Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Photography => Topic started by: Dowser on May 09, 2011

Title: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Dowser on May 09, 2011
THIS MONTHS THEME IS "STUNNING VIEWS"

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 Tuesday 31st May 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.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Dowser on June 02, 2011
As usual, the photographers names will be withheld until voting has finished.

Voting will remain open until the 8th June 2011

Entry 1
(http://i.imgur.com/7qH6y.jpg)


Entry 2
(http://i.imgur.com/cgBFS.jpg)


Entry 3
(http://i.imgur.com/eFFmZ.jpg)


Entry 4
(http://i.imgur.com/b1Lf9.jpg)


Entry 5
(http://i.imgur.com/FdJew.jpg)


Entry 6
(http://i.imgur.com/APL9T.jpg)


Entry 7
(http://i.imgur.com/5ep7L.jpg)


Entry 8
(http://i.imgur.com/kN81v.jpg)


Entry 9
(http://i.imgur.com/iDziH.jpg)


Entry 10
(http://i.imgur.com/LwCv7.jpg)


Entry 11
(http://i.imgur.com/m7x3S.jpg)


Entry 12
(http://i.imgur.com/SxCcY.jpg)


Entry 13
(http://i.imgur.com/OCCPB.jpg)


Entry 14
(http://i.imgur.com/8NhnH.jpg)


Entry 15
(http://i.imgur.com/2fPzJ.jpg)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 02, 2011
Ok before I vote and kick off  >:( but did this photo have to be taken in the month of may?
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Dowser on June 02, 2011
Quote from: LennyJ1 on June 02, 2011
Ok before I vote and kick off  >:( but did this photo have to be taken in the month of may?

No
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Dowser on June 02, 2011
Can I just remind everybody that this photo competition is just a bit of fun that gives people the opportunity to display their personal work of art.

I know I love getting to display one of my photographs and seeing what everybody out there thinks of it.  Win, or lose miserably, I am really enjoying this monthly competition.

Some months I get a chance to get out there and snap something new but like everybody sometimes personal commitments don't allow me to get out with the camera.

I think everybody would prefer to see 10 or 12 entries based on the current theme than 1 or 2 pictures actually take in the month of the comp.

Some great entries again this month... Good Luck everybody  :)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: cerbera147 on June 02, 2011
I also thought it had to be taken within the month of May which is why I never entered. Never got the chance to catch a stunning view worthy of entry :)

Some real great shots this month; it was tough choice between two for me ;D
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Dowser on June 02, 2011
Quote from: cerbera147 on June 02, 2011
I also thought it had to be taken within the month of May which is why I never entered. Never got the chance to catch a stunning view worthy of entry :)

Some real great shots this month; it was tough choice between two for me ;D

If you would like to send in an entry we would be more that happy to display it and add you to the poll  :)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: cerbera147 on June 02, 2011
I'll be back in the house this afternoon; I'll pop one over if that's ok :)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Dowser on June 02, 2011
Quote from: cerbera147 on June 02, 2011
I'll be back in the house this afternoon; I'll pop one over if that's ok :)

Yep... That would be great... the more the merrier.

Anybody else wanting to submit a photo please do so by midnight tonight.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: MikeD on June 02, 2011
I'll send an entry tonight, from previous months....
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: whoRya on June 02, 2011
It seems I wasn't alone in not submitting one due to not getting out during the month.  Although I have the added problem of having nothing decent in the back catalogue either ;D

Great pics by the way people.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 02, 2011
ok now i know the rules please delete my entry from this month as I will send in a better one
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Dowser on June 02, 2011
Quote from: LennyJ1 on June 02, 2011
ok now i know the rules please delete my entry from this month as I will send in a better one

I will replace your picture when you send in the new one because I don't want to have to start renumbering the poll and pictures.

We have never really stuck to the rule where it has to be taken in the current month.  That was just an idea talked about when we were originally designing the format of the comp.

