Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Photography => Topic started by: Dowser on September 12, 2011

Title: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Dowser on September 12, 2011: THIS MONTHS THEME IS "Outdoor Self Portrait"

Please email your entry for the Monthly Photo Competition to here: photocomp@ni-wild.co.uk

Please do not post in this thread until the photographs have been displayed, then the chat can begin.

For fairness, submitted entries will not be displayed until after the closing date.

All entries need to be submitted by Midnight on Friday 30th September and will be displayed here shortly after.

The Monthly Photo Competition is open to NI-Wild Members only. Please remember to include your NI WIld Username when submitting your entry.

P.S. Your entries do not have to be taken in the current month of the competition. If you have an awesome shot lurking in your back catalogued on a long forgotten hard drive then email it in and try and grab some votes ;)

No specialist equipment is required to enter this Photo comp but you may want to consider purchasing a very large thinking cap for this excellent choice of Theme. I personally am really looking forward to trying to get a shot for this and can't wait to see the other entries.

As this one is that little bit more challenging I will be trying to secure a prize for the winner.
Not sure what it will be yet but I will post details here when I think of something.

Now, blow the dust of those cameras and get out there and capture the start of a new season.

8)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: twentyclicks on October 03, 2011: Some nicely taken photos, some interesting geology and plenty of people enjoying themselves. Tough call - I really wanted to vote for 3 of these.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Oisín on October 03, 2011: Was a tough one indeed. I'd love to hear at how everyone took those photos by themselves, some skill must have been involved, the photos looks lined up perfectly.

Congratulations to anyone who entered. I'd easily vote for them all.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: LandyLiam on October 03, 2011: its a tricky one alright this month, some technically great shots, and some great wee fun shots that really capture the spirit of the outdoors, good topic or what :D
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: twentyclicks on October 04, 2011: Quote from: Oisin on October 03, 2011
I'd love to hear at how everyone took those photos by themselves, some skill must have been involved, the photos looks lined up perfectly.

Are you sure you want to know? ;D Ok...

I set the camera on a tripod and framed the pic before I made dinner. Once dark, just before I got into the bivvy, I locked the shutter open with a cable-release then shut it just as dawn threatened. It's a 9hr exposure on slide film on a moonless night. Slide suffers a thing called reciprocity outside of it's normal millisecond operating range... so something that may be a 10min exposure on a digital camera goes exponential into hours. Also the different dye layers react at different rates so the colours can shift a bit. The red is my headtorch... I forgot about the photo when I got up in the night to find an extra layer. The perfect star trail was pure luck.

I have some other great outdoor self-portraits. I'll post them up once the competition is finished so as not to distract from the entries.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Dowser on October 04, 2011: Quote from: Oisin on October 03, 2011
Was a tough one indeed. I'd love to hear at how everyone took those photos by themselves, some skill must have been involved, the photos looks lined up perfectly.

For me, it's a bit simpler than Twentyclicks... I set my camera up the way I wanted and handed it to one of my walking buddies to release the shutter. Possibly MikeD or 666pack. Can't remember who my tripod was that day lol ;)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Oisín on October 04, 2011: Oh I knew it was a long exposure. Didn't know it was done on film though, interesting that.

I was mainly wondering about the angles: people seem to have centered themselves perfectly in the photo all while rushing before the timer goes off.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: LandyLiam on October 04, 2011: Mine was a chance shot, i was walking along Slievemageogh when i spotted the puddle (http://www.lrrforums.com/images/smilies/th_smiley_thinkin.gif) and a light bulb lit above me (http://www.lrrforums.com/images/smilies/thk.gif) (it was only a few days after this months comp started) , i always carry a mini gorillapod so set that up and framed the shot, 10sec self timer set, and i jumped up on the rock expecting to take 20 pics to get it just right, but managed to get the shot i wanted on my second attempt, i had actually hoped to get a shadow shot that day with a good scenic background but thought the reflection one was a little nicer but lost the chance of the scenery, the summits were cloudy that day anyway :)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: whoRya on October 04, 2011: Quote from: twentyclicks on October 04, 2011
Are you sure you want to know? ;D Ok...

