Judge: Lynda Mowat
Ahhh .. I just adore that photo .. 2 digitals .. or use the generic Open subject
Melt your heart (ahhhhhh) - digital only
Meaning: If something melts your heart, it affects you emotionally and you cannot control the feeling.
Just some ideas https://brightside.me/articles/17-seriously-emotional-photos-that-will-melt-your-heart-95255/
Open
Set Subject
Shot of the Month - Had a nap while waiting for Mum. taken by Bev Hanson
C GRADE - SET
Cygnet on Taylor Dam
Anything as a baby has that cute factor, and this little swan with its fluffy down is no exception. The detail in the feathers is quite lovely. I feel like I could bury my hands in all that softness.
The feathers on the back of the neck are bright, but not quite blown out, and we can see the light reflecting off the beak. To my mind, if that spot of reflection had been caught in the eye, as a catchlight, it would have brought more life and character to this wee cygnet. But unfortunately the head is angled in such a way that it misses the moment, leaving the eye completely dark. If the photographer had watched and waited as this little bird paddled around, they may have been able to catch it at a slightly more flattering angle.
With a busy background such as this, the photographer might also like to try a wider aperture (smaller number), to help blur the background and reduce the distractions, keeping the viewers attention on the bird. As it is, I would suggest removing the two brightest spots on the water - the white feather on the left, and the green leaf on the right.
There is the hint of a nice reflection in the foreground, which always adds another dimension to the image, particularly when the water provides that beautiful, rippled effect.
Accepted.
Dad I getting tea.
I wonder what this duo found for dinner?
Compositionally, the photographer has positioned the duo well, on a good angle, where the legs work as leading lines, coming from the bottom left hand corner. There is also a good amount of room at the top of the frame for the swimmers to move into, so they don’t feel crowded. However, my eyes are initially drawn to Dads back, which is the lightest part in the image. Then I see the tattoo, in the reflected light, and then his fishing buddy, off to the right.
I’m intrigued as to what the boys might be able to see under the water, but am left feeling like I need more information. The sun is glistening off the water, so I imagine this was an enjoyable day out for father and son, even if dinner ended up being bought on the way home. It will be a lovely image to reflect on in the years ahead, and no doubt melts the heart of the photographer.
Accepted
Foster Mama.
As a chicken owner, I can easily relate to this li5le family. Mother hens can make great foster mums, such is their need to nurture and care for the young. With the hens eye nice and sharp, the photographer has positioned it in a good spot, on that right hand third. The chicks fill up the bottom right corner well, and the colour contrast with Mum helps to highlight them. But I would suggest the photographer experiment with the crop, and consider coming in from the top left corner and reducing the amount of dark, empty space. That would still leave the yellow flower as a distraction, but it could be easily removed in post processing.
With the chickens all facing towards Mum, the photographer has captured the group as an interactive family, and keeps our a5en;on nicely within the frame.
Merit.
Had a nap while waiting for Mum.
The detail in this bird and its feathers is superb. The photographer has used settings that ensure everything that matters is sharp, well exposed and beautifully lit. Both the grey sky in the background, and the fence the bird is sitting on, are unobtrusive, and provide only support for the main subject of this image. If I had a suggestion, it would be for the photographer to consider losing a little of the negative space on the right, placing the bird more on that right hand third, which in my opinion would be an even more commanding position. But the relaxed posture of this very cute little bird, all scrunched up with eyes closed, brings about a feeling we can all relate to - of just needing a moment to recharge.
This image does melt my heart!
Honours.
I’ll protect you
The neutral tones in this image offer a calming colour pale5e that helps create that soft fluffy feeling to go with this endearing couple. On my screen, there is a slight blue tinge, which the photographer may be able to rectify, if they revisit the colour balance in their post processing programme. It’s very slight, but I think it’s worth looking at.
Compositionally, I feel as if the photo is on a slant, with the angle of the skirting board in the background leaning towards the left. This may be necessary to keep everything within the frame, but my suggestion would be that the photographer consider a tighter crop, where no angles are visible. In my opinion, that would also accentuate the story of closeness that I believe the photographer is looking to portray.
In an ideal world, the baby’s head would be turned towards the dog, and the centre of the image, but these things can be a challenge to manufacture. As it is, with baby asleep, the dog is awake, and aware of what’s going on. Hopefully, his level of protection never needs to be tested, and these two grow up together as great mates.
