May Photo Challenge - Comments

[iceman]

Post your comments about the May entries here..

Subject: Sunrise/Sunset

[ving]

these are a fave, should get plenty of them :)

[ving]

hey andrew, is it safe to do that? (a pick of the sun unfiltered thru a scope)

[RB]

Usually it's not safe David, but because the sun was so low and I used a very fast shutter speed (4000th/sec) and ISO 100, it was ok.
Mind you I didn't look through the view finder for too long, just enough to frame and focus. Also I didn't have the finderscope attached to the main scope nor looked through the main scope directly.

I don't recommend anyone try this if they're not sure of what they're doing.

Thanks for that David. :thumbsup:

[ving]

no problem andrew, i was just curious

[h0ughy]

So many possible entries, ummm errr well maybe not these.


I like yours Asimov! rich colours

[Dennis]

Hey H0ughy

I like the artistry of the middle one, with the Sun judiciously placed behind the diagonal/eyepiece combo - a budding artist in there somewhere!

Cheers

Dennis

[Muddy Diver]

Hmmmmm. methinks Houghy's toying with us a little;)

Come on Houghy, enter early... I know you have a winner there somewhere.

Good shots all three, I like the water view.

[iceman]

Wow, great shots already. I love your shot Muddy, and Phil's is great too. Gonna be another tough month, I can tell.

[Mikezoom]

All great shots again this month..... geez you all came from the APOD forums didn't you?

Phil, love the way the fog is creeping past those trees, great capture.

[h0ughy]

I am not toying I love sunsets and sunrises, but don't know what to post

[RB]

I can see your dilemma David, they're all fantastic mate.
I really like the first one.

[h0ughy]

Ken, nothing like recycling! Its and excellent shot

[iceman]

nice choice Dave.. though I probably would've rotated it to make the horizon straight.. i feel like the water is running down hill! :)

[h0ughy]

Nothing wrong with my sense of level headedness:screwy:

Mike may I suggest a hotlink between threads included in the thread, and a button to the left:thumbsup: ;)

[Muddy Diver]

I can see that you are spoiled for choice Houghy, great shots as always. Love the deep blue in the water shots!:thumbsup:

[ballaratdragons]

Houghy, enter your worst one to give us a chance.

[h0ughy]

:P

I did

[5ash]

I liked alot of the photos but thought why call it a MAY photo challenge when many of them were DUG UP from photo collections! How about May photo challenge , lets all go out and take a photo in MAY 2006.It seems to make sense to me?
philip

[iceman]

It's a good point Philip, and I've discussed it here before as well as on a US forum where they also have a monthly photo challenge.

My opinion is this.

Whilst the "idea" of the challenge is like an assignment, that is, go out and take a photo of the subject DURING that month, it's simply not practical when the majority of us are doing this for fun.

If you restricted the entries to ONLY those that were taken during that calendar month, you're limiting your potential participation rates, and for some people, it just wouldn't be fun anymore. Not everyone has time to go out on a photo assignment. Plus, how you can really tell when the photo was taken? Get them to submit EXIF data as well? It can't really be policed.

When another member raised this to me, the best solution we came up with, is that when you vote for your favourites, YOU should take into account when the photo was taken, and vote for your favourites of the entries that WERE taken in that calendar month.

On a personal note, I do *try* to tackle the subject each month as an assignment, and I try to submit a new photo each time, rather than dig one up from the archives. My entries for October, December, January, February and April were all taken during the challenge period. But it's not always possible.

Interested to hear others thoughts on the matter.

[ving]

maybe "date taken: xx/xx/xxxx" should be placed next to the entry?

[slice of heaven]

On another forum the exif data must be included to show the date and no post processing is allowed.
Needless to say it's dying a slow death as it truly limits the amount of entries. Scanned film shots are out as there is no data.
I like this setup as there always great participation each month, taking into account when the pics were taken hadn't occurred to me before, but I'll be taking that into consideration for voting .

[iceman]

Wow, that's harsh.. and not fair imo.. photography is an artform, as is post-processing. The two go hand in hand for me. Whether it be colour balance, tone, levels/curves, shadows, sharpening.. You're just highlighting the parts of the scene or the message that you're trying to convey.

Though I don't go as far as i've seen some people do on another forum, where he might take an active sky (eg: stormy or moody clouds) from one photo and merge it into another photo that had a plain old boring blue or grey sky.

His landscape shots are brilliant and as a piece of art I think they're great, but I wouldn't go that far. I still think that the art of photography actually means being there at the right place at the right time to take that magic shot.


Yeh was thinking that myself. I'll add that as part of the rules.. though it won't be enforced.

