Hi Folks and welcome to Weekly Challenge #324 – “Outliers and the (un)familiar.” I’d like to thank chmance for hosting the last contest and warn everyone not to expect the same level of sophistication from me because I am a complete amateur. Thus disclosed, I would like to share this week’s theme “Outliers and the (un)familiar.”

From dictionary.reference.com: Outlier – (1) something that lies outside the main body or group that it is a part of, as a cow far from the rest of the herd, or a distant island belonging to a cluster of islands and (2) someone who stands apart from others of his or her group, as by differing behavior, beliefs, or religious practices:

Sometimes a photograph will include the group to give context to the outlier. In the definition above we see it takes both a cow and a herd to make the case for an outlier. Other times, a subject that is both universally familiar, yet somehow different, can represent an outlier. For example, a green stop sign is an outlier because we know stop signs are red. Hence addition of the term (un)familiar to represent those images.

I’ve included a couple pictures that aren’t particularly interesting but serve to illustrate the point. The first image was made with a Canon powershot, which is pretty uncool, but's it's just for illustration.

This Weekly Photo Challenge will run until midnight next Tuesday, May 19, 2015. That's midnight of the time zone you are in.


Rules:

1. Post ONE photo (max 1024x1024).
2. The photo must portray an interpretation of the theme.
3. Post your single picture in this thread and explain what motivated you to take the picture and/or how you feel it represents the weekly theme (especially if it's not obvious).
4. The challenge is interactive. Any response is welcome.
5. The judge will pick the WINNERS and choose one of them to be the judge for the next week.
6. This challenge runs for 7 days plus an additional day for the judge to choose the winners.
7. Photos from any Pentax camera (film, compact, DSLR, etc.) -- or a Samsung DSLR -- are allowed.
8. Pictures can be from any time frame, not just within the week of the current theme.
9. In case the winner of a challenge is unable to become the judge for the next challenge, they will PM the #2 winner for that person to be the judge.

[clockworkrat]

They're different plants, so different species presumably, or at least different strains.

[noelcmn]

Can I also take a chance for a late submission? Completely forgot about this one-hectic week.

[Dieterson]

Can I also take a chance for a late submission? Completely forgot about this one-hectic week.

I am not sure if you can still participate, and it is definitely not for me to decide this... but I do appreciate to see your pictures :-)

[DoctorX]

Winners posted!!!

[buberfan]

Took this one on a walk in Warburton, in the Yarra Valley near Melbourne. I was struck by the golden colours of the single tree against the surrounding trees.