Weekly Photo Contest, Sept 15 - 22, Color Discipline

[Clix Pix]

A couple or three months ago I found that after a while when I was viewing POTD threads that I was more-or-less automatically, mindlessly, hitting the "like" button and finally realized that this wasn't a good thing -- either for me or for the person who had submitted the image. Yes, if I want to offer encouragement I should put something in writing, or if I want to offer some thoughtful critique or commentary, I should put that in writing. If I really love an image and how it was executed, I should say so in writing, tell the photographer WHY, not be satisfied with quickly just hitting the "like" button and moving on to the next image. If I don't really like an image for whatever reason, I'm not going to say "I don't like this image, IMHO it's not as good as the one above or below it," so then why on earth was I robotically clicking the "like" button anyway?

That's the point at which one day I caught myself up short and I reassessed things, I decided to stop with the "like" thingies altogether for a while. Just look at the images, appreciate them, but not immediately click the "like" button out of some sort of automatic reflex. This isn't school or some sort of organization where it's important to give all the "children" an award of some sort just for participating.... If an image is truly outstanding and remarkable, yes, it should be acknowledged as such. If an image is someone's first attempt and they have a ways to go in the learning process, isn't it doing them a favor to offer them some suggestions and tips on how to do things rather than simply mindlessly, robotically clicking the "like" button?

Anyway, that's with regard to my using the "like" button on the POTD threads, though, not the competition threads, which as has already been discussed, is a different situation altogether. There, I really do feel that there should not be any opinions expressed during the competition, including clicking that "like" button. Afterward? Sure, have at it!

 

[deep diver]

I PMed Nathan about coming back to judge.

 

[Clix Pix]

Thanks, Deep Diver! Hope he sees and responds fairly soon.....

 

[deep diver]

I PMed donka to be ready to step in if Nathan does not come back by this evening.

 

[Donka]

Ready and waiting if needed. I thought 2nd place was the aspirational place to finish too!

 

[deep diver]

Ready and waiting if needed. I thought 2nd place was the aspirational place to finish too!

It is, but sometimes the universe has a very cruel sense of humor.

 

[needfx]

Ready and waiting if needed. I thought 2nd place was the aspirational place to finish too!

you could raffle it

 

[Indydenny]

you could raffle it

I’ll start the bidding. I’ll do it if you pay me $50. ?

 

[needfx]

I’ll start the bidding. I’ll do it if you pay me $50. ?

that's not a raffle, that's a bidding war!

 

[mollyc]

I think at this point it is safe to let @Donka go ahead and judge.

 

[deep diver]

I just PMed him with the bad news. He is in the UK so I imagine he is still at work right now.

 

[Donka]

Okay, stepping in for judging as @Nathan King is currently AWOL - hope all is well.
The usual caveats apply with the addition that I am judging based on my interpretation of the theme which may be different from how Nathan intended.

I'll offer my usual constructive criticism but don't take it too seriously as I'm strictly an amateur myself and just voice how I see things...

@anotherscotsman
A fantastic opening to this competition. Definitely hits the theme and the doors really stand out in the image - not sure if that is true to the scene or done in PP but an impactful shot.

@inkmich
Quite a striking image which I do like although for me it doesn't really hit theme from my perspective. I do find the background pattern a little distracting though - my brain almost treats it like one of those magic eye images.

@deep diver
This one works well with the theme, the colours all work well together and are ones we would associate with each other. With this composition, I would have liked to have seen a little shallower DOF to make the bag and hat stand out but appreciate you probably didn't have the distance to work with.

@Indydenny
The Hair colour and flesh tones are a nice contrast to the background. I don't think of them as complimenting the blue background but giving the boy a natural, colour isolation from the wall. Away from the theme though, I suspect this would work well as a mono image given the strong side lighting.

@Clix Pix
A nice, subtle contrasting image. The natural palette of this one reminds me a lot of a water colour landscape.

@Darmok N Jalad
While I'm not sure this hits the intended theme, the image works well for the striking main subject against the subdued background.

@redshifted
Another museum shot and another good one at that. I like the balance between the floor and background wall with the complimentary hues of the picture frames. I also like the candid nature of this image.