Accepted
Kererū mates for life.
Kererū do mate for life, so I wonder if these two are getting to know each other, as a potential new couple, or are sitting in a comfortable silence that comes after gathering some shared memories. The depth of field used has helped to isolate the birds a li5le from their slightly blurred environment, but I feel a faster shutter speed may have helped the photographer avoid the slightly soft look in the birds themselves. With the light falling more on the right hand side, I would suggest the photographer consider reducing the highlights in the background, to avoid our eyes skipping past the birds to the lighter area. They could also raise the shadows a li5le on the birds themselves to add strength to their presence. The photographer could take either one of these birds, and make two portrait images, but with the birds looking at each other, it’s the interaction between them that makes the story, and the image, for me.
Accepted.
Kissy kissy
Kissy kissy, or peck peck?
This photo makes me chuckle, with the almost comical look on the birds face and his open mouth coming straight for the lens, giving me a great feeling of engagement. In my opinion, the photographer has placed the eye in the ideal position, on that left hand third, with a good amount of breathing space to the right. We can see the fence, so get a sense of the enclosure, and can then imagine the environment that is hidden from view. I wasn’t sure at first about only seeing half of the birds face, but it works, and for me, adds to that feeling of being there. The bird is getting up nice and close for its photo to be taken, and the photographer has used great settings to capture all the detail in the feathers and skin. The eye is sharp and shiny, with a small catchlight that helps to add life and even more character to the image.
Honours.
Puppy Love.
Nothing quite melts my heart like puppies and children, so to have both in the same image, is a recipe for a perfect pairing. The photographer has caught a moment of mutual admiration here, with the child sharing a moment with their beloved pet. In my opinion, the photographer has filled the frame with the main subjects as best they can, given the environment, in an a5empt to reduce the impact of the surrounding distractions.
However, it is good practice, when cropping images, to avoid cuts across joints, and I feel that this image would benefit from having a little more of the dog included on the left. If the photographer were also able to lift the shadows a little on the dog, either at source or in post processing, I think the image might feel a little more balanced overall, with the two subjects having more equal share of the limelight.
A touching moment, that I’m sure the photographer will be pleased to have documented.
Accepted.
Sitting in a tree
There is some nice interaction on display here between these two lovebirds.The photographer appears to have selected a depth of field, with the aim of separating the birds from their environment. The foreground is nicely blurred, but I do find the leaves that lie directly in front of the birds to be slightly distracting, making me wish I could stand a bit taller and look over the top of them. The white background works well to highlight the birds, and to further improve this look, I would suggest the photographer use their post processing programme to rid the background of the spindly stems, particularly to the right of the birds’ heads.
Unfortunately, the birds themselves seem a little soft in focus, although there is a beautiful catchlight in each of the eyes we can see, and I find the exposure on the birds themselves to be spot on. Compositionally, the photographer has placed the birds in the centre of the frame, which I believe works well, with them both looking inwards, towards each other.
Accepted.
Story time with Pop
The photographer has captured a tender moment here, across the generations. There doesn’t appear to be a lot of reading of stories happening, but the story we see within the image is very sweet. It can be tricky to photograph people in profile, with no direct engagement through the camera. In my opinion, the best way to overcome this, when there is more than one person, is to have some good interaction between the subjects that tells the story for us.
Although Pop appears to be asleep in this image, he seems to have the little one quite secure on his lap, so while it is a peaceful scene, I find the messages slightly conflicting. If Pop is teasing, the moment he opens his eyes and the little one smiles at him, may have created some of that magic. But the photographer has definitely caught a delightful moment, which no doubt melts the heart of the family and will be a delight for all to recall in the future.
The square crop works well, and I like the neutral tones that provide an unobtrusive surrounding for the more colourful subjects.
Merit.
C GRADE - Open
Early morning light.
There’s a great story here, that we can all most likely relate to. I’m assuming these three people are photographers, given the presence of the tripod, and the way their arms are bent as if holding their cameras. And of course, early morning light is a magnet for us all. The light streaking down from the top left corner gives the image an ethereal feel to it, and in my opinion helps to creatively link the different sections of the image. The black and white treatment removes any distractions that a colour version may have, while focussing our a5en;on on the key points of the story.
