Photo Contest - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

06/08/2005 09:58:12 AM · #1

A local sculpture park is having a photography contest I can enter up to 3 matted photos (must be 3 different sculptures.) The photos had to have been taken during a specific 2 week time frame, and must include sculpture in the shot. The weather has not cooperated much, with mostly hazy hot weather or very overcast or rain. None of the shots I got seem "wow" to me.

I tried going out last evening to get some late light shots, but couldn't seem to find good lighting because of hills, valleys, trees, etc. The sculpture of the man is called "Adams First Breath" and it's my favorite. I really wish they would have cleaned the bird droppings off before the contest, though.

Anyway, I would appreciate any help in deciding if these look decent for printing and entering. Also wondering if the b/w Adam or the color would be better in your opinion? Thanks a lot for your help!

Apple iPhone

06/08/2005 10:06:31 AM · #2

you have some bad hot spots on number one up at the top, if you still have time, use your polarizer and retake that photo or the butterfly photo. they're both nicely taken... too bad the weather didnt co-operate with you

srdanz

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

06/08/2005 10:09:57 AM · #3

I would say that the color version is better. Although cropped exactly the same (coming from the same image that is) the color one has a more prominent sculpture. As far as the droppings go, you could have either cloned some of them or at least burned them a bit.
The butterflies seem promising, if you can go out and reshoot from a different angle perhaps. The last one is the least interesting to me. If you have the time, you could try reshooting the last one from right below it, towards the sky.

just my .02

cpanaioti

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

06/08/2005 10:12:02 AM · #4

I prefer the B&W version of Adam. I feel the green in the background of the colour version is too distracting. A slight boost in contrast may be in order though.

As far as the others go I think the butterfly image has the most potential though more light in the foreground is needed to make it really pop.

06/08/2005 10:18:19 AM · #5

Thanks for the comments.

I did use a polarizer for the shots, but the glare was still bad.

The color and b/w "Adam" is not the same shot...look closer at the angle, as it is different.

For the butterflies, do you have any suggestion on a different angle, and why a different angle?

Tomorrow is the last day for shooting, and the weather looks like it will be just the same. Hot, hazy with white out skies.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/08/2005 10:26:10 AM · #6

Well, I just called out to the park, asking if it's possible to clean the bird droppings off of that sculpture and they said it would be done by lunch time! There is another one that I like as well that was covered, and it looked awful in the photo, and they will clean that one off too.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained I always say. I guess I'll be shooting some more today and tomorrow.

Don't ya just hate it when you REALLY want to get that good photo, but it just doesn't seem to work? Hopefully persistance will pay off (literally...first prize is $300)

jenesis

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/08/2005 10:50:30 AM · #7

I really like the butterfly shot. It has a very peaceful, happy feeling to it.

Marjo

Canon EOS-7D

06/08/2005 10:53:25 AM · #8

The butterfly shot has my vote, too. I love the angle.

srdanz

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

06/08/2005 11:01:14 AM · #9

When I recommended a different angle for the butterfly shot, I was thinking of a side shot with a tighter crop on the butterflies. It is supposed to be the photo of a sculpture, and these butterflies fit well into the flower surrounding. The creek with a tree on an opposite bank that is lighter than it needs to be is too much and does not add to the photo IMO, rather distracts.
I am not sure if it is going to be better, but since you are going anyways and the memory is cheap, make a couple more and see which one looks the best to you.

skylen

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

06/08/2005 11:11:49 AM · #10

I like the butterfly shot best too.