Photo judging (take 2)

[Scott Murray]

Take 2

I am running a photo competition on my G+ Darwin photowalks to get more involvement by members, what I am hoping to ask Nikonites and the people here if I can show the photos here and get members to judge! Judging will be for a week from this post mainly as I will be at work .

For the month of August I am going to kick off a photo competition. There will be no prizes for this one but who knows maybe in the future there will be. The subject is reflections, these can be any kind of reflection on any surface etc but what I am looking for is something unique. You will be allowed three photos to be entered in the competition (all taken in August). I will be putting it to outside judges on another forum for voting. Good luck and get those thinking caps on

I now have 4 entries.

​

 

[Ijustwant1]

I do like the turtle but agree with previous poster about being washed out and a little off focus , I do like the beach

 

[Ironwood]

I voted for the boats in the first poll, and I have voted the same way in this one, the photo just appeals to me, maybe because I like boats.
​The beach scene was second for me, it could have been better if it was composed a bit differently. I would like to see two different versions, one with the horizon higher in the frame, and another with the horizon lower, I am not sure which one would be better until I saw them.

 

[Horoscope Fish]

Turtle: I'd have to rule out the turtle since it's clearly (ha!) out of focus and suffering wash out from the flash. Those are two "deadly sins" in my book since both are easily avoided and the picture looks like a snapshot, not anything really considered, if you know what I mean. Personally, I find this shot lacking compositionally as well as aesthetically. I know I'm sounding harsh, but if someone asks for critique, I assume you're wearing your Big Boy (or Girl) Pants. It's how I learned (and continue to learn).

Boats: The boats shot is nice, but a little... Snapshot-esque in my opinion as well. I mean, what's the focus here? If it's the boats, GIVE ME BOATS... Also, there is an awful lot of dark, heavy, empty space at the bottom (where you could have put MOAR BOTE). Still, it's a clean, crisp shot. Exposure is dead on, focus is sharp, color saturation and hues are are superb. Technically a very well done shot in my opinion.

Rainforest: Third shot could be really nice; compositionally I like it, but somebody really needs to dial back the Saturation/Vibrance sliders! I want to vote for this shot but the over-processing makes it look "cartoonish" and I just can't do it. This one coulda been a contenduh!

Beach: Nice beach shot... That horizon line, though, perfectly bisecting the shot, is killing me. Give me beach, or give me sky, but don't put that horizon line through dead center. Still, it's a very pretty shot. A little overdone and lacking a clear subject but the colors are nice, exposure is good. Technically well done over all.

For me, it's a bit of a tie between the boats and the beach shot.

I'll come back in a few minutes, look at just those two contenders, and cast an actual vote.


Edit: It was close, but the boats finally won me over.

.....

 

[Rick M]

I went with the boats. The beach would have been #1, but this is a shot that really would benefit from the rule of thirds (I'm not much of a rule guy, but it applies here).

 

[Don Kuykendall_RIP]

I could tell you what I thought but just read Horoscope Fish's post again.

 

[Bill16]

I would have voted for the waterfall except for the same reasons HF already stated. So I voted for the boats.

 

[Scott Murray]

Thank you all to have voted and replied so far it's muchly appreciated. The feedback has been great and I will pass this on to each photographer if they want it .
At present this competition is for fun but I have already been approached by a sponsor if it kicks off. Again thank you. Next competition I'll definitely be submitting a photo of my own.

 

[Scott Murray]

Thank you to all those that have voted so far, with only a day left those yet that havent voted please place your votes in the poll.