@fitshaced
I'm torn on this image. I like these kind of shots but would have preferred if more of the natural light streaming through the trees was captured. I'm also struggling to judge this one with consideration to the intended theme as it is predominately one main colour contrasting with the dark of the back lit tree trunks.

@Hughmac
This is an interesting shot. While the source of light and colour is central, I love the contrast between the side walls - one with the diffused, subtle colours and the other with the sharpness reflected in picture glass.

@tizeye
A nicely balanced image with the mass of green being punctured by the flowers and complimentary flower box and window covers. My one wish would be to extend the image a bit on the top and left and frame the window more to the lower right to balance with the open cover.

@oblomow
A nicely framed shot, the less saturated greens work well against the grey sky with the flowers offering a splash of alternate colour to break up the foreground.

@AllergyDoc
I'm sure there is real sentiment behind this image but for me, the framing really hurts this one. The main subject being off centre and not fully in frame combined with the green hosing on the right gives this more an air of a snapshot in need of some TLC.

@mollyc
You have shown previously that you have an eye for a great image and this is another fine example. This really hits the theme for me. I love the hues in the sky dominating the relative monotony of the sand while the house lights bring pockets of warmth to the image.

@globalist
A busy image that, if I'm being honest, I find a little too distracting but love how the colours work well together. I think the bench and flowers with a quieter background would make for an overall stronger picture.

@Janichsan
A clever image that predominately uses colour instead of raw light to contrast against the darkness of the background. The fact each of the windows sticks to one main hue really works in this image and provides real character.

@840quadra
A well composed shot, another which uses the colour as a contrast against a more subdued background instead of complimenting it. As a portrait, I'm not a fan of the use of flash with the model so close to the wall unless you are making the shadows one of the key features but appreciate this can be hard to avoid in such shots.

@dwfaust
The cyans in this image really work well between the ice and the sky with mountains for contrast. The grey sea in the foreground is a little unforgiving for me though as there is little life or reflection in it to complete the picture.

@Somepix
Just a lovely image that captures the seasonal lighting really well. I love the balance of the picture thanks to the shadows, greens and red sandwiched between the reflection and sky. Very well executed.

@someoldguy
Very well composed with both rich and subtle hues and contrasting angles. A strong image that fits the theme well.

@needfx
This on the face of it seems such a simple image but I think it is stunning. Shades of two main colours that both contrast and compliment each other with a subtle deviation of lighting throughout. Nails the theme for me.

@pmxperience
Very tight framing that works well for this image. Nice contrasting throughout with the repeating red and yellow offering a balance to the whole picture.

@Elbert C
I was expecting more shots like this in all honesty. Lovely smooth hues, spread out across a wide, calm inducing vista. I also love the cloud reflections so close to the horizon. What's not to like?


Well this was tougher (and longer) to judge than I was expecting - equally down to the standard of entries and also it was someone else's theme. Thanks to all who entered and I tried to add some commentary of value to each image but please ignore as you see fit. For what it's worth, it was hard to pick the podium places to start with, let alone a winner, it was that close for me.

3rd.
@mollyc
I love this shot. It fits the theme well and there is a real balance to the image.

2nd.
@anotherscotsman
Bang on theme but I also love the texture and contrast in those doors against the rest of the image.

1st Place.
@needfx
Congratulations on this shot. Just a great shot that gets the theme perfectly for me.

 

[mollyc]

Okay, stepping in for judging as @Nathan King is currently AWOL - hope all is well.
The usual caveats apply with the addition that I am judging based on my interpretation of the theme which may be different from how Nathan intended.

I'll offer my usual constructive criticism but don't take it too seriously as I'm strictly an amateur myself and just voice how I see things...

@anotherscotsman
A fantastic opening to this competition. Definitely hits the theme and the doors really stand out in the image - not sure if that is true to the scene or done in PP but an impactful shot.

@inkmich
Quite a striking image which I do like although for me it doesn't really hit theme from my perspective. I do find the background pattern a little distracting though - my brain almost treats it like one of those magic eye images.

@deep diver
This one works well with the theme, the colours all work well together and are ones we would associate with each other. With this composition, I would have liked to have seen a little shallower DOF to make the bag and hat stand out but appreciate you probably didn't have the distance to work with.