I set the camera on a tripod and framed the pic before I made dinner. Once dark, just before I got into the bivvy, I locked the shutter open with a cable-release then shut it just as dawn threatened. It's a 9hr exposure on slide film on a moonless night. Slide suffers a thing called reciprocity outside of it's normal millisecond operating range... so something that may be a 10min exposure on a digital camera goes exponential into hours. Also the different dye layers react at different rates so the colours can shift a bit. The red is my headtorch... I forgot about the photo when I got up in the night to find an extra layer. The perfect star trail was pure luck.

I have some other great outdoor self-portraits. I'll post them up once the competition is finished so as not to distract from the entries.

Weren't you concerned camera would get nicked or rained upon? I'm not sure I would sleep all night, listening for anything that could result in damage or loss of the camera.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Oisín on October 04, 2011: Quote from: whoRya on October 04, 2011

Weren't you concerned camera would get nicked or rained upon? I'm not sure I would sleep all night, listening for anything that could result in damage or loss of the camera.

I suppose its Risk v Reward.

Personally I wouldnt mind leaving my camera out, if I knew it was somewhere that other peolpe didnt often come to (outdoors etc)

And I think the common theif might steal his motorcycle before his camera. And you would probably hear that getting away. ;D
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: twentyclicks on October 04, 2011: I was hidden just off a road in the middle of nowhere in Spain. There really was nothing and no-one about, and the weather was sweet. Being in a bivvy, I would have been the first to know if any rain started!
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: RedLeader on October 04, 2011: Was this a manual old school SLR?

Quote from: twentyclicks on October 04, 2011
I was hidden just off a road in the middle of nowhere in Spain. There really was nothing and no-one about, and the weather was sweet. Being in a bivvy, I would have been the first to know if any rain started!
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: twentyclicks on October 04, 2011: Quote from: RedLeader on October 04, 2011
Was this a manual old school SLR?

Yes, Nikon FM2n - fully manual mechanism so no batteries to drain, and no microchips to fry if caught in the rain.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: LandyLiam on October 04, 2011: just looking at the pics again and i'm surprised nobody tried the mirror shot, or even used the mirror ball in newcastle, that was my plan C ;)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Spud on October 04, 2011: Some cracking entries there, it's gonna be another tight one this month!
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Oisín on October 05, 2011: Quote from: redspud on October 04, 2011
Some cracking entries there, it's gonna be another tight one this month!

Indeed it will. I hope the next topic is a good one aswell.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Scribble on October 05, 2011: i really liked two pics one for the shot the other for the fun side of riding with no hands :D
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: pablo on October 05, 2011: i love the fact that no-one understands the actual definition of portrait!

i know its just a bit of fun guys , but honestly i love seeing the pics each month and wondering how the flip the title is going to be interpreted by some.

vaguely is the norm lol lol

cant wait till next month..... ;D
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Scribble on October 05, 2011: Quote from: pablo on October 05, 2011
i love the fact that no-one understands the actual definition of portrait!

i know its just a bit of fun guys , but honestly i love seeing the pics each month and wondering how the flip the title is going to be interpreted by some.

vaguely is the norm lol lol

cant wait till next month..... ;D

is that you Mario Tesstino ;) . I think it's all the fun about the competition everyone can add a photo with any equipment and any ideas with out being judged too harshly and learning from the process
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Are we there yet? on October 06, 2011: My pic was taken on Easter Sunday.. best day i ever had in the mournes.. firstly because it was the first day i had an all day 'free' pass from the hubby and children :) and secondly because it was such a peaceful beautiful day (although you would never tell by the pic) having my tea an wondering if id ever overcome my fear of heights enough that id be able to look over the 'wee' ledge i was looking at, i had a now or never moment.. set the camera to landscape and 30 second timer, ran like the clappers and stood like an eejit as long as i could.. its nice to have the pic,, cause ill not be doing that again :O
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Oisín on October 06, 2011: I think that in some ways you need to play by the title and others you dont.

I thought it being self portrait, you had to take it yourself.

