Photography Competiton

[Barry Purse]

Good evening guys, Barry here!

I come with you today, with a request. I also need your opinions.

I've decided to enter a photography competition, relating to travel. However, I don't know whether my photograph is good enough.

Would you kindl- SORRY

Would it be possible for you guys to visit the link below and let me know whether my picture can hold its own against the plethora of rival entries. Of course I would be overjoyed if you all voted 5 stars 10 millons times each, but I don't want to attempt to game the system.

http://bahighlife.com/Competitions-and-Offers/Photo-Competition/Gallery/View.html?EntryId=7067


I can't wait to get some judgement on my humble Snap!

BArry

 

[Private Custard]

Honestly, it doesn't really scream 'travel' to me. Kinda looks like he's been thrown into the shot from the side, like he didn't really want to be there!

There are 34 pages of entries in that challenge. Some are tired old cliches, some are technically excellent, if a little dull, and some really jump out. I even spotted what looked like medium format film shots, taken with a light-leaking holga (plastic camera worth about a tenner!).

From what I've seen of photography contests over the years, people tend to go for

water droplets
fisheyed shots
milky water (long exposures of waves or waterfalls)
a nice portrait of someone old/grizzled/asian (but only in traditional dress)
spiders webs covered in dew
sunsets/sunrises
wildlife (only if pin-sharp and full of expression)

That's just off the top of my head. And I'm firmly of the opinion that just by adding a duck to a shot, it improves it ten-fold!!

My advice, try to get something in the background that gives a sense of location, not just a nondescript field with a few trees. And if you're going to use black and white, it has to be punchy.

In the olden days, black and white was full of character as it's something that medium/high ISO film just does naturally, but modern digital equipment can't easily replicate it without it just looking muddy and badly focused.

Needs contrast so it can 'pop' is what I'm trying to say.

I can't believe I just used the word 'pop' with regards to a photograph. I never wanted to reach that point......thanks!!