It's all just a bit of fun... Let's not turn this into another FIFA  ;)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 02, 2011
it not the fact off not having fun, but I thought that the main rules were

1. the photo must of been taken during the month or the subject
2. you could not vote for your own photo
3. you must be a member of NI-Wild

I'm sorry if that is wrong, but,

The golden rule is that there are no golden rules - George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Irish writer

Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LandyLiam on June 02, 2011
wow some crackin pics there, i thought it had to be taken his month as well so i resisted the tempation to put my snow pic in, but understand not everyone can get out and about, i was lucky with my pic as it was taken on 1st of the month before the subject was announced, a bonus point for me i think  ;D  this competition is great for a bit of controversy  :D  i'll leave my voting until tomorrow so the stragglers can get in, then i'll vote for myself anyway  ::)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Oisín on June 02, 2011
I thought it was meant to be from this month too.  :D Seems I'm not the only one. I guess we'll know for next time.

Lovely work though everyone.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: whoRya on June 02, 2011
Quote from: LandyLiam on June 02, 2011
this competition is great for a bit of controversy  :D 

More controversial than an election in Femanagh South Tyrone!
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Dowser on June 03, 2011
That's all the entries in and displayed for this month.  Please take a couple of mins to pick your favourite and cast your vote  8)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Spud on June 03, 2011
would love to know how the submitter of the last photo there feels that his/her photo should have been submitted under the theme of "stunning views"? A burning pile of rubbish is not my idea of a stunning view, and I am sure I am not the only one? Controversy over rules etc is one thing, but I thought this forum was above that sort of stuff, and am a bit disappointed to be honest. :-[
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LandyLiam on June 03, 2011
beauty is in the eye of the beholder  ;) or maybe someone sent the wrong pic in   ::)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Dowser on June 03, 2011
Quote from: redspud on June 03, 2011
A burning pile of rubbish is not my idea of a stunning view.

If you don't like a picture then don't vote for it
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: twentyclicks on June 03, 2011
One can be stunned by a variety of feelings (as indeed you have been): this negates your point and yet makes it entirely valid in this instance... how wonderfully complex!  :)

The image may have been taken in a photo-journalistic sense...

Quote from: redspud on June 03, 2011
would love to know how the submitter of the last photo there feels that his/her photo should have been submitted under the theme of "stunning views"? A burning pile of rubbish is not my idea of a stunning view, and I am sure I am not the only one? Controversy over rules etc is one thing, but I thought this forum was above that sort of stuff, and am a bit disappointed to be honest. :-[
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: twentyclicks on June 03, 2011
Hard to pick again this month - lots of strong entries!!

Two technical tips spring to mind from this month (although neither affected my choice it must be said):
1. Again, one or two pics not quite straight. Sometimes you can get away with it, but more often it looks weird.
2. Any hazy or washy images, try looking at the 'levels' of the photo and reducing the top end a little - usually helps.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Spud on June 03, 2011
Quote from: Dowser on June 03, 2011
Quote from: redspud on June 03, 2011
A burning pile of rubbish is not my idea of a stunning view.

If you don't like a picture then don't vote for it

I didnt vote for it, but thanks for your well thought out response.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 03, 2011
One of the joys of a photo competition is how different people interpret the subject.  That applies to both the photographer taking the picture, and the person viewing it.  With a subject title there is always the opportunity to get creative or submit a humorous response.  I personally assume the photo in question fits into the latter category, and sums up the Northern Irish love of sarcasm ;)

As said if you don't like a particular photo, then just vote accordingly :)

I think there are some cracking entries this month, well done everyone!
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 03, 2011
Quote from: redspud on June 03, 2011
Quote from: Dowser on June 03, 2011
Quote from: redspud on June 03, 2011
A burning pile of rubbish is not my idea of a stunning view.

If you don't like a picture then don't vote for it

I didnt vote for it, but thanks for your well thought out response.

put the handbags away girls.  ;D
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: big chris on June 04, 2011
Wow the photos are just getting better every month, its gonna be a hard one to choose. good luck to the winner.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LandyLiam on June 04, 2011
the pile of burning rubbish has more votes than my stunning view, looks like another wooden spoon for me this month  :D
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Dowser on June 08, 2011
Voting for this months photo comp closes at 11:45am tomorrow so please take two minutes to pick your fav and cast your vote.

