The annual interclub competition between Bay of Islands, Dargaville, Wellsford and Whangarei was concluded over the weekend, and it seems to have gone well. Wellsford as a club came a valiant third. The points as scored were: Whangarei, 76, BoI 63, Wellsford 61 and Dargaville 56. Next year's event is to be hosted by Dargaville, and the theme is "Negative space".
I've compiled the images, the club and the comments and scores from the judge (Ian Taylor) into the following table.
| Title | Club | Image | Comments | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Above and below | Darg |  |
I like this image with an abstract feel; it represents yin and yang for me and tells me how simple life is. What would lift this image for me is some work to the eye in dodging or colouring, putting a sparkle in. This would have the effect of giving a focal point, to the black blob. It's hard to see the eye at first. I will probably say this a lot tonight good image well seen. |
6 |
| Alone | Boi |  |
An excellent example of pin sharpshooting with a lovely subject. Moreover, if I compare with the previous image, the eye here sparkles. This is a clean and simple image. Although I kept coming back to the background. That line seems so unnatural, and the bokeh so perfect… for a nature subject, it looks as though the duckling has been put in front of a diorama. That being said a lovely image with the light controlled and cropped perfectly. |
5 |
| Arrow rock | Darg |  |
Lovely sunset and the arc of cloud bending from top left sweeping across and down towards the rock is where the picture is. For me, with the intense light source at the top which draws the eye, there is much empty space dominating this image. Perhaps cropping the bottom third of this picture would lift this image to the next level. You might also try boosting (tweaking) the yellow and oranges pinks but only by a minimal amount. This is an excellent image with so much potential. |
4 |
| Autumn in Droplets | Whg |  |
Wow, not sure where I start with this one… The colour tones are well balanced and warm. The author has slipped in a reverse lead-in line, but it works well, and by that, I mean convention says we usually read an image from left to right and typically lead in the bottom left. This image is back to front (conventionally speaking). However, who cares! Every droplet carries the yellow star. It's busy but not overly so and each area the eye rests on has interest. If I were to make a suggestion it might be the dark shade in the bottom left is a bit of a distraction and this could have been cloned out. Otherwise, a stunning image nicely |
8 |
| Beauty in cold Iron | Darg |  |
The backdrop to this image is essential as it gives texture, and a grittiness the goes well with cold iron. However, be careful to check for distractions. The blob in the upper left iron triangle once seen keeps drawing back time after time. Geometric patterns you either love or hate them. I’m a fan. However, I’m not sure that the photographer has squeezed the best out of this iron swirl. Just as we tend not to crop fingers, feet or part of an arm of an image of a person, this geometric pattern has the same feeling. Perhaps a better crop might be before the swirl tapers off. |
5 |
| Blue | Whg |  |
It’s such a privilege to be allowed to climb into someone’s balloon it’s only then you realise just how thin the material is and so translucent. The author here has captured the light, and the image is enjoyable to view. As I said earlier, geometric patterns you either love or hate them. The crop, in this example, plays with the pattern and gets the best out of it. The author even manages to give us a lead-in line, and for an image such as this, it can only really be done in-camera with a bit of post-processing to finish off, well done. |
7 |
| Calm | Wells |  |
If you look at the shadows in this photo along with the reflections, you can see that both add texture to the image. It’s a very relaxing image to view and suits its title. The colour tones are well balanced and work with this watery scene. When I looked closely at this image, there is much digital noise in the rock and water; this could be due to an extreme crop from a much larger image or inadequate lighting conditions. This could have been fixed in post-processing. |
6 |
| Cape Gooseberry | Whg |  |
With this entry, there is a large amount of what could be considered to be empty or dead space. However, here, the photographer has filled it with texture that complements the main act. The Gooseberry is pointing off towards infinity, but the reflection and the seeds seem to draw the eye around and around revealing more and more with each pass. This an exciting composition playing with the Golden Spiral. Well done. |
9 |
| Concrete Jungle | Darg |  |
The crazed texture in the concrete wall is quite exciting, leading in from right to left. This is a very abstract image in that the title is concrete jungle, but we have grasses and plants at the bottom and possible three branches poking out of the recess by the wall. I want to see more and look around the corner. I see the concrete but not the jungle. For me, the point of the picture unclear. This image sharp and clear, although I’m not sure what I’m looking at. |
4 |
| Dragon Fly | Whg |  |
