Requesting your opinion:

[bvar22]

I have already posted my pick in the submission thread, but I value the opinions of the members of the Photography Group.
Which appeals to you?
How could they be improved?


You talking to ME?



You can't see me cause I'm hiding



Cold Beauty



Ghost Boat






Chimera Cat ....(submitted for contest)

All photos taken with Olympus C-750UZ (most set on AUTO).
"Shopping" limited to cropping, resizing, desaturation, and contrast.

A suggestion:
The submission thread filled up so fast, I went to my "saved" pictures for my entry. There are several projects I was interested in trying this weekend but I am afraid that "Submissions"" will be closed before I can work on them. Perhaps it would be a good idea to insert a space (7- 10 days) between deciding on the "Theme" and posting the "Submissions" thread?

Thanks!
:hippie:

[RagingInMiami]

1. I haven't decided yet

But I think I would go with the first picture if it didn't have that thick black border. I think the border takes away from that photo and some of the others. If you insist on having a frame, I wonder how a much thinner, gray border would look on that photo.

[bvar22]

4. Thanks.

I'm going to try some thinner borders.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. I like the frost...

[lakemonster11]

3. I agree about having a gap between agreement on

a theme and starting a submission thread. I actually stopped the host last month from starting one immediately for that very reason.

If we have a week or so before we have an open submission thread, we have a lot of time to get into the project and to experiment with the theme. If there's immediately an open submission thread, people will generally rush to enter a picture they've already taken rather than trying anything new, for fear of not getting a photo into the contest.

[bvar22]

5. My feelings also.

I'm a novice, and these contests have really motivated me to learn more, try new things, and develop new skills. I've learned more about photography in the last 6 months on this forum than the previous 10 years. Submitting a "new" photograph also forces me to get up off my lazy ass, and go out and take pictures.
I am interested in creative concepts, evolving ideas, and the actual manifesting of that idea into a real world photograph. A time period would allow for discussion and advice.

The number of members is here is growing. Maybe we need to increase the size of the preliminary contest.

[Carla in Ca]

10. That's why I didn't enter the contest

I didn't have time to purchase B/W film for this one or, by the time I find something to shoot, the thread is closed.
I would have loved to get a shot of the ash through the yellow glow of the sun from the fire we had here in OC.

[intheflow]

6. You talking to me?

LOVE that perspective! It was very hard to choose between You Taking To ME and You Can't See Me, the latter which made me laugh out loud and has perfectly contrasting gray scale composition. In the end, You Can't See Me struck me as perhaps too...commercial, perhaps. I do think you could make a fortune off it as a greeting card. :) I guess I'm trying to say I appreciate the spontaneous clarity in the goose portrait over the humor of the cat in the sink.

Or maybe I'm just putting my foot in my mouth? :shrug:

On edit: We used to have a week or two to go and shoot new photos before the submission thread was posted. I'd appreciate having that kind of time to play before the submission thread, too. The shot I submitted was originally color and taken about 10 years ago. But I felt pressured to submit before the 30 slots were filled.

[bvar22]

8. Thanks.

I like the Goose shot too.
He is a wild Canadian Goose that hung around for the Winter. The only thing that bothers me about the picture is the Mallard that crowds in from the left. I may try tp "shop" the Mallard out of the shot, but it would be difficult.


That's Maggie Pie in the sink, and we adore her.

Her story is here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=243&topic_id=2668

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=243&topic_id=6017

[ConsAreLiars]

9. You might also consider adding in a bit more of the Mallard,

if there is any in the original. Sort of a "little brother" echo.

[F.Gordon]

7. I love "Cold Beauty"

That tonal quality thing is awesome in that photo. Really like that one, but consider the source.
:hi:

I'm torn between that and "Ghost Boat". Though I really like the humorous perspective of "Who you lookin' at". Noticed that you already put your entry in, but it's not the "fave" here in the poll.
:shrug:

I like using matting, borders, and frames but don't use them here in the group because no one else does, but I agree with ragin'... the large black borders distract. Here's a "format" I like using for the web. Notice how the appearance of the photo changes...... at least it did for me. I'm not sayin' you should use sumtin' like this, just offering one possibility....



Also agree that there should be snappin' time so everyone can play around with stuff. "Macro" was kewl because it gave people a chance to experiment and learn. I know I did. Learn.. that is.
:dunce:

[bvar22]

11. I really like the framing work.

It does change the "feel", and seems to add depth (and class) to the photo.

I find it interesting (though not surprising) that my choice polls lower.
I'm just beginning to learn photography, but am a very experienced cat lover.
The input for the forum members on photo choice and borders has been valuable.


Thanks
:hippie:

[F.Gordon]

12. Same here

I had every intention of entering Turning Out the Lights but it's suckin' pond water over in my poll. I know little bout' photography and even less about cats.
:dunce:

Understand why you entered it.... a little bit like mine... personal attachment. But mine is a non-lifeform. Or is it?
:evilgrin:

[PitbullTed]

13. Delaying submission

I see the point of delaying the opening of the submission thread! It's too late to something about it this month, but I will pass it on to next months host! Would it be a good idea to allow more submissions (f.ex. 50, or no limit) ???