8)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: RedLeader on June 09, 2011
These are really awesome guys, well done all.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: cerbera147 on June 09, 2011
Congrats to No. 3 ;D

I would love to know the locations of these great pics especially 3, 8 and 11.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 09, 2011
Can I guess No3 as Andy Dow?  ;D

Mine was No5 :)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 09, 2011
Quote from: cerbera147 on June 09, 2011
Congrats to No. 3 ;D

I would love to know the locations of these great pics especially 3, 8 and 11.

3 is Kerry - carratoohill

I think
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Spud on June 09, 2011
Quote from: LennyJ1 on June 09, 2011
Quote from: cerbera147 on June 09, 2011
Congrats to No. 3 ;D

I would love to know the locations of these great pics especially 3, 8 and 11.

3 is Kerry - carratoohill

I think

3 is the reeks alright, a great photo, its the one I voted for!
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Dowser on June 09, 2011
Quote from: LennyJ1 on June 09, 2011
Quote from: cerbera147 on June 09, 2011
Congrats to No. 3 ;D

I would love to know the locations of these great pics especially 3, 8 and 11.

3 is Kerry - carratoohill

I think

Yep... It is Carrantoohill taken last year on our NI-Wild Kerry Adventure.  So many hills to explore down there.  Can't wait to get back!!!

Thank you everybody who voted for my picture... Makes a change from my Nil Poi last month for my Bumble Bee attacking a Blue Bell :D
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Spud on June 09, 2011
Quote from: cerbera147 on June 09, 2011
Congrats to No. 3 ;D

I would love to know the locations of these great pics especially 3, 8 and 11.

number 8 is mine, the coomloughra glen from caher, got 2 votes, Im well chuffed with that!  ;D
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Spud on June 09, 2011
Quote from: Dowser on June 09, 2011
Quote from: LennyJ1 on June 09, 2011
Quote from: cerbera147 on June 09, 2011
Congrats to No. 3 ;D

I would love to know the locations of these great pics especially 3, 8 and 11.

3 is Kerry - carratoohill

I think

Yep... It is Carrantoohill taken last year on our NI-Wild Kerry Adventure.  So many hills to explore down there.  Can't wait to get back!!!

Thank you everybody who voted for my picture... Makes a change from my Nil Poi last month for my Bumble Bee attacking a Blue Bell last month  :D

a worthy winner, well done dowser
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 09, 2011
Dowser name everyone like last month please.

And if you could put a location to your photo that would be great.

Thanks

Mines Errigal
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 09, 2011
Congrats Dowser, was a great shot and the one I ended up voting for.  Well done!

Quote from: cerbera147 on June 09, 2011
I would love to know the locations of these great pics especially 3, 8 and 11.

I took No. 11 whilst I was in Scotland last month.  The domed peak is the summit of Sgurr na Ciche, a Munro sitting at 1040m.  It sits above the River Carnach (in the photo) and has an awesome ridgeline that drops all the way down to Loch Nevis and Sourlies Bothy.  It's on the Knoydart Peninsula, considered by many as Britains last wilderness, and isn't accessible by road.  It's commonly walked to from Glendessarry, or in my case from Inverie after a boat ride from Mallaig.  Due to it's prominence it is the 25th highest mountain in the UK & Ireland by relative height.  Unfortunately I didn't get to climb it, but it would be well worth a return visit!
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Oisín on June 09, 2011
No.11 you were my vote. I liked the composition. That rock on the right hand side done it for me.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: VMCC on June 09, 2011
I took no. 12. It was taken from Mussenden Temple over Downhill Beach.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Matthew on June 09, 2011
6 was mine, taken on the Caronì River in the Canima region of Venezuela on the way to Angel Falls
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Oisín on June 09, 2011
Mine was pictur3 no. 7 taken in the exotic region of my back garden.

