You mean January's challenge? Because December is already planned to be "Best of " and open themed. *See the first entry of this thread for more specifics.*
You mean January's challenge? Because December is already planned to be "Best of " and open themed. *See the first entry of this thread for more specifics.*
He has been DYING for that challenge! I think given the off month, how about a contest thread JUST for Qarik.
Daniel, upload your favorite cake and ring shots and we'll vote for your best one!
Matthew SavilleRegistered Users, Retired ModPosts: 3,352Major grins
edited December 3, 2010
Alright so, time to judge! I'm shooting Childrens' theater every single day this week though, so I might not get a final decision for a couple more days.
Alright so, time to judge! I'm shooting Childrens' theater every single day this week though, so I might not get a final decision for a couple more days.
=Matt=
Hi all, been offline for a couple of days as we just moved into a new place. Keep us posted Matt! The winners new challenge-theme will be happening in JANUARY, as we'll do a best of 2010 challenge for December. I'll create a new gallery for that one by tomorrow, need to fight my never ending list of emails first
Matt: T Shirt & Tennis shoes at a wedding - not cool
Not sure what this means, kinda cryptic. Care to elaborate? (Edit: Oh, are you talking about the sample image I posted? The photographer in the picture is the bride's brother...)
I'm on an airplane right now, doing my final decision and write-up... :-)
Matthew SavilleRegistered Users, Retired ModPosts: 3,352Major grins
edited December 13, 2010
Winner: #22 - Matthew McCulloch - LightCraft!!
Tender moment, well composed, well lit, well timed. Tastefully high-key exposure, I can tell that it would have not had nearly as much impact if it had been even 1/2 of a stop darker. Also there are no distractions, just their expressions captured by a real artist. Good work!
2nd Place: #16 - Urbanaries!!
Beautiful light, love the deep shadows, beautiful setting, love the un-distracting composition and I only wish that it had maybe been a wider shot, maybe horizontal. The vertical works great though, with that ceiling and then the reflective dance floor. Beautiful!
3rd Place: #29 - Quarik!!
I dunno what it is, but 2010 has been the year I fall in love with dramatic light and shadow. I guess I've just seen too many perfectly exposed images already, I need something to really jump out at me these days. And a tiny bit of rim light in a sea of black, now that really jumps out. My only quibble is that the moment between these two could have been a little more intimate; I know that not every couple is all lovey-dovey, but I wish they were just about to kiss or something, or at least a little bit closer. And I also wish that their faces were equally rim-lit; maybe if they had rotated clockwise just a few degrees more, or you had taken a few steps to your right. But like I said, still a winning image by any means. :-D
A critique of the others: Remember, this is just my personal taste, preference, and opinion. I'm not a professional critic, I'm just rattling off the first things that come to mind. So please don't be hurt.
Anywho, I did see a lot of "plain" bounced flash, and distracting backgrounds. I would recommend that when shooting a wedding reception, either shoot ambient and go low-key, or use directional off-camera light, maybe even with a snoot so that stray flash doesn't spill onto floors, walls, and backgrounds etc. Especially when bouncing light, because of the distance it has to travel when bouncing, things tend to look very evenly exposed for both the subject and the background. While that might be a good thing for certain compositions where there is a very important element in the background, most of the time it just makes the image flat and boring.
Also, while I don't agree with shallow depth just for the sake of shallow depth, it is important to consider your aperture and compare it to how distracting the background is going to get. A lot of the time either shooting wide open, or changing the composition slightly to frame distracting elements AWAY from the subject, can go a very long way...
Alright, that's all for now folks! I'm humbled to have this opportunity to "judge" a contest. :-)
To many awesome ring shooters around here. Judging rings would suck for sure!! Ha! I think I will wait to announce it until 2011. Maybe I'll do it right after the toast! I'm going to be in Ft. Meyers Beach, bar hopping on a boat, so... maybe not the best idea!
Matt
Lynn, I have to say I really like your image... Quarik, yours is great too. A lot of awesome images in this one.
Comments
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
14-24 24-70 70-200mm (vr2)
85 and 50 1.4
45 PC and sb910 x2
http://www.danielkimphotography.com
You mean January's challenge? Because December is already planned to be "Best of " and open themed.
*See the first entry of this thread for more specifics.*
He has been DYING for that challenge! I think given the off month, how about a contest thread JUST for Qarik.
Daniel, upload your favorite cake and ring shots and we'll vote for your best one!
