September Challenge Results: October Judge Announced

Well thanks for the continuing participation and for Roy helping while both Gayle and I had other issues with which to deal. We did get some cool images and probably more that would have participated given time. I was impressed with a lot of the work and I‘m back in this to give some time. That said, I think we should go over the basics as we proceed. The idea here is not so much to compete and win . . . it's to get out there, take photos, learn and improve.

I was pleased to see some very creative and unique twists to the challenge. That's always cool. Our Judge was Bobbi, and she came up with a great challenge. She selected the member who most fulfilled her challenge.

So our September Challenge Selectee and October judge...without further ado...is Heather's photo of the bridge cables.

Heather's Photo

Bobbi: "It has great composition and lighting. The post is off centered to the left leaving the eye to travel the cables that radiate down from it but yet there is an air of mystery because they don't end abruptly - leading the eye back to the top again. Good movement, lines and focus.
Congrats Heather!"

Gayle (Honorable Mention):

Jenn's Photo

I chose Jenn's mini pumpkin shot because it is a pretty composition ala' Martha Stewart seasonal festive and meets the challenge specs of using available light...it has nice diagonals and repetitive shapes as elements of interest....cropping up from the bottom to eliminate the excessive negative space would improve the comp's balance....

Doyle's (Honorable Mention):

Roy's Photo

I chose Roy Hilbinger's shot because I thought it was instructive and pointed out something very useful for people to know. He used water, not a mirror, and reminded us all that reflections vary by medium. Mirrors would be harsher and sharper than water. I'd also like to point out that higher ISOs which happen a lot in darker settings (particularly on automatic settings), may help the exposure but they do so by adding grain to the shot unless you are very attentive. THIS, my friends, is why the auto-settings in cameras tend to limit the potential of the shot and the camera and it's why we're all here. Thanks Roy...a good lesson for all to keep in mind! Keep the ISO settings, if you have them, down as much as possible.

Now a reminder, as I know there are new people in the group. It's called intense for a reason. It's called Challenge, not Contest, for a reason too. We're not going to have a typical, "rummage through the drawers for a snapshot or the hard drive for an old shot" photo contest here. All shots need to be taken after the project is announced and taken FOR the project.

Now, clearly, we'll be on the honor system here, but a project like "Flowers" would be no real challenge and most people already have many good flower shots. Opportunities to stretch our legs and learn more might be limited that way. Remember these things:

• Shoot a shot FOR the project . . . (Don't upload one that was taken before the project was announced, even if perfect for it . . . honor system here.)
• Photo MUST have IPC as a tag.
• Photo MUST be uploaded to IPC Group by a Member who TOOK it!
• Intense means what it says:
  If your image is 12:01 on the first day of the following month it's out.
• If a moderator disallows your image . . . check it out (or ask), something was wrong.

The project should reflect a challenge . . . something NOT too easy. The 'winner' will be able to pick the project for the following month but if it's not challenging enough we will suggest ways to make it tougher until we have an agreed on, 'perfect challenge'.

Winner will not only select the next month's theme, they will judge it! Again, we're on the honor system here. I'm assuming the judging will be on the quality of the work, not on the "this is my friend" basis. We've been good about this.

The contest runs to the last minute of the last day of the calendar month Gather time. No exceptions.

Count on a delay seeing your images. The group is moderated by myself and G-Photog to be sure all images fit the guidelines, so they will have to be approved first. Critiques should be helpful without being hurtful . . . honest . . . and, please . . . no comments like "Good shot. 10. I like it." They're ok for some places, but I'd hope IPC members were also challenging themselves on critiques. Learning properly how to give a good critique can also improve both your self-confidence and your own work. Giving good critiques is a part of the learning process! Don't be defensive, it's all opinions. YOU might love your shot, even if a pro doesn't. My sainted mother wouldn't pay $2 for a Picasso. Doesn't mean it's worthless, right? It's all about being open to what others think. In giving the critique, it's all about being respectful and trying to point out more than just what doesn't work...find something nice to say too.

Now how does a so-so beginning amateur give a critique to an extremely skilled professional photographer? I'll tell you. Instead of "I like it! Beautiful.", simply mention why you like it, or what exactly you like. What works and what doesn't. What attracts you to the shot or how does it make you feel? You'll be putting in a little more time . . . but THAT time is the price we pay to improve . . . and, though we all know it at some level . . . Everyone was a so-so beginning amateur at one point or another. As you ask yourself WHY you like shots, you begin to see what works for you! This group has ALL levels of skill represented . . . and critiques will try to be aimed at the level of experience of the photographer when known, or as assumed by the photo itself. In other words . . . a way to improve the photo will be suggested by working first on common or basic errors if they are there . . . and moving into more detailed areas when common issues aren't seen. I'd like to advise you all to look at each shot and review the comments too. If you can't shoot, you can still learn.

October 2008 Intense Photography Challenge

Too be announced SOON.

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