Bet it would have got more votes had I grabbed my camera quicker and captured the double rainbow i was witnessing.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 09, 2011
I loved you photo Matt it was my second best
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Matthew on June 09, 2011
Cheers buddy

(http://www.flagship-housing.co.uk/image/Customer%20Club/thumbs-up_jpg.png)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: cerbera147 on June 09, 2011
Mine was the controversial number 14 (http://forums.mg-rover.org/images/smilies/sofa.gif)
Taken in Larne last July. I've noticed a load of tyres accumulating at the same place this year  :(

Allow me to explain...

My entry was placed late after the other amazing entries went up. I have some good pics but nothing compared to those so I decided to go 'abstract'. As you can see from the definition below I opted for the first description.

stun·ning
adj.
1. Causing or capable of causing emotional shock or loss of consciousness.

2. Of a strikingly attractive appearance.

Also
Stunning - causing great astonishment and consternation

Sadly these bonfires are part of N. Ireland life; I do not think they are 'great works of architecture' as reported in the Telegraph previously but they are stunning in the shocking / astonishment sense of the word. I think we have become immune to these annual structures that appear every year. I remember showing pictures like this to my English colleagues who were amazed. They are used to a small Guy Fawkes bonfire not a tower of stolen pallets and tyres.

I do hope no one has been offended. I think if ever there was a time to post a bonfire photo it is now as the rubbish accumulates in preparation for the big event  ::)

These bonfires are 'stunning' in the same way as some of our political murals are; we are just blind to it  :-\

I voted for number 3, what an amazing picture. Almost looks like CGI. My missus liked number 9.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Dowser on June 09, 2011
Quote from: LennyJ1 on June 09, 2011
Dowser name everyone like last month please.

Photographers for this months "Stunning View" shots were:

Entry 1 - Andy B
Entry 2 - BMcQueen
Entry 3 - Dowser (Winner)
Entry 4 - Landyliam
Entry 5 - Lennyj
Entry 6 - Matthewrblack
Entry 7 - Oisin
Entry 8 - Redspud
Entry 9 - Sanderson076
Entry 10 - Shamara
Entry 11 - Suspectmonkey
Entry 12 - Vmcc
Entry 13 - Whorya
Entry 14 - Cerbera147
Entry 15 - MikeD

There were some great photographs again this month and it's great to see so many entries coming in.

Oisin's entry with the rainbow got my vote.  I was travelling from Downpatrick to Killyleagh a couple of weeks back and I saw a rainbow in an almost identical setting.  By the time I got a safe place to pull the car over it was beginning to fade  >:(

Oisin, you really were in the right place at the right time... Nice one!!!
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: MikeD on June 09, 2011
some nice photos this month, well done all.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: cerbera147 on June 09, 2011
Do you mean me for No. 14 and Mike for No.15?  :)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Dowser on June 09, 2011
Quote from: cerbera147 on June 09, 2011
Do you mean me for No. 14 and Mike for No.15?  :)

Oops  :-[  Fixed  ;D
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LandyLiam on June 09, 2011
Quote
Mine was the controversial number 14
i voted for you  ;) always been one to support the underdog  :D


(http://i.imgur.com/b1Lf9.jpg)
mine was taken from the peace maze at castlewellan forest park, brilliant view of the mournes from here, spoilt by my shitty photography  ::) it was the day of the annalong valley fires so i blame them for making the mournes a bit hazy, you can the trassey fires just starting on the right hand side, i had just attended a bbq in that area   8) thanks to the 2 that voted for me, i think i could have got more but dowser had to put his masterpiece right above mine :D
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Kayakgirl on June 09, 2011
I really liked yours Liam.. but was swayed by Mike D's, only because that is the one view I would love to see in my life time.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: whoRya on June 09, 2011
I voted Liam's.  I actually wouldn't let the smoke put me off.  I appreciate effort over masterpiece every time.

I think Cerebra's was measured....he took it before the flag went up ;)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Dowser on June 10, 2011
I liked your Errigal Lenny but I would have presented it a bit differently.  I would have cropped out the cars, straightened the horizon and removed the power lines:

(http://i.imgur.com/FdJew.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/wSR7y.jpg)

 8)



Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 10, 2011
Cheers for the hints Andy, Really appreciate it.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: MG1 on June 10, 2011
Great pics i voted for Dowsers. Was MikeD's added later?

Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Dowser on June 10, 2011
Quote from: MG1 on June 10, 2011
Great pics i voted for Dowsers. Was MikeD's added later?



MikeD's came in about three days late but as we all know how laid back he is we have a separate deadline for him written into the rules lol  ;)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: MG1 on June 10, 2011
No it wasn't that. I never saw it.

Where is the picture of Mike? It looks cool.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 10, 2011
Quote from: LandyLiam on June 09, 2011
mine was taken from the peace maze at castlewellan forest park, brilliant view of the mournes from here, spoilt by my sh**ty photography  ::)

Not at all Liam, I really liked that photo!  Great idea, and something I might just have to go and have a go at (they say imitation is the highest form of flattery ;)).  Your photo could be easily tidied up in photo editing software.  Needs a bit of a tweak to the horizon to straighten things up, and the hazy mountains could be helped by playing with curves to improve contrast.  You would probably need to apply a mask so that you only adjusted the upper half of the image, as the lower half is already quite contrasty.  
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Oisín on June 10, 2011
Thanks for the vote! It pays off having that glare on your screen as you can notice a rainbow and snap a picture.   :D

Good entries from all. I'm sure these pictures bring back memories for everyone.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LandyLiam on June 10, 2011
Quote
Your photo could be easily tidied up in photo editing software.
but i'm a purist! or maybe just a bit lazy  ::)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 11, 2011
Quote from: LandyLiam on June 10, 2011
Quote
Your photo could be easily tidied up in photo editing software.
but i'm a purist! or maybe just a bit lazy  ::)

I used to say that as well... but truth told I just had "Photoshop Phobia" and didn't know what to do with all the buttons ;)  Mind you, I still don't know what the majority of the buttons do :D
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: whoRya on June 14, 2011
This raises interesting points.  I think (at present) I'm against the notion using software to manipulate photos.  I'm sure this debate has done the rounds in many places. 

For a photograph to be complimented as "looking like CGI" seems odd to me.  Surely where CGI wants to get to is that it can produce images that are like what the eye or lens could see, not the other way round!  I can appreciate some of the effects used for arts-sake, but that is very different to what inspires me in an amazing photograph.  I've seen some photographs of sunsets that are so vivid in colour that I really don't believe they have ever been seen by anyone.  That goes too far for me, or at least goes into a whole different category, in the box with paintings that have been inspired by the painters imagination.  I like a photo to capture reality.

Errigal does lean to the left from that angle, Lenny took the picture straight.  I don't think he should have tilted his camera to get a straight photograph.  And if there are phone lines in the way....move to another place, otherwise by editing the lines out you are taking a picture of a stunning view that doesn't actually exist in real life, at least not from that exact location anyway.

By the way I'm not making any recommendations for the photo competiton here I'm just airing some thoughts on my own appreciation of what makes a good photograph.  I realise I'm possibly completely hypocritical as I've done things like take a picture in B&W, but for me there is a line, I struggle to define it but I know it when I feel it.  I realise that others differ in their opinions.  Feel free to air them.   
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: Oisín on June 14, 2011
I feel its okay to photo manipulate to make a photo like you actually seen it.

I dont really feel for landscapes its okay to blow it out of the water and look too good.

Oh p.s all you photoshop fan boys, Adobe Lightroom is way better.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: twentyclicks on June 15, 2011
Quote from: whoRya on June 14, 2011

Errigal does lean to the left from that angle, Lenny took the picture straight. 

Houses don't though.... tilting can be creative, or used to focus attention in a particular way, but unless obviously intended it just sits out of sorts and screws with the brain.

Documentary, pure creation, artistic licence... when done honestly I think all are valid in their place. This forum competition is one such place. If you want a pretty picture on your wall, you don't want power lines... if it's a crime scene photo, or photo-journalistic piece then they better be in there along with everything else.

