Picking contest entries -- critique wanted: I'd like to enter a local contest, but can only enter three photos. I have more than that which I think would be competitive so I thought...

Photobuff Loc: East-central Illinois

I'd like to enter a local contest, but can only enter three photos. I have more than that which I think would be competitive so I thought forum members could help me decide which ones to enter as well as helping me see what's good or not so good in my photos.

So please let me know what you think. I'll post in groups to make it easier to compare apples to apples.

All of the photos in this first set were taken on Cape Cod, MA last June with a Canon EOS 40D and a telephoto lens.

Photo 1 -- boats at dock

Photo 2 -- single boat

Photo 2 -- foggy morning

modest genius Loc: joshua tree park CA

Unless going really big, #1 is much too busy. A great idea to get those mooring lines in. There is certainly a great shot there somewhere. Other two good. Is there a theme for the contest?

Photobuff wrote:

I'd like to enter a local contest, but can only enter three photos. I have more than that which I think would be competitive so I thought forum members could help me decide which ones to enter as well as helping me see what's good or not so good in my photos.

So please let me know what you think. I'll post in groups to make it easier to compare apples to apples.

All of the photos in this first set were taken on Cape Cod, MA last June with a Canon EOS 40D and a telephoto lens.

Photobuff Loc: East-central Illinois

modest genius wrote:

Unless going really big, #1 is much too busy. A gr... (show quote)

There are various categories, such as nature (I'll post those later). There's also a catch-all general category.

I see your point on the first photo. Thanks.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I like foggy morning the best. I think it elicits the most emotion.

Photobuff Loc: East-central Illinois

Country's Mama wrote:

I like foggy morning the best. I think it elicits the most emotion.

Thanks. I like the sense of mystery fog imparts.

maxamillion Loc: Hampden Maine

Country's Mama wrote:

I like foggy morning the best. I think it elicits the most emotion.

I totally agree with Country Mama. I had very strong feelings while viewing Foggy Morning and found myself going back to take another look at it.

T Loc: New York State

Shot #1 could well be the strongest of the bunch. People who see the area all the time don't want to see tourist shots. But they will note something like the mooring lines (crowded pattern) in which a lone outsider has invaded (the zodiac).

The 2nd shot has no value to the local redidents eye...

The 3rd shot is a good background but, again, not of local interest.

Photobuff Loc: East-central Illinois

Thanks for the comments. I know I shouldn't be, but I am always amazed how a particular photo will evoke such different reactions in viewers, such as the comments about photo 1 being too busy in the eyes of one viewer and the best of the bunch in the eyes of another.

That's what makes it so hard for me to pick contest entries unless I have one that seems to stand head and shoulders above the others.

T Loc: New York State

Photobuff wrote:

Thanks for the comments. I know I shouldn't be, but I am always amazed how a particular photo will evoke such different reactions in viewers, such as the comments about photo 1 being too busy in the eyes of one viewer and the best of the bunch in the eyes of another.

That's what makes it so hard for me to pick contest entries unless I have one that seems to stand head and shoulders above the others.

If it was easy it wouldn't be a sport!

Photobuff Loc: East-central Illinois

T wrote:

Photobuff wrote:

Thanks for the comments. I know I shouldn't be, but I am always amazed how a particular photo will evoke such different reactions in viewers, such as the comments about photo 1 being too busy in the eyes of one viewer and the best of the bunch in the eyes of another.

That's what makes it so hard for me to pick contest entries unless I have one that seems to stand head and shoulders above the others.

If it was easy it wouldn't be a sport!

You got that right!

frank bruce Loc: Albuquerque,N.M

the 1st 2 r too busy for me. it'll have to be the fog shot

Photobuff wrote:

I'd like to enter a local contest, but can only enter three photos. I have more than that which I think would be competitive so I thought forum members could help me decide which ones to enter as well as helping me see what's good or not so good in my photos.

So please let me know what you think. I'll post in groups to make it easier to compare apples to apples.

All of the photos in this first set were taken on Cape Cod, MA last June with a Canon EOS 40D and a telephoto lens.

T Loc: New York State

Photobuff wrote:

quote=T quote=Photobuff Thanks for the comments.... (show quote)

jaymi1028 Loc: Los Angeles

I like the third shot the best, I think its the most interesting of the three!

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

Foggy morning is interesting........The first ome is way too busy

jaymi1028 Loc: Los Angeles

I think the first one might have been improved with a shallower depth of field, IMHO, I think it could've benefited from a single point in focus for your eye to fall on and the rest sorta blurring out behind it...