Round 29 - Shadows - Voting Thread

Voting runs from the end of submissions up to midnight on Thursday 19th October, so that the winner gets time to put a new competition up in time for the next weekend.


Voting
Please vote for 5 pictures, allocating points from 5 down to 1 in order of merit.



Theme
We use light to take all our pictures, but sometimes the shadows are just as important. This theme is intended to make us look at shadows, to try to make a picture which 'works' because of the shadows. It requires 'seeing' the subjects a bit differently. The subjects can be set up for those that prefer that, or found in the wild. Natural or man-made. Artificial light or natural light. Daylight or night-time.

It is easy to 'tune out' the shadows in a scene, but this time is different...

Rules

1. Image must have been taken within the competition period, which is from Friday 15th September 2006 to Monday 16th October.
2. No image will be greater than 800 pixels along its longest side.
3. Image overall will not exceed 300kb (defined as 307,200 bytes).

If a submitted image contravenes rules 1 ,2 or 3 could people please mention this in the discussion thread so that the poster can fix it, some advice to the poster about how they might rectify the problem might be handy. No image which breaks any of these rules will be included in the voting thread so let's try to avoid a submission being left out due to not meeting the rules.

4. Each entrant can change their posted image at any time (using edit function) up to the closing date for submissions which is midnight UK local time on Monday 16th October 2006.
There has to be a closing date, so for simplicity the cutoff for getting the pictures on the thread is the one that counts. Note that the cutoff has moved to Monday night to make the best use of the weekend.
5. Maximum of three images per entrant.
6. Digital manipulation is allowed in order to correct technical issues. Sharpening, levels, contrast and colour adjustments are allowed as is the cloning out of minor defects.
7. If you feel the need to use other digital tools or effects then these must be fully documented so that people can learn how to use such tools/effects.
8. Image must be hosted so that it appears correctly in the competition thread using something like photobucket (http://www.photobucket.com/) or a direct link to the photo if you cannot do this.
9. Image must be titled but not on the image itself, i.e. some bold text naming the image should be posted above it. In addition, to benefit others, please post some details below the pic e.g. EXIF data or just aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation, equipment used etc. (this is a learning exercise after all).
10. There will be no posts in the Entries thread other than those for the posting of competition images.
11. There are no judges, only votes from Scoobynet members, their collective decision is final.
12. Voting should be 17th-19th October, anyone with a Scoobynet log-in will be eligible to vote, not just those submitting pictures.
13. Images will meet the requirements of the ScoobyNet T&Cs
14. Winner gets to choose the theme for the next round.



These are the entries in thread order:

joni - washed out denim
JackClark - west
JackClark - spanner
JackClark - shade
69WRX - Mother Nature
69WRX - One for the Ladies
CharleyWhiskey - ...of times past
CharleyWhiskey - Lurking in the...
walkpau873 - DARK BEAUTY
ricardo - Sphere
ricardo - Holding Hands
ricardo - Palm
mneame - Flat Out
mneame - Wilting Rose
pwhittle - Bamburgh Castle by night
walkpau873 - LUCY
scooby stu!! - Relaxed OakMossphere
mogsi - Candlelight
missyc - Graveyard shadows #1
zxr750Nick - Buckland Silhouette
zxr750Nick - Leave the shadows
flat4 - And....Kew Sunshine!
flat4 - Dinosaur
flat4 - Grid
Sbradley - Hors des Ombres
STi-Frenchie - Standing in the shadows
STi-Frenchie - Under the canopy
STi-Frenchie - Autumnal silhouette
mogsi - Autumn Morning
mogsi - Down in the Woods
Beastie - Into the Fire
Beastie - Walking The Dog
Beastie - To The Hills

Some great entries on a subject that, personally, I found difficult to work with. Which is good - it made me think - though time constraints meant just one entry...

Anyway.

Ricardo - Holding Hands - 5 pts. Just a really nice shot. Not especially clever but a photo worth putting on the wall.

flat4 - Kew Sunshine! - 4 points. Because it's well timed, well thought out and well executed. And because it has the cheesiest title.

flat4 - Dinosaur - 3 points. Interchangeable with the one before - if I could give them the same points I would. Fabulous shot. What the Hell is it though?

Can I split my remaining points evenly among the rest? Otherwise I'll have to have a think and come back later...

SB

Quite a lot of very good entries but here are the ones which got my votes:

69WRX - Mother Nature - 5 points -- This one just blew me away and is the winner by a very wide margin indeed. Beautifully lit and posed, a truly excellent image.

