OOTB WINNERS - "MONOCHROMATIC"

Another difficult week to judge! So many excellent images and interpretations of the theme and all are winners for participating.

When I evaluate images I first look for an emotional response, which is what I see as the goal of all art. Secondly, I look at the interpretation and realization of the theme element. In this case, there were many ways to go with the theme. We seemed to stick to a couple of main thoughts - the monochromatic style of the early masters like Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Lewis Hine, Gordon Parks, and many others who pioneered the craft and discovered the power of imagery to make social change - and the contemporary artistic style in which a solitary color is expressed in varying tonalities to create a pleasing image. Thirdly, I look at the technical aspects and the creative use of the available tools.

By now you're thinking "just get on with it...". :D Here are my choices:

First place - "Giraffe Sunset" by Cindy Cone
Excellent job with this one Cindy. The base image really engages the viewer with interesting composition and tension. What could they be seeing? What is just outside the frame? The PP work is expertly and tastefully done. Congrats!

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Second place - "Lighthouse" by Indranil Sircar
Beautiful composition and peaceful color tones. I can hear the soft lapping of the waves and the cries of the gulls. Your image both makes me want to be there and then takes me there! Good show!

http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=46313

Third place - "Untitled - Empire State Building" by Hazel Grant
Hazel, this is a wonderful example of recreating the work of the pioneers. Your framing excludes anything that would betray the fact that this was taken recently, and does a wonderful job of illustrating the timeless nature of old Manhattan. The composition is compelling and "out of the box" and the toning really gives it an authentic look. Well done!

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Fourth place - "Leaf" by Christopher Miller
I like the strong composition and color chosen for this one. The placement of the leaf and hole in it make for a very strong image. The PP with the slight vignette look is very well done.

http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=46376

Fifth place - "Stream" by Indranil Sircar
Lovely composition and technical use of slow shutter speed! I also like the hue of the tint very much - it makes this image different and interesting.

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So hard to choose with the consistent quality of images being posted here! Thanks so much Denise for allowing me to participate as judge. Keep the great OOTB images coming - we have something really cool going on here!! :D

Kerry, Thankyou so much for judging. I know you have been sick-yet you still found the time for all of us here in OOTB. Thankyou once again.It was a tough decision and I don't know how you did it!!

Cindy,Really great image.I just loved it!!Congrats!! Very well done.
Indranil, Really nice image and loved the tones. Big Congrats!Well done.
Hazel, Great looking perspective and tones.Well done Congrats!
Christopher, Nice color tones and placement.Congrats!
Indranil, Really beautiful flow to the stream.Congrats!

Great job everyone and I look forward to another week of interesting interpretations!!

Thanks Kerry, Appreciate your time and effort in judging a week with hard choices.
Congrats to all the winners and participants who came up with many creative approaches. Enjoyed seeing them all...

Good job Kerry, and congrats to all winners.

Cindy, I just saw your giraffe image on the SmugMug home page! Way to go!! :D

Kerry, great job this week and congratulations to everyone. I hope to have more time this week to look at
all the images but the winners are definitely that - Winners!!:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kerry Perkins

Cindy, I just saw your giraffe image on the SmugMug home page! Way to go!! :D

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just grabbed it....WTG!!

Thanks for judging, Kerry. Big congrats Cindy, Indranil, and Hazel! Very well deserved!

Cindy,Way cool Big Congrats!!!!!!:):D

Great Work Kerry....Congrats Cindy....Love the Giraffes...hats off to all winners

Thank you Kerry for taking time to judge and provide excellent feedback. Also congratulations to Cindy, Hazel and Christopher. Outstanding images from everyone this week; so much to appreciate and learn.

Thanks a lot everyone. I am honored. Congrats to the other winners and all of the participants. I learn so much seeing the work done by everyone in this forum. Kerry, thanks for your time and thoughtful responses for such a difficult job, as well as noticing it on Smugmug. It was included on the homepage slideshow rather recently, so that's been fun.

Thanks Kerry and Big congratulations to all winners

thanks

special congrats Cindy on the giraffes!

Congrats to all. Good show!