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gewb
10th of July 2006 (Mon), 22:15
Challenge #27 - Tree or Trees

Thanks for 21 great entries! I hope everyone enjoyed the topic. The large number of high quality entries made judging very difficult, not to mention time consuming.

Because of the number of entries and judging "situation" (see below), I will not be making individual entry comments - there isn't enough time to do these images justice before the next Challenge is to begin. However, if a photographer (submitter) requests feedback, I will provide it over the coming days.

Here are some interesting numbers.
Of the 21 entries-
* 7 had dead or leaf-less trees
* 2 were winter scenes (always a challenge)
* 1 was an autumn shot (I expected a few more, but that's OK)
* 2 were black-and-white
* 5 included water
* 5 were taken around sunrise or sunset
* 5 included mountains

These are the disappointing numbers-
* 6 did not follow Rule 5 regarding "Name"
* 1 warranted disqualification for not following Rule 5 regarding "Camera model"
* 3 warranted disqualification for not adhering to Rule 3

>>> Please note the Challenge rules (posted in the Challenge and in a sticky near the top of the Forum index page):

3. Size -- Photo must be EXACTLY 800 pixels on the longest side and no more than 200K in size with NO BORDERS.

5. Posting --
* ONE PHOTO per photographer in each challenge.
* Photo Name in the message subject line.
* Camera model.

I did not disqualify those without a photo name in the message subject line as "no name" doesn't place other entries at a potential disadvantage. However, those that didn't follow all of Rule 3 were disqualified as it could place the other entries at a disadvantage. Likewise, not listing the camera model is grounds for disqualification, even though this is an "honor" type challenge. Please read the discussion about the Challenge Rules earlier this year (you can find the link in the Challenge Info sticky on the Forum index page).

Here is the sad part about this Challenge...

...I had to disqualify my first choice.

Fortunately (for me) there were many high quality entries that deserved to place #1.

But the Challenge Rules are here for a reason and, as the judge this week, I interpreted them to the best of my ability and sense for fairness.
[SIZE="4"]Please don't put future Host-Judges in this unenviable position.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Now for the rankings as I saw them:

#1 Edd S - Into the Mist
A lovely photo and tricky to expose. The tree dominates the scene but doesn't overpower even though it takes almost 2/3rds of the frame width and height - nice placement. I really like the road disappearing into the fog as it curves away from the tree. If I were to make any changes, I would slightly lower the high end input value which brightens the fog somewhat.

#2 SBradley - Winter Sunset
Sometimes the technical "rules" of photography are meant to be broken. Here SBradley broke the "rule of thirds" by cutting the image in half but the sun and shadows on the ground make this image work beautifully. The exposure is very good dispite the sun in the center of the picture. Well done!

#3 Jeece - Branch dipping
What can I say, I love a quality black-and-white photo. I liked the strangely balanced look of this image. The bright upper left and dark lower right work nicely together. This is a classic Ying / Yang relationship. Yin, the darker element, is passive, dark, downward-seeking, and corresponds to the night; yang, the brighter element, is active, light, upward-seeking and corresponds to the day; yin is often symbolized by water, while yang is symbolized by fire...just missing the fire in this image!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[COLOR=blue]A tree (or trees) - a boring topic to some but interesting to me.
While I have no preconceived ideas for a "winner", here are some ideas:

> A grand old tree full of leaves
> A dead tree
> Branch(es) of a tree
> A tree silhouetted against a runrise/sunset
> Big trees
> Little trees
> Flowering trees
> Fruit in a tree
> Animals in a tree
> A swing in a tree
> View from a tree (be sure to include part of the tree and don't fall)
> One tree hill
> A tree grows in Brooklyn (one does, really, I saw it once)

(I sound like Forrest Gump.)

With that I leave it up to you.

Regards,
GEWB

________________________________

To submit, click "Post Reply" and put your Photo Name in the Subject Line. Don't forget your Camera Model.

Post until Monday noon GMT, July 17, 2006.

Photo Submissions

1. Camera -- Any Canon Powershot Series Camera (SD, A-series, S1/2, & S-series only...No Pro 1's!!!)

2. Time -- any on-topic photo taken at any time is eligible, although photos that have won other competitions should NOT be entered.

