'A freindly' Competition - with Marlow Camera Club.
May 8, 2019 05:04:54 #
Last night we had a friendly competition to round of the season. No preference was given to status within the club and the judges were the assembled audience.
It was a two image shoot out! 2 randomly selected images were pitched against each other, the 'winner' going against the next randomly selected image. A tea break ensured two halves to the competition with a final shoot out.
I got 2nd place for mine (attached), losing the final by 12-10 on a show of hands. Sometimes, 1st loser isn't so bad!
It was a fun evening, much enjoyed by all, and a format I'd be happy to commend to other clubs. Why not give it a go.
It was a two image shoot out! 2 randomly selected images were pitched against each other, the 'winner' going against the next randomly selected image. A tea break ensured two halves to the competition with a final shoot out.
I got 2nd place for mine (attached), losing the final by 12-10 on a show of hands. Sometimes, 1st loser isn't so bad!
It was a fun evening, much enjoyed by all, and a format I'd be happy to commend to other clubs. Why not give it a go.
May 8, 2019 06:05:17 #
Great shot with the colour standing out in the foamy water.. Well done for getting 2nd.. 
May 8, 2019 06:23:25 #
John N wrote:
. Sometimes, 1st loser isn't so bad!
It is just semantics, I know. But no way are you a "loser" with this image. Beautiful!
May 8, 2019 06:35:02 #
May 8, 2019 06:57:44 #
Beautifully done. The eyes closed adds to the story in the turbulent scene. Thanks for sharing it.
May 8, 2019 14:14:59 #
May 8, 2019 14:18:14 #
May 9, 2019 11:25:05 #
May 9, 2019 11:28:35 #
Very nice shot …..If that was second place, I would love to see first place
May 9, 2019 12:14:39 #
Geezer Bill
Loc: San Diego County, CA
Very nice, and I agree with others about this being a #1 in my book! I don't recall ever having seen anything like the bubbles in that splash near the hands. I just might be weird but those bubbles just fascinate me.
May 9, 2019 14:14:01 #
rikhar wrote:
Very nice shot …..If that was second place, I would love to see first place
I will ask the author if he would resize to UH specification otherwise I'll copy his FB entry, but I'll do neither without his permission.
Thank you for all the comments so far, but I'd implore all of those who belong to a club to try this 'competition' format. for both the fun of it and to provide a platform for those who think they may be less accomplished.
May 9, 2019 18:26:25 #
This is the image, entitled "Is This Wet Enough For You?", which came first. However I really admire and enjoy John's image, firstly for the quality of the photography, being in the right place at the right time, taking an excellently composed and exciting shot, and secondly for the bravery of the young chap descending the weir.
Anyway .. for most of the time I was trying to take photos freeze-framing the kayakers to get the water in mid-air in the most dramatic way possible.
But then I realised I could hopefully get something "different" by taking long exposure shots. However in the conditions it was very challenging as:
- The light was low and flat.
- The kayakers were moving quickly.
- The water was (obviously) moving quickly ;)
- I was using a heavy Sigma 50-500mm lens with my Nikon D610 camera.
- And so I had to use a tripod as monopod so that I could move everything around quickly.
- But still use it to mitigate the camera shake.
- I was shooting downwards with the kayakers not really looking my way all that much.
- I was standing on a small walkway right next to the water.
So that night I took about 300 shots in about 1/2 hour, most of which I've "binned".
This shot has had a lot of post-processing done to it in Corel Paintshop Pro 2019, including:
- Single Image HDR, with the slider bars to the maximum.
- Lots of local tone mapping to emphasise and bring out the detail in the water.
- Masses of "caressing" of the kayaker with a small sharpening brush (25% opacity, 25% density).
Taking a step back from my endeavours I agree with John N that it was great that the club had the chance to do something different and special, to be together and enjoy photography together, and to go a local pub afterwards.
Unfortunately I couldn't be present at the competition as I was at a Paul Young concert, but I understand it was a very pleasant evening. I recently judged this competition format and it's a great way of choosing the best image for a trophy. It's also great (for the members) to watch the judge agonise of which image to choose, because as the competition progresses the quality of the images become better and better.
Thanks John for not posting my image without permission. I hope you don't mind me joining this Forum.
Anyway .. for most of the time I was trying to take photos freeze-framing the kayakers to get the water in mid-air in the most dramatic way possible.
But then I realised I could hopefully get something "different" by taking long exposure shots. However in the conditions it was very challenging as:
- The light was low and flat.
- The kayakers were moving quickly.
- The water was (obviously) moving quickly ;)
- I was using a heavy Sigma 50-500mm lens with my Nikon D610 camera.
- And so I had to use a tripod as monopod so that I could move everything around quickly.
- But still use it to mitigate the camera shake.
- I was shooting downwards with the kayakers not really looking my way all that much.
- I was standing on a small walkway right next to the water.
So that night I took about 300 shots in about 1/2 hour, most of which I've "binned".
This shot has had a lot of post-processing done to it in Corel Paintshop Pro 2019, including:
- Single Image HDR, with the slider bars to the maximum.
- Lots of local tone mapping to emphasise and bring out the detail in the water.
- Masses of "caressing" of the kayaker with a small sharpening brush (25% opacity, 25% density).
Taking a step back from my endeavours I agree with John N that it was great that the club had the chance to do something different and special, to be together and enjoy photography together, and to go a local pub afterwards.
Unfortunately I couldn't be present at the competition as I was at a Paul Young concert, but I understand it was a very pleasant evening. I recently judged this competition format and it's a great way of choosing the best image for a trophy. It's also great (for the members) to watch the judge agonise of which image to choose, because as the competition progresses the quality of the images become better and better.
Thanks John for not posting my image without permission. I hope you don't mind me joining this Forum.
Is This Wet Enough For You?
May 9, 2019 22:36:05 #
May 10, 2019 04:40:56 #
Thank you Don 
My friend John N has kindly pointed out that many members like to see a downloadable image, so I'll post it again ... clicking on the "store original" checkbox.
My friend John N has kindly pointed out that many members like to see a downloadable image, so I'll post it again ... clicking on the "store original" checkbox.
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