Leighow
2nd of March 2004 (Tue), 20:42
This is the secona activity in the "Plan" to see CDPF members enter the Wildlife Photo Contest, as described under the "Sticky Post" on Critique Corner < see http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=26078 >.
A Cursory Look at the Wildlife Photo Club’s Winners
This, the 3rd post in this series, briefly examines the best of the Wildlife Photo Competition images. Its purpose is to help members assess the competition!
The review is very cursory and limited to 50 images that had won either a grand prizes, 1st place, or honourable mentions. Many—if not all of the Wildlife Photo Club competitors -- appear to be world class photographers. It will a strong effort and lots of good luck for our members to compete successfully in this cliub.
The review is limited to six attributes that were defined and applied by one member in reviewing the WPC highest rated photographs. Here are some rough findings.
1: What was the subject of the photograph ?
Lion : 1 - (2.0%)
Deer : 1 - (2.0%)
Bear : 4 -(8.2%)
Other mammals * : 22 - (44.9%)
Bird : 9 - (18.4%)
Insect : 8 - (16.3%)
Fish : 2 - (4.1%)
Landscape : 2 - (4.1%)
Totals : 49 - (100.0%)
* Seal Lions, apes, Jackals, Penguins, Racoon, Fox, Springbucks, Wildebeest,
Discussion : As regards the photographing of large mammals, a significant number of competitors had travelled to the North/South pole or to Africa where they captured images of lions, seals, penguins, and polar bears! Such images would be hard for our members to match! In contrast, we have demonstrated skill in photographing birds, insects, frogs, and underwater subjects. Consequently, we should be quite competitive in these areas.
2: What aspect of the animal's life does the image portray ?
Still portrait (1 animal) -: 13 - (26.0%)
“ ( > 1 animal) ……………………: 4 - (8.0%)
Portrait in motion (1 animal) : 7 - (14.0%)
“ (> 1 animal)………………:.8 - (16.0%)
Hunting scene (1 animal) : 2 - (4.0%)
“ (> 1 animal)…………………: 2 - (4.0%)
Dinner scene (1 animal) : 8 - (16.0%)
“ (> 1 animal)………………….. : 3 - ( 6.0%)
Environmental challenges ( 1 animal) : 1 - (2.0%)
“ ( > 1 animal) :1 - (2.0%)
Other : 1 - (2.0%)
Totals : 50 - ( 100.0%)
Discussion: Most images involve a single animal caught in a still or motion poses; for example, a headshot of a fox or a full shot of an egret in flight . Other images capture a small groups of animals. While our members have demonstrated their ability to portray single animals, there may be more room to photograph groups of animals within strong compositions .
Wildlife involved in “hunting or dinner” have dome well in this contest – although such images are concentrated in the Artic and Africa. This is a area for members to consider.
3: What percentage of the frame was filled by the wildlife image itself ?
more than 75% : 2- (4.2%)
50% to 75% : 14- (29.2%)
25% to 49% : 16- (33.3%)
less than 25% : 16- (33.3%)
Totals : 48- (100.0%)
Disucssion: Wildlife does not have to dominate the frame. While head shots do dominate, mamy successful images do well when the subject is placed within its larger setting. That setting may simply be a supporting branch in the portrait of a bird, or the setting may span several hundred feet of a larger animal’s living space.
4: How would I describe the color and light of the photograph?
Terrific color + Terrific light :14- (27.5%)
“ color + Good light : 3- (5.9%)
Good color + Terrific light : 6- (11.8%)
" color + Good light : 22- (43.1%)
So-so color + Terrific light : 1- (2.0%)
“ color + Good light -: 3 - (5.9%)
[u] “ color + So-so light -: 2 - (3.9%)
Totals : 51 - (100.0%)
Discussion: While these ratings and variables are very subjective, the table suggests that a wide range of lighting conditions can prevail. While better light may result in a winner rather than an honourable mention, the uniqueness and quality of the wildlife photograph are most important. That said a fair proportion of images had both great color and light.
5: What type of Camera ?
Film : 13- (50.0)%
Digital : 13- (50.0%)
Totals : 26- (100.0%)
Discussion: Both film and digital were inn use, including several G-Series Canon cameras.
6: What was the focal length or max zoom of the lens?
under 100mm :1- (14.0%)
200 mm :2- (18.0%)
300 mm :2- ( 8.0%)
400 mm :8- (32.0%)
500 mm :1- ( 4.0%)
Other length :2- (8.0%)
Macro lens :9- (6.0%)
Totals :25 - (100.0%)
Discussion: Most wildlife photographers are armed with long lenses. Forum members with G2’s may require 3x or 8x tele-converters
CONCLUSION:
· Members of this forum have the interest and ability to submit contending images to the Wildlife Photo Club Contest.
· While the Artic and Africa may be out thousands of other wildlife sites are in – and filled with opportunity
· DSLR members may need blinds to catch more intimate portraits of wildlife family action (e.g. Loons nesting).