3. Size -- Photo must be EXACTLY 800 pixels on the longest side and no more than 200K in size with NO BORDERS. Here is some help for resizing your photos in Photoshop - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...9&postcount=26 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=663519&postcount=26)

4. Post-Processing -- do whatever you like and the host will decide if it works.

5. Posting --
* ONE PHOTO per photographer in each challenge.
* Photo Name in the message subject line.
* Camera model.

6. Notes -- Name and camera you used and any other information pertaining to the photo...location, photo tips, brief EXIF data ect.

7. Commenting -- No commenting during challenge. When the posting is closed, comments can be made in this thread.

Time

One challenge every week, on the following schedule:
New Topic ... After winner is declared.
Posting Starts ... Right after topic is announced.
Posting Stops ... Monday noon GMT
Winners Announcement ... As soon as possible after the contest has been closed.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please consider turning on Private Messaging in your profile.
This will allow the host to contact you about winning or ineligible photos. You turn this feature on by clicking "User CP, Edit Options, Enable Private Messaging" (about a third of the way down the page). Thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

POTN Powershot Challenge Info & Winners List and Rankings: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=133933 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=133933)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/B]

_SBradley_
11th of July 2006 (Tue), 01:32
PowerShot S70

http://photos.simonbradley.net/albums/userpics/10001/060304-1803-30_Web.jpg

b00ty
11th of July 2006 (Tue), 02:48
Here goes my second photo post :-) :::
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/beautyofashes/img_0038.jpg
as Always...C&C welcome!
A620
f/4.0
1/160

Obor
11th of July 2006 (Tue), 05:35
PowerShot S2IS
1/640
f/4.0

It's difficult to choose which pic to post as trees are one of my favourite subjects and my PC is full of them.

This one was taken in Richmond Park (http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/parks/richmond_park/), the largest Royal Park in London and home to about 650 free roaming deer.

http://www.robdian.homechoice.co.uk/tree_for_web2.jpg

kawwauser
11th of July 2006 (Tue), 22:38
not realy a tree more an ex tree, i walk past the spot regulary, and the bare space stands out like a sore thumb
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/kawwauser/tr.jpg

Jeece
11th of July 2006 (Tue), 23:38
"Branch dipping"

http://www.jeece.net/photo/waterford2006/IMG_2270-2.jpg

S2 IS
F4
1/400
ISO 100

Shot during the 4th of July Holiday, while visiting relatives in NY state beside the Hudson river.

viladd
12th of July 2006 (Wed), 11:44
Powershot A620
F 4.0
1/250

Firestorm34
12th of July 2006 (Wed), 12:50
Trees at sunrise, I took this picture while driving on a train.
Greg
S2 IS

Formulated_One
12th of July 2006 (Wed), 16:00
Title - "Arch Tree Road"
Camera - Canon A510 - Auto Mode w/Tripod..
Post Processing - Resized, +10% Contrast, -10% Brightness..
Info - Was down in Lancaster, Pa. for business, saw this on the way driving home..I drove up to the Inn and turned around, taking the picture toward the main road..

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f101/FormulatedOne/Misc%202/ArchTree01.jpg

spur
12th of July 2006 (Wed), 20:34
There is nothing like sitting under a shady old Live Oak with a cold one and a few friends.

S3 IS
Manual, f 5.6, 1/200, ISO 80, Whitebalance: Daylight

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j116/spur_5918/POTN/LiveOak.jpg

O_T
12th of July 2006 (Wed), 21:24
I spotted these trees that appeared to be growing with very little available substrate. It's amazing how all living things claim their niche.

Canon A610

Salsa
13th of July 2006 (Thu), 10:34
Forest of Colour
Canon S2 IS
AV mode
1/400
F4.0
November 2 2005

http://salsa33.smugmug.com/photos/81416321-L.jpg

nwyman
13th of July 2006 (Thu), 12:52
S2 IS on a very overcast day.

_SBradley_
13th of July 2006 (Thu), 13:03
It's highly unlikely to be relevant, but I should say that I'll be away all next week, so unable to host the next challenge. Good luck, all; have a great week! :)

Stefan A
13th of July 2006 (Thu), 15:42
Title: The Clingman disease
Camera: S2IS

These dead fir trees are one of many high atop Clingman's Dome in Smokey Mountain National Park. Killed by the Adelgid, a tiny insect accidentally imported to the U.S. from Europe in the 1950's.