@Indydenny
The Hair colour and flesh tones are a nice contrast to the background. I don't think of them as complimenting the blue background but giving the boy a natural, colour isolation from the wall. Away from the theme though, I suspect this would work well as a mono image given the strong side lighting.

@Clix Pix
A nice, subtle contrasting image. The natural palette of this one reminds me a lot of a water colour landscape.

@Darmok N Jalad
While I'm not sure this hits the intended theme, the image works well for the striking main subject against the subdued background.

@redshifted
Another museum shot and another good one at that. I like the balance between the floor and background wall with the complimentary hues of the picture frames. I also like the candid nature of this image.

@fitshaced
I'm torn on this image. I like these kind of shots but would have preferred if more of the natural light streaming through the trees was captured. I'm also struggling to judge this one with consideration to the intended theme as it is predominately one main colour contrasting with the dark of the back lit tree trunks.

@Hughmac
This is an interesting shot. While the source of light and colour is central, I love the contrast between the side walls - one with the diffused, subtle colours and the other with the sharpness reflected in picture glass.

@tizeye
A nicely balanced image with the mass of green being punctured by the flowers and complimentary flower box and window covers. My one wish would be to extend the image a bit on the top and left and frame the window more to the lower right to balance with the open cover.

@oblomow
A nicely framed shot, the less saturated greens work well against the grey sky with the flowers offering a splash of alternate colour to break up the foreground.

@AllergyDoc
I'm sure there is real sentiment behind this image but for me, the framing really hurts this one. The main subject being off centre and not fully in frame combined with the green hosing on the right gives this more an air of a snapshot in need of some TLC.

@mollyc
You have shown previously that you have an eye for a great image and this is another fine example. This really hits the theme for me. I love the hues in the sky dominating the relative monotony of the sand while the house lights bring pockets of warmth to the image.

@globalist
A busy image that, if I'm being honest, I find a little too distracting but love how the colours work well together. I think the bench and flowers with a quieter background would make for an overall stronger picture.

@Janichsan
A clever image that predominately uses colour instead of raw light to contrast against the darkness of the background. The fact each of the windows sticks to one main hue really works in this image and provides real character.

@840quadra
A well composed shot, another which uses the colour as a contrast against a more subdued background instead of complimenting it. As a portrait, I'm not a fan of the use of flash with the model so close to the wall unless you are making the shadows one of the key features but appreciate this can be hard to avoid in such shots.

@dwfaust
The cyans in this image really work well between the ice and the sky with mountains for contrast. The grey sea in the foreground is a little unforgiving for me though as there is little life or reflection in it to complete the picture.

@Somepix
Just a lovely image that captures the seasonal lighting really well. I love the balance of the picture thanks to the shadows, greens and red sandwiched between the reflection and sky. Very well executed.

@someoldguy
Very well composed with both rich and subtle hues and contrasting angles. A strong image that fits the theme well.

@needfx
This on the face of it seems such a simple image but I think it is stunning. Shades of two main colours that both contrast and compliment each other with a subtle deviation of lighting throughout. Nails the theme for me.

@pmxperience
Very tight framing that works well for this image. Nice contrasting throughout with the repeating red and yellow offering a balance to the whole picture.

@Elbert C
I was expecting more shots like this in all honesty. Lovely smooth hues, spread out across a wide, calm inducing vista. I also love the cloud reflections so close to the horizon. What's not to like?


Well this was tougher (and longer) to judge than I was expecting - equally down to the standard of entries and also it was someone else's theme. Thanks to all who entered and I tried to add some commentary of value to each image but please ignore as you see fit. For what it's worth, it was hard to pick the podium places to start with, let alone a winner, it was that close for me.

3rd.
@mollyc
I love this shot. It fits the theme well and there is a real balance to the image.

2nd.
@anotherscotsman
Bang on theme but I also love the texture and contrast in those doors against the rest of the image.

1st Place.
@needfx
Congratulations on this shot. Just a great shot that gets the theme perfectly for me.

Thanks @Donka for the emergency judging and the mention. A tricky subject for sure!

Congrats to @needfx!!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Excellent competition, - great topic - and thanks for stepping into the breach and doing the needful re judging, @Donka. Much appreciated, and not easy with work of such calibre entered for this week's competition.

