FINALLY!!!! I know you've all been waiting and wondering what the heck has been taking me so long?! Sorry about that, had a couple of interruptions, spent way too much time agonizing over the final choices, and of course it took a while to type up all my comments in Pages and then get them on here.
“WATER”. July 16 - 22, 2020 MR Photo Competition
Nutzjanix (Post #2)
Our first entry! An image with an interesting slant to it, which catches the eye immediately. The viewer wonders where the water is going, if this is a dam or part of a waterfall…. The use of slow shutter speed to make the water soft and silky creates a nice contrast with the hardness of the rocks. Green grass in the scene also adds a touch of color to the overall image. It must’ve taken some patience to find just the right location in order to shoot this interesting angle!
Hughmac (Post #3)
What fun to see this strawberry splashing into a glass of water! The black background makes the vivid red color of the berry stand out in sharp contrast, and a sense of action comes into play with the water splashing upward as the berry drops into it. Perfectly lit, timing right on the money here — this is an eye-grabbing photo that would be nice hanging on a wall.
tizeye. “Italie”. (Post #4)
A different perspective on the competition topic of “water”! In this image, we don’t see water at all but we are well aware of the key role it plays in this nonetheless, since the subject is a water-going vessel meant to transport goods. It looks as though it is a fascinating boat since it is a paddlewheel and has some history, according to the plaque we see attached to it.
This is a nice macro/closeup of a section of the boat, telling us the story in an effective way. The blue window (port?) and the additional details we see in the background (parts of the paddlewheel?) add interest to the overall scene. The framing adds a nice touch of symmetry as well as also letting us know what we’re seeing, thanks to the brass sign. The soft colors of blue and grey are soothing. This image could almost be an abstract in the absence of the brass sign with the boat’s name.
stillcrazyman “Water Erodes All Things in Time”. (Post #5)
Indeed we see the evidence of nature’s cruelty in this action shot of waves crashing against rocks and hard concrete surfaces. The framing and composition of this works very well and the rock at the viewer’s left leads the eye to the crashing wave of water; you can almost hear the waves as they hit the rocks and concrete!
Really nice use of the the “rule of thirds” balance between the water and the top of the image to the exploding wave to the hard rocks and concrete surfaces, then finally we see the calmer water at the bottom of the image, bringing it all together. Use of normal shutter speed is effective to show the movement and action of the relentless water pounds the hard surfaces, wearing them down through the years. There is also really interesting visual contrast between the fluidity of the water — both the calmer water and the actively-moving, pounding waves — and the hard surfaces of the concrete and rocks.
redshifted “ccccold water!” (Post #6)
An image which gives the viewer the chills….brrrr!!! Indeed, water in one of its many forms, and this image suggests the potential dangerousness of those long icicles with the sharp, sharp pointy ends. One realizes how very, very cold it must’ve been that day, for such a formation to occur. Brrrr!
B&W is an excellent way to showcase the elements in this image, ranging from the hard, cold, sharp icicles to the water that is still flowing below, shown as silky-soft by the use of slow shutter speed. Lots of contrast here, with sharp and hard versus smooth, easy flowing versus frozen rigidity, and there is a nice balance here between shadows and highlights, darkness and light, which is ideal for this type of subject. Use of portrait mode rather than landscape mode works really well here, too, well suited to the overall composition of the photo. This image tells the story of wintertime….
akash.nu (Post #7)
Are we looking at a creek? A narrow river? Whatever, because of the interesting and effective angle of view, the viewer feels as though they’re standing right there in the middle of it all, with the water rushing towards them….. The soft colors of greens and golds give us an almost painterly look, and the balance of light and shadows, color and lines all works very well. Greenery on each side of the water provides addition color with the vegetation and additional color is seen in the rocks. A good use of perspective and leading lines.
whiteonline (Post #8)
Lovely subtle colors of yellow and peachy-orange present a soft contrast with the ominous looking grey clouds that predominate in the sky. The ocean waves rolling in catch the eye, especially when we spot occasional reflections from the sky, treating us to more pinks and yellows…. The overall effect of the image is really nice with the pleasing color balance of the brown shades as well. The use of slow shutter speed in order to get that silky water effect is very pleasing but it can also make other elements in an image look soft as well, leading to potential confusion on the part of the viewer: is this sand or is it rocks or is it both?
Although at first glance the sky seemingly demands the attention in this image, it quickly becomes clear that it is the water which really is the main focus and center of interest. There is vast scope here, as the eye looks at the distant sea and follows the waves rolling in. Overhead, the grey clouds, yellow and peachy-pink hues add a colorful dimension to the overall image.
anotherscotsman (Post #9)
B&W leaves — Hosta? — with the additional element of water drops presumably from a recent rain bring us an image filled with lines, patterns, shapes and lots for the eye to appreciate. B&W is the ideal presentation here. There is nice balance of highlights and shadows, while keeping the viewer’s attention on the primary subject matter, the water drops. Water comes in all forms….