Diminished29
13th of July 2006 (Thu), 20:44
Canon A610

Av mode
Date/Time: 2006:06:20 04:11:15
Resolution: 600 x 800
Flash used: No
Focal length: 7.3mm
ISO: 50
Exposure time: 0.0012 s (1/800)
Aperture: f/4.0

===========================

Its unfornate for me that I don't own a polarizer of any type. So, I commend "John C" for giving me the fine advice about the My Colors Mode "blue" for skies. If there is enough blue in the skies on a nice day it really can work quite well in bringing those rich colors and big puffy clouds out.

However, it doesn't come without its drawbacks. When using "MY COLORS" your limited in controls. One of those being aperture. It was set to "f4" on this particular shot, so in compensation of the matter I preselected the rock and mountainscape and sharpened them up a bit, leaving out the clouds which tend to get hindered by numerous amounts of jpeg artifacts in the post processing when sharpened or saturated too much, and in wanting to retain their soft puffy look I chose not to sharpen them. I believe it to be a technique that as of recent I've found to work quite well on landscapes, and suggest that you try it for yourself if you've been having problems with your skies, as I've found Neat Image sometimes takes too much detail from them if used incorrectly.

==========================

For those wondering, however, this is a picture that I took while visiting Skyline Drive, VA with my lovely girlfriend a few weeks ago. Such a beautiful place, and a real historic, majestic landscape of my area. Here's one of the beautiful overlooks we stopped at. Oh...and...WATCH YOUR STEP! ;)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e347/Diminished29/POTN%20Contest/milesoftrees1.jpg

scott1120
14th of July 2006 (Fri), 10:32
Canon S1
Taken at around 6:15am CST
You can't learn if you don't enter.

teekay
14th of July 2006 (Fri), 18:59
A95
http://community.netidea.com/teekay/temp/GraveyardForAGiant.jpg

Novaheart
14th of July 2006 (Fri), 21:20
These windswept trees have seen better days, but that's why they work so well in this sunset picture.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f180/novaheart/sunset.jpg

dyle
15th of July 2006 (Sat), 22:28
A610
ISO 50
Av f/5.6 1/300 sec

PP: B&W conversion using techniques recently leanred from this forum. Some dodging and burning and unsharp mask contrast adjustments.

GF's favorite tree where she would go riding on her horse. We hiked to it though on knee deep grass in hot humid weather and plenty of bugs! Took around 50 shots but decided to try out B&W this time.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a257/dyle/POTN%20Challenges/thetree.jpg

Edd S
16th of July 2006 (Sun), 16:57
Title: Into the Mist
Camera: Canon S2IS
Post Processing: Cropped and run through Neat Image to clear up noise.


http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f31/Edd_S/tree1.jpg

estrugo
16th of July 2006 (Sun), 20:15
I've found this tree standing alone at a side of the road... all his partners were down at the river sides, I think he was leaving home :D

Powershot S2 IS
Av Mode
f8.0 1/125

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g253/estrugo/Lonelyguy.jpg

planty
16th of July 2006 (Sun), 21:56
Those are so amazing everyone I love them all!!

snowrdr
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 01:15
On Mt. Bachelor looking out at the Three Sisters mountains.
Canon S2IS
January 21st, 2006

http://www.pbase.com/image/63632796.jpg

gewb
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 08:08
Speed Challenge #27 is now closed.

Thanks to all who participated!

Regards,
GEWB

gewb
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 12:23
Challenge #27 rankings have been posted at the top of the thread (in the original Challenge post).

Regards,
GEWB

viladd
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 12:54
Hi gewb

Thanks for the results and congrats to the winners. It was my first entry. Can you please give critical comments on my picture?

gewb
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 13:36
Hello viladd -

Nice setting! This was probably a morning shot (seen in the shadows of the mountains) and the camera (or operator) exposed for the sky which over-exposed the snow capped peaks. I would have exposed more for the snow peak and let the sky darken a bit. That would also make the tree branches a rich black silhouette. I would then crop the image both top and bottom to better define the mountains as the focal point with the trees acting more as a veil (800x450 as submitted). A very nice entry.

