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Weekly Photo Contest, July 20-27: SERENITY

deep diver

deep diver

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Jan 17, 2008
2,711
4,521
Philadelphia.
There is a stand of very big pine, fir, and spruce trees at the back corner of our property. By chance, I discovered that there is a big empty space in the middle of the stand. Putting that together with some other clues, we think that area might have been planted 25 years ago as a little retreat space in the backyard. In another week, I have some arborists coming to turn that space back into a retreat. It is quiet and peaceful back there, and we are looking forward to being able to use it.


So, the theme for this week is SERENITY. Interpret and represent the theme as you choose.

The usual rules apply:

· The photographs must be your own work.

· Be creative and have fun.

· You may only submit one photo per contest.

· Please do not comment on photos until after the judging has taken place.

· The contest runs for one week, starting NOW!

· At the end of the week, The Judge (last week's Winner) will choose a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place photo, providing as much feedback as possible.

· If the Judge is unable to complete the selection within 48 hours of the deadline for close, then a vote will be carried out to select a winner. This will be based on the number of "likes" each image has. In the event of a draw, the second place winner from the previous week will choose the tiebreaker.

· The 1st place Winner will start a new thread with the topic/theme of their choice, and act as the Judge for that contest. (Winner has 48 hours to create new theme, after that it defers to 2nd place).

· Winners please update the Weekly Photo Contest Master thread

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/weekly-photo-contest-master-list-2015-tbd.1945331/
 
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A

Alexander.Of.Oz

macrumors 68040
Oct 29, 2013
3,200
12,501
I may possibly switch this out, depending on my exploits and travels this week.

_MG_8187.jpg
 
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deep diver

deep diver

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Jan 17, 2008
2,711
4,521
Philadelphia.
Okay folks. This puppy is closed. I've already written most of my comments. I have to finish that and then choose a winner. Give me a couple of hours.
 
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deep diver

deep diver

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Jan 17, 2008
2,711
4,521
Philadelphia.
Here it is. First the usual disclaimer: These are just my thoughts as a rank amateur. Judging this is really hard because each of these images is worthy of the win. Some of my comments might sound nitpicky. I did not intend to be that way, but I had to reach deep to find things to differentiate the images.


needfx – When I first looked at this I did not like it. The orientation was far too disorienting for me. (You all decide if that’s a pun.) It reminded me of Han Solo being encased in the carbonite. The more I looked at it and got used to the perspective, the more I became drawn into the image. Everything about this conveys serenity. I just wish I could smell the grass and feel the sun.

Alexander.Of.Oz – This image resonates with me a lot. At one time, cycling was my escape. I have spent most of my life around large bodies of water (Atlantic Ocean and Great Lakes). Water is very calming for me. Having some solitude at sunset is a very meditative moment for me. The only thing about the image that bothers me is the sign on the left. The railing draws my eye across the frame. It carries me outside of the frame on the right, but the sign on the left stops me short, which is very jarring.

Darmok N Jalad – Ducks are deceptive. They always look calm above the water while working very hard under the surface. What catches my eye here are the ripples in the water. I would like to have seen a wide shot to give me more context and more of those patterns.

cogi0490 – I know that look. “I’m feeling great. Leave me alone.” I frequently see it on my cat’s face. I think the cat’s posture says it all. I have not been able to figure out what I think of the shadow across the face. On one hand, I want to see more of the face. On the other hand, the shadow adds some very good texture to the image.

Susurs – I think I understand what you are going for here. As it is, the image does not work well for me. The sunset and water are what help me to feel serene, and I want to see more of them. The sprig in the middle blocks that. I would love to see this shot from one or two steps to the left. Also, the dark area in the upper right is very distracting to me.

Robotti – I have said before that I love your images of the acrobats. It is amazing to me how these athletes can do things that are so hard and make them look so effortless. You do a remarkable job of capturing the grace and beauty of their athleticism. Tehri looks so peaceful in a setting that is very engaging for me.

Donka – This reminds me of my cat and myself. Every evening she climbs on my lap, stretches out, and falls asleep. Somehow, she and I calm each other enough that we become completely relaxed. My wife says that is my narcotic.

mollyc – Open water, clear sky, and a warm sunset. There is little more calming that this. Because the frame is bisected, my eye keeps getting drawn further and further into a scene that seems to go on forever. The jet trail at the top is a bit disturbing to me, and I wish you had cloned it out...

decafjava – I lived on Lake Michigan for 17 years. There was a lighthouse at the end of a very long causeway. Periodically, we would go there to enjoy the sunset. This image brings back that memory. I appreciate the way that every feature of this image brings the eye to the lighthouse.

Clix Pix – This is an image that I “feel” more than see. I can feel the warmth of the sun, see the rippling of the water, and hear the rustling of the leaves. The only thing I don’t like is that I am sitting at my desk rather than on that bench.

hbruss – Otters often look like they are just lounging around without a care in the world, and you have captured that very well. As with Darmok N Jalad’s duck, I would like to have seen this shot wider to show more of the water and context.

someoldguy – What a beautiful place to take a long and lazy stroll. I like everything about this.

Janichsan – I appreciate landscapes that are much more about the sky than the land. (Skyscape, perhaps?) The rich blue and the soft clouds capture the theme very well.

Laird Knox – This is extremely cool. It is one of the most Zen images I have seen in a long time. The subtle swirls in the whirlpool are mesmerizing. It is captivating to see that “mushroom” of water just hangs there in this frozen moment in time and space. How did you do this?

Apple fanboy – I don’t get to walk on an ocean beach very often, but it is one of my favorite places to be. Looking at your image, I can feel the cool sand and smell the salt in the air. I love that smell.

MarkO – This is spectacular. I have nothing more to say.

Indydenny – This is a very familiar scene for me. Dusk is great time to be out on the water. It can be so quiet and peaceful. When I was a camp waterfront director, I would sometimes take a canoe to the middle of the lake at dusk and immerse myself in the moment.


As I said, each of these images is worthy, and I struggled with this for quite a while. I just did not know what criteria to use. Finally, I settled on just a single criterion for my choices: Which image would I most like to be in.


1st: MarkO
2nd: Alexander.Of.Oz; mollyc; Clix Pix; someoldguy; Laird Knox; needfx; Apple fanboy
3rd: Everyone else


I know I took the easy way out by picking so many 2nd place images, but this was already hard enough.

I am so glad this one is over. MarkO, it is now in your hands.
 
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