Texas! (in one image)

(edit 21 Aug - shrunk the image size of non-contenders. added reprocessed images below. thanks folks)

Going to enter a photo contest of 'Texas'. Not sure how a single image can capture the feel of the state (it's huge), but here are the ones I've narrowed-down. I think I'll enter the cow shot, #2, although #4 could be a unique-enough image to place. Originally processed in LR3, but I tweaked them in NIK Color Efex.

Appreciate your thoughts!

1) South Rim, Big Bend National Park

Number 1 for me, although it is, indeed, not typical of Texas but it is an unusual landscape. But I think I would work for a bit more dramatic processing. Some of the others could be about anywhere in southwestern farm country so not so uniquely Texas.

rgs wrote in post #17669678
Number 1 for me, although it is, indeed, not typical of Texas but it is an unusual landscape. But I think I would work for a bit more dramatic processing. Some of the others could be about anywhere in southwestern farm country so not so uniquely Texas.

Thanks for the guidance; really appreciate it. I'll give it a shot.

my opinion: for entering a contest judged on the representation of texas i probably wouldn't enter 3, 4, or 6, cause as mentioned earlier they could be anywhere. personally, even though (i'm assuming) #1 is a famous location in texas, i'm not sure that it really is something people associate with texas (it doesn't to me anyway).

i think for me that leaves #2 and #5. visually, i would think #2 is more striking to most people. #5 has some interesting and thoughtful content.

i like the color processing of #5, but i'm not big on all the low-fi processing done on #5, in particular the straight edges of the glass effect. for this shot anyway. i'm not against it in general, just don't think it works for this.

my pick is #2.

Great shots!

Xyclopx wrote in post #17672561
my opinion: for entering a contest judged on the representation of texas i probably wouldn't enter 3, 4, or 6, cause as mentioned earlier they could be anywhere. personally, even though (i'm assuming) #1 is a famous location in texas, i'm not sure that it really is something people associate with texas (it doesn't to me anyway).

i think for me that leaves #2 and #5. visually, i would think #2 is more striking to most people. #5 has some interesting and thoughtful content.

i like the color processing of #5, but i'm not big on all the low-fi processing done on #5, in particular the straight edges of the glass effect. for this shot anyway. i'm not against it in general, just don't think it works for this.

my pick is #2.

#1 is the Big Bend area of SW Texas and is well known to those of us in the neighboring states anyway. It is also the only uniquely Texas shot in the set. #2 and #5 I could easily find within 1/2 hour of my home in OKC as could anyone in any farming / ranching area.

I took the comment about adding more drama to heart and spent the week reprocessing images. Added a B&W (tree) and redid the South Rim. Maybe too much on the PP, but I'm basically at the end of my skill.

I personally like the cows, but I appreciate rgs' suggestion that what wins is not necessarily the best image, but the one that fits the theme.

7) South Rim, Big Bend

Xyclopx wrote in post #17672561
my opinion: for entering a contest judged on the representation of texas i probably wouldn't enter 3, 4, or 6, cause as mentioned earlier they could be anywhere. personally, even though (i'm assuming) #1 is a famous location in texas, i'm not sure that it really is something people associate with texas (it doesn't to me anyway).

i think for me that leaves #2 and #5. visually, i would think #2 is more striking to most people. #5 has some interesting and thoughtful content.

i like the color processing of #5, but i'm not big on all the low-fi processing done on #5, in particular the straight edges of the glass effect. for this shot anyway. i'm not against it in general, just don't think it works for this.

my pick is #2.

Thank you very much for great insight, Xyclopx.

BRAVOO