My first photo contest...

[askibum02]

The US Army MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation for the unenlightened;) ) has an annual photography contest, and I decided to enter a couple Photos from this year. Long story short, there are two different classes, Active Duty, and Civilians. Then it's broken down by color and monochrome. Finally there are 5 subject matter groups. Here are the two I have chosen to enter.

Color Object
http://gallery.me.com/askibum02/100115/IMG_5647/web.jpg

Monochrome Object
http://gallery.me.com/askibum02/100076/IMG_5026_2/web.jpg

C&C Welcome!!

[JoYork]

The colour one seems a little flat, somehow. You might want to try giving it a slight contrast boost, and maybe increase the saturation a little.

Second one doesn't really leap out at me either. The first problem is the horizon isn't straight (this can be corrected easily enough) and the second problem is I don't think it works so well as B&W. I'm dying to see what colour those flowers are!

Just an idea - why don't you swap them around? Make the first photo the B&W entry and the second one as the colour entry.

[puadxe]

Your color object submission could use more...color. I'm not liking the reflections in the logo there. The white of the car could be whiter too.

The second ain't bad.

[askibum02]

Here they are in reversed order......

http://gallery.me.com/askibum02/100076/IMG_5026/web.jpg

http://gallery.me.com/askibum02/100115/IMG_5647_2/web.jpg

I fixed the horizon on the Unity Candle, but that just seemed to enhance the angle of the hill, road, wall, etc. I dunno....

[puadxe]

nice black and white conversion

heh, reversing them does work.

[SwingBopper]

In the first, you've got reflections of some guy taking a picture of some girl. Is that intentional? In the second one (table) the differing angles of the candles throws the whole image off in my opinion. No offense meant; but I'd suggest looking at 2 other images for the contest.

[JoYork]

I much prefer the table photo in colour.

[Apollo11]

I think you have a winner with the car image, in monochrome. It is an excellent shot.

On the other side, I think you have probably taken many color pictures that are better than this one of the table. It just isn't show-worthy, IMO. The billowing tablecloth exposes the legs of the table, which doesn't enhance the image in any way. The left candle is leaning, too. Unless these three facts (billowing cloth, table legs, leaning candle) are supposed to tell a story, I'm not getting it.

[JoYork]

Have you got any other photos you were considering entering?

[jetboy]

The problem with both of these images is they don't tell a story about anything. I've dealt with the photo contests for military and they are looking for photos that have impact and/or tell a story in one blink of the aperture. Here’s the other issues... The car photo has been taken and seen to death anywhere on the net. Nothing special imo. Go to VW website and it even has a pic of the GTI grill but without the distracting extras in the reflections. Just a pic of an enthusiast’s auto. The table just seems like a lone table in the grass. Not photographed in a perspective or angle to make it interesting. Looks like someone took a table and put it on the front lawn (mind you with a great view, but, just a lawn none the less).

Depending on where you’re located, you might want to look into checking out the local area for markets or fests if in Germany. Get some pics of local life. Move the camera around by getting on the ground or getting up high and looking down. Add an aspect that ppl normally walking around at 5'6"-6'3" don't normally see. There is a difference between a nice photo and one that will win a prize. You might use a nice pic for your desktop. You win a prize with the photo that makes you think or feel something.

Then again, take my opinions with a grain of salt. I have seen some of the photos that win those MWR contests and I sometimes wondered who’s wallet is a little heavier after the judging. All on personal opinions I guess.

[askibum02]

Thanks for everyone's perspective on the pictures. The one thing that I didn't take into account, was that even though each of the pictures means something to me, everyone else can only take them at face value.

Here's another one I've decided to enter as well.
http://gallery.me.com/askibum02/100115/IMG_5778/web.jpg

[JoYork]

That one is MUCH better, Brett :)

[DAMphyne]

I have to agree with Jo.
Although correct exposure, composition and technical rightness always aid in getting a good photo,
Impact wins prizes.
The judges have to look at your photo twice.
The first photo has no point of interest, in either version.
The second is good in color, the leaning candle is a problem
The last one has good interest and tells a story, with a slight crop, it could be the ONE.
Good Luck to You, and be sure to let us know how it all works out.