If I had a suggestion, it would be for the photographer to consider bringing the right hand frame in a little, to remove some of the empty black space. There still needs to be a dark area there, but perhaps coming in to just past the tallest bush would also place the set of two photographers on that right hand third, which I believe would help to strengthen their position. In my opinion, this is an awesome example of a silhouette, that tells a great story.
Honours.
Heart of the mountain
What a great find! The water looks so still, and cold blue, with the reflection of the sky so clear. As I look at the image, I can almost feel the relief of seeing this cool, refreshing body of water, as a kind of reward, after climbing to the top. As my eyes travel through the image, from left to right, I get the feeling that the image is on a bit of a lean, with the water perhaps escaping out of the point on the right, where it touches the side of the frame. If there is enough room in the original image, I would suggest keeping a little more space on the right, once the lake is levelled. There is a little room on the left, to bring that side in to the edge of the shadow, if need be.
The photographer has included a good amount of the surrounding terrain in the rest of the image, giving us an idea of the environment. We can see the rocky base in the foreground, with the thin covering of dry grass, and the odd bit of tussock. The colours look true, and I find the image well exposed with good contrast.
The lake looks like it could be a kind of a heart shape too, so the title is a good choice.
Merit.
Saltworks 1
I like the linear look to this image, with the dark strip of land and its building separating the water from the hazy hills in the background. The hills themselves provide good contrast, and with the building placed on the left hand third, our attention is drawn to it. However, to my eye, the section of land included along the bottom is a little distracting, and as with other scapes images, I would suggest the photographer try a 16x9 perspective, and remove it. With the horizon then below halfway, I believe a more panoramic view may help to highlight the little shed and its surroundings even more.
Whilst there is room to raise the shadows for a little more detail to be available, the photographer may of course intend it to be a partial silhouette. Unfortunately, as I look around this image, there are several dust spots visible, and I suggest the photographer check their lens, as these greatly detract from any image.
Accepted.
Saltworks
Beautifully composed, with the pier coming in from the left, we can see the sky brewing, and wonder what’s coming in with those clouds. I find the histogram is a useful tool, in images like this, where there is very light and very dark. If the photographer looks at the histogram, they will note that the lights have been kept away from the edge, with nothing blown out. A great achievement given the glistening water. But on the left hand side, you can see that there are some areas that are clipped. This may be the intention, as a darker bridge becomes a partial silhouette, but I find the dark sand a little heavy along the bottom of the frame. Perhaps the photographer could experiment further (for example with a gradient filter) and find a pleasant balance.
The image is sharp throughout, making for a crisp horizon line, but I would urge the photographer to correct the level of the horizon, as this one is leaning to the right. Compositionally, I think bringing the top edge down to where the sky is dark, may help to balance the dark bottom, whilst also placing the horizon above the halfway line. The photographer could try a 16 x 9 perspective, which often works well with all sorts of ‘scape’ images. In my opinion, this image is well worth tweaking as a few minor adjustments would see it reach the next level.
Merit.
Sheep dog at work.
The photographer has got down nice and low, to get this eye level image. An ideal angle, in my opinion, to get the full impact of this dog running towards us. We can’t see the sheep, but we can see the intense look in the dogs eye, along with the action stance, and we can imagine the rest. In my opinion the right side of the dogs face, as we look at it, would benefit from a slight raising of the shadows, to avoid the loss of definition in that dark fur. I think that would also help to bring some light into that eye, although the other eye is easily visible, with a great catchlight.
The background is relatively clean, apart from what seems to be white chalk lines and a couple of things near the edges of the frame, which could easily be removed. It’s often helpful to go around the frame of your image to check for things at the border, and get rid of anything unnecessary. This is a great action shot, well composed, and well executed. It shows the character and determination of this dog at work, along with the skill of the photographer to freeze the action. I wonder if the photographer has tried processing this image as a black and white. If not, give it a try. I think it would be well suited.
Merit.
White gentians.
I believe gentians are an alpine flower, and the photographer has highlighted this specimen beautifully, in my opinion. The blurred background provides an unobtrusive stage for the flower, with a complimentary colour palette, which is also in keeping with a tussocky alpine environment. The focus has fallen on the main flower where the clarity shows us the detail in the petals of the front flower and the hidden parts within. As a suggestion, the photographer might like to use their post processing programme to reduce the highlights on the white petals to the right, that are slightly too bright, in my opinion. I believe there is enough information there, for the detail to show through when the highlights are reduced. Have a play and see what you think. Compositionally, the square crop works, but also consider the option of a crop that leaves some more room on the left, placing the flower more on the right hand third.
