Weekly Photo Contest: FEB 12th - FEB 19th "S Curve"

[akash.nu]

OK so I thought this one would be a topic that not many would go for. I may have been playing the “make it simple for the judge” game. That backfired in style. In a word, incredible. The images this week are as I keep saying, yet another step up in quality. Wow!

So, onto the painfully difficult task of trying to give meaningful C&C on the images of people I aspire to be as good as.

@stillcrazyman – Way to kick off this contest in style. This is exactly the image I had in mind when thinking of the topic. I love the sweeping curve and imagine taking the racing line through it in a 911. I think the tilted horizon gives it more punch and it is just lovely exposure and composition as we have come to expect from you.

@Alexander.Of.Oz - Oh my word! Fabulous detail, gorgeous textures, spot on lighting and a willing subject. Fantastic moment in time captured to maximum effect with the strong S coming up through the neck. Wonderful. If I had to criticise something, and I am struggling to pick something here, I would say it is only the DoF, that maybe just maybe the feathers on the birds body could have been a tad sharper but actually as I sit here and type this, I don’t think this is really valid. Splendid.

@Hughmac – Nice! Lovely sunset capture. I like how the gorgeous red light is captured in the grasses in the bottom left. The long sweeping road is beautiful and there is detail aplenty in the sky. I suppose my only wish in this would be to darken the grass and to have maybe found an angle that didn’t have the trees break up the curve. This is nitt picking though. Lovely.

@rx7dude – A lovely image of another bird. What on earth is it? It looks like it has gorgeous colouring and plumage. I like the low key lighting. It is a shame the ripple pattern in the water wasn’t a little higher up to get more of the circles in. The image begs me to ask for more information about the setting. Was this a wander out with the bins and dash back for the camera? Or was it in captivity?

@Janichsan – OK, not quite all of the S visible but a beautiful narrow street with character. I love shots like this. I suppose my obvious criticism has to be the lack of detail in the sky. It is begging for a gorgeous blue or late afternoon pink sky. Having said that, you have captured lovely detail in the frontings. These images always fascinate me as without a clue (like the motorbike) then they are timeless.

@deep diver – Is this a macro of a semi-precious stone or is it a creative hue added to a puddle of ice maybe? Mysteries mysteries. I love the patterns that nature presents to us on a daily basis. There is a beauty to it in all shapes and forms. I like the pattern and the mind tries to make shapes in the pattern. A lovely capture, though a shame that the fault line is there on the right.

@The Bad Guy – ahem! Nice. Bit too muscly for my liking. A lady should have smooth curves in my book. As always, a beautifully lit, wonderfully posed image of a pretty lady.

@Robotti – Another, beautiful young lady. I like the low-key monochromatic effect in this one. The shadows give just the right amount of drama but it is painful looking at her toes. That has got to hurt!

@mollyc – A double helix. The S curve of all S curves. DNA as a climbing frame. A lovely picture of a father helping his little girl make the step. The concentration on her face is fantastic and speaks to me having been in that position numerous times myself with my little ones. I think my only criticisms would be the image is tilted so would be better straightened and then dad’s hand is too close to the edge so it has been cut off.

@anotherscotsman – Scalextric racing with trains on the L. Another nice example from the series but I think one of the others last week was stronger in composition. Fantastic crisp details, lovely position. Loittering in a car park (that’s right isn’t it?) is certainly delivering the goods in this shot. If I have to criticise it, it would be to have waited a half second longer so the left hand train was just separated from the building (I think I see the driver to give directionality).

@oblomow – Well wow, Marylin. I hope that is the real name not you being cheeky! I certainly know why the name is used lol… I love the tones and the curves in this one. The changing reflections and the overall liquid feel of the statue is beautiful.

@akash.nu – SQUIRREL!!!! Love squirrels. They are so cute, but as someone else on here will testify, they will give you a good hiding if you mess with them in a closed space. I lovely composition, lovely detail in its tail, a cheeky wee fella. Interesting post processing as the DoF looks a little strange. Have you been playing with it in photoshop to blur out the tree and make the Squirrel pop by making it the only thing sharp? There are some halos I think.

