Help with choosing images for a contest

[Clovishound]

There's a local photo contest coming up, and I need to get some images together to print and mount for it. I'm having a little trouble making the final decisions. I can enter up to 4 images. I may or may not enter all 4. I've narrowed it down to these. I actually have some better images from the last 2 years, but cannot use them because of rules for the contest, or the location I shot them. I have a favorite or two, but my experience with contests is that the images I feel are the best, don't always win. So basically I'm looking for outside feedback.

1:

2:

3:

4:

5:

6:

7:

8:

9:

 

[bluzman]

I'd go with #2 and #5.

 

[Marilynne]

I'd pick 2, 6, and 7, but I'm no judge. I've gotten a couple of honorable mentions in locals contests and nada in others.

 

[BF Hammer]

If making me stop scrolling to admire is any gauge, you definitely have to use #2. 5, 7, and 8 can round out your submissions.

 

[Robin W]

I like 2 and 6 the best. However, I don't think you would go wrong with any of them.

 

[nikonbill]

They are all very nice (hard to pick), the ones I come back too are 3,4,7 and 8

 

[Needa]

Are you out for wins or to display your craft? I think you should go with the ones that move you. If you want wins look at what has won in the past. Post your choices take the feedback and move on.

 

[Clovishound]

Needa, it's funny, I just had this conversation with my daughter this morning. I certainly don't have winning as the over arching goal of choosing the entries. It is, however, one aspect of the equation. I certainly like all of the images posted. I lean a little more toward a couple, but there are none that stand out for me. I thought a little outside objectivity might help clarify the choice.

I think I'm a little spoiled by last year's entry that took second place, and by a couple shots I got a few months ago that the place I shot them has strict rules on use of photos taken there.

In the end, I will be entering some of my best eligible work, and will be content with how things fall out. If you can't accept not winning, don't enter. This contest has a single judge, and their likes and dislikes will undoubtedly play a big role in the results. Last year, I felt my 2nd place was much better than the first place winner. I also felt like one of the honorable mention winners was much better than mine. Go figure.

 

[tonye]

1, 3, 7, 9, for me, Number 9 is the outstanding one in my opinion but I'm no judge . Best of luck anyway.

 

[Peter7100]

All good but 5,6 and 7 stand out for me.

 

[Clovishound]

I'm adding one more to the mix. I discovered that this was taken within the 2 year window dictated by the contest rules. I think this is going to be my one monochrome entry.