OK, here are the results of this weeks contest. I'd first off like to say that there were some really fantastic shots submitted this week, I really liked some people's interpretation of the meaning of the word Emptiness, and I also really liked the common theme of gloom, fog, etc; all of which tend to bring me down if I'm exposed to them too long, leaving me feeling "empty" you might say.
Anyway comments:
Macrumormonger: I like this shot; very clear, very stark, and like I mentioned above, I think that the empty streets, combined with the cloudy sky create a sense of isolation. I feel lonely just looking at the photo. Great Job.
mtbdudex: I really love this shot, it combines so much of what I was thinking when I decided on the topic for this week's contest. I love the fog, the fact that the water, earth, and sky are all blended together by the fog to create a sensation of not knowing where one ends and the other begins. there's not a lot of visual information to grab onto here, but it makes it a powerful image. If I had one suggestion, I might try dodging the house and shoreline some more to make it even more faded. Overall, this is a great image!
Razeus: I kept coming back to this photo all week. It's pretty simple, not a lot to analyze. But I just kept imagining that chair, and what it would say about it's feelings if it had any. I'd bet that this chair would feel empty, both because it's no longer really desirable, but also because it's apparently been so poorly treated, and abused. I know it's silly to imagine the feelings of a piece of furniture, but there you have it. I felt like it was a very risky shot for this theme, but I think the risk paid off overall.
Telecomm: Interesting statue, and yes the figure does appear to be tired, all used up, worn out etc. I think this image could benefit from a different angle, zoomed in more etc, but it's still pretty good, nice work.
MattSepeta: I love the colors here, very well done. I'm not sure just how well this image conveys the theme to me personally however. It's a large empty space, but I don't feel like I could get lost there, and I don't get the same gloomy feeling as some of the other shots here. But like I said, I really like the colors, especially where they are reflected on the shore.
Jodelli: I'm not sure what to think here, I love the old architecure, but I wonder if the image isn't spoiled for this theme because of the crowd at the (baseball stadium?) in the foreground. Again, a different perspective might have been better for this one. What do the grounds surrounding these empty buildings look like, would they have helped convey the message?
Maddagascar: Again, I'm not really taken back by this image, sure it's of an empty driveway at night, with a lonely streetlight there at the edge; but apart from that I'm not sure it does much for me.
Oblomow: Cool image, I like the expansiveness of the surroundings, and the few dead trees really add to the theme. I think you were on the right track here, the only real suggestion I might venture to offer would be to go back at dusk and take advantage of the moody light.
heyisti: Again, this image fails to strike me beyond noticing that the alleyway is empty. I like the way you shot into the sun, I like the look of the rundown buildings, but to me ultimately it's just an empty alleyway, maybe too literal for this theme.
Atken: Nice shot, and good idea. Empty shoes, empty beach, you've got a real pattern going. Maybe shoot with a wider angle next time because this shot feels pretty cramped and I think it detracts from the shot.
deep diver: Again, it's a textbook shot of hundreds of empty stadium seats, I see where you were going with this. My one complaint is that it may have been a little predictable for this topic.
the1sttransport: Where was this shot from? I'm interested to know. Again it was a nice thought, but ultimately I feel like I'm cramped tight into whatever it is that this was shot from inside of. It may be a huge room with 50 foot high ceilings, but if that's the case a wider angle might have given a better effect.
NeGRitO: Really nice shot, great color, great contrast, I love the range of colors here. I really like the shot, one suggestion would be to include something to allow the viewer to judge scale, I have no idea just how far off the sun peeking though the clouds is. It looks like it may have been 300-400 yards, but I just can't really tell.
davegregory: I absolutely love this shot, I love the PP, the combination of foreground, middle ground, and background. And the dead tree as the subject really ties it all in nicely. Great work, and nice interpretation of the theme.
JDDavis: Again, not sure what to think about this one. I notice that I mentioned an empty container in my description of the theme, but the composition here leaves something to be desired for me.
Chappers: Another great submission, I like the look of emptiness on her face (well I like it for this theme), she appears to be all but spent. Years of troubles and stress are evident on her face, and she may not have much left. I was hoping for a shot like this! I do wonder if a B&W draft of this image might hit a little harder.
Nomad01: Good idea, but tough location. The curve of the hall makes me wonder what's just around the corner; which makes me think about all the possibilities, and forget about any emptiness.
rekud300: Again, I'm wondering about this image. Sure it's an empty pool, but what else? The area surrounding it is heavily crowded, and I don't get much of a sense of emptiness here.
H2Ockey: Another shot that I really really like. Again incorporating elements of fog, gloom, decay, etc. The old boat that's been landlocked, rotting, and unable to move is a nice touch. Like someone just decided to cut their losses and forget about the boat. And I can't tell just where the shoreline might be, which is a nice element considering the theme of the contest.
Abyssgh0st: Interesting shot, where was this taken? I like it for a quirky shot of something out of the ordinary, but I don't get a sense of emptiness from the image.
BarryJ: I like this shot a lot as well. I can't help but wonder just how far off the nearest sign of civilization is. I am left looking at this house in the middle of nowhere, with a fence that goes on, probably forever. Nice shot!!
grassland: I like this one too, compositionally I think it could have used a better capture, or an HDR treatment (which I realize is probably impossible without doing it from a single RAW file). But that girl is riding off to who knows where. I work with homeless individuals at the moment and so many of them live these lives that seem so empty, so hollow to me. Part of that comes from being transient, drifting from place to place and never really setting down roots anywhere. This was a good submission.
SQBlue: Really nice shot, thanks for squeezing it in today! Again falling on the theme of vast expanse of empty land. I can't tell what's in the distance which is sort of the point isn't it? The tree in the mist is a nice touch too!
Compuwar: I like this one too, mainly because I'm imagining that it must be clear out in the middle of nowhere, away from the trail, away from civilization, and I'm imagining that this place doesn't see a lot of foot traffic. Again though, I feel a little boxed in (maybe I've been cooped up in my office for too long today?) I need to get out.
OK winners!
3rd: Chappers. Again, great take on the theme, and nice implementation of your take.
2nd: Tie between davegregory and H2Ockey, with tie breaker (in case the winner can't host the contest next week) going to davegregory. I really like these shots, and they were ever so close to being the winners this week. You both really drew me in with these.
1st: mtbdudex!!!! I can't stop looking at this photo, fantastic job! Again, I feel like I could get lost out there, never to be seen again. Congratulations, now get the next weeks contest underway!
Nice work everyone!
SLC