@Mark0 – Wow! What on earth am I supposed to say about this image. The S curve in this is sublime. The leading line from foreground through the line of rocks to the distant island (is it Ailsa Craig) is just beautifully executed. I think for the brief, I would have liked more of the foreground rock in image to just make the bottom of the S more obvious, however, without the brief giving extra scrutiny, I just think it is a phenomenal image. This is proof Scotland is one of the most beautiful places on earth!

@Apple fanboy – A lovely image of the valley. There is a lovely feel to this image and it is great to see you getting some air in your lungs. I know you struggle to make it happen. This is an image that makes the trip worth the effort. Lovely. I just wish that Nikon of yours could give you some depth of field to play with. The distant hill could maybe have done with a second exposure to blend with this one to get more detail front to back. Lovely, makes me want to get out there!


OK, so some tough commenting, a lot of which I don’t feel qualified to make but this is just for fun so no harm. As usual you can all feel free to ignore me.


The important bit however is the podium positions so here we go.


3rd – @Alexander.Of.Oz

2nd – @anotherscotsman

1st – @Mark0


So in closing, another great set of images. Thank you as always to everyone for submitting images. I hope you enjoyed the subject this week. Now over to @Mark0 for the next one.

Awesome judging. 100% agree with the positions awarded.

And yeah, phone photography means post processing. The DoF didn’t work well on this one. I agree.

 

[kenoh]

Awesome judging. 100% agree with the positions awarded.

And yeah, phone photography means post processing. The DoF didn’t work well on this one. I agree.

Good attempt though...

 

[stillcrazyman]

Well done to all the participants and the judging. Congrats to the winners.

 

[oblomow]

Kenoh,

Thanks for your great judging. @Mark0 was hard to beat.

The name of the sculpture is really Marilyn (Marilyn, stainless steel, by Richard Hudson)

 

[kenoh]

Kenoh,

Thanks for your great judging. @Mark0 was hard to beat.

The name of the sculpture is really Marilyn (Marilyn, stainless steel, by Richard Hudson)

Just checking because of the bulbous bits on top... though you might of have been being your usual funny self...

 

[anotherscotsman]

Cheers Ken - great topic and fantastic entries - totally agree with your comments although I'd have put a few more entries above mine in ranking. Well done to Mark0 for the winner!

 

[Apple fanboy]

Great interpretations as always guys.

Great feedback for everyone @kenoh.

I called the winner as soon as I saw it.

Mine was an old shot from 2015. I'd love to go back (and get some better weather!), but no plans for now.

 

[kenoh]

Cheers Ken - great topic and fantastic entries - totally agree with your comments although I'd have put a few more entries above mine in ranking. Well done to Mark0 for the winner!

Ah but you know I like mono... It was tough to choose I agree but I had to make a call.

Still crazyman was a strong contender and the shots of the ladies were too but I could only place three... :-(

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

@Alexander.Of.Oz - Oh my word! Fabulous detail, gorgeous textures, spot on lighting and a willing subject. Fantastic moment in time captured to maximum effect with the strong S coming up through the neck. Wonderful. If I had to criticise something, and I am struggling to pick something here, I would say it is only the DoF, that maybe just maybe the feathers on the birds body could have been a tad sharper but actually as I sit here and type this, I don’t think this is really valid. Splendid.

Thanks @kenoh for the feedback, unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to get to the local estuary for the shot I wanted to take at sunset. I will try and make the effort to get it though, when possible. f/16-18 could have brought a little more detail to the feathers lower on the body (this was taken at f/11), but it also could have brought the background more into focus as the bush was fairly close to this Brolga, and I really wanted isolation here of the subject, who was in a bit of a daze, soaking in the sun.

Congrat's to @Mark0 for a superb winning image and @anotherscotsman for the place!

Looking forward to the next one.

 

[kenoh]

Thanks @kenoh for the feedback, unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to get to the local estuary for the shot I wanted to take at sunset. I will try and make the effort to get it though, when possible. f/16-18 could have brought a little more detail to the feathers lower on the body (this was taken at f/11), but it also could have brought the background more into focus as the bush was fairly close to this Brolga, and I really wanted isolation here of the subject, who was in a bit of a daze, soaking in the sun.

Congrat's to @Mark0 for a superb winning image and @anotherscotsman for the place!

Looking forward to the next one.

Mate, I had to pick something to prove i was paying attention... it is a superb image. Such strong light too.