[spacezebra]

Hi all

I am happy to comply to the "in the month" photo if required - however, can I remove and resubmit? Im also for the "as you take it" look - but I have not processed any photo's yet and I can imagine that when I do there will be no going back!

I just love taking pictures of sunsets - so I was rapped to see the subject matter for this month.

Cheers Petra

[iceman]

Petra, you can edit your own post - just click edit and you can delete your own post, or upload a new attachment.

Click the "Go Advanced" to do this.

There's no rule that you have to take it this month, some people may want to, some people won't be able to. This "competition" is a good bit of fun and a welcome side interest for a lot of us.

[spacezebra]

Thanks Mike

If it is okay I will keep this one in the comp - cause' I like it! - but next month will aim for "in the month"

Cheers Petra

[The Unbeliever]

I agree with the 'It should be fun bit' so if you feel the need to do some post-processing to give yourself a better chance of winning then enjoy. :rofl:

[Dennis]

Hello,

I have only entered the Monthly comp once and it was undeniably fun – thanks!

Fun for me was planning for the subject matter; fun in taking heaps of images to get the one keeper; fun through learning from the failed ones; fun by entering a simple, down-to-earth and fun competition that was not too serious, nor had too many entry criteria.

I was lucky enough to “win” although for me, I did not “win” at the end of April, I actually “won” (read had a lot of fun and learned a lot) spending 2 days watching the antics of a bunch of crazy Lorikeets doing their morning ablutions. I learned about patience, my equipment, lighting and the beauty of nature. So, I would have "won" even if I had "lost"!

I probably would not have entered a serious competition, because for me, life is often far too serious, too scheduled, over-regulated, etc in so many other parts of my daily activities, that it is quite delicious, and rare, to have the simple joy of a fun competition, where it really doesn’t matter who “wins”. It mattered that I got off my bum and did some thinking outside of astronomy. I had a ball taking heaps of pictures, cringed at my failures, submitted what I thought was my best effort and really enjoyed and appreciated all the other entries.

Cheers

Dennis

[iceman]

Always eloquent, Dennis. A true poet in our midsts.

And definitely the spirit of this monthly challenge "competition".

[acropolite]

I agree Mike, I like to submit images that I have taken that month, but time and circumstances don't always permit. You may have an image that is great taken on a holiday for example, that is relevant but not repeatable. Where possible the date and any other data would be useful though.

[CoombellKid]

I would hate to think I would miss out on seeing something spectacular
just because it was taken 3 minites to midnight on the last day of the
previous month. I think this came up sometime back. It was pointed
out then that some may find it hard capture something new every month.
I look at it like, well if you dont have somthing already, you have a month
to do something about it. Some have been quite humourus, try thinking
outside the square.

If you have a great shot, that runs with the current theme, I for one
would love to see it. Even if it was an old B/W still from 1949.

regards,CS

Rob

[shelly]

I agree with Rob.

I also think that information regarding the photo in general would be good to include (including dates, format, camera etc.) because it is a photography forum after all and learning from others is what we (me!) are here for ;) .

[[1ponders]]

Looks like another cracker month. It's not going to be easy to pick a favourite again. :rolleyes:

[astrogeek]

How come my image is not working? For some reason it won't load when I click on it.

[[1ponders]]

Don't know what is happening for you Leon. :shrug: The link is working ok for me. Will it open if you right click on it and open in new window?

[Starcrazzy]

Hi guys...can't decide which one to enter...don't knoiw if its aloud or not...but any suggestions would be sweet...:P

[iceman]

I love the second one, the rays are great. Not saying i'll vote for it (yet), but it's my preference of the two :)

Striker, nice scene! But brutal lighting.. very tough not to overexpose the sky while still getting some detail in the shadows. You could take 2 exposures (one metered for the sky and one for the shadows) and merge them later.. but that would require something other than auto :)

[iceman]

Nice one Sausage! Pity about the car with the headlights on!

Beautiful colours on the horizon, and the silhouette of the ship is great.

[Striker]

Thanks for the tips Mike....lots to learn thats why Auto is my pick at the moment...lol

I will experiment but it's bit late now...I'm back home in Brizy.

Some nice shots their guys.

[Sausageman]

Thanks Mike,
It was dark and Irish drivers need headlights as well.
I was standing in the middle of the road as well.