(but seriously):D
50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 24-70 2.8L, 35mm 1.4L, 135mm f2L
ST-E2 Transmitter + (3) 580 EXII + radio poppers
We should do one *just* for him. It could be a Qarik Christmas present.:stud
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
Hi all, been offline for a couple of days as we just moved into a new place. Keep us posted Matt! The winners new challenge-theme will be happening in JANUARY, as we'll do a best of 2010 challenge for December. I'll create a new gallery for that one by tomorrow, need to fight my never ending list of emails first
Thanks for your patience!!
Facebook: Friend / Fan || Twitter: @shimamizu || Google Plus
that will do... hahaha!
14-24 24-70 70-200mm (vr2)
85 and 50 1.4
45 PC and sb910 x2
http://www.danielkimphotography.com
Matt, any news??
ditto... any updates?
Facebook: Friend / Fan || Twitter: @shimamizu || Google Plus
I'm on an airplane right now, doing my final decision and write-up... :-)
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
Tender moment, well composed, well lit, well timed. Tastefully high-key exposure, I can tell that it would have not had nearly as much impact if it had been even 1/2 of a stop darker. Also there are no distractions, just their expressions captured by a real artist. Good work!
2nd Place: #16 - Urbanaries!!
Beautiful light, love the deep shadows, beautiful setting, love the un-distracting composition and I only wish that it had maybe been a wider shot, maybe horizontal. The vertical works great though, with that ceiling and then the reflective dance floor. Beautiful!
3rd Place: #29 - Quarik!!
I dunno what it is, but 2010 has been the year I fall in love with dramatic light and shadow. I guess I've just seen too many perfectly exposed images already, I need something to really jump out at me these days. And a tiny bit of rim light in a sea of black, now that really jumps out. My only quibble is that the moment between these two could have been a little more intimate; I know that not every couple is all lovey-dovey, but I wish they were just about to kiss or something, or at least a little bit closer. And I also wish that their faces were equally rim-lit; maybe if they had rotated clockwise just a few degrees more, or you had taken a few steps to your right. But like I said, still a winning image by any means. :-D
A critique of the others: Remember, this is just my personal taste, preference, and opinion. I'm not a professional critic, I'm just rattling off the first things that come to mind. So please don't be hurt.
Anywho, I did see a lot of "plain" bounced flash, and distracting backgrounds. I would recommend that when shooting a wedding reception, either shoot ambient and go low-key, or use directional off-camera light, maybe even with a snoot so that stray flash doesn't spill onto floors, walls, and backgrounds etc. Especially when bouncing light, because of the distance it has to travel when bouncing, things tend to look very evenly exposed for both the subject and the background. While that might be a good thing for certain compositions where there is a very important element in the background, most of the time it just makes the image flat and boring.
Also, while I don't agree with shallow depth just for the sake of shallow depth, it is important to consider your aperture and compare it to how distracting the background is going to get. A lot of the time either shooting wide open, or changing the composition slightly to frame distracting elements AWAY from the subject, can go a very long way...
Alright, that's all for now folks! I'm humbled to have this opportunity to "judge" a contest. :-)
Take care,
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
Matt
Bodies: Canon 5d mkII, 5d, 40d
Lenses: 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f4.0L, 135 f2L, 85 f1.8, 50 1.8, 100 f2.8 macro, Tamron 28-105 f2.8
Flash: 2x 580 exII, Canon ST-E2, 2x Pocket Wizard flexTT5, and some lower end studio strobes
Now, Matt, pick Jan's challenge suited for Qarik. He is desperate to enter. Sorta.
www.tednghiem.com
(And Qarik, I love that image too!)
50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 24-70 2.8L, 35mm 1.4L, 135mm f2L
ST-E2 Transmitter + (3) 580 EXII + radio poppers
Have to say I absolutely loved all three!
Congratulations!
14-24 24-70 70-200mm (vr2)
85 and 50 1.4
45 PC and sb910 x2
http://www.danielkimphotography.com
I think you might need some Riiiicolaaaaa
Matt, you'll have to let us know about the new JANUARY challenge (but send me a PM first, so I can set up the gallery
Matt
Lynn, I have to say I really like your image... Quarik, yours is great too. A lot of awesome images in this one.
Bodies: Canon 5d mkII, 5d, 40d
Lenses: 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f4.0L, 135 f2L, 85 f1.8, 50 1.8, 100 f2.8 macro, Tamron 28-105 f2.8
Flash: 2x 580 exII, Canon ST-E2, 2x Pocket Wizard flexTT5, and some lower end studio strobes
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum