PHOTO COMPETITION — COMMENTS THREAD

beed84 · November 2019

There's some great entries here this month, which I'm happy to see. I was getting worried that people had lost interest, but then they all came flooding in at once. Seriously, I'm really pleased you're all taking the time to do this

Due to much dithering, I had to resort to my iPhone SE (great idea to allow phones) and did a tiny bit of editing in the Photos app. Quite pleased with the result, even it it was rushed/not my first choice. Hopefully I'll be using my camera next time.

Oh and @poopot. Consider this a written warning. Three strikes and you're out

ThePrettyDamned · November 2019

Edit:fail

stickyfiddle · November 2019

beed84 said:

There's some great entries here this month, which I'm happy to see. I was getting worried that people had lost interest, but then they all came flooding in at once. Seriously, I'm really pleased you're all taking the time to do this

Due to much dithering, I had to resort to my iPhone SE (great idea to allow phones) and did a tiny bit of editing in the Photos app. Quite pleased with the result, even it it was rushed/not my first choice. Hopefully I'll be using my camera next time.

Oh and @poopot. Consider this a written warning. Three strikes and you're out

Not a chance. Not yet anyway

I'm planning to be in every time for the foreseeable - one shot a month should never be too much of a burden. I'm not sure about everyone else, but I can see myself generally entering towards the end of the submission period, just to give me a chance of shooting something early that's good, then trying to better it before I submit. To be honest, being in a bunch of Japanese national parks I had about 8 "potentials" this month, though I can't say that will happen most months!

I also would be interested to see everyone else's rejected shots or alternatively-processed versions. Presumably this would be the right place to post those?

skullfunkerry · November 2019

Jimbro66 said:

skullfunkerry said:

Here's another question: looking through the photos thread it looks like most people shoot in 4:3... what are everyone's thoughts on 16:9? (Or am I overthinking this?)

4:3 is the Olympus and Panasonic standard. Most other cameras use the older 3:2 format.

If you shoot in 16:9 format you are effectively cutting off large slices of your camera’s sensor and reducing resolution. If you want panoramic shots it is better to take a few pictures and stitch them together using editing software or some cameras have the built-In facility to do that. To get good panoramas though you will need a tripod.

I think my camera takes the biggest (most MP) shots in 16:9, and then if you set it to the 3:2 (my mistake about 4:3) it crops off the edges...

Fretwired · November 2019

Bridgehouse said:

Fretwired said:

It's called the Halloween tree ... a nod to the Sleepy Hollow film.

Olympus E-M10 Mark III 1/1600 sec. f/9 25 mm, ISO 200. I used a b&w effect on the camera and a little post-processing to create a spooky pic.

I see you are making good use of that new camera already @Fretwired

Yep .. still learning. Luckily there's some good stuff on YouTube. Trying to stay off auto mode and learn to use the camera .. got some great shots of a grandson the other week. This was trying to be a little arty with a spooky old lime tree ..

Jimbro66 · November 2019

skullfunkerry said:

Jimbro66 said:

skullfunkerry said:

Here's another question: looking through the photos thread it looks like most people shoot in 4:3... what are everyone's thoughts on 16:9? (Or am I overthinking this?)

4:3 is the Olympus and Panasonic standard. Most other cameras use the older 3:2 format.

If you shoot in 16:9 format you are effectively cutting off large slices of your camera’s sensor and reducing resolution. If you want panoramic shots it is better to take a few pictures and stitch them together using editing software or some cameras have the built-In facility to do that. To get good panoramas though you will need a tripod.

I think my camera takes the biggest (most MP) shots in 16:9, and then if you set it to the 3:2 (my mistake about 4:3) it crops off the edges...

Hmm, that’s interesting. Which camera is that you are using mate?

skullfunkerry · November 2019

Jimbro66 said:

skullfunkerry said:

Jimbro66 said:

skullfunkerry said:

Here's another question: looking through the photos thread it looks like most people shoot in 4:3... what are everyone's thoughts on 16:9? (Or am I overthinking this?)

4:3 is the Olympus and Panasonic standard. Most other cameras use the older 3:2 format.

If you shoot in 16:9 format you are effectively cutting off large slices of your camera’s sensor and reducing resolution. If you want panoramic shots it is better to take a few pictures and stitch them together using editing software or some cameras have the built-In facility to do that. To get good panoramas though you will need a tripod.

