DSLR Speed Challenge #141 "Close to Home"

Close to Home

Can be interpreted as physical or metaphoric; something with meaning, or a location, or both. Open subject. So you know my palette leans toward more avant garde or non-literal interpretations. A good straight shot is worth a million bucks but something really unique is priceless, straight or otherwise. Enjoy the show.

Color or Black&white....Have fun with this

This challenge begins when posted, and will end at 12 pm (noon) CDT
on Saturday, April 10, 2010. Winner of this challenge will be
announced shortly thereafter.

Standard Rules apply:
Photo Submissions:

1. Camera - Any Canon DSLR Camera
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 - Please see the Image posting rules.
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 & lens used.* Notes -- post brief EXIF data including ISO, shutter speed and aperture used.
6. Commenting - No commenting during challenge. When the posting is closed and a winner has been declared, comments can be made in this thread.
7. Have FUN!

One challenge every week, on the following schedule:

* New Topic - After winner is declared.
* Posting Starts - Right after topic is announced.
* Posting Ends - 12 p.m. Central Time Saturday, April 10, 2010.
* Winner from this competition decides the theme of the next one (and judges it for a winner) after this competition is closed

First Dandelion

First post here:

First dandelion

Almost there

40D, f/11, 1/640, iso 100, 17mm

park down the street

Giant Redwoods Just Up the Hill

5D
24mm
f/8
Shutter 100

HOSTED PHOTO
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On the Road

On the Road

December 2000

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

Building a New Home

Building A New Home

Canon XSi
Canon EF 75-300mm @ 300 mm focal length
f: 5.6
shutter: 1/80
ISO: 100

HOSTED PHOTO
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Tagus River

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Camera: Canon 5D
Lens: EF35mm /1.4L
Av: f/9
Tv: 1/50 sec
ISO: 200
Exposure: Manual
Metering: Partial

IMAGE LINK: http://edl1954.smugmug​.com …456_hPJhT#83267​2751_mcF4n

This challenge is closed ... I will be back momentarily with the results.

All right here we go ... First of all thank you all for your contributions!
I graded this challenge on theme, content, and execution giving equal weight to each.

Here are the critiques ...

cubatahavana
"First Dandelion"

I like the composition and execution. The flower reflection gets a bit surreal and mostly because of the difference between the B/W water reflections and the bright yellow reflections. I wonder what a high subdued color background would look like instead of the B/W treatment. I feel the flower and background are from different worlds and in my eye this effect can occur with selective coloring depending on the color density. Another possibility is a blue tint on the background supporting the contrast with the flower color.

monty28428
"Almost there"

I like the vista and even though this is fairly common (we have some nice long plank walks here at home) there is charm in the textures of the grasses and the walk that leads to infinity. My only nitpick is the spot in the main cloud. I thought it was monitor dust but it's in the image. Nice work.

airfrogusmc
"Empty"

This image has some intriguing qualities to it starting with the unusual colors (for a swingset) and subject matter. The DOF field and placement of the subject work well and the atmospheric is captured with the dew hanging from the chain in the first basket.

Maureen Souza
"Giant Redwoods"

Had a hunch this was near home as this variety of Redwoods is different than the variety we see here on the coast. Nice image. A little hot where the sun strikes the tree but a pleasant viewing experience.

John B
"On the Road"

Great perspective and simple backdrop. This image works and I wonder what would happen with a graduated burn of the bottom reinforcing the visual focus along the yellow line.

Jason C
"December 2000"

This image has some strong graphic symbols and textures. The composition is interesting though likely a bit terse for many viewers. In Zone system this image approaches about Zone 6 as the highest tone. I wonder how this image would look if the contrast for the wall was expanded. This image is open to interpretation.

philk54
"Building a New Home"

Certainly a fairly unique moment this image is a little soft in focus and a tad bland in composition though I am not sure there is a better way to frame this moment.

AUtigers250z
"Death"

This image is beautiful. Highly symbolic and well orchestrated. My only nitpick is I think the top of this image could be cropped a bit to force the subjects to be even more central to the frame then they already are.

Warl0rd
"Tagus River"

A beautiful scenic in HDR, nice elements, nice light and print tone. I might have preferred a slightly tighter crop on the left.

dilorenzo1954
"Home Is Where the Heart Is"

The statement is excellent and well done as usual but with a few caveats. The sidewalk was likely out of control (hot) and I think you did good job bringing that in except for the burn mark on her foot and the edge where the family and sidewalk meet. The contrast from the different elements doesn't match well. A tighter crop might help a bit as well. The print tone for the family is beautiful.


Here are the results of the challenge:

1st: AUtigers250z, "Death"
2nd: airfrogusmc, "Empty"
3rd: cubatahavana, "First Dandelion"
HM: monty28428, "Almost There"

Good job everyone ...

MODERATOR INTERVENTION: The rules state placing the subject in the title of the entry. This was not observed by AUtigers250z and thereby is disqualified. The new list of winners is below. Because I already placed an ordered list I had to support the existing list while selecting the next runner ups.

1st: airfrogusmc, "Empty"
2nd: cubatahavana, "First Dandelion"
3rd: monty28428, "Almost There"
HM: warl0rd, "Tagus River"

Sure glad I'm not a professional judge!

Allen as the winner you get to post DSLR Speed Challenge #142

Sure glad I'm not a professional judge!

Congrats Winners and nice job jetcode!