I'm not gurning about it, just thought if i didnt need to take the picture myself it would have been another photo I had entered.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Spud on October 06, 2011: i thought that too oisin, is that not what everyone did? I didnt enter myself this month, but I have to say I prefer the photo comp when you dont know who took what photo, I like trying to figure out who took which one, I think it makes the voting fairer too!
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: LennyJ1 on October 06, 2011: Quote from: Oisin on October 06, 2011
I think that in some ways you need to play by the title and others you dont.

I thought it being self portrait, you had to take it yourself.

I'm not gurning about it, just thought if i didnt need to take the picture myself it would have been another photo I had entered.

You are right, that was what was said. But never worry its only abit of fun and a £20 cotswold voucher lol
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Oisín on October 06, 2011: I completely agree with you, trying to work out who took what is one of the best parts.

Quote from: redspud on October 06, 2011
i thought that too oisin, is that not what everyone did? I didnt enter myself this month, but I have to say I prefer the photo comp when you dont know who took what photo, I like trying to figure out who took which one, I think it makes the voting fairer too!

Only a £20 Cotswold voucher? I wouldnt be suprised if some people on here would give an arm and a leg for that. :D
Quote from: LennyJ1 on October 06, 2011
Quote from: Oisin on October 06, 2011
But never worry its only abit of fun and a £20 cotswold voucher lol
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: LandyLiam on October 06, 2011: Quote
I thought it being self portrait, you had to take it yourself.

That was the idea behind the title, I hoped to make people think about their picture in a different way than usual, and I love the range of entries, must say I prefer the ones were you can't quite be sure who was in the pic but with a few clues you can guess. Wait til you see next months topic if I win ;D
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: twentyclicks on October 06, 2011: What a healthy debate, if slightly incited. Let me just clear things up as I see it...

Portrait:
noun
1 a painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person, esp. one depicting only the face or head and shoulders.
• a representation or impression of someone or something in language or on film : the writer builds up a full and fascinating portrait of a community.

Although it most definitely applies to a head & shoulders* image, the primary meaning is a representation of the person. If they were all head & shoulders images, you are reduced to judging on 3 criteria: technical lighting and pose, physical appearance, and character representation. The first is hard to achieve by amateurs, esp. in the outdoors, the second is subjective and shallow, and the third is difficult as we don't know each other the same amount or that well even... and being a self-portrait, we may not even know ourselves that well to capture something subtle in our expression.
Indeed, the outdoor self-portrait allows us to present ourselves with a wider palette of the full body, in a particular environment (location & condition), interacting in a particular way. Being prominent, or less so is a strong factor in our representation. The 'self' part may imply that we 'take' the image ourselves, and this is often the easiest way to ensure our vision, but really it must only mean that we 'make' the image ourselves. Whether the shutter is released by a timer, signal or automaton hiking partner is irrelevant when all the factors up that point have been considered.

There is a secondary meaning regarding a vertical format of the image, but that is common usage due to the preferred aesthetic composition of the head & shoulders portrait. True expression is free, baby.

I rest my case.

* other shampoos are available.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: specimanYak on October 06, 2011: Some really great photos this month, well done to everyone :)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Dowser on October 07, 2011: Some will agree with my actions, and some wont, but I have edited this months photo comp thread in a way which has hopefully retained everyone's personal opinion, without all the negative vibes that goes against the nature of this competition.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and that is what the voting system is for. If you don't like a photo, or it's interpretation, you don't have to vote for it. The winner will be the one who pleases the most members with their image... Simple as :)

The photo comp is a great opportunity for NI-Wild Members to get their work displayed and most members would agree that it is a lot of fun each month viewing and voting for your favourite.

Personally, I really enjoyed this months because it was a great chance get a look at our budding photographers in their outdoor environment.

I think when the competition gets to the stage were I have to start turning away entries because they are not sticking to theme exactly then it will be time to wrap up the competition.

Let's keep this monthly competition running in the spirit it was intended.

8)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Spud on October 08, 2011: well done to this months winner, "the mystery man" in the puddle! lol ;D
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Dowser on October 09, 2011: CONGRATULATIONS
TO
Landyliam

This months winner of the NI-Wild Monthly Photo Competition

Another great photograph and another well deserved win. As you know, this means you have the privilege of picking Octobers theme too. I think we're all looking forward to hearing what it's going to be ;)

Landy, PM me your postal address and I'll get the Cotswold vouchers out to you asap.