Wow, such detail, the gossamer lines of the spider’s web and the wings. Everything that needs to be in focus is in focus. When it comes to the composition of a picture, there are many things to consider. From the rule of thirds to leading lines, should the image be black and white or colour? What about distractions as well. We sometimes forget about the background, but it can be one of the most critical layers in the picture. While the background doesn’t stand out as much as other details, it is what makes the difference between a great photograph and a mediocre one. Here less is more. The subject carries enough detail to allow the background to support the image. |
7 |
| Early Morning Run | Boi |  |
You can feel the determination and effort in her face, and she is so intent judging by her expression. This is a nicely framed image giving the subject a place to go and room to run. Remember that with photography, the exciting photos are always those that show the viewer something they haven’t seen before, or something from a viewpoint they don’t usually see. Perhaps a little more motion blur or getting down really low. Also, change perspective try shooting from your knees as you’ll capture much more of a dramatic angle. The lower view gives the photo excellent depth. |
4 |
| Eldred Rock Lighthouse Lynn Canal Alaska | Boi |  |
I like the mystery of this lighthouse, and the angle the shot was taken. I can imagine that I’m flying coming out of cloud towards the tower. However, find the pinkie purple vignette a little too overpowering and a bit distracting. That said its nicely framed and draws the eye. The right light is essential in any photography, but it's especially crucial for photographing buildings. Consider the time of day you go out to shoot: the lighthouse would be highly reflective and turn into a blinding ball of light when the sun shines directly on it. The photographer here has made it look wonderfully sinister with the shadows and blurring. |
6 |
| Floating | Whg |  |
So many factors come into play when taking a nature photograph—sun, clouds, wind, rain, lighting and shadows to name but a few. The subtle use of vignette and the delicate lighting gives this image something extra. This image is about planning or preparing, either over a period of years as your experience grows. Watching how the light plays on the leaf at different times of the day and under different cloud conditions. Paying attention to the patterns of pondweed that creates the background texture, it’s about being patient and taking your time. I can imagine it dropping from the tree and landing in the weed-covered pond. Nice composition. |
9 |
| Flower | Wells |  |
One great way to tell a story with your flower images is to select a flower and show part of its life cycle at some point in the growing season. Earthy tones in the subject add an exciting texture as does the unusual background. Flowers are such beautiful things, and some are so intricately detailed that you must shoot as close as possible as the author of this image did. My only comment would be this image feels a little static, and I wondered if cropping this to give it a diagonal flow would introduce movement. |
4 |
| Follow me | Wells |  |
Knowing the sport and predicting what's coming in the few moments helps to set up a great shot. Maybe this is a grab shot from a chairlift of a border weaving his way into the powder zone. The photographer here has got an eye for those moments. So simple, such an elegant line in the snow. Nicely cropped and leads the eye from bottom to top. The lighting merely perfect with shadow. |
8 |
| Forest path | Darg |  |
Photographing a path can such a difficult task to get it just right. Every time I looked at this image, it pulled me in along the forest path, and I found I was wondering what was around the corner. The use of solid but subtle lead lines and canopy direct the eye to where you should be looking. The lighting on the tree leaves gives interest. Just be careful if you're boosting the colours it’s easy to overdo it. |
7 |
| Girl in the woods | Boi |  |
Photography composition is a massive topic with many rules, and most of these rules can also be broken to create a compelling image. There is a sense of movement with this double or triple exposure image. ‘Good light’ can also mean exciting light. Here the lighting is exquisite, and the image well-composed. Timing is everything, and the expression on this girl’s face gives an air of mystery and an ethereal quality. |
7 |
| Innocence Revealed | Darg |  |
Choosing a time when your subjects are distracted with an activity to get a candid photo of them looking happy and unaware of your camera can give priceless images. I wonder what he’s going to do next, as he’s picked up the sand. She is also looking with interest. Two youngsters are walking hand in hand down the beach. Beautiful composition and lighting well balanced, attractive to view |
6 |
| Isolation | Wells |  |
Coming from the UK being alone at the beach is a dream that comes true, here in NZ. One common problem with landscape beach photographs is that while they might capture a beautiful scene, they have no point of interest and can, as a result, be empty and boring. This image very clearly has a point of interest or a place for their eye to rest. The patterns in the sand and the fresh colours of the sky add interest. And much more interesting is the way the eye is drawn to the boulder by a subtle lead-in line of ripples which also give foreground interest. Well done. |
