Photography Competition: SEPTEMBER 2007

SEPTEMBER 2007 - FLOWERS

Nigel - Winning Photo _____________________ Ian

SEPTEMBER WINNER - NIGEL
Public Vote Result:- NIGEL 58% - IAN 42%
(Total Votes 97)
Independent Judge's Comments
"They are both stunning. I have chosen the single flowerered Cosmos as the Bourganvillia is in a bit of a grey area reagards fulfilling the brief. As I am sure you are aware the coloured "bits" that look like the petals are bracts and the flower is the little insignificant white petals and at this magnification they hardly show up. In addition of course you can't really call it a flower as there are so many of them. If you are taking a picture of "a flower" it does mean singular so the choice of subject was poor...the photography was great, what astounding colour!" said Ruth. ______________________________________

I decided to to set up this competition after my wedding to Renata in Poland back in July 2007. We noticed and talked about, within family and friend's circle, that my brother Nigel had all the top photographic equipment but was not sure how to use it. I thought I would push him to a much higher level in photography, photo composition and teach him a few things by challenging him to this monthly competition. It is judged by an independent and impartial person to give a completely true result each month and also put to the public vote to have their say. I hope you enjoy the photo's.

Ian x

Judging Criteria.

The first and probably the most important and critical aspect of judging the entries is whether they fulfil the competition brief. This is already decided by the competitors in this case, so the judge is working to YOUR requirements.

An example you might like to consider: The title could be "Birds" and a dictionary definition would be included saying that they are two legged, winged and feathered members of the animal kingdom. In an extreme case one competitor could take a very ordinary photograph of chickens (badly composed etc etc) and the other a really beautiful "arty" shot of Marilyn Monroe Look-a-likes.

Both would fit the bill as commonplace examples of Birds as used colloquially but one fails spectacularly to fit the brief.

Having established that they both fit the criteria then other decisions need to be made. This is more subjective and questions how well the brief has been fulfilled.

To go back to the previous example, a shot of a flock of starlings fits the description better (ie Birds plural as in the brief) than a close-up of the feathers of an owl.

It is only after this that composition, focus, use of light etc can be brought in.

To sum up, the competition brief needs to be looked at very carefully either when writing it or when interpreting it and this applies to all competitions no matter what the medium.

Kind regards,
Ruth

RULES

1. The photo being entered must be taken in the month of the competition.
2. The picture can NOT be altered/changed or enhanced but can only be cropped.
3. Photo must be submitted by e-mail on the last day of each month by 12 noon, with a short explanation of your photo for the judge.
4. The public voting will start on the following day for 1 month.
5. The totally independent judge's result will be published at the end of the public vote.
6. Each photographer is to have their photo listed in the photographers gallery as a competitor.
7. Any breach of the rules could result in being disqualified and being removed from competition.
8. The independent judge's result is final.
9. Each months subject will be published on the 1st of each month.
10. Only one public vote per photographer is allowed.

SEPTEMBER 2007 - FLOWERS

Photography Competition

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