A very pleasing image to view, with an attractive artistic component.
Honours.
B GRADE - SET
Can’t see.
This made me chuckle. It must be a cold day, with the need for coats and beanies, and I hope one of them gets their eyes back before they carry on with their journey! It looks like they have just got off, or are about to get on, a bus.
There is a strip of buildings across the top that is a little distracting, and has me wondering about where this image was taken. Given the date stamp says January, I wonder if this is overseas - somewhere where it is cold at that ;me of year. If so, I like the patriotism on display with the All Blacks beanie.If the photographer were to tighten the crop a little, using just the bus as a backdrop, all those distracting thoughts would be removed, and our focus would remain on the story in the middle of the frame. Alternatively, a little more background could also add to the story, with these two kiwis having fun wherever they are. With the eyes hidden, the photographer has caught some nice interaction between the two, with the boys hands on Dads face. We can also just see a slither of a smile hidden on the boy.
A light hearted moment between these two, wherever they are.
Accepted.
I’ll just have a wee kip.
Growing can be such hard work! And with feet like that, I would say there is still some growing to do for this little bird.
The photographer has used settings that have successfully blurred the background, with all our a5en;on falling on the curled up bird in the centre of the frame. The bird itself is sharp and nicely exposed, with good detail throughout. It was interesting to travel around and see the different types of growth within the feathers, and the long feet at the bottom. My eyes tended to follow the circular shape he’s huddled in, only interrupted by the stray piece of grass at the feet, which the photographer could easily remove if they felt that would improve the image. I think the central placement works well for this subject, as there isn’t any movement shown, and there doesn’t seem to be any intended movement in the near future. With the surroundings of the bird being the same on each side, we are given the idea that this bird is quite isolated, and although trusting of its environment, I can’t help but wonder at its vulnerability. I wonder how far away Mum is?
Merit.
Mini Frog
What a little cutie! Looking quite happy and content where he is too! There’s lots to love about this image.
⁃ The black and white treatment is, in my opinion, perfect for ensuring the frog takes centre stage, against what would otherwise be a lighter coloured skin tone.
⁃ The central placement of the frog works well with the symmetrical background, which is nicely blurred to keep our attention on the frog.
⁃ The frog is sitting, quite happily on the hand. This adds perspective, so we can actually appreciate how small this little guy is!
⁃ There is a catchlight in the eye of the frog, which adds some life.
⁃ Although he could be a little lighter, with all that beautiful texture, his dark lines contrast well with his surroundings.
A gorgeous image, well composed and well presented.
Honours.
B-GRADE OPEN
Awaiting the next Tide.
This seaweed has lost all its ‘Joie de Vivre’ with the absence of the water, but as the title suggests, when the tide returns, it will, no doubt, spark up again. As the seaweed lies flat on the rocks, the green colour lets us know it’s still alive, and whilst there isn’t one spot to focus in on, I really like the different shapes I can see as I wander around the image. The photographer has added a light vignette around the outside, which helps to keep our attention within the frame, and the lesser covered rocks, at the bottom, provide a stable grounding.
There is good contrast between the colours, but also between the textures, with the smooth, slimy seaweed spread across the rugged rocks. In my opinion, the photographer has taken great care in composing this image, and as a result has created an interesting and captivating display of different, natural textures, and colours, which I thoroughly enjoyed looking at.
Honours.
Flying high at the beach.
The photographer has made a different kind of creative choice here, and kept everything out of focus. Intentional camera movement (ICM) can be a useful tool to have in your skill set, but for me, the best ICM images suggest soft and flowing movement. I’m not sure if that’s what the photographer was looking for here, but with everything blurred in this way, I think the image would benefit from having one area in focus, to therefore stand out as a main subject.
Having a crooked horizon can also be a creative choice, but if that is the aim, I believe it needs to be deliberately and artistically crooked, rather than just out of line.nKeep experimenting and trying all the techniques. There’s a whole world of opportunities when you have camera in hand.
Accepted.
Roadside spraying.
