vikinguy Loc: Durham NC

Just for fun I was thinking of entering a picture in the ametuer category of an "art contest" at my place of employment. I've narrowed it down to four shots and would love to hear your opinions. I couldn't care less about the prize money, but it would be cool to have some of my work displayed in the hospital. Thanks for any comments or opinions!

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

I think #1 is terrific....The lighting and focusing is spot on and the shadow created is fantastic... Super, super picture...

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

I agree with Donrent, Very nice :thumbup:

DakotaJW Loc: N. Dakota

No expert here, but if it were me I'd go with #3. Nice shots!

Cheef Loc: Arkansas

If I had to choose for a hospital display, I would choose number 3... Even if you don't win the competition, You can print and give your picture to the hospital yourself n_n I bet they would love to see someone care so much!

saycheese Loc: By the Big Lake in West Michigan

I like #3 best.Tough choice as all 4 are very good. And good luck to you!!

JENNIFER Loc: CT.

Number 1 for me, I like 3 too , but I think the perspective is more original and unique in 1 than 3.

Which one do YOU like best?

Jen :-)

jk48 Loc: Camarillo, California

Since I have entered many competitions and won 22 times I thought I might be able to give you some ideas.

I don't know if your art contest allows for a creative category where you digitally manipulate the image..But, if it does here is what I would do.

Since you allowed download I did that first. I tried to look at the pieces as if I were trying to buy a particular piece of art work that would be a stand out piece in a room.

The images were not very sharp..so I worked on them as if an artist never intended for them to be sharp but intended them to be almost impressionist..where you get the idea of what the image is without having to see every detail.

On that note, I cropped tight..just went to what I thought the heart of the photo was supposed to be. I played with the shadows and contrast to bring up as much sharpness as I could..On the Hibiscus I rotated the image to get it where I wanted in the frame and then recropped. I also did the same thing for the water lily. The bee on flower was pretty well cropped as it was..I just tightened up a bit.

I used a dry brush filter on the Hibiscus and then dodged and burned some of the hot spots out. Notice the Hibiscus does not take up the whole frame..but is off set. More pleasing composition I think..You don't always need the whole flower..just those parts that stand out.

On the Bee I just brought up detail, cropped tight, sharpened it up a bit and then added poster edges.

The water lily I thought needed to be the main focal point of the photo...the pads were incidental and did nothing to highlight the Lily..because the image was small in pixels I resized it larger..of course losing whatever sharpness it had. I then cropped very tight and rotated it into the position I wanted it in the frame. I added a pencil sketch filter.

Hope you like the results..not sure they qualify for the contest..but they are artsy now.

Flowers are not that easy to photograph...try to soft morning light or the late afternoon light..take a number of shots..sometimes focusing on the outer edges...and sometimes on the detail on the inside. Take different angles also...you can try picking the flower and putting it into a very small container..like a cup so it covers the cup...you can then use a window to light it..turn off the flash on your camera it gives you hot spots...

Red Glory


Bee on Flower


Water Lily


Pond Flowers

jk48 Loc: Camarillo, California

Your last one was very nice..and pretty sharp..I sharpened a little bit...I also cropped it to a pleasing rule of thirds and left in most of the background as I could...the background was very pleasing and added to the artsy effect of the photo..

vikinguy Loc: Durham NC

Thanks for the all the responses. For a while number one was up there with my favorite captures I'd taken. I think the bee has some really great "character" and I like the focus a lot.

The last one is cool because of the odd ethereal lighting and I never touched it in post. The pink lily is very calming and as someone else said would be appropriate for a hospital exhibit. In short...I DON'T KNOW! hehe

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

#1, followed by #4.

vikinguy Loc: Durham NC

jk, wow. Thanks for the very thoughtful post. I really like everything you did. The contest I'll be enterting will be the photography category of the art contest so I'll go with the straight photos.

I generally have the rule of thirds in mind when I shoot but I actually kind of liked the lack of it in that last shot. Although your crop is fantastic and shows a level of talent I have yet to achieve since I never would have thought to crop it to the side. VERY cool.


One of the things I like about the hibiscus is it's vertical orientation....the vast majority of I've shot have been like your adjustment which is lovely by the way.

jk48 Loc: Camarillo, California

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

3 or 4

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

#3 shows much more than just the bloom, and I agree with others very relaxing shot for a hospital environment.

Or... enter four times with fake names 'cause they're all good!