I rather liked @Indydenny's shot, as the blue of the background is matched in the top the child wears, as well as his t-shirt, and - above all, what I think may have been missed - it is also reflected in the colour of his eyes.

However, my personal favourites were @Hughmac's - which I thought superb, glorious composition, and colour and depth. Terrific shot, to my mind.

I was also taken with @mollyc's beautifully composed shot - lovely lines and awareness of how colour works - and with @Janichsan's striking image. Loved @someoldguy's shot, as well, and thought the image submitted by @needfx superb, subtle, but exquisitely composed, with a lovely rendition of complementary colours.

 

[oblomow]

thanks for stepping in @Donka ! Good to see that you punished @needfx , that'l l teach him not to participate in your raffle

 

[someoldguy]

Many thanks to @ Donka for his excellent judging at short notice , and congrats ( or condolences) to @needfx !

A quick note on my submission ... taken at Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico . Highly recommended to take the tour if you're near there . According to the young lady who was our guide , the white ladders grant access to areas of some religious significance , as opposed to those that are unpainted and just give access to the upper areas of the Pueblo structures . The shot is actually a cull that was never processed when I returned. Acoma is just another of those spots in the U.S.Southwest where every shot is a winner and you have a hard time culling things out .

 

[needfx]

Much obliged @Donka for hosting the raffle and pulling my name out of your proverbial hat , and thanks for everyone's kind words, except @oblomow

This image, to date, holds a very special place in my heart, until the next I fall in love with evidently.

On a side note, definitely no need for condolences, I really enjoy making up themes and passing constructive judgement, surely helps with considering things through other people's viewpoints.

Will revert with a theme shortly
- hopefully

 

[needfx]

◻△◇Basic Geometric◯⬡▱

is up!

 

[Indydenny]

Thanks to @Donka for stepping in. That's not easy to do when you didn't pick the theme.

I really liked the photo that @anotherscotsman entered. Well done to everyone!

Also, on my photo -- yes the blue of the wall, shirt, eyes and then the red/orange of the hair, shirt logo, and cheeks -- with focus on only two main colors.

 

[needfx]

on a relevant note regarding my image, once again, 80% of my favorite images have been created with the very specific sony a6500+sony fe55mm 1.8 (evidently, 1.5 crop factor induced).

Despite having other lenses and bodies I love, with second favorite combo the minolta 200mm f2.8 on my a7r2, the a6500/55mm set has given me the most images I have fallen in love with.

I will make a short thread showcasing this combo. It is definitely unreal and highly advised to own.

 

[CE3]

Light At The Top...



Cheers

Hugh

Is this a Frank Lloyd Wright home?

 

[deep diver]

Great job judging and thank you for taking the time and effort to comment on every image. I may go back to the firehouse and reshoot this as you suggested.

 

[Clix Pix]

Congrats to everyone and many thanks to Donka for having stepped up to the plate and taken on this challenge! There were some really amazing entries this time.....

 

[Hughmac]

Is this a Frank Lloyd Wright home?

It's actually an old art deco cinema that's been converted to a pub, at Whitstable in Kent - https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/kent/the-peter-cushing-whitstable
This was taken looking up the stairs to the upper floor of the building.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[anotherscotsman]

Okay, stepping in for judging as @Nathan King is currently AWOL - hope all is well.
The usual caveats apply with the addition that I am judging based on my interpretation of the theme which may be different from how Nathan intended.

I'll offer my usual constructive criticism but don't take it too seriously as I'm strictly an amateur myself and just voice how I see things...

@anotherscotsman
A fantastic opening to this competition. Definitely hits the theme and the doors really stand out in the image - not sure if that is true to the scene or done in PP but an impactful shot.

@inkmich
Quite a striking image which I do like although for me it doesn't really hit theme from my perspective. I do find the background pattern a little distracting though - my brain almost treats it like one of those magic eye images.

@deep diver
This one works well with the theme, the colours all work well together and are ones we would associate with each other. With this composition, I would have liked to have seen a little shallower DOF to make the bag and hat stand out but appreciate you probably didn't have the distance to work with.