Even saying something like, "it's ok to manipulate a photo to show what I saw at the time", is really quite open. Due to the way our brains interpret a scene in reality is part of why capturing a 2D still is so difficult... When Lenny looked at Errigal I'm pretty sure he didn't really factor the power lines at all in his impressions at the time, so Suspect's suggestion is still appropriate!

HDR is really a colour version of what Ansel Adams was doing with his prints way back... but being B&W to begin with was already abstract; so the effects were more easily accepted. It's an exciting tool but personally I like it like reverb and ketchup: whatever you think is enough is probably twice as much as it needs.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: whoRya on June 15, 2011
If you are like me you'll need to google HDR (http://www.pixiq.com/article/hdr-photography-how-to).  Something tells me googling reverb and ketchup may be more difficult ;D

HDR pic (http://www.flickr.com/photos/codyr/207595990/in/photostream/)
Non HDR pic (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hapgood/304712265)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 15, 2011
HDR is extremely subjective.  Personally if I am processing a photo as HDR I don't want people to know it's been done that way.  I want it to be subtle, rather than be the first thing that pops into the viewers head.  There are loads of people into the "Grunge" effect, but I just can't stomach it at all.  Each to their own though!

I think this is the only HDR image I have on my Flickr account:

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3520/3881804663_7da8262b51_z.jpg?zz=1) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonpatterson/3881804663/)
Ballycopeland (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonpatterson/3881804663/) by jonpatterson (http://www.flickr.com/people/jonpatterson/), on Flickr

Quote from: Oisin on June 14, 2011
Oh p.s all you photoshop fan boys, Adobe Lightroom is way better.

I'm a big fan of Adobe Lightroom and would use it for most of my photo processing.  So much easier to manage your photos and work with RAW files without having to open them in Camera RAW before importing them into PS.  That said, it does have its limitations and beyond a standard workflow with a bit of cloning, dodging and burning it hasn't much else in the way of tools.  I do love the graduated filters though!  Speaking of which I just bought Photoshop CS5 the other day whilst I still have my student discount.  Very good prices on www.software4students.co.uk if you are eligible.  I also got Lightroom 3 through the Adobe Education Store at a good price.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: twentyclicks on June 15, 2011
Nice!

Clever sod on the student software. I went with Aperture as it was cheaper for me but still well regarded.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 15, 2011
You know I've probably earned my course fees back three times over with student discount on software!  Microsoft are especially generous with their MSDN Academic Alliance and Dreamspark offerings, although its largely aimed at software development etc.

I had Aperture when I had my MacBook Pro and was very impressed with it.  Really liked it, but to be honest never dug too deeply into it as I already had Lightroom and couldn't be bothered learning another piece of software.  Definitely much better priced than Lightroom.  The only plus side with LR is that as far as I am aware there is no restriction on how many computers you can install it on.  I was at a camera club meeting with an Adobe Alpha tester and he basically said Adobes plan with the first few releases of LR are to turn a blind eye to people sharing it in the hope it will spread around and more people will use it.  Once people get hooked and the sales figures get up then it will revert back to a limited license.  Clever!
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: pablo on June 23, 2011
i got cs5 for nothing,anyone who pays that much for photo editing software is nuts,you gould get a decent camera for the price of cs5 .

also, there is much opinion on the rights and wrongs of photography but in the final analysis its simply up to wether or not YOU like the shot.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 23, 2011
I need to get Photoshop. a friend was going to get it for me but he seems to of gone into hiding.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: pablo on June 23, 2011
pm me if you want to know how to get it for free.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: whoRya on June 23, 2011
He's a knock-off Nigel, he's a knock-off Nigel. ;)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 24, 2011
Quote from: pablo on June 23, 2011
anyone who pays that much for photo editing software is nuts,you gould get a decent camera for the price of cs5

The full price of Photoshop is prohibitively expensive for most people who aren't earning a living from their photography.  That said, I've no problem paying the money for the education version, as even at £160 I think it is well worth the money.  It's worth bearing in mind that if you are a student (or you have a child who is a student) or are an education employee you can likely avail of this edition, just check the eligibility info on their website (http://www.adobe.com/uk/education/purchasing/qualify.html).  I personally think £160 spent on Photoshop CS5 is much better than £160 spent on a cheap lens - and some people might argue the full £650 asking price for a standard licence of PS is still worth more than the equivalent in glass or camera bodies if you know how to use it.

