[Zone]

Tricky theme this month so well done to all who managed to work the old grey matter, getting out there and coming up with something

Thumbnail page is HERE to quickly check you haven't missed any entries

As always a huge thank you to our sponsors for the prizes on offer HERE

The closing date for votes will be shown at the top of the poll and don't forget that all votes are public so no voting for yourself

Also if you have entered a picture then you are expected to vote, else all votes accrued by you will be disallowed

Important
The last forums update now allows guests to also vote and obviously this doesn't log a user name against the vote.
For any other poll this wouldn't be an issue but as we don't allow forum members to vote for themselves in the competition then I'm having to treat the fact that guests can vote a little differently!
Therefore can I ask that if you are already a member of AVF to please log in before voting, to those who lurk on the forums and wish to vote then please feel free to register before voting, registration is free and you'll be joining an invaluable and fantastic community.

To that end, any instances of guest voting will be discounted, sorry.

[Logrus]

Couldn't think of anything good this month for my entry.

For me it was between iandrews and vulkan75.

There is just something so appealing about Vulkans shot, nice one mate.

[AVTEZ59]

Voted for iandrews...bang on theme, simple PP and well composed.A cracker !

Terry

[bren-escape]

Vulcan got my vote, really like everything about it

[Martin.D]

I'm not trying to stir things up but some people who have entered have not followed the rules and I think it's fair to say all rules should be adhered too..

May I point out the following:

2: The following information must be included in the same post as the entry. Camera used, Shutter Speed, Apeture, ISO and focal length also exif must be left embedded in the image or else the photo will be disallowed. PLEASE NOTE, IF ANYONE IS UNSURE HOW TO PRESERVE EXIF AND FOR ANYONE USING SOFTWARE THAT STRIPS EXIF THEN AS LONG AS THE ORIGINAL PICTURE CAN BE EMAILED TO avfphotocomp@googlemail.com THEN THE PICTURE WILL BE ALLOWED.

5: Details of any post processing must be included in the same post as the entry.

[robfjonesuk]

Tonkie's sand dune shot for me, the colours are wonderful!

[jonnypb]

bren-escape for me, in the current climate it's the most on theme picture

[electrolyte]

A very tricky month with a very difficult theme to interpret. The best shot for me was Biscuit761's. Well done to all who entered though!

[mark.carline]

I do think that vulkan75 is the best picture I dont think its as close to the theme as Biscuit761 so that one gets my vote!

[Zone]

Originally Posted by Martin.D

I'm not trying to stir things up but some people who have entered have not followed the rules and I think it's fair to say all rules should be adhered too..

May I point out the following:

2: The following information must be included in the same post as the entry. Camera used, Shutter Speed, Apeture, ISO and focal length also exif must be left embedded in the image or else the photo will be disallowed. PLEASE NOTE, IF ANYONE IS UNSURE HOW TO PRESERVE EXIF AND FOR ANYONE USING SOFTWARE THAT STRIPS EXIF THEN AS LONG AS THE ORIGINAL PICTURE CAN BE EMAILED TO avfphotocomp@googlemail.com THEN THE PICTURE WILL BE ALLOWED.

5: Details of any post processing must be included in the same post as the entry.

I generally agree with what you have posted Martin, but the posting of settings used and post processing was and is simply of interest to others, it just saves people the time hunting for the info if they feel inclined to have a go at a particular shot, it gives them a good starting place.

Exif is more problematic and a bit of a bug bear for me, as long as I can find the info whether that be on an individuals Flickr or whatever hosting site they use then that's fine, other than that then the entry must have exif embedded or the individual needs to send me the original which I request!

Every shot bar one this month had exif available so I'm happy with that as you can tell by my winning smile

[iandrews]

Hard month this month.

Special mention to:

bren-escape: Getting the 1st entry in, and a good one at the, just a shame they were "Sold" signs and not "For Sale".
vulkan75: Great photo, as someone else said, probably the best photo, however not on theme enough for me.
electrolyte & Mart_73: Similar ideas, and show the economic adversity we are in at the moment when a 100 year old company goes to the wall.
Biscuit761: Great capture and colours.

In the end I went for, Mart_73, the Red Woolworths makes it for me (reminds me of childhood Pic and Mix), oh, and the pigeon!

Ian.

[Jeremy Knowles]

I went for Vulkan75's since this is the one that deserves to be printed, I think.