How good it is to know the really rural roads get looked after so well. It’s not a bad view for these workers is it! I like the story the photographer has captured here, with the stunning scenery surrounding this maintenance vehicle as it goes about its daily grind.
Given the bright orange of the signs on the truck, that is where my eyes initially fall, before following the line of the road into the distance. The foreground is well lit, and the truck is placed in that strong position on the right hand third. I do, however, find the mid section a little dark, and suggest the photographer raise the shadows a little there, to gain some more detail in those trees. The information is there, and I feel it would add to the scene, and help better blend the mid section into the middle of the two brighter areas. I’m not sure what has caused the smudgy effect at the top of the image. It may be part of a vignette, but for me, it overshadows the simple sky, and feels a little heavy for the scene.
Compositionally, in my opinion, the photographer has captured this scene with just the right amount of background, with the main subject ideally placed for impact, and the scenery providing a pleasant background, with the horizon well placed above halfway giving the image a balanced feel.
Merit.
South Island landscapes.
When I look at this image, I see all the components of a great landscape, with the fore, mid and background all adding value to the overall scene. My eyes tend to travel the road in, along that strong leading line from the bottom leftt hand corner. When I reach the car, they tend to veer off to the left, where the river leads me into the stunning background in the distance. The car gives an element of scale, but as I investigate further I find the person in the back of the car, taking a break and enjoying all that is on view. For me, this adds another level to the story, and the photographer may like to experiment with different ways to increase the visibility of the car and its occupant. Ideally, if the car was more on the right hand third, I believe it would be in a stronger position, but that might be tricky to achieve with the current angle, given the position of the background.
Hopefully, the photographer is able to revisit this spot and try some different compositions sometime in the future. They have ensured the image is sharp throughout, and I very much enjoyed travelling around this image.
Merit
The promise of rain in dry hills.
As I sit, looking at this image, we are desperately waiting for rain where I live in the Waikato, which makes this a particularly topical image for me. I sure hope the clouds in the image produced the much wanted rain, although they don’t look too heavy at the point this image was taken. With not much activity in the sky, the photographer might like to consider reducing the amount on view, by bringing the top frame down a little, rendering the horizon line above halfway, more on the top third. In my opinion, that also increases the dominance of the dry hills, and their need for water. The land makes an interesting foreground, with the gentle curves giving us something to follow. But I find my eyes going from side to side, with nowhere to rest within the image. If only there were a small tree, or an animal, I believe it would not only give a focal point, but also add to the story.
In my opinion, black and white always adds a level of emotion, and this treatment, for me, adds to the feeling of need. Almost as if the land is starved of water, the way the image is, of colour. An insightful choice.
Merit.
View from a canal.
Nicely composed with the avenue of trees bordering this canal, where the photographer has included a fore, mid and back ground. The water in the foreground gives me a peaceful feeling, as I follow it into the image, to the bridge in the mid ground, and then to the church rooves and steeples in the background.
It is a picturesque scene, but for me, I think it would be improved if there was a human element, or something in particular to draw our attention. Perhaps a little boat, moving ahead downstream, or someone crossing the bridge. Although not symmetrical in content, the composition is well balanced, and something just off centre would, I believe, give us somewhere to direct our attention. With the bridge, in the mid ground, being the main focus of our attention, the photographer may like to increase the shadows slightly on the left hand side. Try a linear gradient from the left, and I think you’ll find it would help even the brightness across the image, which is nice and sharp throughout.
Merit.
A GRADE SET
Best Friends and Teddy.
Taken in what seems to be quite harsh lighting, I think the photographer has done well here with black and white dogs, to keep everything within the range where we can see detail in both darks and lights. If it had been possible to take this shot in the shade, I think the result would be a more even light, without the distraction that the brightness gives in this situation. I’ve always found shaded light, with the light still coming from behind, to be ideal. I would also suggest removing the collars from the dogs, particularly the red one, as it has a rather long tail that takes my attention away from the pup that is wearing it. The interaction between the two dogs, with their feet, adds a sense of kinship, but I feel the dogs need to be a little more relaxed in front of the camera to capture their truly happy faces, which is a nice touch, although I believe the dogs could be a little more relaxed to achieve a more en
The composition works well, with both dogs coming in from the sides of the frame, with Teddy, a bit squished in the middle.
Accepted.
Close up for tourists.
Such delightfully entertaining birds!