Regards,
GEWB

Edd S
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 14:10
Wow! Thanks for the first place honor!

I was driving to one of my favorite places to hike early one morning when I drove past this tree into the fog and thought, what a great picture. So, I backed up and took the shot. I'm glad I took the time to do so. Take the time - always take the time to take the picture.

A new contest topic will be announced later today.

Novaheart
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 14:20
Gewb, I'm sure you had a hard time judging this contest, so many great shots! I'll have to remember to adhere to all the rules next time and make sure to have a title for my pics :) I'm not sure if having my camera model posted in my signature counts for these contests since "A620 owner" doesn't mean my contest entry was taken with an A620 necessarily. If it doesn't count, ooops! :oops: :lol: I would like to get some feedback on my pic also whenever you have time.
My favourites were Snowdr (love the mist in the valley and the puffy snow dragging down the branches), Sbradley, Jeece and Formulated_one.

Waiting for the next contest topic,
Rob

gewb
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 14:20
Hello Edd -

The honor is deserved.

You posted:
"Take the time - always take the time to take the picture."

How true...I only wish I could take the time as most of my pix are taken while driving 70 miles per hour to and from work.

I look forward to your Challenge topic!

Regards,
GEWB

dyle
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 14:41
Congrats to the top three! Great pics once again. Loved the topic and was actually waiting for this one to come up.

If you can provide feedback for mine, I'd appreciate it too. I think it might have been too overprocessed for most people's taste but it was pretyt much an experiment on B&W conversion. Or maybe it needed someting else like a silhouette of a person sitting at the bottom of the tree to make it more interesting.. hmm.. might have to reshoot that one :) when this heatwave ends!

gewb
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 14:44
Hello Rob -

You posted:
"...I'm not sure if having my camera model posted in my signature counts..."
It did for me. ;)

I really like your photo as it very closely mirrors my favorite subjects and style (I must have 2,000 similar images). I know how hard it is to take that shot! Your image could easily place on any given day.

You posted:
"...Snowdr (love the mist in the valley and the puffy snow dragging down the branches), Sbradley, Jeece and Formulated_one..."

I, too, liked all of those images and more. I worked with the Snowdr image for about 15 minutes - it needs a little "Photoshop (or GIMP) time" to make it really stand out. Here again, that image could just as easily place first on a different day.

SBradley effectively "resigned" from accepting a first place (see post on page 1) - not being able to host next week places the task on the second place person...see the problem I had? I did what I thought best for the Challenge community and SBradley.

Jeece placed third with a really nice photo.

Formulated_one was disqualified (pity).

Regards,
GEWB

gewb
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 15:05
Hello dyle -

You posted:
"I think it might have been too overprocessed for most people's taste but it was pretyt much an experiment on B&W conversion. Or maybe it needed someting else like a silhouette of a person sitting at the bottom of the tree to make it more interesting..."

As this image was an experiment, don't assume it doesn't meet other's taste - I love black-and-white, especially when a little "contrasty" - it adds a degree of zip. Ansel Adams was the master at this. He said you don't take a picture, you make it. The key is to add small amounts so the image stands out without being "obvious". That is, the eye "sees" scenes more vividly than they probably are, thus the subtle contrast/saturation/sharpening/blurring/curve adjustments are the most effect. You didn't need a person or horse, just adjust (and perhaps lightly crop) what you have.

I would like to have seen more detail in the tree and contrast in the clouds - it's there, go get it.

Now, if you are trying for the artistic value, then you didn't go far enough!

Regards,
GEWB

dyle
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 15:47
Hello dyle -

You posted:
"I think it might have been too overprocessed for most people's taste but it was pretyt much an experiment on B&W conversion. Or maybe it needed someting else like a silhouette of a person sitting at the bottom of the tree to make it more interesting..."