[JSW]

Only 3 shots really hit the Theme which was obviously very difficult and challenging but I feel some of you have entered for the sake of entering or have just found it difficult to interpret the theme?

I know I have no entry so I can't put up or shut up but thats how I feel.

My vote goes to iandrews, Mart_73 and electolyte.

So this month I Abstain

Suppose thats me getting nil point now when I enter lol

[hiker]

Went with jomike

I had a very dear, recently deceased friend who came from nr Joburg, he moved here 25 years ago, he always kept a *b&w* (pardon the pun) photo on his mantlepiece of two rows of people queuing for food purchase, there was a sign directly above the queues .. * whites queue this side, blacks this side *.. with a high fence between them.

He told me the crime there is still incomprehensible. Loved this photo.

[vulkan75]

Thanks for the votes and mentions.

I really like antpinks shot but I feel its let down by the quality.

I also like jomikes thought provoking image.....which is given strength by the explanation.

It was between biscuit and tonkie for me in the end..both well taken photos.

Ive gone for Tonkie, Adversity has a bright side too.

Originally Posted by JSW

Only 3 shots really hit the Theme which was obviously very difficult and challenging but I feel some of you have entered for the sake of entering or have just found it difficult to interpret the theme?

I know I have no entry so I can't put up or shut up but thats how I feel.

My vote goes to iandrews, Mart_73 and electolyte.

So this month I Abstain

Suppose thats me getting nil point now when I enter lol

Yup a very difficult theme but you have to remember this is a photo contest not a best image on theme contest.

Many of the entries this month, infact every month need some thought, as long as they are remotely in the zone, the theme becomes irrelevant...its about the quality of the photo surely.


Isnt it about encouragement to progress...I.e making judgements based on exposure,shutter speed,composition,vision etc Theme is but a small part..guideline. How else we succeed in making progress in Photography.

[Antpink]

jomike, iandrews and Biscuit761 were the three standouts for me, and in the end it was really too close, but finally Biscuit761 as it shows that adversity can be conquered with spirit

[tryingtimes]

Very interesting month this one. Sorts the dedicated from the casual (i.e. me)

I liked a lot of the entries and I thought that the challenging theme made them very interesting to follow as they were entered.

jomike hit everything square on the head for me though. Thought provoking, self-explanatory and a great capture. Loved the composition and the DoF in particular.

Well done everyone for getting your thinking caps on

[jomike]

Wow! This is exciting. Never expected to get this many votes, seeing I only ever got one vote before

My vote went to vulkan75. I also had a good think about iandrews' and Biscuit's entries which were both more on theme, but vulkan's entry is just too good an image.

Thanks to all who have voted for me already

[iandrews]

Originally Posted by vulkan75

Yup a very difficult theme but you have to remember this is a photo contest not a best image on theme contest.

Many of the entries this month, infact every month need some thought, as long as they are remotely in the zone, the theme becomes irrelevant...its about the quality of the photo surely.

It might just be me, but I have to disagree. When deciding who to vote for I not only judge on the quality of the photo, but also how "on theme" it is. Otherwise what's stopping people just taking a really great photo of anything and entering it, why have a theme at all.

Ian.

[AVTEZ59]

Originally Posted by iandrews

It might just be me, but I have to disagree. When deciding who to vote for I not only judge on the quality of the photo, but also how "on theme" it is. Otherwise what's stopping people just taking a really great photo of anything and entering it, why have a theme at all.

Ian.

I am totally with you on that one iandrews...this is a competition based on a theme.I would choose a half decent image on theme over a stunning image totally off theme.As you quite rightly point out....why have a theme at all ? Why then not make it a 'Best Picture of the Month' competition? Maybe the Mods who manage the comp will have a view that can be shared.

Cheers

Terry

[jomike]

Originally Posted by AVTEZ59

I am totally with you on that one iandrews...this is a competition based on a theme.I would choose a half decent image on theme over a stunning image totally off theme.As you quite rightly point out....why have a theme at all ? Why then not make it a 'Best Picture of the Month' competition? Maybe the Mods who manage the comp will have a view that can be shared.

Cheers

Terry

But surely the interpretation of whether an image is on theme or not is up to the individual? With an abstract theme like this month's one, it is a personal view if an image is on theme or not, and the individual should decide for themselves and then vote accordingly. I don't think it should be up to a mod to decide whether an image is on theme.