The shallow depth of field, used by the photographer, has kept the bird nice and sharp, whilst separating the people and blurring them slightly in the background. We can still see their smiles, so know they are enjoying the view, and the three together tell a nice story, with the bird as the main player. It was helpful of the people to both wear the same coloured shirt, but I wonder if the photographer would consider removing the sign top left. I find it somewhat of a distraction, with its bright colours and blurred writing. The light is falling on the side of the bird, where we can see good detail in the feathers, and although the head is partly shadowed, there is enough light there to show us the bright, sharp eye, with a catchlight. The fact that the people are in shade strengthens their role as support, and the angle from lower left to top right makes a nice line up of interesting faces, with the bird clearly centre stage.
Merit.
Hen Pecked.
It’s easy to spend a lot of time watching these little guys as they flutter about in the garden. They are full of character, and the photographer here has captured that beautifully, in my opinion. The interaction, with the birds looking in, towards each other, adds an extra layer of story to the image, which is sharp where it needs to be, well exposed and well composed. I think it works well with the tail leading in from the left, and the stump slightly off centre to the right, and the birds on top filling the space well, with room to breathe around them.
The only detail I find a little disappointing is the obviously sawn edge to the post they are sitting on. Not a major in this competition, but it does take away slightly from the otherwise natural look, so unfortunately, not something I’d suggest entering in a nature competition. The background is beautifully muted, having been expertly separated by the photographer and their settings. A superb image!
Honours.
Looking at you.
When I first saw this image, I couldn’t help but smile, whilst being put in mind of Zorro and his black cape. The ‘cape’/wing, works as a kind of leading line from the bottom left corner, but my attention was drawn by the intensity of the birds look, straight down the lens. It makes for some really good engagement with us, the viewers. The eyes are clear, as is the beak and all the detail in the feathers is good, with nothing blown out around that fluffy white neck.
In my opinion, the central crop works well in this instance, although it would be even better if the wood to the right wasn’t there, as it is quite light and slightly distracting from the stunning subject. If the photographer agrees, I’m sure they will know of several ways they could experiment with removing it, or at least darkening it, in their post processing programme. The rest of the background is beautifully muted, with the photographer choosing the appropriate settings to separate the bird and have him centre stage, as the star of the show. Well seen and well captured.
Merit.
My happy place.
Having this flowering plant pop up in amongst this rough looking terrain makes me think it is a determined little species, with a little rebellion thrown in. I can understand why it would make the photographer happy. Compositionally, with the plant on the lower left third, I think it is in a strong position, with the surrounding space not only giving the plant room to breathe, but also providing the environmental context for the story.
In my opinion, the plant is a little soft in focus, and whilst the petals aren’t blown out, I feel there is more detail within the plant, which the photographer may be able to bring out if they experiment in Lightroom with the highlights and white sliders. The addition of a vignette around the outside of the image helps to keep our attention within the frame, and nicely highlights the plant as the main subject.
Accepted.
Racing Mum and Dad.
Top marks for the catchlights, as there is one in every eye! Top marks also for freezing the action and capturing this family on the go. It makes a nice story, even though I can only find one parent, and wonder where the partner is.
The photographer has used a nice fast shutter speed to stop the movement of the water, helping to tell the story of frolicking family fun. We can almost hear the splash. Compositionally, with the narrow area where all the action takes place, the photographer could consider a more panoramic crop, but even if left as is, I would suggest removing the lighter line of water along the bottom of the frame, and darkening the light green area at the top. With the sun shining from the right (to enable those gorgeous catchlights) it has also caught the ducklings’ lighter coloured chests and I think the photographer has done well to not overexpose them, but suggest they could be toned down a little more in post processing. There is also detail in the darker coloured parent, at the back of the pack, so in my opinion, the light has been reasonably well handled.
A delightful image, which also tells a delightful story.
Merit.
Savour.
Roses are beautiful flowers, particularly if they have a strong scent. This woman appears to be enjoying a moment, and taking the time to ‘smell the flowers’, as we are often encouraged to do. I like the way the sleeves in her top have flowers on them too, although it does tend to take my eye away from the interaction between her and the real flowers. She is smelling one, while holding a different one further down, and I wonder if the image would have more impact if the photographer had focussed in on just one of the interactions. For example, if she was holding the one she is smelling.