As this image was an experiment, don't assume it doesn't meet other's taste - I love black-and-white, especially when a little "contrasty" - it adds a degree of zip. Ansel Adams was the master at this. He said you don't take a picture, you make it. The key is to add small amounts so the image stands out without being "obvious". That is, the eye "sees" scenes more vivadly than they probably are, thus the subtle contrast/saturation/sharpening/blurring/curve adjustments are the most effect. You didn't need a person or horse, just adjust (and perhaps lightly crop) what you have.

I would like to have seen more detail in the tree and contrast in the clouds - it's there, go get it.

Now, if you are trying for the artistic value, then you didn't go far enough!

Regards,
GEWB

Thanks. Those are excellent poitnts!

scott1120
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 16:41
Formulated_one was disqualified (pity).

Regards,
GEWB
What was wrong with the submission? I went back and looked and I just don't see it. This would help everyone.

Salsa
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 17:16
Congrats to the winners, all three were outstanding!!!:)

I also like snowrdr's, Formulated_One's and Novaheart's.

Gewb- I totally understand Rule #3 and photo size issues this week.
I have had both the longest side at 800 and 200K problems myself when I first stared entering.
I now make sure I preview my post and check both before posting.

Good Luck next week Edd!!!

Regards,
Sally

Novaheart
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 18:36
I really like your photo as it very closely mirrors my favorite subjects and style (I must have 2,000 similar images). I know how hard it is to take that shot! Your image could easily place on any given day.
GEWB

I took that picture 2 months after getting my A620 in February, and hadn't taken any "real" photos before then, I was so proud. :) I took over 25 shots that evening fiddling with different settings until the sun was set. I learned a lot too! 3 or 4 of them came out pretty good.
I didn't do any post processing to this photo, would there be anything that could improve it using photoshop? I was also wondering what you guys and gals thought of my use of the flash to illuminate the grasses in the foreground. I figured some of them were going to stick out into the sky anyway so I decided to make them visible.

Rob

gewb
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 18:47
What was wrong with the submission? I went back and looked and I just don't see it. This would help everyone. Hello scott1120 -

Over file size - 241.78 KB.

Regards,
GEWB

gewb
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 18:58
Hello Rob -

Sunrise / sunset pix are a different breed. 99% of the time I go to a manual setting, usually speed priority (it's just my style) - forget letting the "auto" do things. Using your flash on that image could have been interesting, just need to try it and see what happens. Question: with flash enabled, can you still use Tv or Av mode with your camera (I'm not sure)?

About the only thing to "do" in The GIMP or Photoshop is gently increase the saturation and contrast in the clouds (my opinion only, I am not a "professional").

Regards,
GEWB

Jeece
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 20:44
Congrats to all the contestants. I didn't think I could make it to the top 3 (my first)... But I'm always too harsh with myself (that's why I try to post my submission early, so I don't see the competition).

SBradley: I like the wide-angle effect of your photo.

Firestorm34: Wonderful colors! Good tree silhouette too!

Formulated_One: Lovely shot.

spur: I nearly submitted a shot very similar to yours, but mine had the sky a bit blown as it was taken on an overcast day.

Novaheart, snowrdr, dyle and Edd S also provided good photos.

Thanks gewb, I don't think I could have judged easily this contest.

gewb
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 21:15
Hello Jeece -

Don't be too harsh on yourself, that was a really good picture! Keep working some in B/W - we all have a lot to learn from you!

Regards,
GEWB

Formulated_One
17th of July 2006 (Mon), 21:41
Thanks everyone for the comments...

I understand and have read the rules, as I do for every contest..
Personally I don't agree with the file size, but that is my opinion..I am personally not going to give up quality by lowering the file size of my picture, but thats just me..
Again I understand the rules, and I have to abide by them..Every week I understand that these are tough contest to judge, I am glad I haven't had to judge any..

That being said..Congrats to everyone that placed..
Edd S - Your pictures are always top quality..This one was great, I always love misty/foggy shots like that..
S Bradley - You pictures are also great every week..Another great shot, I like when the sun shine of the snow in winter..
Jeece - Great black/white picture..Very simple, but makes a point..

_SBradley_
22nd of July 2006 (Sat), 08:19
Just got back from holiday (I spent a week in Riga, Latvia -- the photos will be processed in the next week or two!), and am chuffed to see that my picture was placed in the top three. There were some great shots (as usual)! Thanks, and well done to everybody! :)