[vulkan75]

Originally Posted by iandrews

It might just be me, but I have to disagree. When deciding who to vote for I not only judge on the quality of the photo, but also how "on theme" it is. Otherwise what's stopping people just taking a really great photo of anything and entering it, why have a theme at all.

Ian.

Of course and if you re-read my comments I mention that the theme is part of the overall process and is important.

I was making the point that some entries need a bit of thought for them to come under the umbrella of the "theme"...And I feel a bit disppointed that perfectly good entries are dimissed because they dont "sing the theme".

My comments were in response to someone who mentioned that folk have entered for the sake of it....where in actual fact I think only one image cant really fit the theme.
I wonder how many people were put off making an entry because of fear of this very thing(not getting a blindingly obvious on theme shot).

Thats the way I see it anyhow....I look at the image on its own merit first...taking in all the attributes that make good photos...if it has any relation to the theme, no matter how strong or not...great...if not shame.

I wouldnt not vote for an image based on the fact that it wasnt as ON Theme as another............if you can apply the theme to the image its valid..NO?

[AVTEZ59]

Originally Posted by jomike

But surely the interpretation of whether an image is on theme or not is up to the individual? With an abstract theme like this month's one, it is a personal view if an image is on theme or not, and the individual should decide for themselves and then vote accordingly. I don't think it should be up to a mod to decide whether an image is on theme.

Hi Jomike...fully understand your reasoning and take on this.This was a challenging theme and images posted reflect the individual's response to it.I was not advocating that a mod should decide whether an image is on or off theme...just interested on their view of the arguments/debate so far.

Regards

Terry

[tonkie]

I think we must all agree very challenging theme this month but as per norm some very good entries.

On a personal note I feel if I've won with my 3 votes, 3 more than I have ever received before.

But my vote goes to iandrews, a very striking image in these hard times, who knows a few of us might be in this guys position if these adverse times carry on.

[Mart_73]

A good contribution from everyone who took part this month. Being relatively new to this, I can't believe how the theme stays in your head throughout the month!!

My favourites were:

Vulcan75 - great symmetry & shape - cracking shot.
Paranormalist - great colours & angle.
iandrews - my favourite this month, a great capture of a desperate situation - a simple shot which is very thought provoking.

Nice to get my first votes too. Looking forward to next month...

[iandrews]

Originally Posted by Mart_73

Being relatively new to this, I can't believe how the theme stays in your head throughout the month!!

Got to agree on that. Quite often I find myself walking around, or doing something, and all of a sudden I will be thinking how that would make a good photo for this months comp. Or I will be drifting off to sleep at night and a thought will pop into my head thinking that I can do this, or do that.

For me having a theme gives me something to focus on, and think about. I would probably struggle more if I had to go out and just take a photo. Though everyone is different, and will have a different opinions on not only the photo they submit, but also everyone else’s.

Though saying that, I think this months theme was a very hard one, I really struggled and didn't think I would get an entry in. I am surprised at the number of votes, so thanks all that have voted.

Ian.

[tracymae]

Tough choice, I didn't manage to get an entry in this month either, been too busy with poorly 'bairns'.
As usual the quality of entries was really high, being an ever optomist I voted for Biscuits entry as it shows best how adversity is overcome and great things can be acheived.

[Dave]

Close one for me this month, vulkan's shot is superb and would be an outright winner for me if it was just a tad more on theme.

So it comes down to a close call between Martin.D and goso. Think they both fit the theme well but the dof along the gun barrel won me over so Martin.D has my vote.

Very tough theme this month I think so well done to all who managed an entry.

[hamd01]

Some great shots and it was a very tricky theme. Whilst I think some shots were more on-topic than Vulcan's, the sheer quality of his photo makes it the clear winner for me.

[Antpink]

Originally Posted by iandrews

For me having a theme gives me something to focus on, and think about. I would probably struggle more if I had to go out and just take a photo.

100% agree with this - in fact, I find it easier with a theme in mind as, whether meaning to or not, I find myself looking at everything around in every situation, overlay the theme mentally, and either it triggers a "what if i do this...." approach, or I move on. Unless it just happens to also be a great potential off-theme of course! Find that it actually catalyses the imagination rather than limits it.

No theme and I would be struggling every month, or it would be the same picture of the kids doing this, that or the other.