Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: gabrielmoss on March 15, 2006, 01:58:03 pm

Title: I put this in a contest, what are my chances?
Post by: gabrielmoss on March 15, 2006, 01:58:03 pm
i entered it at a whim and now they (photo.com) wants to publish it. i neglected to clone out the thisle in on the right, but i would love some feedback on what you think.

Thank you, Gabriel
Title: I put this in a contest, what are my chances?
Post by: Graham Welland on March 15, 2006, 07:49:59 pm
Quote
i entered it at a whim and now they (photo.com) wants to publish it. i neglected to clone out the thisle in on the right, but i would love some feedback on what you think.

Thank you, Gabriel
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=60370\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I guess it depends upon the theme of the competition really. To quote a common cliche, one thing is for sure, you won't win if you don't enter.

In terms of a shot protraying say 'isolation' or such I could see it being interesting although personally I wouldn't expect it to be a winner. I'd definitely clone out the thistle on the right though - I think it ruins the aesthetic of the overall picture and distracts.
Title: I put this in a contest, what are my chances?
Post by: Gabe on March 15, 2006, 09:07:24 pm
FWIW, I like it! But I definitely agree about the thistle.

And I might lose the little bush off in the distance on the left as well, although I suppose that would depend on how clone-crazy you were willing to go  I can't stop looking at it for some reason though..

What is that thing, anyway?
Title: I put this in a contest, what are my chances?
Post by: jule on March 15, 2006, 09:47:29 pm
Quote
i entered it at a whim and now they (photo.com) wants to publish it. i neglected to clone out the thisle in on the right, but i would love some feedback on what you think.

Thank you, Gabriel

I would be very careful about changing something that has been entered and has been requested to be published - regardless of what improvements you think you can make now. If it were me, I would check with the organisers to verify that alterations to the photograph are accepted ... then clone out the side thistle  
Title: I put this in a contest, what are my chances?
Post by: Ray on March 16, 2006, 03:41:57 am
Nope! Sorry! This shot is only useful for a competition - "What the heck is it?"

(See! I know how to win friends and influence people   ).
Title: I put this in a contest, what are my chances?
Post by: Dale_Cotton on March 16, 2006, 08:02:14 am
FWIW: for me, the portion of thistle on the right keeps the composition from being a simple/boring triangle. If anything I might have increased its presence in the frame but wouldn't have removed it.

The main object seems to be a tattered remnant of a flag (possibly Old Glory?) backlit by the rising sun. The symbolism of the flag still waving despite apparent adversity and of the stars shining through courtesy of a more powerful sun and of an audience of lowly/prickly thistles awaiting what portends to be a pleasant blue-sky day under the proud protection of the long-suffering flag - all this hardly bears thinking about. ;)

My vote: nicely seen! (That said, Ray and Gabe's "what is it?" suggest the possibility that this image might not speak to a non-North-American audience.)
Title: I put this in a contest, what are my chances?
Post by: Ray on March 16, 2006, 10:09:20 am
Ah! I see. Thanks for shedding light on that so eloquently, Dale   .
Title: I put this in a contest, what are my chances?
Post by: Dale_Cotton on March 16, 2006, 11:05:15 am
For eloquence you need to go right to the source:

Quote
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Title: I put this in a contest, what are my chances?
Post by: russell a on March 16, 2006, 02:44:39 pm
Don't do anything to the image.  The flag remnant provides infinite opportunity for viewers to project whatever meaning they wish on the photo - which is what happens in every case.  Forget about the calls to eliminate the thistle on the right - its presence lends authenticity and, agreeing with Dale, above, it keeps it from being a boring "competition-grade" composition.  Good luck in finding this shot, good eye in taking it with the sun positioned behind it.
Title: I put this in a contest, what are my chances?
Post by: Gabe on March 16, 2006, 05:23:14 pm
Quote
For eloquence you need to go right to the source:
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=60431\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I have no idea how I didn't recognise the bits of cloth as shreds of the US flag, but I didn't.. In fact, I completely missed the fact that the holes were actually shaped like stars!      

I swear I really did look at the photo before clacking out my post!


...

I blame the little bush in the distance
Title: I put this in a contest, what are my chances?
Post by: gabrielmoss on March 17, 2006, 02:16:09 pm
Thank you all for your input. it is interesting that there are such varied responses.  i am glad that there was support for the thistle.  

-Gabriel