The framing and composition is really nice here, with the use of multiple leaves and then one large one being particularly prominent. It happens to have the most drops on it, too. A leaf at the top of the image leads right to that large center leaf. The interplay of light and shadows, shapes, lines and patterns, keeps the eye interested while at the same time does not detract from the water drops. Without the water drops it would still be a fine image, but the water drops add just that extra special touch.
mtbdudex “Post Storm Reflections” (Post #10)
At first glance, a fun, colorful family photo — but, wait, there’s more: much more! The photographer has captured the scene showing his family in the immediate aftermath of what must’ve been a torrential rainstorm, and the viewer sees water all over the ground, offering reflections and lots to see in the scene which encompasses a large gathering with a white tent in the background, lots of other people apparently also caught in this storm. Above the tent, the people and the family, we see clouds in the sky and to one side the hint of dark clouds suggesting more rain to come.
It would’ve been tempting to shoot just the family standing there, but what makes this image so appealing and interesting is that the photographer strategically placed them at one side in the foreground, leaving him space to then encompass the rest of the scene, including that large white tent, which then offers more of a story in this situation. The family, too, isn’t just standing there all in a tidy little row — they’re nicely positioned at different angles and Mom holding the large rainbow umbrella at a cocked angle helps to frame and balance the entire image and their part in it.
It is indeed the water, not the family, which is the primary center of interest in this image as the viewer looks at the reflections of the people and the event, and marvels at the depth of that water. Well composed, well presented photo!
someoldguy “So far everything’s much too cherry and pretty….I’ll fix that!” (Post 11)
A different and certainly much less cheery scene, indeed, with the water full of debris and junk, including of all things, a fully inflated basketball merrily bobbing around. This image immediately raises concerns and questions in the viewer’s mind, including why anyone would deliberately throw stuff like this into the water, and who is responsible? Also, who is responsible for cleaning it up? This water is home to many creatures, fish and birds, and this kind of junk can be toxic to them.
We are reminded again of the importance of caring for the environment and not carelessly tossing detritus anywhere one pleases, especially into oceans, lakes, rivers and streams around the world. This image is thought-provoking, stimulating sorrow, frustration and anger at how other humans treat our world.
This image is well shot, well composed and the bulk of the trash and debris is seen at the upper-to-middle left, leading our eye right to that weirdly out-of-place basketball. The viewer looks at it all, frowns sorrowfully at the tainted water, and just wants to get in there and clean it all up! The story told in this image is a sad one, indeed.
Apple_Glen_UK (Post 12)
A pretty scene of a nice residential area with its own pond and fountain — the houses are set further back but have waterfront views, so the main focus of this image is on the water and the fountain. The shape of the fountain is echoed in the shape of the trees that are directly opposite it on one side, a nice touch and observation by the photographer. Two trees on each side at the edge of the photo serve to frame it and the foreground is the water in the pond.
This is a very symmetrical and balanced image, with the same number of houses on each side of the centered fountain, which is pleasing to those who appreciate orderliness. The scene looks peaceful even as the fountain provides a sense of action and movement with the water going through it and the surrounding water in the pond gently moving as well. The fountain, as the primary focal point, holds the viewer’s attention and when looking around the image, the eye always returns to the source of activity.
Alexander.Of.Oz (Post #13)
The original image, “an old dormitory facility,” was later swapped out for a different image of a vast landscape of water and rocks highlighted by lovely colors of yellow, purplish-grey and deeper purple in the sky and reflected in the water. This is a nice image, well done and definitely relevant to the theme, but actually, this viewer was more intrigued by the earlier image, which had an eerie aspect to it due to the lighting, lots to see, including reflections of the building captured in water on the ground resulting from an apparent recent rainfall. There was mystery, there were untold stories lurking in that dormitory image….. Both images are relevant to the topic.
Laird Knox (Post #14).
The comet! Beautiful night shot of the sky with plenty of stars and that amazing comet…. It appears that some skillful “light painting” was done with the unusual trees. What is confusing, though, is — where is the water? Are we meant to see subtle reflections in dark water that is nearly invisible, or is there actually no water here at all? Regardless, the overall image is striking and interesting.
Apple fanboy “Amazon Milk Frog” (Post #15)
Such a cute, smiley little froggie! Presumably this is at a zoo or an aquarium? Shooting in aquariums in particular, when the subject is behind glass, can be tricky. Well done here! The natural instinct is to assume that the frog is the main subject since he is nicely reflected in the water just below him as he is positioned on rocks. The water plays more of a secondary role, as who can resist that cute froggy smile and those eyes?!
Indydenny “Wall of Water” (Post # 16)
This is an action shot for sure — and a surprising one with that amazing, massive wake behind the slaloming water skier. Curiosity snags at the viewer: is the skier really generating that huge wake or it a matter of him skiing past a wall of water so that the illusion is created that he’s the source of it? Either way it is an impressive sight! In any case, this is well-captured with great timing and good composition so that the primary focus is on the wall of water and the skier’s wake rather than the skier himself and we don’t even see the boat towing him, which would be distracting.
Trees in the background behind the water wall complement the overall shape of the water and also add needed color and contrast, since the water itself doesn’t have much color. This image tells an interesting story and holds the viewer’s interest.
oblomow “Dutch Isle” (Post #17)
A serene, peaceful scene which provides us with the sight of a lovely island and beach, and the mood is emphasized by the beautiful soft colors and hues of blue (water, sky) and beige/white (sand, clouds) as well as the vastness of the area and relative isolation. We see only a couple of people walking together along the beach, but no one else in sight at all, adding to the sense of a calm, quiet place to come for restoration and reflection.
In the distance we see what appear to be trees and land beyond the beach area, leading to another part of this island. The scene is cohesive in the way the clouds in the upper right sky serve as leading lines in the frame, pointing downward and the viewer studies the beach and marvels at the sheer emptiness of it.
mollyc (Post #19)
A different beach here, complete with pier, people and in a distance, buildings. Nicely balanced composition bringing in the various elements: sky, water, people, buildings, a hint of the sandy beach. The water is the primary focus here, as we see people swimming in it, enjoying the relatively calm water (no huge waves for surfing here!). No annoying planes flying overhead with a huge advertising banner, either!
The overall impression here is of a nice, quiet beach area, without the usual mobs of people, without the usual seagulls soaring and squawking overhead and swooping down to grab some errant bit of food that has been dropped. This looks more private and peaceful, a good place for relaxation. The composition is well-thought-out here, with the people framed by the soft-focus pier on one side and the edge of sandy beach at the bottom on the other side, and water at the shoreline. We are reminded that the water can be a fun place for recreation and activity and what can be better on a really hot day?
mackmgg (Post #23)
In this landscape photo, we see a stream, with water tumbling over rocks in the foreground, leading to the stream meandering all the way out of the scene. Trees of different dimensions add contrast in both size and color, in opposition to the huge rocks. The water here is shot at usual shutter speeds rather than with slow speeds so the water looks as normal rather than having that silky-smooth look. The yellow-green light of a tree at the left balances and frames the overall image, with darker yellows and additional rocks bringing in more color in the right. Water predominates in the scene, and clearly is the main subject, but is well complemented by the rocks and trees.
dmb8021 (Post #25)
Lots of things to look at in this image, which appears to be underwater, and the colors are lovely, from bright blue to various subdued greens and browns. We see a few yellow-gold fish darting around as well as some blue fish in addition, which gives us a sense of energy and movement.
Not sure where or how this was shot, whether it was actually in the water or from a different perspective in an aquarium, but the effect is interesting. There is a section of intensely blue water which serves to divide the reefs (if that is what they are) and the eye glances at the top section of the image for a moment, then returns to study the main section and the fish. An intriguing image….
firedept (Post #28)
Here we have a sense of being in the woods, close to nature with the sun shining softly through the trees, providing both shade and light. The eye is immediately attracted to the creek or stream, following its natural lines. If that one precariously leaning branch falls and lands on the other side of the stream, an instant natural bridge will be formed!
Well framed and composed, with a rock at the far lower right corner, leading the eye into the scene and treating the eye to areas where the sun kisses the water, lighting the submerged rocks and water,. From there, the viewer follows the stream, wondering where it goes, what lies beyond what we can see, as there is some light there. More water?
cupcakes2000 (Post #31)
This is certainly an attention-grabbing and unusual view of Paris! It shows us how water can quickly overwhelm places it is not meant to be. The solitary lamp post in the midst of all that water, halfway or more submerged, definitely catches the eye, as does the reflection of it as well.
Good framing and composition of the entire scene, showing us the buildings of Paris at a distance and also closer to us, with branches of a tree pointing in the direction of the lamp post. An image which provides much to look at and think about.....
On the “wow!” factor this one is right up there with a memorable image of a most unusual scene.
deep diver “Ocean City, NJ” (Post #34)
Water crashing over the rocks in a less populated and popular area of a resort area reminds us that Nature still reigns here. Lots of water action going on, the water hitting the rocks and soaring up into the air, landing back in the water or all over the the rocks. Nice framing and composition, with emphasis on the activity of the waves. The water is the central focus of this shot and commands our respectful attention once again.
OC is such a fun and nice resort town -- hoping to get back there next year!
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Whew! After all that.....the hardest part was trying to decide about the podium placement! Wow, this was a tough one, folks!
OK, so here we go:
In
Third Position on the Podium: a tie among:
cupcakes2000
anotherscotsman
Indydenny
In
Second Position on the Podium, another tie, this time between:
redshifted
Hughmac
and in
First Position:
With pleasure, and more than a little empathy, I am now passing the baton to
mtbdudex!
Everyone who participated in this did a terrific job, which made it all the more difficult for me to sort out and have to choose a few out of the many for special recognition. I enjoy doing this and learned a lot, was impressed once again by the amazing talent we have here, and am relieved to have completed my responsibilities!
everyone. Some awesome pictures out there as always. 
