PHOTO COMPETITION - I'd really love some opinions...

[Kaye]

Hi all,

I am entering our local Shire Photo Competition which is fairly big, (photos due in end this week) and has only 3 Categories:

1. Our beautiful bushland 2. People of the Shire
3. Buildings of the Shire

I entered this comp last year, so sort of know what is entered. Only 2 photos allowed per category!

My main problem is choosing from 5 shots that I have already printed in 6X4, and chosen to enter in Category 1. above. The problem with this category is that it encompasses: floral, animal, landscape/water shots, etc, etc.

I would really appreciate your votes as to which of the 5 shots attached I should enter. No. 1 does look better in print.

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[coffee]

Beautiful images Kaye. My choice would be #2.

[Kaye]

Thanks Joseph, but can you pick another one. I can enter TWO.

BTW, in the buildings section, I will be entering the "Aussie Shack" that you kindly edited for me. I may post this with two diff borders, and two other shots to choose from.

[rbosman]

They are all very nice, 1 & 3 are my fav's.

[Kaye]

Thanks Randy for your vote... the worst part of photography I think is trying to chose one's best shot, when all shots are so different...
I can choose someone else's best shot. That is much easier.

[bubbles]

4 & 5 for me especially 5 for bushland

[Kaye]

Thanks heaps bubbles for your reply. I really appreciate it.

By the way, I am even more thankful as it is your first post, so I would like to welcome you to Proud, and would love to see some of your shots. You will enjoy it here, as the members are all friendly and very helpful.

[w8jy]

Kaye, there is not a loser in the group. Definitely #1, and either 4 or 5 for the second one. Any of the last four is great, though.

You are going to have to quit improving your skills - it makes choices difficult! (lol)

[Kaye]

Thanks you so much Jess for your kind words and your opinion.
It would really make it easy if everyone like the same two!!!

Thanks,

[coffee]

Thanks Joseph, but can you pick another one. I can enter TWO.

BTW, in the buildings section, I will be entering the "Aussie Shack" that you kindly edited for me. I may post this with two diff borders, and two other shots to choose from.

Ok, my choices then would be 2 and three. But will you really need two images if #2 wins anyway? :)

[Kaye]

Thanks again Joseph. I am glad YOU have confidence!

[eyerkish]

Wow, Kaye, these are tough to choose from. I think I like #2 the best and the second one is between #1 and #4. I like the composition of #1 along with what looks to be the Orton Effect, but I'd like to see the water a bit more smooth and the image appears a bit blurry in the background. The clarity in #4 is fantastic. I'd like to choose #1 just to have a little variety, but I'm gonna go with #4 as my second choice. Good luck!

[Kaye]

Thanks so much Eddie. I will be printing them this afternoon, so hopefully this will also help.

[trashytrucker]

Kaye,
2 and 5! However they all look great!


Matt

[Kaye]

Thanks Matt, I will add up the tally in a couple of days.

[coffee]

I would like to put in another vote for #2?:o:D:eek:

[DoctorJazz]

Hi Kaye,

2+3 are my picks, esp. if these flowers are native to your area. I'm not very knowledgeable in that department. If you didn't want to do two florals, then I would choose 2+5.....Good luck!!

[Kaye]

I really appreciate your opinion Sandy. Yes, I was hoping to put in one floral and one other, but this may not happen.

Sandy - sorry it is a bit long, but others can read this too. I am about to post to Joseph, but will refer him back to this post.

I printed them today in size 11" X 14". Will attach pics again for easy reference (for me too).

The ones that have come up the nicest in print are Nos. 2 and 4.
No. 2 is just as on screen - I am really happy with this one.
No. 3 is also good, (and has more colour), but does not have the natural clarity of No. 4.
No. 4 has nice clarity and a softness...
No. 5 The water dragon came up quite well and crisp, but a bit dark, and I don't think I can lighten it due to the glare from the sun.
No. 1 I have had printing problems with the colour in this one. I did a 6X4 and it looks great. Printed larger size from same store, but colours changed from small shot, and did not look so good. I will work on this one tonight again, and reprint tomorrow.

These photo comps are so time consuming. Don't think I will enter another for a while. I have two other more "precisely named" categories also to enter, but no wide choice of shots, so much easier. Thanks for your help.

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[DoctorJazz]

Hi Kaye,

I don't think you could go wrong with 2+4 if you are happiest with those prints....
They are both incredible choices.

[mingkywingky]

Beautiful images Kaye, I like them all. I'm not an expert, but if you already chose one, #5 would be my second one, it's unique and I love the detail and the colour.
Good luck Kaye!

Tenny

[Kaye]

I would like to put in another vote for #2?:o:D:eek:

Hi Joseph,

I must thank you again, as I gather you must really think No. 2 is the best shot.

I think No. 2 has won more so with other responses as well, and after seeing the 11" X 14" I printed today, it shows softness, and nice clarity in the stamen, I am sure I will enter this one.

Now the second one to enter is still my problem. I am leaning towards No. 4.

** Joseph, please read my reply post to Sandy above with info about my prints today.

As I am fairly new to photo comps, I am not really sure that they will be all that interested in macro,(although there was some presented last year), but I would sooner put in a nice shot, than something that is not up to the level of the competition.

[shirlm2]

Hi Kaye these are all great but it is so difficult to know what judges are looking for. I would choose #2 & #5 for the variety but if you feel #5 is too dark then #4 would be my next choice. Hope this helps. Best of luck :D:D

[Kaye]

Thanks so much for your opinion Shirley. I am just hopeless at making up my mind!

[verikos]

Kaye, sorry for not replying sooner. I've been out of town for the last few days. # 2 is my favourite, and has been since you first posted it. I really couldn't choose between the others, they are all excellent and they all have their own unique quality. I'm sure you'll make the right the decision.

[Kaye]

Thanks Denise, No. 2 is now a definite. I am just waiting on another print today to make final decision. It is very time consuming.
So sorry to hear your news.

[delboy]

What can I say Kaye, your photographs are always fantastic. They are all good,

Delboy.

[Kaye]

Thanks for the kind comment Delboy.

[Kaye]

I would like to really thank you all for your input and ideas. Your help was greatly appreciated.

I will not be in a hurry to go into another competition with several categories, as it is a lot of work and much time.

But I have now neatly mounted 2 shots for each of the 3 categories I am entering, and must deliver on 7th June before 5pm.

My final choice from those I posted in this thread... (with big hesitation about No.3) is: Nos. 2 & 4.

I have offered No. 5 to a friend to post as "theirs" if they wish. I hope they do, as I would just love to see the outcome.

It is a fairly big competition, so I probably do not have much of a chance. Final results / presentation night held mid to late July 2010.

Thanks again all for your help.

[johndr]

#2 would my fav.

[Kaye]

Thank you so much johndr for your comment. It is much appreciated.
No. 2 was amongst the photos I submitted today for the photo competition, as you and others seemed to like it.

Also, I would like to welcome you to the forum and would love to also see some of your shots. This is the best way to start learning, and receive comments from our friendly members. I have check out your Album, and you have some nice florals.