· “G Series” members may need 3x or 8 x tele-converters to get close to larger animals
* Members with a flare for photographing smaller wildlife such as insects and frogs should be strong contenders as well.
A Cursory Look at the Wildlife Photo Club’s Winners
This, the 3rd post in this series, briefly examines the best of the Wildlife Photo Competition images. Its purpose is to help members assess the competition!
The review is very cursory and limited to 50 images that had won either a grand prizes, 1st place, or honourable mentions. Many—if not all of the Wildlife Photo Club competitors -- appear to be world class photographers. It will a strong effort and lots of good luck for our members to compete successfully in this cliub.
The review is limited to six attributes that were defined and applied by one member in reviewing the WPC highest rated photographs. Here are some rough findings.
1: What was the subject of the photograph ?
Lion : 1 - (2.0%)
Deer : 1 - (2.0%)
Bear : 4 -(8.2%)
Other mammals * : 22 - (44.9%)
Bird : 9 - (18.4%)
Insect : 8 - (16.3%)
Fish : 2 - (4.1%)
Landscape : 2 - (4.1%)
Totals : 49 - (100.0%)
* Seal Lions, apes, Jackals, Penguins, Racoon, Fox, Springbucks, Wildebeest,
Discussion : As regards the photographing of large mammals, a significant number of competitors had travelled to the North/South pole or to Africa where they captured images of lions, seals, penguins, and polar bears! Such images would be hard for our members to match! In contrast, we have demonstrated skill in photographing birds, insects, frogs, and underwater subjects. Consequently, we should be quite competitive in these areas.
2: What aspect of the animal's life does the image portray ?
Still portrait (1 animal) -: 13 - (26.0%)
“ ( > 1 animal) ……………………: 4 - (8.0%)
Portrait in motion (1 animal) : 7 - (14.0%)
“ (> 1 animal)………………:.8 - (16.0%)
Hunting scene (1 animal) : 2 - (4.0%)
“ (> 1 animal)…………………: 2 - (4.0%)
Dinner scene (1 animal) : 8 - (16.0%)
“ (> 1 animal)………………….. : 3 - ( 6.0%)
Environmental challenges ( 1 animal) : 1 - (2.0%)
“ ( > 1 animal) :1 - (2.0%)
Other : 1 - (2.0%)
Totals : 50 - ( 100.0%)
Discussion: Most images involve a single animal caught in a still or motion poses; for example, a headshot of a fox or a full shot of an egret in flight . Other images capture a small groups of animals. While our members have demonstrated their ability to portray single animals, there may be more room to photograph groups of animals within strong compositions .
Wildlife involved in “hunting or dinner” have dome well in this contest – although such images are concentrated in the Artic and Africa. This is a area for members to consider.
3: What percentage of the frame was filled by the wildlife image itself ?
more than 75% : 2- (4.2%)
50% to 75% : 14- (29.2%)
25% to 49% : 16- (33.3%)
less than 25% : 16- (33.3%)
Totals : 48- (100.0%)
Disucssion: Wildlife does not have to dominate the frame. While head shots do dominate, mamy successful images do well when the subject is placed within its larger setting. That setting may simply be a supporting branch in the portrait of a bird, or the setting may span several hundred feet of a larger animal’s living space.
4: How would I describe the color and light of the photograph?
Terrific color + Terrific light :14- (27.5%)
“ color + Good light : 3- (5.9%)
Good color + Terrific light : 6- (11.8%)
" color + Good light : 22- (43.1%)
So-so color + Terrific light : 1- (2.0%)
“ color + Good light -: 3 - (5.9%)
[u] “ color + So-so light -: 2 - (3.9%)
Totals : 51 - (100.0%)
Discussion: While these ratings and variables are very subjective, the table suggests that a wide range of lighting conditions can prevail. While better light may result in a winner rather than an honourable mention, the uniqueness and quality of the wildlife photograph are most important. That said a fair proportion of images had both great color and light.
5: What type of Camera ?
Film : 13- (50.0)%
Digital : 13- (50.0%)
Totals : 26- (100.0%)
Discussion: Both film and digital were inn use, including several G-Series Canon cameras.
6: What was the focal length or max zoom of the lens?
under 100mm :1- (14.0%)
200 mm :2- (18.0%)
300 mm :2- ( 8.0%)
400 mm :8- (32.0%)
500 mm :1- ( 4.0%)
Other length :2- (8.0%)
Macro lens :9- (6.0%)
Totals :25 - (100.0%)
Discussion: Most wildlife photographers are armed with long lenses. Forum members with G2’s may require 3x or 8x tele-converters
CONCLUSION:
· Members of this forum have the interest and ability to submit contending images to the Wildlife Photo Club Contest.
· While the Artic and Africa may be out thousands of other wildlife sites are in – and filled with opportunity
· DSLR members may need blinds to catch more intimate portraits of wildlife family action (e.g. Loons nesting).
· “G Series” members may need 3x or 8 x tele-converters to get close to larger animals
* Members with a flare for photographing smaller wildlife such as insects and frogs should be strong contenders as well.