The dappled light has offered some challenges here, and I feel the unevenness of it makes exposure difficult. Perhaps, in these situations, the photographer could employ some man made shade by way of an umbrella, to even the light across the image, at the time of shooting, making the editing so much easier. A nice idea and the model has played her part well, with her eyes closed while she does indeed appear to savour the roses.
Accepted.
South Island tomtit.
These little birds with their spindly legs, can move pretty quickly, so I commend the photographer for capturing this little one, in a moment of calm. It’s always handy in these situations to have the settings ready for action, as they don’t always sit still for very long, so I think the photographer of this tomtit must have been well prepared, as they have captured, what in my opinion, is a stunning image of this native bird.
The chest feathers are on full display, with good detail there, but also in the darker coloured head, where it would be easy to lose that definition. The bird is sharp, against a beautifully muted background, and the perch on the left is natural to the environment. Compositionally, with the birds eye on the third, I think he is placed superbly, with a good amount of negative space to the right so he isn’t crowded.
I can’t suggest any improvements. I think this image is top class.
Honours.
A GRADE - OPEN
A busy Bumblebee.
The photographer has used the shutter speed to good effect in this image, with the bee, and the lavender branch it sits on, being in sharp focus. Whilst the rest of the branches and flowers add to the environmental context, I feel that less may have been more in this instance. To me, the bee seems a little lost in the middle of all that purple. Perhaps a different crop, or possibly a wider aperture at the time of shooting, may have helped narrow the depth of field, and help the background to be a little more muted.
I also feel it’s a shame that we can’t see the bees face, or the behaviour as it works amongst the lavender. These busy bees do tend to flit around, so if the photographer had waited a moment, such an opportunity may have arisen.
The light is lovely and even, with the details in the bees wings showing clearly where the light just touches them.
Accepted.
At a quarter to four.
With a clean black background, and the black and white treatment, the photographer has ensured our attention is centred on this attractive woman, with no distractions. The light is beautifully handled, in my opinion, with just a kiss of lighter tones on her cheek. The angle of her hand rests comfortably against her face, giving our eyes a line to follow, to those eyes, which are looking straight down the lens at us. Although the black hat tends to blend into the black background, the steampunk type goggles help to let us know the hat is there. We can see the texture in her hair as it sweeps to the right and along with those goggles on top, our minds can easily fill in any missing information.
Beautifully sharp throughout, it took me a moment to realise why the photographer had chosen the title. Then I saw it, and thought what a clever way it was to draw my eyes further into the image.
Honours.
Shag ablutions.
This bird is making a big splash, which the photographer has stilled, with a nice fast shutter speed. The bird has been captured on an angle that gives us, the viewers, a good look at its activity, with the wings spread and head forward. The photographer has left some room in front of the bird, for it to take off into, whilst including enough of the surrounding seawater to give some breathing space.
Personally, I find the whites in this image to be a little too bright, and I think if the photographer uses their editing programme to reduce the highlights a little, they will see more detail emerge not only on the birds face, but also in the splashes of water, which are such an important part of the story. With so many splashes and spots of water, I would, however, suggest the photographer clean a couple from the birds head. For example, there is a white splash on the birds head that can be mistaken for an eye at first glance. I think it’s a good idea sometimes to sit back from the screen, or walk away and came back to an image to view with fresh eyes from a distance, to better see it from a viewers point of view, and then make appropriate changes if necessary. When I looked closer and found the eye, it’s nice and sharp, as are all the details in this busy, action shot.
Accepted.
The Great Bread Heist.
What a treasure for this bird to come away with.
The photographer has used a shutter speed fast enough to still the water, but not quite the wing movement. In my opinion, a little bit of wing movement adds to the feeling of fleeing the scene, so for me, enhances the story. The bird, being the brightest part of the image, is where my eyes naturally go to first, where I find everything but the wings to be sharp in focus, although I feel the whites are a little bright. However, there may still be information in there if the photographer were to try reducing the highlights and the whites, in lightroom.
Compositionally, I like the way the photographer has kept the splash in the bottom corner, where it provides a little bit of background and context to the birds hasty exit with the bread. In an ideal world, a little more room in front of the bird (on the right side of the image) would, in my opinion, be beneficial, to give it some room to fly into. When I look closely at this image, I can see a shadow underneath the water on the bottom left, and wonder if there is a fish who has missed out on lunch!
Merit
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