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Weekly Photo Contest Sept 4th - Sept 11th What lies Beyond?
- Thread starter anotherscotsman
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Whoops, fortunately there were no submissions paste closing time. The contest is now closed.
Thanks to everyone who has participated with the usual high standard of submissions.
Now the hard bit for me...Ill try and get back to you this evening (UK)
Thanks to everyone who has participated with the usual high standard of submissions.
Now the hard bit for me...Ill try and get back to you this evening (UK)
First, let me thank everyone who participated with the entries being to the high standard I've come to expect from following WPC for a while. Also let me apologise for the delay in closing and judging. From a technical perspective, I'd be over the moon if I'd taken any of the photos but I've focussed on the theme: which entries make me ask The Question? Here goes with comments - these are only my views so please treat accordingly !
stillcrazyman:
Nicely composed and executed with beautiful colours and textures in the stonework and the medieval-style door. The light dappling adds to the interest. With this attention to architectural detail, I definitely want to know what is going on behind that door (OK, in reality I know but that's not the point).
triptolemus:
Lovely sunset with a good, wide range of colours and wispy clouds. Silhouettes are nicely done but I'm afraid it doesn't quite bring the mystery factor for me (perhaps I've got limited curiosity).
Indydenny:
Great idea and nicely in tune with the theme. If I had to be picky, it's a little too contrasty for my tastes but nonetheless a nicely executed shot. If it had been a real person looking into the wardrobe, it would have been even better IMHO.
JoeRito:
I do like the gritty, urban decay B&W treatment which fits the subject matter beautifully. For me, it asks more what happened to bring this place to its current state - what lies beyond is demolition!
AlexH:
As with JoeRito, I like the B&W treatment and the air of decay and neglect. Nice detail where it counts (e.g. siding). I like the two doors - both equipped with unwelcoming ironwork and their position makes for a really interesting contrast to the sign touting for business. A lot to explore in this photo but the unwelcoming persona of the store puts me off going in, regardless of the state of my leatherwork!
Kenoh:
Obviously I recognised the Glasgow Uni location. Lovely colours of the red sandstones of Glasgow with nice exposure bringing in lots of shadow detail. What sort of future awaits those graduating and leaving the confines of academia? Is the world their oyster? Like it a lot.
RedOctober:
Again a very effective B&W treatment of a misty mountain scene. You've captured the atmosphere very nicely with an effective contrast between the lack of detail in the sky and that in the mountains. Unfortunately for me at least, it doesn't raise enough of The Question. Love it nonetheless.
someoldguy:
OK, we know it's only a subway entrance but the lone figure descending into the depths works really well for me: a sense of isolation in an urban environment. Again, the B&W treatment works well for me. Where is she off to? What lies in wait? Being picky, the very high contrast between the left and right detracts a little from a fine composition.
Since OS-6:
Another great B&W shot. I really like the lighting on this. A sharp, clear and nicely composed photo. Isolating the dog and the look on its face (slightly apprehensive?) beg the question as to what is outside of the frame. Great idea that fits well with the theme.
tomnavratil:
A lot going on here in terms of colours, tones and textures - a difficult phot to take as well as you have. The dank and gloomy cavern atmosphere is captured beautifully. Is the caver at the end of his journey and looking to go up and out or further into the depths?
Hughmac:
I'd agree with you that of the two related shots, this is more in keeping with the theme. I like the arrow drawing you forward in an almost inevitable manner. The part-open door adds a bit of mystery - do you want to stay and be subject to whatever goes on inside or do you go through the tempting door? Nice tonality but IMHO the steps at each side are a bit distracting for my taste but who knows, they may also highlight that we don't know what this place is for.
rx7Dude:
Nice backlit sunset with a dramatic sky (perhaps a a little distracting from the focus of the photo, the doorway?). I've no idea what this place is or what goes on inside. What is the cropped structure behind the front of the door? A chimney? A tower? Quite foreboding. Nice one.
Alexander.Of.Oz
As you suggest, a similar concept to Hughmac's. The dark shadows and stark nature really adds the mystery factor for me. There is just enough shadow detail to get me peering at the screen for more. The cast light gives a great composition.
Laird Knox:
I liked Kenoh's comment. Almost gothic in character and beautifully executed. What do these guys have in store for the brave or foolish who enter the station?
JDDavis:
At first glance, I thought OK, a bit of mist to add mystery. I soon realised there is far more to it than that! What is that mysterious object on the horizon with the sliver of light behind it. Very atmospheric. Nice one.
gaswerks:
To infinity and beyond...Like the bold, graphic nature and would make a great wall print but for me at least, it doesn't make me ask (I'm not tempted to get into the realms of the extraterrestrial)
filmbufs:
If we knew the answer to the question posed here....Definitely in keeping with the theme but the questions posed are a bit big for me -I'm not tempted to get into the realms of the metaphysical either Nice colours but being picky, perhaps a little harsh for my liking. I'd like to see this with a B&W treatment (can you spot a theme here?).
needfx:
I really like this 'sic-fi' style (if that's a reasonable description). The black bars top and bottom set the character off nicely. who is this person? Are they free? What are they thinking? Nice one.