I think my camera takes the biggest (most MP) shots in 16:9, and then if you set it to the 3:2 (my mistake about 4:3) it crops off the edges...

Hmm, that’s interesting. Which camera is that you are using mate?

Fujifilm X-T20. I had a look this morning actually, and you were right - 3:2 is the biggest image

Jimbro66 · November 2019

skullfunkerry said:

Jimbro66 said:

skullfunkerry said:

Jimbro66 said:

skullfunkerry said:

Here's another question: looking through the photos thread it looks like most people shoot in 4:3... what are everyone's thoughts on 16:9? (Or am I overthinking this?)

4:3 is the Olympus and Panasonic standard. Most other cameras use the older 3:2 format.

If you shoot in 16:9 format you are effectively cutting off large slices of your camera’s sensor and reducing resolution. If you want panoramic shots it is better to take a few pictures and stitch them together using editing software or some cameras have the built-In facility to do that. To get good panoramas though you will need a tripod.

I think my camera takes the biggest (most MP) shots in 16:9, and then if you set it to the 3:2 (my mistake about 4:3) it crops off the edges...

Hmm, that’s interesting. Which camera is that you are using mate?

Fujifilm X-T20. I had a look this morning actually, and you were right - 3:2 is the biggest image

Nice camera the X-T20. Not much you can’t do with one of those. Fuji has terrific lenses too. A good choice. Looking forward to your entry for the December comp

skullfunkerry · November 2019

Jimbro66 said:

Nice camera the X-T20. Not much you can’t do with one of those. Fuji has terrific lenses too. A good choice. Looking forward to your entry for the December comp

Thank you very much!

It is a lovely camera. I got quite despondent while I was out the other night taking pictures, and I was thinking that it's too good for me and I should sell it and get a decent point and shoot instead... but then I look at some of the photos that come out of it and I stop thinking that! This is one that I took while I was trying to find one for this month's competition:

stickyfiddle · November 2019

skullfunkerry said:

Jimbro66 said:

Nice camera the X-T20. Not much you can’t do with one of those. Fuji has terrific lenses too. A good choice. Looking forward to your entry for the December comp

Thank you very much!

It is a lovely camera. I got quite despondent while I was out the other night taking pictures, and I was thinking that it's too good for me and I should sell it and get a decent point and shoot instead... but then I look at some of the photos that come out of it and I stop thinking that! This is one that I took while I was trying to find one for this month's competition:

Wis for this. You'll find you quickly raise your game as you know the camera will take you wherever you're going. It's really nice when you have a great camera, as it lets you focus (no pun intended) on light & composition and rely on the camera to do the rest really well.

I assume you're on the kit 18-55? Just wait till you try a prime or two. I love the 35mm f1.4 like a child....

skullfunkerry · November 2019

stickyfiddle said:

skullfunkerry said:

Jimbro66 said:

Nice camera the X-T20. Not much you can’t do with one of those. Fuji has terrific lenses too. A good choice. Looking forward to your entry for the December comp

Thank you very much!

It is a lovely camera. I got quite despondent while I was out the other night taking pictures, and I was thinking that it's too good for me and I should sell it and get a decent point and shoot instead... but then I look at some of the photos that come out of it and I stop thinking that! This is one that I took while I was trying to find one for this month's competition:

Wis for this. You'll find you quickly raise your game as you know the camera will take you wherever you're going. It's really nice when you have a great camera, as it lets you focus (no pun intended) on light & composition and rely on the camera to do the rest really well.

I assume you're on the kit 18-55? Just wait till you try a prime or two. I love the 35mm f1.4 like a child....

Yep, only got the one lens at the moment... I should probably stop spending money on guitars and save up for another one or two!

beed84 · November 2019

@cj73 I'll let you off just this once

cj73 · November 2019

beed84 said:

@cj73 I'll let you off just this once

Many thanks @beed84. It was an administrative oversight and the relevant flunkeys have been sacked

beed84 · November 2019

cj73 said:

beed84 said:

@cj73 I'll let you off just this once

Many thanks @beed84. It was an administrative oversight and the relevant flunkeys have been sacked

No problem. To prevent these sort of administrative shenanigans, I’m going to specify an actual closing time for the next competition.

@ThePrettyDamned although @Bridgehouse will no doubt be feeling pretty good about himself, could you vote your top three please

dazzajl · November 2019

Ah crap!!

What a daft sod, I didn’t actually read the details and thought I had more time. Had a shot in my pocket and made time today to go and get, what I thought was, a better idea.

Maybe if this months winner chooses Muppets as the next theme I can just shoot a self portrait

I did think that the turnout would go down this month as shooting guitars would be easier for folks. How fabulously wrong I was and what a brilliant selection of shots everyone has entered. I’ve enjoyed every one of them.

beed84 · November 2019

Really good competition this month with some splendid shots. I'm pretty stoked to be getting some votes, too – they've certainly boosted my motivation/interest for the hobby

dazzajl said:

Ah crap!!

What a daft sod, I didn’t actually read the details and thought I had more time. Had a shot in my pocket and made time today to go and get, what I thought was, a better idea.

Maybe if this months winner chooses Muppets as the next theme I can just shoot a self portrait

I did think that the turnout would go down this month as shooting guitars would be easier for folks. How fabulously wrong I was and what a brilliant selection of shots everyone has entered. I’ve enjoyed every one of them.

Sorry you missed the deadline dude. If voting hadn't started I'd have squeezed you in if I could. At least you now know for next time.

Muppets maybe, but I'm sure you have the face of an adonis

Bridgehouse · November 2019

Another really difficult voting choice.

I'd swapped my 1, 2 and 3 around a few times before I pressed Post Comment.

I'd say it's a really good thing though - lots of talented picture takers on here - interesting subjects, great technique, nothing cliche or technical but dull - just great photos.

And every single entry was again really very good.

boogieman · November 2019

Agreed, some great shots. I almost went for Poopot as the winner again, the only thing that put me off was the background blur looked slightly manufactured, almost as if it was done in post.

ThePrettyDamned · November 2019

I chose my photo because it's different to every shot on the same shoot, which were mostly macro mushroom shots.

Not sure what I'll work on in the next month. I only have a 50mm lens so a bit restrictive.

Bridgehouse · November 2019

@ThePrettyDamned - that shroom shot is superb.

You don’t seem to be very restricted by the 50mm. It’s my fave focal length.

boogieman · November 2019

Funnily enough I've been doing some fungi shots lately too. The stuff on the tree was almost my submission for the Parklife competition......still don't know if I chose the right shot.

littlegreenman · November 2019

I didn't actually take my pic specifically for the comp, just used one from last month I had on my phone that seemed to fit the brief.

I don't actually own a camera, just have whatever's on the Galaxy S10. Will try harder next time

Was originally planning on this one, but it looked too much like @Fretwired's one

Highkicking!

Image may contain tree plant sky outdoor and nature

#wingingit

ThePrettyDamned · November 2019

Bridgehouse said:

@ThePrettyDamned - that shroom shot is superb.

You don’t seem to be very restricted by the 50mm. It’s my fave focal length.

It was taken on a borrowed 90mm macro...

50mm is fine to be honest, I can make it work. And it cost less than 60 quid from mpb so who's complaining?

ToneControl · November 2019

dazzajl said:

Small minded, narrow sighted, uncreative, judgemental and nasty gear collectors are what drove me away from Photography forums.

If you see shots in your mind that you’re unable to translate through your camera, then learning more about how your camera works and why is definitely the next step for you. If you’re happy keeping the camera on Idiots Auto and pointing it at stuff you like, then more power to you.

I’m a working snapper and how my images are made is about the only thing in life I get precious about. I still stick a camera on full auto all the time if I’m grab shooting and don’t have a finished image in mind.

Also, some of the people who’s photos I love the most have no idea what the camera is doing, they simply have a fantastic eye for balance and composition. These are the great photographers to me.

I remember one friend getting his first autofocus compact 35mm camera around 1993-94, and starting to come up with well-composed pictures just from days out with his girlfriend after 3 rolls of film, and no training or research.

Contrast that with a guy who worked for me around 2007, who bought a decent Canon small-sensor DSLR, and took photography incredibly seriously, who was still taking truly awful photos at least 3 years later. Another guy from back then bought a 5D and all the glass, and took the most boring photos too. Mind you, that reflected his personality I think.

ToneControl · November 2019

skullfunkerry said:

Here's another question: looking through the photos thread it looks like most people shoot in 4:3... what are everyone's thoughts on 16:9? (Or am I overthinking this?)

I always crop in the editing software later, probably a habit from 35mm days, but if you know you want a different crop when you are taking the photo, that's the sign of a photographer who is thinking about the image - so must be a good thing.

Having said that, I wouldn't recommend using 16:9 for everything

ToneControl · November 2019

Bridgehouse said:

Nowt wrong with full auto - some of my all time favourite cameras are auto only. Olympus Trip 35 for instance.

I totally agree with the view that technically understanding how every facet of a camera works inside out and having an opinion about its usage in photography doesn’t make a good photographer, nor does is guarantee any decent pictures at all..

I think it's a bit like learning to drive, ultimately it's about steering the car and stopping and accelerating at the right times, rather than how to use manual gearboxes

There's certainly some things you can do manually with a car or a camera that aren't normally possible in auto mode, but 95% of photos can be taken on auto.

I used to use a pro Nikon film scanner on my negatives, but I found that it was far easier to post-process DSLR images taken in RAW mode.

Therefore to most people starting out, I would recommend using auto but saving images in RAW mode.
Also, learning how to use a polarising filter and gradient filters should be near the top of the list of people wanting to take landscapes

boogieman · November 2019

ToneControl said: I remember one friend getting his first autofocus compact 35mm camera around 1993-94, and starting to come up with well-composed pictures just from days out with his girlfriend after 3 rolls of film, and no training or research.

Contrast that with a guy who worked for me around 2007, who bought a decent Canon small-sensor DSLR, and took photography incredibly seriously, who was still taking truly awful photos at least 3 years later. Another guy from back then bought a 5D and all the glass, and took the most boring photos too. Mind you, that reflected his personality I think.

My dad was the ultimate all the gear and no idea photographer. He had some nice cameras over the years but always managed to screw up the shots somehow, usually vastly overexposed or out of focus. He was also pretty mean with his film... when he died I was going through his stuff and found one 24 shot slide film that he’d somehow managed to eke out over two years, including a spectacular trip across the mountains from Switzerland into Italy.

Contrast that with his brother, who only had a fairly modest SLR, but did all his own developing and printing and turned out some lovely shots.

Jonathangus · November 2019

Tremendous fungi pics, @boogieman !

@ThePrettyDamned - I can see yours on my phone but for some reason they're not showing on my PC, so I can't see them in all their glory.

Jimbro66 · November 2019

boogieman said:

Agreed, some great shots. I almost went for Poopot as the winner again, the only thing that put me off was the background blur looked slightly manufactured, almost as if it was done in post.

Yes, I had only seen it on my mobile but when I was able to view it on my Eizo monitor the background blur did seem to happen rather unnaturally. It would be interesting to know the details of the shot. Despite that it remained my personal favourite overall in a very close-run race.

The Instagram entry from ThePrettyDammed was tiny on my phone and even on my desktop monitor was much smaller than all the other entries and so unfortunately very difficult to compare.

FWIW I actually preferred boogieman's beautiful tree fungus shot to the submitted image, which just goes to show how much assessing the entries is a matter of personal preference

I'll just say well done to everyone who entered. Can't wait for the December comp

boogieman · November 2019

Jimbro66 said:

boogieman said:

Agreed, some great shots. I almost went for Poopot as the winner again, the only thing that put me off was the background blur looked slightly manufactured, almost as if it was done in post.

Yes, I had only seen it on my mobile but when I was able to view it on my Eizo monitor the background blur did seem to happen rather unnaturally. It would be interesting to know the details of the shot. Despite that it remained my personal favourite overall in a very close-run race.

The Instagram entry from ThePrettyDammed was tiny on my phone and even on my desktop monitor was much smaller than all the other entries and so unfortunately very difficult to compare.

FWIW I actually preferred boogieman's beautiful tree fungus shot to the submitted image, which just goes to show how much assessing the entries is a matter of personal preference

I'll just say well done to everyone who entered. Can't wait for the December comp

Thanks for the comment @Jimbro66. I thought the dog shot fitted the brief better but I liked both pics...it was a hard choice. Both were taken with my new (to me) Sony Rx100 rather than my usual Canon 5d3. It’s a cracking thing, the image quality is stunning for such a tiny little camera.

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PHOTO COMPETITION — COMMENTS THREAD

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