@Indydenny
The Hair colour and flesh tones are a nice contrast to the background. I don't think of them as complimenting the blue background but giving the boy a natural, colour isolation from the wall. Away from the theme though, I suspect this would work well as a mono image given the strong side lighting.

@Clix Pix
A nice, subtle contrasting image. The natural palette of this one reminds me a lot of a water colour landscape.

@Darmok N Jalad
While I'm not sure this hits the intended theme, the image works well for the striking main subject against the subdued background.

@redshifted
Another museum shot and another good one at that. I like the balance between the floor and background wall with the complimentary hues of the picture frames. I also like the candid nature of this image.

@fitshaced
I'm torn on this image. I like these kind of shots but would have preferred if more of the natural light streaming through the trees was captured. I'm also struggling to judge this one with consideration to the intended theme as it is predominately one main colour contrasting with the dark of the back lit tree trunks.

@Hughmac
This is an interesting shot. While the source of light and colour is central, I love the contrast between the side walls - one with the diffused, subtle colours and the other with the sharpness reflected in picture glass.

@tizeye
A nicely balanced image with the mass of green being punctured by the flowers and complimentary flower box and window covers. My one wish would be to extend the image a bit on the top and left and frame the window more to the lower right to balance with the open cover.

@oblomow
A nicely framed shot, the less saturated greens work well against the grey sky with the flowers offering a splash of alternate colour to break up the foreground.

@AllergyDoc
I'm sure there is real sentiment behind this image but for me, the framing really hurts this one. The main subject being off centre and not fully in frame combined with the green hosing on the right gives this more an air of a snapshot in need of some TLC.

@mollyc
You have shown previously that you have an eye for a great image and this is another fine example. This really hits the theme for me. I love the hues in the sky dominating the relative monotony of the sand while the house lights bring pockets of warmth to the image.

@globalist
A busy image that, if I'm being honest, I find a little too distracting but love how the colours work well together. I think the bench and flowers with a quieter background would make for an overall stronger picture.

@Janichsan
A clever image that predominately uses colour instead of raw light to contrast against the darkness of the background. The fact each of the windows sticks to one main hue really works in this image and provides real character.

@840quadra
A well composed shot, another which uses the colour as a contrast against a more subdued background instead of complimenting it. As a portrait, I'm not a fan of the use of flash with the model so close to the wall unless you are making the shadows one of the key features but appreciate this can be hard to avoid in such shots.

@dwfaust
The cyans in this image really work well between the ice and the sky with mountains for contrast. The grey sea in the foreground is a little unforgiving for me though as there is little life or reflection in it to complete the picture.

@Somepix
Just a lovely image that captures the seasonal lighting really well. I love the balance of the picture thanks to the shadows, greens and red sandwiched between the reflection and sky. Very well executed.

@someoldguy
Very well composed with both rich and subtle hues and contrasting angles. A strong image that fits the theme well.

@needfx
This on the face of it seems such a simple image but I think it is stunning. Shades of two main colours that both contrast and compliment each other with a subtle deviation of lighting throughout. Nails the theme for me.

@pmxperience
Very tight framing that works well for this image. Nice contrasting throughout with the repeating red and yellow offering a balance to the whole picture.

@Elbert C
I was expecting more shots like this in all honesty. Lovely smooth hues, spread out across a wide, calm inducing vista. I also love the cloud reflections so close to the horizon. What's not to like?


Well this was tougher (and longer) to judge than I was expecting - equally down to the standard of entries and also it was someone else's theme. Thanks to all who entered and I tried to add some commentary of value to each image but please ignore as you see fit. For what it's worth, it was hard to pick the podium places to start with, let alone a winner, it was that close for me.

3rd.
@mollyc
I love this shot. It fits the theme well and there is a real balance to the image.

2nd.
@anotherscotsman
Bang on theme but I also love the texture and contrast in those doors against the rest of the image.

1st Place.
@needfx
Congratulations on this shot. Just a great shot that gets the theme perfectly for me.

Good contest and very useful feedback across the board. Congratulations to the very worthy winners.

A little bit of clarity added in PP but the wooden board on the right had recently been painted with some kind of preservative/oil so looked nice and rich. Photo taken with a polarising filter which also helps with saturation/punch under the right circumstances.