I went round the houses several times with several front runners who could/should be on the podium but here it is:
3rd Laird Knox
2nd Since OS-6
1st Alexander.of.Oz
Others that could easily have been podium if I was in a different mood include stillcrazyman, tomnavratil, Kenoh, needfx and AlexH.
Thanks again everyone, I hope the comments and conclusions aren't too ridiculous. Despite being a difficult task, I must admit I enjoyed having to focus and look hard at the entries rather than simply taking them at face value.
Congratulations to the podium places and over to you again Alexander.
stillcrazyman:
Nicely composed and executed with beautiful colours and textures in the stonework and the medieval-style door. The light dappling adds to the interest. With this attention to architectural detail, I definitely want to know what is going on behind that door (OK, in reality I know but that's not the point).
triptolemus:
Lovely sunset with a good, wide range of colours and wispy clouds. Silhouettes are nicely done but I'm afraid it doesn't quite bring the mystery factor for me (perhaps I've got limited curiosity).
Indydenny:
Great idea and nicely in tune with the theme. If I had to be picky, it's a little too contrasty for my tastes but nonetheless a nicely executed shot. If it had been a real person looking into the wardrobe, it would have been even better IMHO.
JoeRito:
I do like the gritty, urban decay B&W treatment which fits the subject matter beautifully. For me, it asks more what happened to bring this place to its current state - what lies beyond is demolition!
AlexH:
As with JoeRito, I like the B&W treatment and the air of decay and neglect. Nice detail where it counts (e.g. siding). I like the two doors - both equipped with unwelcoming ironwork and their position makes for a really interesting contrast to the sign touting for business. A lot to explore in this photo but the unwelcoming persona of the store puts me off going in, regardless of the state of my leatherwork!
Kenoh:
Obviously I recognised the Glasgow Uni location. Lovely colours of the red sandstones of Glasgow with nice exposure bringing in lots of shadow detail. What sort of future awaits those graduating and leaving the confines of academia? Is the world their oyster? Like it a lot.
RedOctober:
Again a very effective B&W treatment of a misty mountain scene. You've captured the atmosphere very nicely with an effective contrast between the lack of detail in the sky and that in the mountains. Unfortunately for me at least, it doesn't raise enough of The Question. Love it nonetheless.
someoldguy:
OK, we know it's only a subway entrance but the lone figure descending into the depths works really well for me: a sense of isolation in an urban environment. Again, the B&W treatment works well for me. Where is she off to? What lies in wait? Being picky, the very high contrast between the left and right detracts a little from a fine composition.
Since OS-6:
Another great B&W shot. I really like the lighting on this. A sharp, clear and nicely composed photo. Isolating the dog and the look on its face (slightly apprehensive?) beg the question as to what is outside of the frame. Great idea that fits well with the theme.
tomnavratil:
A lot going on here in terms of colours, tones and textures - a difficult phot to take as well as you have. The dank and gloomy cavern atmosphere is captured beautifully. Is the caver at the end of his journey and looking to go up and out or further into the depths?
Hughmac:
I'd agree with you that of the two related shots, this is more in keeping with the theme. I like the arrow drawing you forward in an almost inevitable manner. The part-open door adds a bit of mystery - do you want to stay and be subject to whatever goes on inside or do you go through the tempting door? Nice tonality but IMHO the steps at each side are a bit distracting for my taste but who knows, they may also highlight that we don't know what this place is for.
rx7Dude:
Nice backlit sunset with a dramatic sky (perhaps a a little distracting from the focus of the photo, the doorway?). I've no idea what this place is or what goes on inside. What is the cropped structure behind the front of the door? A chimney? A tower? Quite foreboding. Nice one.
Alexander.Of.Oz
As you suggest, a similar concept to Hughmac's. The dark shadows and stark nature really adds the mystery factor for me. There is just enough shadow detail to get me peering at the screen for more. The cast light gives a great composition.
Laird Knox:
I liked Kenoh's comment. Almost gothic in character and beautifully executed. What do these guys have in store for the brave or foolish who enter the station?
JDDavis:
At first glance, I thought OK, a bit of mist to add mystery. I soon realised there is far more to it than that! What is that mysterious object on the horizon with the sliver of light behind it. Very atmospheric. Nice one.
gaswerks:
To infinity and beyond...Like the bold, graphic nature and would make a great wall print but for me at least, it doesn't make me ask (I'm not tempted to get into the realms of the extraterrestrial)
filmbufs:
If we knew the answer to the question posed here....Definitely in keeping with the theme but the questions posed are a bit big for me -I'm not tempted to get into the realms of the metaphysical either
Nice colours but being picky, perhaps a little harsh for my liking. I'd like to see this with a B&W treatment (can you spot a theme here?).needfx:
I really like this 'sic-fi' style (if that's a reasonable description). The black bars top and bottom set the character off nicely. who is this person? Are they free? What are they thinking? Nice one.
