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Chat => Photography => Topic started by: XEntity on May 31, 2010, 00:10:36 AM

Title: Photo competition: Birds
Post by: XEntity on May 31, 2010, 00:10:36 AM
Hey guys...Sorry have been away for a little while, so not had a chance to get this up for voting.

Will put this up for a week for voting, and then suggest we open the comp for 4 weeks after that and keep repeating like that...

Here are the photos in posted order...



XEntity

(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss347/entityxenon/Crow-Bar-Copy.jpg)


sexytw

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3405/4630109410_bf7d30e276.jpg)


Russell

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/4638321493_925f2603eb.jpg)


Serious

(http://www.tekforum.co.uk/upload/2010/5/26/2b72e578491b319696026f8d379ddd05_51.jpg__thumb)


Binary Shadow

(http://www.tekforum.co.uk/upload/2010/5/26/efe393b47ff1a63182832b07fceda846_59.jpg__thumb)


Zpyder:

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4642212360_9ab1f7ae3f_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zpyder/4642212360/)
Title: Photo competition: Birds
Post by: knighty on May 31, 2010, 00:27:43 AM
i voted for zpyder..... hvn;t read the other thread.... wasn;t going to vote for him at first figuring that it wasnt really fare lots of photos vs 1.... but then decided his last photo would come out ontop on its own..... for me anyway
Title: Photo competition: Birds
Post by: Binary Shadow on May 31, 2010, 00:29:16 AM
Quote from: knightywasn;t going to vote for him at first figuring that it wasnt really fare lots of photos vs 1....
He is such a cheat ;)
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: Serious on May 31, 2010, 03:21:48 AM
Multiple photies havent been allowed previously and a montage certainly still counts as multiple.

With that I would have to mark him down as photo 4 is out of focus.

Have edited and installed his single photo instead.
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: zpyder on May 31, 2010, 08:50:57 AM
well I did post the second single shot just in case it wasnt allowed, not like I was trying to cheat!

I wasnt sure about the out of focus shot, it sort of made it look actiony like the bird was moving...which it was!
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: Mongoose on May 31, 2010, 15:28:37 PM
came down to a choice between XEntity and Zpyder for me, went with XEntity for good use of depth of field and imaginative composition.
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: zpyder on May 31, 2010, 19:43:59 PM
Are you calling me shallow and unimaginative? :P ;)

I didnt know with the single shot what to do, I always seem to struggle with how to frame pictures, I thought that itd look quite nice with the added grass at the bottom, but would it have been better had I cropped it so the blackbird was centre frame with not much grass around her?
Title: Photo competition: Birds
Post by: Russell on May 31, 2010, 21:44:11 PM
Well I vote for me, just to make sure I get a vote of course ;)
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: XEntity on May 31, 2010, 22:10:38 PM
@Zpyder - I think as mentioned by someone else that the last shot in the set you submitted was the better shot, at the moment we are even in votes but I think that one would have widened the gap.

I was wondering which out of mine to pick, I prefer the one I chose, but others have preferred the duck face, I think its difficult to pick when they are your own pics
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: zpyder on May 31, 2010, 22:54:08 PM
The thing with the final shot in the sequence, is that it looks ok at that size, but when compared to the one I entered, its much more soft on the detail. If I could have the composition of that final shot but the bird from the entered shot, I think Id have been happy, but sadly it was literally my last waxworm!
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: XEntity on June 01, 2010, 18:48:26 PM
Ye I know what you mean, but looks like you have taken the lead now, better start thinking about the next subject ;)
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: XEntity on June 01, 2010, 19:00:00 PM
Russell just noticed you have another vote!

I do actually really like that pic as well, I think it has come out really well
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: Russell on June 01, 2010, 19:33:14 PM
Quote from: XEntityRussell just noticed you have another vote!

I do actually really like that pic as well, I think it has come out really well

woop woop, and no before anyone thinks it I didnt sign up for another account and vote for myself again, although that is a good idea!
Title: Photo competition: Birds
Post by: addictweb on June 01, 2010, 19:39:37 PM
Haha. It was me vote for Russell. Ive been unable to make a decision for a few days. Came back to it today and decided, mainly because of the composition that I like Russells best, with XEntity and Zpyder right behind.

Nice to see so many entries as well. Well done us all.
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: Mongoose on June 01, 2010, 20:36:49 PM
Quote from: zpyderAre you calling me shallow and unimaginative? :P ;)

I didnt know with the single shot what to do, I always seem to struggle with how to frame pictures, I thought that itd look quite nice with the added grass at the bottom, but would it have been better had I cropped it so the blackbird was centre frame with not much grass around her?

Sorry Zpyder, my post could be read that way couldnt it! I just like XEntitys better this time, yours is well focused and a good capture of the BB with his dinner.

I like the OOF grass in the foreground, gives a feeling of being low to the ground.
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: Serious on June 02, 2010, 00:41:30 AM
Quote from: zpyderThe thing with the final shot in the sequence, is that it looks ok at that size, but when compared to the one I entered, its much more soft on the detail. If I could have the composition of that final shot but the bird from the entered shot, I think Id have been happy, but sadly it was literally my last waxworm!

The foreground on the entered shot is out of focus and the photo could have been cropped by about a third, but it shows some planning in use of the waxworms as bait.