CharlieWhiskey ...of times past - 4 points -- Great shot and an unusual treatment of the theme. The grittiness of the image really makes it and pulls out the texture of the metal.

Sbradley Hors des ombres - 3 points -- A really tricky exposure this one but extremely well executed.

Ricardo Holding Hands - 2 points -- Nice catch!

JackClarke Spanner - 1 point -- Love the humour in this pic.

As I said, many other very good entries so choosing the runners up was not an easy job. Well done to everyone who entered :thumb:

5 points: ricardo - Holding Hands - captures the very essence of the theme brilliantly, the shadow reveals something that's completely obscured otherwise and really gives the image meaning.

4 points: flat4 - dinosaur - the very high contrast and gritty look gives the bones a real feeling of menace. Great use of bold lighting and an unusual angle.

3 points: ricardo - Palm - I love the lighting here, how the lower half of the image is almost a reflection of the top, but in inverse colours too. The use of IR really enhances the contrast and works well here.

2 points: CharlieWhiskey - ...of times past - the bold lighting really brings out the texture in the surface of the metal. Great angle too, good use of leading lines.

1 point: Beastie - To The Hills - well 'seen', making a virtue of the way foreground objects become really dark in the presence of strong sunlight. Almost abstract and all the stronger for it.

5 points - 69WRX - Mother Nature

4 points - joni - washed out denim

3 points - ricardo - Holding Hands

2 points - CharleyWhiskey - Lurking in the...

1points - CharleyWhiskey - ...of times past

5 points - ricardo - Holding Hands
4 points - 69WRX - Mother Nature
3 points - CharleyWhiskey - ...of times past
2 points - STi-Frenchie - Under the canopy
1 point - Sbradley - Hors des Ombres

I'm voting on the theme of the competition, rather than the some of the great photos that I find pleasing on the eye.

5 points:
Flat4 - Dinosaur - amazing from a k750i and its the dark parts and shadows that make it.

4 points:
ricardo - Holding Hands - captures the subject and is also a nice piece of candid photography.

3 points:
STi-Frenchie - Autumnal silhouette - perfectly seasonal and great use of subtle shadows and light.

2 points:
CharlieWhiskey - ...of times past - a different way of using shadows that most never tried.

1 point:
Flat 4 - kew sunshine - the shadows turned a normal photo into a very eyecatching and interesting picture

Some great images :thumb:

5 Points - ricardo - Sphere. Stunning in its simplicity. Great contrast of straightlines and circles.

4 points - mogsi - candlelight - a lovely composition

3 points - 69Wrx - Mother nature - a beautiful image

2 points - flat4 - dinosaur - proving that you don't need an expensive camera to take a memorable image

1 point - joni - washed out denim - simple yet effective.

5 points - Ricardo - Holding Hands

4 points - Ricardo - Sphere

3 points - Flat 4 - Kew Sunshine

2 points - CharleyWhiskey - of times past

1points - 69 WRX - Mother Nature

Very difficult this time. Some lovely pictures that work in all sorts of ways, but many that don't require shadows to work. Based on the original theme then here are my votes:

5 points - JackClark - Spanner
Definitely needs the shadow, it is one of the few pictures OF a shadow. Simple and witty.

4 points - flat4 - Dinosaur
'In the shadow of dinosaurs' maybe. Because of the unusual angle and the lighting it is quite disturbing. It brings to mind a scene in Alien with the dripping chains...

3 points - flat4 - And....Kew Sunshine
Soft shadows, but the ethereal nature of them makes it work, a lovely light picture.

2 points - Beastie - Walking The Dog
I love the composition, and the trees are in shadow to give the dark enclosing effect. The hint of Armco (or railing) and the figure make it simple and effective. Not much of the dog, but enough...

1 point - mneame - Wilting Rose
Not of a shadow, nor in a shadow, but very shadowy. I like the dark simplicity.

The various autumnal scenes were effective, but not on-topic enough for me to give them votes in this one. STi-Frenchie's Under the Canopy is interesting, I love the mood but something about the composition doesn't gel for me, maybe just a bit too much lean to the trees in an otherwise calm and soft picture. CharleyWhiskey's '...of times past' has got a fantastic texture and conveys the 'feel' of the steel, but not close enough to the theme except in the title I'm afraid...

Very difficult subject but has made people really think about it which is great. Ive gone with the ones where the shadow(s) really had an effect on the picture.

