BlingRunner Loc: Los Angeles, CA

entered a photo contest. I plan on jumping in this time around. I'm wondering if any of these 5 meet muster. I will say that I really like soft, artsy stuff so that might not be everyone's cuppa, but I would like to enter at least one in the Art/Abstract category. Be judgemental, but kind. Thanks to all.

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JD750 Loc: SoCal

I’m not going to tell you what to do but I think you have a shot worthy of entering. Pick the one you like and go for it!

Contests are a learning experience kudos to you for being willing to learn!

Dannj

I’ve never entered a contest either but I’d go with the umbrellas.

PoppieJ Loc: North Georgia

I like the umbrellas for a bw entry

polonois Loc: Lancaster County,PA.

The Umbrellas for me too.

BlingRunner Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Thank you for your input. I really like that image. It was a serendipitous moment.

BlingRunner Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Thanks, JD. I appreciate it. We can submit up to ten. Probably won't do that.

BlingRunner Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Thanks!

johnblenko Loc: Pittsburgh

Love the umbrellas. Great range of tones.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I like the umbrellas, too. That's a good entry.

The next shot... appears to be a macro with very shallow depth of field... may be a good entry too. I don't think it's as interesting as the umbrellas, but it's nice if you want a color or macro entry too.

The main problem I have with the other three is that the primary subjects in each of them sort of get lost in the backgrounds. This is particularly the case with the 1st and 2nd images. The pink flowers (cherry blossoms?) would be nicer if they were against a blue sky or other background that complements them... but sort of disappear against the out of focus flowers in the background. The 2nd image being a monochrome makes this even worse.

The 5th image is less a problem of a background, more that it raises questions like "what is that?" and "why photograph it?" After looking at it for a short while I'm guessing it's an insect egg sac left on the spine of a yucca or similar type of plant. But it could be something else entirely.

To me the 3rd and 4th images are much more interesting and well photographed... especially the umbrellas. I'd call that "surrealistic".. while the 4th image is more truly "abstract".

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Yep. Go with the umbrella shot. I don't see anything compelling in the others. I'm usually wrong, though.

BlingRunner Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Thank you so much for your input. I was going for abstract and purposeful soft focus. But I get it, not everyone likes this...and possibly these are not as compelling in that genre. The 5th image...was for a project I was doing called "Between the Lines." Not an egg sac, but a piece of fluff from a tree at the garden that spits out that stuff.

I, too, love my umbrellas foto. Thanks again for taking the time. I will def review other photos for submission. I can send up to 10...that's not happening.

johnblenko Loc: Pittsburgh

Let us know how you do.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Contest all depend on the judges,

rv8striker Loc: St. Louis, MO area

Definitely umbrellas IMO.