My favorite was the first one.
Composition is synonymous with originality.
I don’t think anyone’s saying the subject matter in #1 isn’t worth photographing, just that you need to do it well if you want to win a contest. Either his photograph of the same thing is better than yours (b/c he is a pro) and you just don’t see the difference, or you’re basically copying him. Which wouldn’t impress ME if I were the judge, but who knows, they say imitation is the best form of flattery.
A nice critique, and very nice editing/cropping, lissener.
I liked #4 the best, and #6 next. I agree with lissener’s critique of #7, but how about if you were to crop it to only leave the right third? If the resolution will hold up for your intended format, it might be more balanced, and the bird will have more prominence.
I’m not sure what you mean when you use “composition” in this context.
Screw what the judge has on his website, unless you truly share his sensibilities. If you win and you really don’t like the photo, it’s a bit of a hollow victory. In the end, you don’t have to consider his tastes, only your own.
Good luck.
Or then again, what fessie said. :o
Damn phonecalls…
I’ll go with #4.
At least that’s the one where I had to pause and peer into the image to figure out what was going on. Dazzling pictures of Delicate Arch and the La Sals are a dime a dozen. It’s pretty hard to screw up.
5 and 7 are nice, too.
I mean composition as in The Rule of Thirds, etc…not some original viewpoint that shows a whole new light on Delicate Arch for example. Despite what someone said, composition does not equal originality.
???
Rule of thirds? So, if you abide by the “Rule of Thirds”, then you’ve aced the Composition portion of the program - like the compulsories in ice skating - and you don’t have to think about it anymore?
There’s a lot more to composition than that.
Sorry if you missed the “etc” after “Rule of Thirds.” In other words, composition as in the various rules of technical composition. I am trying to explain a term and you seem to be wanting to draw me into an argument. I’d rather not argue about it. I am trying to explain how the contest is judged, not get into a debate about what makes a good photograph in our perspective opinions. It’s important that the photo is properly composed, properly exposed and properly printed. Those are the three things that generally get people nailed in the judging. Originality is good, very desirable, but if you’re original and screw up on one of those three areas, you still won’t win. That’s why I am so bummed about #4…it’s such a cool image, but I don’t think it would pass muster because I don’t think it’s going to print well, although I will definitely try having it professionally done.
Thanks for explaining - I’m really not trying to pick a fight, just entertaining myself online while my babies sleep (we must be vewy vewy qwiet). You’re right, I do like to discuss art and aesthetics in more general terms; I probably was taking it upon myself to try to educate you, and that’s clearly not what you were asking for.
I like #2 & #5 for a print comp situation.