Another part of the problem is that everyone feels that they have to own Photoshop.  At the risk of sounding hypocritical, it's not the only photo editing suite out there.  GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/) is a well featured image editor that probably rivals features found in earlier versions of PS that cost hundreds of pounds at the time... and its free.  For years I used a program called Paint Shop Pro (http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1184951547051#versionTabview=tab1&tabview=tab0).  Now I haven't used the newer editions by Corel, as it was made by a company called Jasc when I used it, but it is a great alternative to PS that costs less than £50.  Then you have the new breed of photo management software like Adobe Photoshop Lightroom (http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshoplightroom/) and Apple Aperture (http://www.apple.com/aperture/).  One stop shop for photo management and manipulation, and probably all the vast majority of photographers require especially if you aren't big into brushes, masks and layers.  Oh, and I nearly forgot Adobe Photoshop Elements (http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/photoshopel/) which offers the most commonly used tools for photographers at a fraction of the cost.

So, whilst £650+ for the standard home edition of PS CS5 is too much of a stretch for most of our wallets, there are a lot of other options out there that will suit many people.  Oh, and most of the software I've linked to gives free 30 day trials, so you can probably get by with around 6 months of photo editing for free if you use them strategically ;)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 24, 2011
all i want to do is set up a panoramic photo from loads of photos. A friend was going to install it for me but he has dissapered off the face of the earth and I have some great shots from Kili I want to mearge together.

As far as I know Photoshop is the best software for doing this.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: twentyclicks on June 24, 2011
Seconded - there are other options, and the majority of people can't use the majority of features on Photoshop anyway (me included  :D ).


Lenny - try 'Hugin': it is a mad panoramic stitching program that is free. Definitely need to go through the tutorials and do a bit of trial and error, but it gives very good results.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 24, 2011
Cheers TC :)
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 24, 2011
Quote from: LennyJ1 on June 24, 2011
all i want to do is set up a panoramic photo from loads of photos. A friend was going to install it for me but he has dissapered off the face of the earth and I have some great shots from Kili I want to mearge together.

As far as I know Photoshop is the best software for doing this.

Two options.  If you just want to work on stitching your photos from Kili, then download the free 30 day trial of Photoshop CS5.  That will allow you to stitch until your hearts content for a month.  The feature in Photoshop that allows you to do this is called Photomerge, and it's actually pretty good as long as you have decent source photos to work with.  As far as I am aware Photomerge is also in Adobe PS Elements, so you could always consider buying that software if you'd want to use it long term.  Again though I'd recommend downloading the trial version to make sure it does what you want.  If you do decide to buy the full version you can just enter the serial number into the trial version to unlock it.

The other option is to download a free photo stitching program.  There are several out there, although I've never tried any of them personally.  A quick Google suggests a program called Hugin (http://hugin.sourceforge.net/).  Might be worth a try!
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 24, 2011
Quote from: twentyclicks on June 24, 2011
Lenny - try 'Hugin': it is a mad panoramic stitching program that is free. Definitely need to go through the tutorials and do a bit of trial and error, but it gives very good results.

D'oh, should have read that properly before suggesting the exact same program :-[
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 24, 2011
I tried the trial already. What would happen if i try and do the trial again?
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 24, 2011
Quote from: LennyJ1 on June 24, 2011
I tried the trial already. What would happen if i try and do the trial again?

Won't let you use it twice... tried that ;)

Although it will let you trial other Adobe products you might not have tried yet such as PS Elements or Lightroom.
Title: Re: MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION GALLERY - MAY 2011
Post by: pablo on June 26, 2011
try looking on youtube for photoshop tutoriels,Gavin hoeys channel is a great place to learn techniques.

ps, pay 160 quid if you like for photoshop cs5. im sure you,ll sleep better at night.


viva la piratebay!!!