 

[deep diver]

@deep diver – Is this a macro of a semi-precious stone or is it a creative hue added to a puddle of ice maybe? Mysteries mysteries. I love the patterns that nature presents to us on a daily basis. There is a beauty to it in all shapes and forms. I like the pattern and the mind tries to make shapes in the pattern. A lovely capture, though a shame that the fault line is there on the right.

Not a macro. It is a very tight crop of a piece of agate. I intentionally did not clone out that line. I think natural materials should be allowed to speak for themselves. I have many dozens of images of gems and minerals. The only PP I ever do is correcting levels and cropping.

As always, outstanding images and great critique.

Ken... you should know by now that trying to find an easy way out will backfire.

 

[kenoh]

Not a macro. It is a very tight crop of a piece of agate. I intentionally did not clone out that line. I think natural materials should be allowed to speak for themselves. I have many dozens of images of gems and minerals. The only PP I ever do is correcting levels and cropping.

As always, outstanding images and great critique.

Ken... you should know by now that trying to find an easy way out will backfire.

DAMNIT! I was going to say Agate! but wasnt sure. I really do love the patterns, symmetry and asymmetry of nature. It is fascinating.

Yeah, I know. I thought I was on a winner there... but my card was called... lol... totally worth it though. Another week of amazing images.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

Several years back, I rode a motorcycle for my "escape". I had a little point and shoot camera with me while I went riding.
This is the result of reckless abandon.... Taken at speed. Holding the camera low down. Wearing heavy gloves.
Lucky capture.

Great shoot. Did I see this before?

 

[stillcrazyman]

Great shoot. Did I see this before?

Thanks. I might have posted this at some point in the past. It's an older photo.

 

[mollyc]

Where is @Mark0???

 

[kenoh]

Where is @Mark0???

He's a busy guy. We may need to pass the baton to @anotherscotsman

 

[deep diver]

Where is @Mark0???

Polo.

(Sorry. It wasn't my fault. I spent most of my college and graduate school summers running waterfront programs. It's a Pavlovian thing at this point.)


48 hours was this morning. If we do not hear from Mark0 by tomorrow morning then anotherscotsman should take it. Did anyone reach out to Mark0?

 

[kenoh]

@anotherscotsman - I think you're up..... your challenge this week.

Be gentle with us.

 

[Mark0]

Hey folks, please accept my apologies for being late about this. I have got a lot on at the moment. I very much doubt I’ll be in a position where I’ll have time to judge / comment next week, as we have a date set to start things off for our next arrival, although it could happen any time.

I’d be really grateful and would appreciate if anotherscotsman can get the ball rolling again with a new challenge.

Thank you all for the comments on my image, it’s a personal favourite.

Apologies once again.

 

[anotherscotsman]

No problem, I'll get something posted later today.

Good luck with the next arrival Mark0!

 

[kenoh]

Hey folks, please accept my apologies for being late about this. I have got a lot on at the moment. I very much doubt I’ll be in a position where I’ll have time to judge / comment next week, as we have a date set to start things off for our next arrival, although it could happen any time.

I’d be really grateful and would appreciate if anotherscotsman can get the ball rolling again with a new challenge.

Thank you all for the comments on my image, it’s a personal favourite.

Apologies once again.

Good luck with the new arrival, I know it is always a bit exciting when expecting a new lens...

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

I very much doubt I’ll be in a position where I’ll have time to judge / comment next week, as we have a date set to start things off for our next arrival, although it could happen any time.

You crossed over to the dark side and bought a D850 and tracking shows it nearby!

All the best with the new family member Mark!

 

[kenoh]

You crossed over to the dark side and bought a D850 and tracking shows it nearby!

All the best with the new family member Mark!

@Mark0 with Nikon....

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in..."

lol... he has sense, he shoots a camera without a mirror box... and I am not talking broken 5D MK III either!

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

lol... he has sense, he shoots a camera without a mirror box... and I am not talking broken 5D MK III either!

Yeah, I couldn't see him going back to a system with internal moving parts either. Possibly a Sony ⍺7III...

 

[kenoh]

Yeah, I couldn't see him going back to a system with internal moving parts either. Possibly a Sony ⍺7III...

Nah, Sony have peaked... they are into the world of Apple now.... evolution not revolution... tweaking round the edges... they are running out of room for big leaps....