5 Point - ricardo - Holding Hands - Love the way you cant tell their holding hands by looking at them, and its the shadow that gives the game away.

4 points - walkpau873 - DARK BEAUTY - Love the mysterious dark shadowy scene.

3 points - 69WRX - Mother Nature - mirror what has been said above the shadows really bring this photo to life.

2 points - mogsi - Candlelight - superb photo - excellent use and control of light.

1 point - ricardo - Sphere - really simple but very effective.

Mark

5 points Holding hands ....ricardo
4 points under the canopy......STi Frenchie
3 points palm ....ricardo
2 points graveyard shadows #1.....missyc
1 points Hors des ombres.........S.bradley




Well done everyone ,some cracking entries and the usual very high standard :thumb:

Good entries again, but I think a lot of them aren't very "shadowy" and I don't think you can count silhouettes as the same thing. My shadowy selection.

5 points - 69WRX "Mother Nature"
4 points - Jack Clark "Spanner"
3 points - ricardo "Holding hands"
2 points - Joni "washed out denim"
1 point - ricardo "Sphere"

5 points......Holding Hands, ricardo
4 points......Under the Canopy, STI Frenchie, Dreamy feel
3 points......To the Hills, Beastie
2 points......Mother Nature,69 WRX
1 point....... Hors des Hombres, S.bradley

5 ricardo - holding hands
4 sti-frenchie - standing in the shadows
3 joni - washed out denim
2 charliewhiskey - of times past
1 sbradley - hors des ombres

5 points - 69WRX - Mother Nature
A beautiful picture. Light, shadow, soft and tender.
4 points - ricardo - Holding Hands
This is all about the shadow - can't help wondering if it might be improved if a crop had almost taken the people out of shot?
3 points - CharleyWhiskey - ...of times past
I can smell the oil and smoke.
2 points - flat4 - Dinosaur
The perspective makes this one for me, a great angle.
1 point1 - Sbradley - Hors des Ombres
The execution is perfect.

Some great entries yet again, However many streatch the Theme a bit!!

5 points - Ricardo - Sphere
4 points - Walkpau873 - Lucy
3 points - Sti-Frenchie - Standing in the shadows
2 points - Ricardo - Holding hands
1 point. - CharlieWhiskey - Of times past

:)

Looks like I am going to have to up my game.

5 ricardo - Holding Hands
Lovely subject and draws you to the shadow of the hands

4 ricardo - Palm
Archtectural look to it

3 CharleyWhiskey - ...of times past
Good skill at slow shutterspeed

2 STi-Frenchie - Autumnal silhouette
Excellent subject and composition

1 Beastie - To The Hills
Could not resist the subject

5 - 69wrx - Mother nature
4 - sti Frenchie - Standing in the shadows
3 - ricasrd - Holding hands
2 - mogsi - Candlelight
1 - mogsi - Autumn morning

Some great shots.

:)

Mike

5 - STi-Frenchie: Under the canopy
4 - mneame: Wilting rose
3 - ricardo: Sphere
2 - 69WRX: Mother Nature
1 - JackClark: Spanner LOL :D

Plenty of diverse and excellent pics this round :thumb: I found the subject very difficult, mostly due to the weather, but I think the above best fit the topic.

5 points - ricardo "Holding hands"
4 point. - CharlieWhiskey - Of times past
3 points - 69WRX "Mother Nature"
2 points - Joni "washed out denim"
1point - mogsi - Candlelight

I struggled to produce anything worthwile with this one, tenuous at best.
So well done to all that entered:thumb:

Nick.

ricardo: Holding Hands - 5 points

Fits the subject so well, great interpretation of the theme.

I did have a go at this comp myself, but couldn't come up with an entry that was actually about the shadow itself, rather than one which just happens to have some in, so apologies if I find that, great shots though some of the others are, I can't make up my mind who to give the other points to... :)

I do really like joni's, 69WRX's, CharlieWhiskey's, missyc's and flat4's entries though. :thumb:

5 points - ricardo - holding hands
4 point. - 69WRX - mother Nature
3 points - flat4 - dinosaur
2 points - beastie - walking the dog
1point - mogsi - candle light


difficult subject this month imo, but some great shots again :thumb: well done to all that entered:thumb:

5 points - 69WRX - Mother Nature
-> Such great use of soft shadows in an excellent photo

4 points - Mogsi - Candlelight
-> very quiet and athmospheric picture (I wish it was just one candle)

3 points - flat4 - grid
-> Very nice abstract with awesome blue color. I am very much into such abstract photography.

2 points - ricardo - Sphere
-> The simple answer to the topic (shadow). Have you tried pushing it? ;)

1 point - Scooby stu!! - Relaxed OakMossphere
-> reminds me of a photo I once did while searching for an abstract nature shot (too bad it's a bit out of focus).

Difficult decisions again. Tried to vote with the theme in mind.

5 pts ricardo holding hands
light and shadow in the next 3 really make the image:
4 pts walkpaul dark beauty
3 pts 69wrx mother nature
2 pts walkpaul lucy
1 pt ricardo palm

And well done to everyone who posted pics for all to see and admire :)

Good efforts all.

5 - CharleyWhiskey - ...of times past
4 - JackClark – spanner
3 - ricardo – Sphere
2 - joni - washed out denim
1 - Sbradley - Hors des Ombres

And heres my vote:)

5 pts 69WRX Mother Natuire

4pts Ricardo Holding hands

3pts Charlie Whiskey Of times past

2pts Sti Frenchie Under the canopy

1 pt Jack Clark Spanner


Congrats everyone!!!!

Paul:)

Well done all.

Holding Hands 5 points
Mother Nature 4 points
Palm 3 points
Grill 2 points
Walk the dog 1 point

Geezer

And the results:

Including Daryl's and Sbradley's scores, where not all points were awarded:

ricardo - Holding Hands 95
69WRX - Mother Nature 64
CharleyWhiskey - ...of times past 35
ricardo - Sphere 24
flat4 - Dinosaur 23
STi-Frenchie - Under the canopy 17
JackClark - spanner 16
joni - washed out denim 14
ricardo - Palm 14
mogsi - Candlelight 14
flat4 - And....Kew Sunshine! 11
STi-Frenchie - Standing in the shadows 11
Sbradley - Hors des Ombres 9
walkpau873 - DARK BEAUTY 8
walkpau873 - LUCY 6
mneame - Wilting Rose 5
flat4 - Grid 5
STi-Frenchie - Autumnal silhouette 5
Beastie - Walking The Dog 5
Beastie - To The Hills 5
CharleyWhiskey - Lurking in the... 2
missyc - Graveyard shadows #1 2
scooby stu!! - Relaxed OakMossphere 1
mogsi - Autumn Morning 1
JackClark - west 0
JackClark - shade 0
69WRX - One for the Ladies 0
mneame - Flat Out 0
pwhittle - Bamburgh Castle by night 0
zxr750Nick - Buckland Silhouette 0
zxr750Nick - Leave the shadows 0
mogsi - Down in the Woods 0
Beastie - Into the Fire 0

Doing it again without the scores from Daryl and Sbradley:

ricardo - Holding Hands 85
69WRX - Mother Nature 64
CharleyWhiskey - ...of times past 35
ricardo - Sphere 24
flat4 - Dinosaur 20
STi-Frenchie - Under the canopy 17
JackClark - spanner 16
joni - washed out denim 14
ricardo - Palm 14
mogsi - Candlelight 14
STi-Frenchie - Standing in the shadows 11
Sbradley - Hors des Ombres 9
walkpau873 - DARK BEAUTY 8
flat4 - And....Kew Sunshine! 7
walkpau873 - LUCY 6
mneame - Wilting Rose 5
flat4 - Grid 5
STi-Frenchie - Autumnal silhouette 5
Beastie - Walking The Dog 5
Beastie - To The Hills 5
CharleyWhiskey - Lurking in the... 2
missyc - Graveyard shadows #1 2
scooby stu!! - Relaxed OakMossphere 1
mogsi - Autumn Morning 1
JackClark - west 0
JackClark - shade 0
69WRX - One for the Ladies 0
mneame - Flat Out 0
pwhittle - Bamburgh Castle by night 0
zxr750Nick - Buckland Silhouette 0
zxr750Nick - Leave the shadows 0
mogsi - Down in the Woods 0
Beastie - Into the Fire 0

So the winner is, er, me :eek: That's a little embarrassing since it was my theme. Congrats to everyone who had a go, as mentioned elsewhere it is for fun and to learn how to do new stuff. Well done 69WRX for 'Mother Nature' which was obviously well-liked too.

I've been thinking about the themes, and the next one is intended to be a fairly open interpretation which should include the people people as well as the pattern people.

The next theme is Waiting ... where the picture conveys the ... part. Like 'Waiting for a Bus', or 'Waiting to Score' or whatever.
New threads up, can someone make sticky please ?