Weekly Challenge #48 - Winners

[Jester_rm]

Sorry it took so long to do this, picking just one was pretty darn hard, and if I didn’t mention anyone specifically, don’t feel bad…there were some gorgeous photos this time, but I had to narrow it down to at least a few. I’ve got some Honorable Mention, some Runners Up, and one Big Winner. For some of the almost-but-not-quite winners I’ve got a few comments that (hopefully) will make sense.

This is the first real contest that I’ve ever judged, although I do look at and select a large number of photos in my job. Hopefully I can explain just *why* I ended up liking what I liked. For space I’m only going to repost the runners up and the winner, the rest are in the contest thread here:

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/mini-challenges-games/21671-weekly-challenge-48-reflection.html


Honorable Mention

In no particular order…

Fritz: One of my wife’s favorite, great composition, beautiful color…just wish the reflection were a little stronger, and a little more room at the bottom to frame the reflection a little.

Peter Zack: Love the simplicity, beautiful shot.

Paden501: The only thing I’d say is that I’d like to have more detail in the boat, but I’m not even sure that’s possible in this type of shot. It’s beautiful.

Gooshin: Very cool shot. I may have been influenced by the fact that Kirill looks like an old ex-roommate that skipped-out owing me quite a tidy sum…

Ed in GA: Beautiful job, I wish the water/wind were a little calmer so the reflections could have been clearer.

Gawan: Love this shot, the water is just a little too rippled for my taste.

Finn: Too cute for words. Absolutely love the expression

[Jester_rm]

Runners Up

Hhays: Love this image, love the not-obvious-meaning of reflection, wonderful composition, the only thing I’d do would be to lose a little off the right so that the child is looking towards the center rather that towards the left of the pic (if that makes sense)



NaClH2O: Beautiful, just beautiful. If this were texture, or water, I’d probably give it to you hands down!




SouthShoreRob: Every time I look at this, I have to convince myself I’m not looking at the sky. Great capture, love the tiny ripples. I’d almost crop out the pads on the right, you could almost convince someone that you were looking up through the plants at the sky, and that the clouds were upside down.




Kresica: Lovely shot, Having the two windows not reflecting adds to it I think, as does the warping effect some of the windows have on the reflection.




m8o: Very intriguing trying to figure out how many reflections there actually ARE in this…I’ts just a little dark for me




mtnbearhug: Gorgeous shot, my wifes’ favorite. The highlights in the leaf are a little too hot for my taste, but that’s all I’d change.

[Jester_rm]

And the winner is….



Schmikey: While looking through all these great shots, I kept coming back to a few, this is the one I came back to the most. It’s a beautiful shot with great tone, the green leaves give it a wonderful touch.

Congrats to everyone (and I do mean everyone), this was a really good and really tough contest...wish I could declare everyone winners!

- Jester

[Fritz]

Congrats Schmikey! A nice photo and a well deserved win. Looking forward to the next challenge.

Thanks Jester_rm for the honorable mention, and I agree 100% with your comments on my photo. Funny thing is on that shot was I wasn't even looking for the reflection when I took it. I didn't notice the mirror effect until I was processing the picture. So it was a little too late to go back and re-frame the shot. Oh well, lesson learned.

[schmikey]

I'm in shock! Thanks jester for the honour of being the weekly challenge 'winner' - it's my first time and I'm still having a hard time believing it! I really enjoy the weekly challenges - not sure I'm ready yet to 'judge' my 'peers' photos...

I'll let this sink in overnight and post the next challenge 'topic' tomorrow, thanks again - I am truly appreciative.

Congrats to the runner ups and honourable mentions - there were many great photos!

Mike

[m8o]

schmikey, I love your photos of schmikey! I was thinking how a crop of just the water & reflection rotated 180 degrees would make a great photo on its own . Looking forward to what you come up with. (I may have a K20D at hand for it.)

-=-=-=-=-

Jester_rm, Thanx for the mention / runnerupship.

Not that this would or should have affected the outcome next to Mike's, but funny you say that. I wanted to change my entry late last night for a brighter shot but figured you'd already started deliberating. ...If you'll all forgive the indulgence ...like this one:

Click on the image to view it in a larger size

But the dining room lights both bleeding and overwhelming the entry way lights off in the distance kept me from entering it to begin with.

This may help out with the location & subject(s) at least:

Click on the image to view it in a larger size

(please forgive/ignore the sloppy kitchen)

And as I'll probably not have another opportunity [well no reason] to share this particular photo, I was considering entering this too...

Click on the image to view it in a larger size

[mtnbearhug]

Originally Posted by m8o

schmikey, I love your photos of schmikey! I was thinking how a crop of just the water & reflection rotated 180 degrees would make a great photo on its own .

Thank you so much Jester for the being a runner up!!! I agree it is a little hot but the sun reflection was hard to handle.. Since I posted it I have played a bit and calmed it down a bit. I am working on another similiar picture for the monthly.. So you feedback helped !! Thanks again for the vote and I am glad that you wife liked it... That is as good as a win for me!!

Speaking of the Monthly.. I think you picked the best picture to win Jester.. I love the pic of Schmikey as well... (congrats Schmikey!!!) and Like M8o was mentioned about croping and flipping .. the reflection would make a good negative space pic of the monthly.. ???

Great job judge!! and GReat job everyone!!

Kim

[raccou]

congrats Schmikey! and to everyone indeed.

Don't wait too long with the next challenge!

[KrisK10D]

Congrats Schmikey. Great shot!

[gawan]

Thank you very much for the honorable mention!

And congratulations for all others winning mentions or runner-ups,
and of course congrats to Mike for the wonderful winning picture!

[daacon]

Well done all - these are such fun challenges - Congrats on the win Schmikey and don' t worry about judging your peers - most of us don't know where you live -

[schmikey]

Originally Posted by m8o

schmikey, I love your photos of schmikey! I was thinking how a crop of just the water & reflection rotated 180 degrees would make a great photo on its own .

[/IMGWIDELEFT]

Originally Posted by mtnbearbug

I love the pic of Schmikey as well... (congrats Schmikey!!!) and Like M8o was mentioned about croping and flipping .. the reflection would make a good negative space pic of the monthly.. ???

Thanks Kim and m80 for the comments re the cropping - I never thought of that, but I agree with you 100% - Kim I've never entered a monthly contest yet - when I first joined the forum in June, I was in awe of the talent in monthly contests, but now I think I'm ready to make that leap! Thanks for the encouragement!

Mike

Thanks for the honourable mention.

My shot was actually for the birds in flight. The reflection of them in the water was an unexpected bonus.

Congrats to the winners. All of the entries were great shots.

I especially liked Finns photo.

Ed

[Gooshin]

congrats to everyone, lots of cool entries.

[J.Scott]

Congrats to Schmikey for a great reflection picture. Your best friend is very photogenic!

(And congrats to you too, Kim! I just knew it was special! You have a great 'eye' for artsie shots!)