Photo Comp December - ***VOTE***

[Farjo]

Dec's theme was "hot" and the photographs are here: http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,5440.0.html

[purplebear7]

     I've Voted .. Job Done.
 
Daft Question Time:   Is this competition aimed at Photographic Skills (like as in professional) or at the best 'Candid Camera' type snap (like as in look and click)   
 
Just seems to me that we have two different 'modes' in here .. not really a level playing field  ?
 
Stay Safe      Polar Bear

[evesdad]

    I've Voted .. Job Done.
 
Daft Question Time:   Is this competition aimed at Photographic Skills (like as in professional) or at the best 'Candid Camera' type snap (like as in look and click)   
 
Just seems to me that we have two different 'modes' in here .. not really a level playing field  ?
 
Stay Safe      Polar Bear

I've definitely always been point and click with a passing interest in photography. Since starting to enter here every month been trying to learn a bit more about how to take better photos and bought a new camera outfit as my christmas pressie. Think as you say there are always two types of photo here.

[Farjo]

Interesting question

"Who took the best picture?" is the question that voters are asked. Could this be changed to something better? I guess it'll always be in the eye of the beholder.

I always vote on the best content, rather than quality. E.g. evesdad's lawnmower pic was possibly done with a low-grade camera but was my favourite of 2012, rather than any taken with a high-spec camera with whizzy software manipulation.

One week we were watching Opportunity Knocks and my sister said to my Mum "Do you like this one?" to which my Mum replied "No, it's boring." "But it's really clever!" said my sister. "It may be clever but it's still boring" said my Mum.

But to answer your question, I don't know What do others think?

[evesdad]

comedy can always overcome kit .I always vote for something that looks a bit "different"

[limax2]

I tend to go for interesting or witty content that fits the title rather than technical  quality of picture. Sometimes I'll vote for a really sharp close up or fast action shot if I think it's the best anyway. Good to see some really special pictures but it's still just a bit of fun. If I get one vote I'm slightly happier than getting none.

[Fazerider]

I find judging very difficult, but for me image quality doesn't rank very high in importance. So long as the focus and exposure are in the right ballpark (and even the cameras in mobile phones can often do OK there) things like framing and composition are what matters, while a lot of obvious mucking about in Photoshop detracts from the pic.
If I get the impression that the photographer actually took the shot for the purpose of the competition then that helps, as does one with a sense of humour... so Evesdad's recent lawnmower pic scored pretty high with me too.

[Farjo]

Wow! A close finish so congratulations to Fazerider for winning and also to bigfootpete and evesdad.

OK Fazerider, let's have the next theme

[Fazerider]

Thanks Farjo, and everyone who voted.


I hope we can attract a few more entries this time so I'm choosing something we should see plenty of in the next month and be able to photograph without high-end camera gear:
Clouds.
Doesn't matter if they're natural or man-made, so can be anything from cumulonimbus at sunset to the results of the bloke three doors down emptying a can of Redex into his Triumph Spitfire's carburettor.

[black8]

Can we do this again please.

[Farjo]

Yes - we do this every month with a new theme