Congrats again :)

Photographers for this months "Self Portrait" shots were:

Entry 1 - Alansrv
Entry 2 - AnnieAnne
Entry 3 - BIC
Entry 4 - Dowser
Entry 5 - Landyliam
Entry 6 - LennyJ
Entry 7 - Oisin
Entry 8 - Paul72
Entry 9 - Twentyclicks
Entry 10 - wrh51
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: big chris on October 09, 2011: Well done Again....... Liam lol
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: LennyJ1 on October 09, 2011: I'm number 6. Nul point
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: LandyLiam on October 09, 2011: woohoo (http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/dance.gif)

there must be something in the water down here as thats 4 in a row to Downpatrick photographers ;D (keep drinking the water at work Andy ;) )

Thanks to all who voted for me, my vote went to 20clicks lovely night shot with the bike (i'm a sucker for a long exposure) , you could tell some effort went into it even before he explained it. I was very tempted to go for dowsers stunning scenery shot but in the end i though he spoiled a good photo with his mug in it :D I thought there might be more of the shadows like Lennys bike shot which i liked too (use a faster shutter speed next time though ;) ) and Grace's wee smile despite the poor weather along with Annies standing at the edge of the cliff have inspired my topic choice for October: OUTDOOR FUN so get out there snapping, forget about browsing through the back catalogue (well at least until the last day of the month when you still haven't got a good pic), lets see people enjoying themselves (or whatever interpretation you may have of the title ;) )

happy snapping
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Dowser on October 10, 2011: Quote from: LandyLiam on October 09, 2011
I was very tempted to go for dowsers stunning scenery shot but in the end i though he spoiled a good photo with his mug in it :D I thought there might be more of the shadows like Lennys bike shot which i liked too (use a faster shutter speed next time though ;)

Thanks for that Landy... With it being self portrait my mug had to be in it, so I never stood a chance!!! :P

My idea had originally been to polish one of my cooking pots and use it as a mirror to take a reflective picture in, of me lounging around my bivvy encampment but the weekend before the closing date was possibly the worst weather we have had in a long time and it lashed for 48hrs. Needless to say it just wouldn't have been worth the endurance for one photo, so it was a back catalogue effort for me.

I do have a very shiny pot that I can use as an emergency signal mirror now though ;D

Congrats again to Liam

8)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: RedLeader on October 10, 2011: Congrats Liam, that's a good pic!
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Are we there yet? on October 10, 2011: Massive well done LandyLiam ;D It was lovely to see all the pictures this month. youre a worthy winner.. ;D Im a bit stumped as to what to do with this months topic ??? any tips ;)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: LandyLiam on October 10, 2011: well i was thinking of smiles on faces, maybe the joy of reaching that elusive summit, or simply bouncing on a trampoline, but remember to think out of the box, maybe animals in a field :o but no licking mushrooms this month ;)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Dowser on October 10, 2011: Quote from: AnnieAnne on October 10, 2011
Massive well done LandyLiam ;D It was lovely to see all the pictures this month. youre a worthy winner.. ;D Im a bit stumped as to what to do with this months topic ??? any tips ;)

I would suggest something similar to your entry for September... I think it was a great, energetic shot :)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Are we there yet? on October 10, 2011: Quote from: LandyLiam on October 10, 2011
well i was thinking of smiles on faces, maybe the joy of reaching that elusive summit, or simply bouncing on a trampoline, but remember to think out of the box, maybe animals in a field :o but no licking mushrooms this month ;)

LOL!!!! I'll try to surpress the urge ;)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 2011
Post by: Are we there yet? on October 10, 2011: Quote from: Dowser on October 10, 2011
Quote from: AnnieAnne on October 10, 2011
Massive well done LandyLiam ;D It was lovely to see all the pictures this month. youre a worthy winner.. ;D Im a bit stumped as to what to do with this months topic ??? any tips ;)

I would suggest something similar to your entry for September... I think it was a great, energetic shot :)

Cheers Dowser!