Another vote puts zpyder further ahead.
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: XEntity on June 02, 2010, 18:29:44 PM
Doh! :P

I used super glue on the railings, surely that shows some planning :P
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: zpyder on June 02, 2010, 19:29:14 PM
Quote from: SeriousThe foreground on the entered shot is out of focus and the photo could have been cropped by about a third.

This is what I mean...it seems some people (me included) kinda like the grass and out of focusness of it as its different, but the other camp is of the frame of mind its pointless and not a good look? I really didnt know whether to keep it or crop it, I decided to try something new though.
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: BigSoy on June 02, 2010, 20:09:42 PM
Quote from: zpyder
Quote from: SeriousThe foreground on the entered shot is out of focus and the photo could have been cropped by about a third.

This is what I mean...it seems some people (me included) kinda like the grass and out of focusness of it as its different, but the other camp is of the frame of mind its pointless and not a good look? I really didnt know whether to keep it or crop it, I decided to try something new though.

It is an interesting application of DoF IMO - clearly normally this done behind the subject but hell, rules are meant to be broken :D

PS I didnt vote.
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: XEntity on June 02, 2010, 22:07:59 PM
Quote from: zpyderI decided to try something new though.

I think thats the point of this competition really, and why the winner each time gets to pick a new subject to force those that are interested to try new things.

@BigSoy - You should vote for one is always good to get every ones vote to see what people like!
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: zpyder on June 02, 2010, 22:12:13 PM
Well jumping the gun a bit Ive been trying to decide on what the next theme should be if I win (I dont think Ive won before?) Its a toss up between a subject I know and love, and one which really will get people trying new things. Can the winner enter and win again, or did we have a rule about not being able to renter immediately?
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: XEntity on June 02, 2010, 22:28:57 PM
Cant remember, wasnt in the rules in the last thread, shall we say that if the winner wins twice in a row, second place then gets to choose?
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: zpyder on June 02, 2010, 22:44:51 PM
that or the winner can pick the 3rd time but isnt eligible to win?

I just thought we came up with something along those lines as there are a few people here who are really really good at photography and kept winning haha.
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: Serious on June 03, 2010, 01:45:18 AM
Simple: If you win then you cant enter the competition where you choose the subject. It doesnt stop you taking pictures and putting them up though, just that it wont be entered.
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: Mongoose on June 03, 2010, 11:34:37 AM
Quote from: SeriousSimple: If you win then you cant enter the competition where you choose the subject. It doesnt stop you taking pictures and putting them up though, just that it wont be entered.
seems like the best solution to me
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: zpyder on June 04, 2010, 15:13:56 PM
On the assumption that Ive won...the next theme is "Experimental". (Mods feel free to put this into a new thread if I have won?!)

I decided on this as I think its most fitting for the aims of the competitions Its a broad theme, but also restrictive (see below!). To define "Experimental" in terms for this competition:

Unconventional photos, be it a different technique or subject, the aim of this theme is to get everyone trying something new. For some members it might just actually be entering a photo which is new, but for the more photographic members Id like to think they will get creative and try something new!

Id like people to consider the whole photo and the process involved to get it when voting too. A photo might look really good, but in terms of how experimental the photographer got with it, it might be quite basic. Obviously though, the best looking photo that uses the most experimental method etc should win.

Things I am thinking/hoping people with think of: Light painting, different materials (reflections/lenses etc), post processing (if its allowed?), abstract (but not just macros of keyboards etc!)

Things I am hoping wont be submitted, as theyre just too easy...high-speed shots freeze framing things like water droplets or things in flight etc, macros of day to day items, they may look funky, but its hardly experimental

To be honest, I would deem the round a success if we got a dozen really crappy photos, so long as everyone tries something new, and the more off the wall the better.
Title: Photo competition: Birds
Post by: Russell on June 04, 2010, 21:12:56 PM
Interesting, time to get the old thinking cap on me thinks.
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: XEntity on June 05, 2010, 11:17:46 AM
Zpyder - Sounds good, Ill start up a new thread now for the next one, as I dont think Im going to get 3 votes in the next 24 hours! :P And well done on winning this one!

As far as "whats allowed" I think it should be completely up to us to decide, as its a competition run by us, so if you want to allow post processing/photo shopping whatever else you want to be allowed, then its allowed ;)

I wouldnt want to see this competition getting too serious, there are no prizes, its just to get people trying different subjects.
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: XEntity on June 05, 2010, 12:56:23 PM
And the winner is Zpyder!

XEntity           31%  [ 4 ]
sexytw       0%    [ 0 ]
Russell       15%    [ 2 ]
Serious       0%    [ 0 ]
Binary Shadow    8%    [ 1 ]
Zpyder       46%    [ 6 ]
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: Mongoose on June 06, 2010, 14:18:40 PM
Quote from: XEntityAs far as "whats allowed" I think it should be completely up to us to decide, as its a competition run by us, so if you want to allow post processing/photo shopping whatever else you want to be allowed, then its allowed ;)

I wouldnt want to see this competition getting too serious, there are no prizes, its just to get people trying different subjects.

I agree, the winner of the round sets the next round, including allowing or otherwise significant post processing etc.
Title: Re:Photo competition: Birds
Post by: Bacon on June 06, 2010, 14:44:38 PM
I voted way to late :P