[Nathan]

Lol... I took one look at the last photo and I'm thinking "David v. Goliath"... and then for some reason "Mario v. King Koopa, Oh no! You killed Luigi!"

Okay... I'll go now. Been studying too hard.

[askibum02]

Thanks for everyone's insight. I really appriciate the help. I'm an amature in every sense of the word so anything, even if it may be percieved as harsh is welcome.

The car photo has been taken and seen to death anywhere on the net. Nothing special imo. Go to VW website and it even has a pic of the GTI grill but without the distracting extras in the reflections. Just a pic of an enthusiast’s auto.

The thing that makes the car shot special, is it is a one of a kind GTI. The only one is existance as a matter of fact. I guess I am going to claim ignorance here, and think that titleing the photo as that would have some impact. Everyone has said something about the reflections in the grill. The car was at a car show, and the reflections were somewhat unavoidable. I agree, not ideal, but again, unavoidable.

[askibum02]

Thanks for everyone's insight. I really appriciate the help. I'm an amature in every sense of the word so anything, even if it may be percieved as harsh is welcome.

The car photo has been taken and seen to death anywhere on the net. Nothing special imo. Go to VW website and it even has a pic of the GTI grill but without the distracting extras in the reflections. Just a pic of an enthusiast’s auto.

The thing that makes the car shot special, is it is a one of a kind GTI. The only one is existance as a matter of fact. I guess I am going to claim ignorance here, and think that titleing the photo as that would have some impact. Everyone has said something about the reflections in the grill. The car was at a car show, and the reflections were somewhat unavoidable. I agree, not ideal, but again, unavoidable.

[Nathan]

If it's one of a kind, then why not a picture of the entire car ?

[askibum02]

There's no way I could take a picture of the car at the show with no people in the picture. The badge "GTI/W12" is what signifies it as different. I guess it was really aimed more at the VW enthusiast crowd.

[Nathan]

so the question is, will the judges get it?

[cryforashadow]

Even if the judges get it, it doesn't matter because just because you took a picture of something unique doesn't mean your picture is awesome.

[Nathan]

I was curious as to how the car looked like... so I googled it. What makes the one in your photo the only one in existance? They must have at least several prototypes and production models, even if it's not available yet.

http://images.google.com/images?q=gti%20w12&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

[askibum02]

Even if the judges get it, it doesn't matter because just because you took a picture of something unique doesn't mean your picture is awesome.

That's the question, isn't it.:p

I was curious as to how the car looked like... so I googled it. What makes the one in your photo the only one in existance? They must have at least several prototypes and production models, even if it's not available yet.

http://images.google.com/images?q=gti%20w12&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

That IS the prototype. It was never built to be produced, and it never will be produced. If you are at all interested in cars, do a search for the Top Gear segment on it, you'll see why. I'll give you a spoiler, lots of power, light car, and a short wheel base=no traction or handling.:D

[jetboy]

Interesting car. But, i think this pic of it adds more "Oh wow, what is that?" feeling...

http://blog.leasetrader.com/images/blog_leasetrader_com/WindowsLiveWriter/VOLKSWAGENGOLFGTIW12_C569/vw.golf.w12.cooling.500.jpg

Either way, for these type of contests, you really need photos that tell a story or inspire emotion (childhood memories, first kiss, feeling of security, list goes on).

[askibum02]

UPDATE: I looked at the status of my entries today, and found out that the B&W GTI shot was advanced to Dept. of the Army Judges (next level up). Woo Hoo!

[chauncey]

Dec 13th through Feb 3rd...seems like a long time to make a decision.

[joedlh]

Second one doesn't really leap out at me either. The first problem is the horizon isn't straight


The horizon is level. The table is not. And the left candle is leaning.

[binliner]

The thing that makes the car shot special, is it is a one of a kind GTI. The only one is existance as a matter of fact. I guess I am going to claim ignorance here, and think that titleing the photo as that would have some impact. Everyone has said something about the reflections in the grill. The car was at a car show, and the reflections were somewhat unavoidable. I agree, not ideal, but again, unavoidable.

Changing the angle of your shot a bit to reflect more of the sky will help avoid distracting reflections or just being patient and waiting until there's nobody in the way

I saw that Golf a couple of years ago at GTI International so I get the significance ;)