaotic looking at this. I do want to go and explore it.
Hughmac: What could possibly be disturbing about a pile of stuffed bears. To the contrary, this feels cute and comforting. The bear at the center top third is staring right at me. Some vignette to draw my attention there might have helped in terms of the theme.
Apple fanboy: Not much to say here, either. Very nicely done. I appreciate your double use of the theme, and the very ominous feeling created by the lighting and making this B&W.
rx7dude: No one can deny the chaos in this. My eye has no idea where to go, and I just get stuck in the middle of the mess. I have three boys (all now at college or on their own), so this is a very familiar pile. I hope I do not have any nightmares tonight.
NeGRit0: This is a great nighttime cityscape that is busy but does not say chaos to me. It was a great stroke of luck the way the fire works and tower on the left mirror one another. Having said that……….. I had never been in Las Vegas until 2 weeks ago. We went to Utah to see one of my boys and had to change planes in Las Vegas. We stepped off the plane into the huge casino that pretends to be an airport terminal. That was overwhelmingly chaotic. To make this worse, our flight out was delayed 4 hours.
Choosing a winner is tough.
1st: dwfaust
2nd: Alexander.of.Oz
3rd: CmdrLaFrige, Robotti, and Apple fanboy
dwfaust, it is now up to you.
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Thank you @deep diver ... feel honored to even be able to post here - many great photographers... and congrats to @Alexander.Of.Oz, @CmdrLaForge, @Robotti and @Apple fanboy and the others ...
Great theme... hope to have the next round up by morning, MST.