I went round the houses several times with several front runners who could/should be on the podium but here it is:
3rd Laird Knox
2nd Since OS-6
1st Alexander.of.Oz
Others that could easily have been podium if I was in a different mood include stillcrazyman, tomnavratil, Kenoh, needfx and AlexH.
Thanks again everyone, I hope the comments and conclusions aren't too ridiculous. Despite being a difficult task, I must admit I enjoyed having to focus and look hard at the entries rather than simply taking them at face value.
Congratulations to the podium places and over to you again Alexander.
Well done everyone. So many good entries this week. I've been totally slammed at work this week and just ran out of time.
Great theme, anotherscotsman, and great interpretations of the theme. Congrats to the winners. Shame I've been away all week. I've been looking in but no chance to enter. Look forward to seeing what Alex is cooking up for us! Well done Alex!
Well done, Alexander !! At least I was on the right track even if you refined my idea - I take that as a win for me too (joking, yours was by far the better).
Laird Knox, Since OS-6 - smashing photos and well deserved places.
Mine is of the examination shed that we take lorries (trucks) and trailers into to check them over for naughty things. Hence the steps, which I wasn't capable of moving by myself.
I went in toting my Galaxy S4 Zoom with a view to taking some preliminary shots and to see if it was worth carrying a D7000 into work, to do it properly.
The little camera seemed to do such a good job I didn't bother with a DSLR, so I mucked about with the tone and contrast a bit and converted to greyscale. I purposefully did not try and remove the noise as it added a grainy effect.
Cheers
Hugh
(joking, yours was by far the better).Laird Knox, Since OS-6 - smashing photos and well deserved places.
Mine is of the examination shed that we take lorries (trucks) and trailers into to check them over for naughty things. Hence the steps, which I wasn't capable of moving by myself.
I went in toting my Galaxy S4 Zoom with a view to taking some preliminary shots and to see if it was worth carrying a D7000 into work, to do it properly.
The little camera seemed to do such a good job I didn't bother with a DSLR, so I mucked about with the tone and contrast a bit and converted to greyscale. I purposefully did not try and remove the noise as it added a grainy effect.
Cheers
Hugh
Congrats to the winners , and a nice job judging and commenting ! Had to pull my entry out of my archives as I've got no time to go out with the camera , trying to pull together loose ends of my existence before a road trip/adventure next week . The shot is the Dupont Circle Metro Station in D.C. . I stay nearby when I'm down there and use that station as a launching point for my travels there . That escalator is seemingly endless . On gloomy days , upon reaching the bottom and swiping my card , I half expect to see the tracks filled with water , and a Venetian gondola , gondolier with the appropriate garb , a handlebar moustache , and an adhesive name tag saying " Hello ! My name is Charon " .
First time I've ever entered one of these contests ... Wow, pretty stoked with 2nd !
Thanks for the comments. I must admit I was more than happy with that shot as a portrait of me best mate.
The challenge of the contest for me was to find a picture I had that 'answered the brief'. So to see a picture I knew in a different way was the challenge.
Well done too, to first and third !!
Thanks for the comments. I must admit I was more than happy with that shot as a portrait of me best mate.
The challenge of the contest for me was to find a picture I had that 'answered the brief'. So to see a picture I knew in a different way was the challenge.
Well done too, to first and third !!
Thanks @anotherscotsman for the great effort put into this weeks contest judging and critiques. Well done to the other winners, I was resigned that @Laird Knox had it in the bag for sure! Well done to all that entered actually, I would have found the judging hard this week.
I'll get the next weeks contest up as soon as I can.
Brilliant theme this week. Really enjoyed it. Thank you for your great comments. Great job judging
I think we've had an excellent theme this week, really enjoyed it too! Some great submission and detailed comments by @anotherscotsman! Congratulations to the winners and thank you for a mention.
Congrats to the winners. It was an interesting theme, so kudos to @anotherscotsman for coming up with that one. I thought @someoldguy or @tomnavratil were gonna sweep it up but the shot by @Alexander.Of.Oz is definitely intriguing.
Thanks @filmbufs, appreciate your kind words! I really liked shot by @JDDavis as well. A nice shot by @someoldguy too although I might like it more in B&W with a bit more dramatic post-processing going on
.Thanks everyone. I thought the concept was a good one (obviously) but just didn't appreciate how hard this judging business is! I hope I gave everyone a fair appraisal but the theme was very subjective. Thanks again for the opportunity.
Thanks for the feedback, and as others have stated, excellent theme.
I'd wager that your curiosity isn't limited. That particular photo (ship/silhouettes/sunrise) has a somewhat personal undertone of "what lies beyond" -- it was our vacation ship sailing back in past the breakwater and into LA. So for me, beyond that breakwater lies quite a time. Obviously that doesn't translate in the photograph.
Just thought I'd explain it... cheers!
Late to the party but thanks anotherscotsman for a great job judging. Great theme and a load of great photos. My image was take in Grand Teton National Park and what lays beyond the fog is one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the U.S. We sat their all morning hoping the fog would break up in the rising sun and let the us see the mountains. It never did.