I just can't decide....I have narrowed it down to these four....

[Tuesday Afternoon]

comments and critiques and help are most appreciated....

[Blue_In_AK]

1. Those are all very nice photos,

but I'm kind of partial to #3 for the "human interest." :)

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. thank you for your input.

I didn't know if it was good or if I am just sentimental. :)

[Mz Pip]

2. I like

all of them too, but am partial to #3. Makes me wonder what the kids are looking at in the woods.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

5. thank you....

they were looking for blackberries and deciding on how to stay away from the thorns. :)

[Mira]

3. Third vote for number three. Same reasons, it suggests a story. I also do like

the first one. On it I like the dark clouds, and the incredible dimension they give to the picture as a whole. I almost want to duck.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

6. so weird....

that first photo was not impressive to me at first. It is growing on me as I see it from others eyes.

now, my problem is deciding how/if a black and white or a color shot x( for the contest :shrug:

[Mira]

7. It is amazingly hard to chose a photo for a contest. Our photos are our creations,

we have emotional history with the taking of them, and with the subject matter, and it is impossible for us to make a choice sometimes.
I am learning that I am not alone in having a hard time chosing.
I posted my contenders for the first time a few minutes ago, because I'm not able to chose, yet.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. I will go take a look....

I wish the top of the mountain in my black and white was not cut off x(

and honestly, does a black and white stand a chance in this contest :shrug:

I am leaning toward my first one because it is color.........

[Mira]

9. The only answer I have for you is this: It does not matter about color or b/w

You look at it - and if it's right to you - you let it go.
It's your photo. And that's the bottom line.

There are aficionados of black and white photography all around you on this forum.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

10. yes, I realize about this forum but the contest is open to the

general public and while I don't necessarily care about winning (fat chance, I have of that with all you excellent photgraphers here :D) I still take some pride in my work and want to show my best ....

[alfredo]

11. three really explains young boys.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. but - is it the best representation of my backyard?

:shrug:

[alfredo]

17. It doesn't matter. Those voting will vote on the emotional impact.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

18. and...so ...you think that #3 packs the most emotional impact?

welllllll.....at least I have narrowed it down to two...either #1 or #3.....progess is being made, I think :D

[alfredo]

21. It's all about satisfying yourself. If you start doing what you think will

please others, you lose yourself. Go with what feels right. Turn off your mind and listen to your body. It never lies. Ambivalence usually means no, so really pay attention to how your body reacts. It is what you like, not what I like or anyone else likes. It is about you expressing yourself to your satisfaction. If you only get one vote, that's OK.

[Mira]

22. Beautifully said Alfredo. N/T

[alfredo]

23. I'm my worst critic. I've picked that picture apart to the point where I

don't want to look at it for a few days. That's how I am and I accept it.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

26. yep.

me too.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

25. yes. It truly settled it for me.

Now I have decided what to enter.

[alfredo]

27. Good.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

24. ok thanks

That is what I needed to know.

[alfredo]

28. Good luck

[Tuesday Afternoon]

29. I wish you all the best of luck in the contest.

May DU's favorite photo win. :toast:

[alfredo]

30. Yeah. Love the contests. I have decided only to enter if it appears it

will be difficult to obtain 30 entries.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

32. funny that

as I have decided not to enter.

[alfredo]

33. Why? It's for "funsies" nothing of great import. Winning or losing doesn't

matter, taking part is what is important. This is an exercise in community building. It is also a way of sharpening skills.

Don't tie any emotional baggage on the outcome. Remember, the winner has to run the next contest. Diabolical.

[Mira]

34. Wise words yet again, Alfredo. Why then do you say you won't enter unless

we have a dearth of entries? With a new camera, to boot! It doesn't quite make sense to me.
I always like your photos, and I look forward to your next entry.

[alfredo]

36. I find encouraging participation more important than competing.

I want new people to join in.

It doesn't have to make sense.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

35. uhm

I do not have the communication skills necessary to explain it all. Maybe if the contest were divided further to exclude people and make it about simply landscapes. As it is, I just can not decide.

[alfredo]

37. Again, the third one has a nice feel about it. I'd consider that one. The fog

really makes the image.

[Tindalos]

12. I like 3 and 4

Out of those two, I think I like 4 better. The focussed attention of the boys compels the viewer to look.

As for whether b&w stands a chance in the contest, I don't know. I was just pondering that I considered my candidate photos (not that I have any expectations of winning). Maybe in the end, just go with the one you are happiest with and most want to share with others.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

13. maybe so...

maybe I am missing the true intent here, I was looking at it as the best representation (literally) of my backyard.

I thought the black and whites were "good" photos bacause I happen to know and love those boys............

You guys, I cut you some slack .... I have a ton of backyard photos :evilgrin:

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

15. I like number 3 and my input would be to crop

something like this..........

[Tuesday Afternoon]

16. :::cry:::

this photo is currently unavailable....how would you crop it?

[sandnsea]

19. I don't think it needs cropping

The expanse of the photo contributes to the impact of boys exploring the unknown. I like it best too.

I don't think the contest is a picture *of* your backyard. It's a picture from your backyard, in any way that you interpret it.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

20. thanks for your comments sandnsea....

especially this: boys exploring the unknown.

I think it captures the essence of it all and you may just have swayed me to enter that one after all.

[alfredo]

31. I agree with allowing some context. Boys verses wild.