Mike

[acropolite]

Nice shot Mike, I was wondering what the final result would be given the shots you've been posting. :thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

Hey Mike (posting knowing full well that Mikes entry is a pearler:thumbsup: :eyepop: ) lacks a bit of Ummf:P , you know umm colour:D , rich colours are lacking, also highlights the pollution problem in your area with people leaving abandoned boats to rot on shore - very unhealthy for the environment, not to mention unsafe, little kiddies could hurt themselves on it. All in all a very good POLLUTION shot, you should send that to the minister of the environment along with a letter of complaint of how terrible the waterways are left in your local area.:D :P :)

[iceman]

lol thanks Phil and Dave :P

[spacezebra]

Excellent photo Mike:). No fair!

Cheers Petra

[Starcrazzy]

I would like iceman's shot stricken from the competition..its just too darn good..wow..what a gorgeous picture..handheld too...i would have blurreed it for sure..;)

[iceman]

lol thanks Starcrazzy :)

The rest of the shots from that afternoon are here (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=10234)

[Starcrazzy]

Very nice indeed..a fantastic scene to work with..good eye iceman..Its interesting to see the suttle colour changes with time and im guesin a few appature changes to hey??
again...fantastic shots mate ...truely world class

[Tamtarn]

I am a new member I would like to enter Photo challenge. How do I enter and what size should photo be ? Is there a HOW TO ENTER PAGE ?
Thanks Barb

[iceman]

HI Barb.

Just post in the "entries" thread, and click "Go Advanced" and scroll down until you see the "Manage Attachments" button. Upload your attachment there.

It should be around 800x600 jpeg, and under 150k.

Let me know if you get stuck.

[Tamtarn]

Hi Mike

Sorted it out, thanks

Barb

[Calin]

I'm only a junoir member here, but on the topic of a Monthly photo comp and when the photo/s were taken. I assumed 'Monthly' meant submitted into the comp that month, regardless of when the photo was actually taken. As a lot of people are doing this anyway, seems logical not to be so strict as to limit submissions by when a photo was taken.

I do think only one photo should be entered per member per month and not several in the same month, having more than one per person makes it difficult to keep track and a tad unfair on those less skilled wanting to 'have a go' if competing against some of the people with a good crop of photos already 'in the bank'. Also if the 'best' shot is picked out of a group of several and the others from the same person are equally 'good' then second and third perhaps would also be given to those photos on merit. Better just to take a pun on one for that month to give us hacks some encouragement and a nod at getting close to something others might enjoy.

I also think once a photo has been entered for whatever month it can't be entered again in the future - I presume this is the case already, and perhaps this should include photos that have 'won' a prize in other comps or already widely recognised for it's merit and 'artistry' elsewhere - no idea how you would screen for this, but relying on peoples own integrity seems like a good start, since it's all a bit of fun anyway. Most people, if not all would be fair when given some responsibility to 'police' themselves and take the burden off the shoulders of the comp organiser/s.

Chucking 'rules' in and then not apply them doesn't seem to make sense to me, as its not a rule then, perhaps a 'guide' for photo comp etiquette maybe. In any case the KISS principle would be apply.

Nice photos, maybe one day, when I take the lense cap off I'll take a crack at it myself - for now just enjoying the show ....

[iceman]

Nice thoughts Calin.

As you've rightly pointed out, there are no hard and fast rules in this "competition", it's all for fun. That's why we call it the "Monthly Photo Challenge", not competition. It's a good excuse to get out there and take some shots, or to show of some shots you've taken in the past.

Only 1 photo per member per month is a rule, but it doesn't need to be "enforced" - people understand it and don't post two shots. It was only the first month (or maybe the second) into the challenge that the rule was introduced. If people have other photos to show off of the same subject, they post them as a separate thread not related to the challenge.

Good point about the same photo not being used in multiple challenge subjects, it hasn't come up before but seems a logical rule and I think most people would accept that.

I love the photo challenge, because photography is a great side-interest to my astronomy hobby.

[Dennis]

Well, the Sun is setting in Brissie, and with it goes my last opportunity to snap a sunrise/sunset piccie for May’s IIS Photo Comp.

Although Qld is renowned as the “Sunshine State”, only once during May did I see a blood red sunset with fiery streaks of orange and yellow fanning out from a golden setting orb…..and I didn’t have my camera.

The quality of entries this month is quite remarkable; I tip my hat to everyone who has entered and good luck with the comp, it's going to be a mighty tough choice to pick a winner.

Cheers

Dennis

[iceman]

ah that's a shame Dennis, I was looking forward to your entry.. your standard has been set very high.

[danielsun]

I too unfortunately missed out on this months challenge due to poor weather and being flat out at work. Barely even had time to keep up to speed on whats been happening on the forum.
Last week when i caught a couple of stunning sun sets i was on site at work and with no camera.:(
However voting will be tough this month because of so many stunning shots .