7 |
| Just Three | Wells |  |
Again, this simple grey background has texture and keeps interested. I like this idea of this it’s effortless and makes a statement. The light reflects off the subject in a particularly pleasing way, i.e. the sparkle from the pearls. However, there is much negative space. To the author, see what you think but try cropping into a portrait format and put the bottom edge of the pearl holder into the corner. I had a go at this at home, and it gave movement and made the subject more whip-like moving towards me. |
6 |
| Lily | Wells |  |
An excellent choice of colours this time, very bold and in your face. Although I do think this image could have been a little more at an angle to lead the viewer into the picture and in this case, cropped a little tighter to reduce the dead space. The lily has a good sense of movement and flows leading to the top of the image, but a few imperfections distract one. Try cropping a little more off the right-hand side and see what you think. |
4 |
| Magic Carpet | Whg |  |
This is an unusual but exciting image; it certainly fits the brief of simplicity. With its skeletal form, this abstract image triggers emotional responses and imaginations by including an element of mystery and intrigue, and this image pushes those boundaries. The picture looks or represents a flying carpet. Although I’m not sure that it's flying towards me or going backwards. Unusually the lead in line travels from top left into the canvas. Again, exceptionally with so little in subject content, there is very little dead space. |
7 |
| Nathaniel | Wells |  |
You don’t always need to take photos from the front when taking a portrait; this is an excellent example with Nathaniel looking away into the distant right…. Almost a dreamy state is created. The light is very well controlled, and the set-up with one leading light, simple. However, the light gives another dimension with the model, with the hint of light hitting his eyelids makes a lovely composition. |
9 |
| Pencils | Boi |  |
This is so simple but also remarkably clever. Well framed and well cropped the symmetry created here is subline. There is, however, one fault and, in a competition, it could break or make the result. Top left there is a pink chalk or pencil line/scribble which screams out at me. Cleaning an image like this is a must, and you should always check. |
7 |
| Plop | Whg |  |
The image sharp and crisp in all the right places, droplets like these can be very difficult to capture, you either get it the first time or spend all day at it. The light play has been so well done the green of the droplet caught in the radiating ripples below. Well done |
10 |
| Ploughed Field | Wells |  |
Judging by the long shadow from the tree, this has been taken close to the golden hour, which gives the image its warm earthy tones and the movement in the surrounding earth. The solitary tree and subtle greens of the foliage make it a pleasure to judge. A slightly different crop would have given a perfect lead-in line. The letterbox presentation suits this image. Well done. |
7 |
| Poppy and Friend | Wells |  |
Flowers are such beautiful things, and some are so intricately detailed, but when shooting up close, the depth of field is razor-thin and presents some challenges for getting enough of the flower in focus. Poppy and friend are pin sharp with just the right amount of depth of field and such beautiful bokeh. The complimentary colours work well and warm the image. Robust and assertive lead-in line. There is no mistake where the photographer wants your eye to follow. |
6 |
| Rocks | Wells |  |
Not sure about rocks but this could be the lost city of Atlantis. I like the reflection and the texture of the stones or bricks. The viewpoint detracts from the composition; it’s just a bit too square on. Perhaps a different angle or different crop from the top of the image to hide all but the bottom course of rocks. I tried rotating this image 90 degrees anticlockwise, and it made such a difference to the perspective and curiosity value. |
4 |
| Rose | Darg |  |
When viewing, I was always hoping that the rose would open up and reveal more of the hidden flower. The angle or perspective the photographer has chosen shows just how delicate the petals are waferthin and almost glowing as the light bounces of the flower. Good control of light and depth of field. Nicely framed an excellent composition. |
6 |
| Safe Inside the Boulderbank | Boi |  |
I like the isolation of this image and being in the calm sea the boats are undoubtedly safe. However, cutting the sky and the sea into a 50/50 split lets down this picture as the subject is too centred. For me, the foreground dominates the image rather than framing it. The colours are a little flat but using selective contrast, or a graduated filter could have punched drama into sky suggesting why these boats were safe. |
4 |
| Sage | Darg |  |
You don’t have to follow conventions. Half the fun is post-processing. The raw image is just a starting point, a kind of canvas for your work of art. Black and White can do so much for a picture, and this image and its treatment is no exception. It feels moody and possibly foreboding, the leaf coming out towards us looks like it’s reaching out… it’s only a plant – right! The shadows in the photo add to the texture of the image and also provide several lead-in lines that draw you to the focal point. Is this simplicity? |
7 |
| Simple Beauty | Boi |  |
I agree with the title of simply beautiful. To make images that are a little more creative and dynamic, you will need to change your perspective a little. This is so delicate almost pastel with warm hues and sharp where it needs to be. The author has taken the time to blend the flower into the background or the background into the flower. If I’m to suggest anything, then it might be that the top petal is cropped a little too tightly. This could have been fixed in Photoshop to give the flower space. |
7 |
| Simplicity Petals | Whg |  |
Is simplicity the suggestion of the flower, or some other story perhaps, are those tears or just water droplets. The author here is telling a story, letting our imaginations run free. The use of colour and choice of background material help to concentrate the eye on the petals but keep the background interesting. The water droplets must have taken some precision placement. Well done. |
8 |
| Simplicity Vase | Whg |  |
This is a lovely image the lighting has been very well controlled. The even light and the lack of shadow give it a simplistic feel. However, I think some attention to detail is required. An improvement in cropping out the corner of the table would take away this distraction. Also, marks on the wall behind that could easily be cleaned up with the clone tool. Although the table is level the vase seems to lean, this is probably a perspective thing from the angle the camera was held. |
4 |
| Softly Glowing | Boi |  |
Here the bookshelf the candle sits on rakes upward, but the candle dominates this image keeps everything in perspective. This, to me, is a classical still life composition. This style of photography is one of the best ways you can brush up on all your photography skills as you control everything. However, getting it right is not that easy. I’ve heard of people taking days or weeks to set up a shot such as this. Softly glowing suits its title, this is quintessentially still life at its best. |
8 |
| Sweet Indulgence | Darg |  |
Butterflies are some of nature’s most beautiful and challenging to photograph insects. They are continuously on the move and are spooked easily. Some of the best photographers sit for hours and take thousands of pictures before getting the image they are looking for. Pin sharp with beautiful bokeh. The complimentary colours work well and warm the image. Capturing a butterfly takes some effort (I've tried). The angle of the head and makes it look as though the eye is peering at us. |
7 |
| Tranquillity Shoreline | Boi |  |
There is an appropriate depth of field with this photo but more than that the pastel colours and shallow angle of the shot with the distance blurring away into infinity are so relaxing to view. This image reminds me of those summer walks on a beach. I could see this image hanging on a bathroom wall. I mean it’s got a commercial quality to it. The picture demands my attention, an excellent composition which suits its letterbox treatment. |
8 |
| Tui | Darg |  |
Beautiful and simple plain white background. Tuis always seem to me to have such an attitude or presence in this image. However, when I looked closely at branch there appeared to be a dirty line around it. In fact, it’s around the whole photographic part of the image. This can be from one of two things. Either the bird was so far away from the camera when the original shot was taken, and the enlargement has left visible artefacts around the cut-out. Alternatively, it’s been poorly cut out and painted over. I tend to think this was the former. These artefacts are a distraction that can be seen without having to magnify the image. For the competition, you must be so meticulous. Tuis are such beautiful subjects, and this is an excellent example of what they can do within a frame. It’s a lovely picture but one which needs more care taken. |
4 |
| Two Spot Demoiselle 1080 | Boi |  |
Great lead-in line and the fish grows as the eye moves from the tail to the head. However, this image is so much more than rules. The image is quirky, even humorous; in other words, it evokes emotion and makes me smile when I first saw it. The angle the fish has been taken gives this image a bold attitude. The catch light in the eye and B+W treatment holds one’s attention. Well done. |
7 |
| Well-loved | Whg |  |
Now here’s a statement, with a pair of shoes. I’ll start at the outside and work my way in. I like the border although adding borders today seems a bit old fashioned, I miss them. So well done for going against convention. The photographer here has demonstrated proper control of the light, and the background is clean from artefacts. Being picky which I have to be, a bit of soap and water on the sole of both shoes to clean the brown mud marks off would have lifted this elegant pair of shoes. However, I like the symmetry and the bold contrast of colours. The shape the shoes describe is attractive to the eye. |
7 |