Photo Freddy – Competition 1 -Black and White

Photo Frederiction Competition 1 - Black and White

Below are the images that I felt fitted the competition brief. It is always hard to decide which to finally choose but in the end it is a process of elimination and you just decide.

Submission 1 - Plus Judge Critique and Scores

Submission 1:

 

My first submission is from my trip to Portland, Maine in March 2023. This image was converted to Black and White with Neo. What I loved most is the leading lines out to the Ledge Lighthouse. The rock breakwater/bridge certainly adds a point of interest. The rising and falling tides also created a color contrast around the water edge. There are people near the Lighthouse but I did not think they are  to distracting. My first attempt and will see how the scoring and ranking. I would have preferred more focus through the image but we will see.

Ledge LightHouse Submission File
Ledge lighthouse - New File with Judge Critique

Submission 1 - Total Score 22.5 - Average Score by Judges 7.5

Judge 1 score : 6.5

Judge 1 Comments: 

 

Good exposure and sharpness. The sky adds interest without being overpowering. The long leading line of the breakwater leaves the main subject quite small in the image. Consider reducing the foreground by about 1/3. You will still get the feeling of a long walk out to the lighthouse, but the lighthouse will be more prominent. Also, the horizon does not appear to be quite level.

Judge 2 Score : 9

Judge 2 Comments:

 

Dramatic image with awesome depth and use of leading lines. Great depth of field and contrast. An image like the requires symmetry, and unfortunately it is just off – horizon is off and the breakwater/lighthouse is not centred.

Judge 3 Score : 7

Judge 3 Comments :

 

Excellent leading lines. Composition is right on as well as exposure. Unfortuately the light house is to far away to tell what it actually is. Love the sky.

Submission 2- Plus Judge Critique and Scores

Submission 2:

 

My second submission was from my vacation in August to see the National Bank ATP 1000 men’s tennis matches. This photo was taken after an overnight in Cornwall Ontario. The location is St Raphael Church that was built in the 1800’s and burnt in 1970’s with just the walls remaining. The church is well preserved and used for wedding’s and services until this day. This shot was taken from the back of the church and converted to Black and White with Neo. The window’s have the steel bars as shown. I laid on the ground and shot back towards the front of the church. I wanted to try to present the idea of behind bars yet we are in a church. I did try to frame the windows with the bars and show the amazing brick work. Additionally the bright sun that day did create some shadows that I think added a nice touch.  

Barred and Framed - Original Submission File
Barred and Framed - After Judge Adjustments

Submission 2 - Total Score 20 - Average Score by Judges 6.7

Judge 1 score : 6.5

Judge 1 Comments: 

 

Good tonal range and exposure. The brickwork shows lots of detail and the iron gate fits with the title. Leaving the perspective uncorrected is a technique that tends to work better on taller structures. In this case it may have work except, that is exasperated by the apparent horizon not being level. Try using the line of the low wall to level the image and reframe to remove the bright rocks along the bottom edge.

Judge 2 Score : 6.5

Judge 2 Comments:

 

Good sharp, and well exposed image. The image is not level, but just a little, which suggests it is not on purpose. The depth of field is too wide, too much is sharp. In focus and Out of focus elements provide contrast and serve to focus the viewers attention on the subject. In this image it is not clear if the subject is the bars (suggesting some barred way) or the building and courtyard. If it is the bars, the background should be more out of focus, if it is the courtyard, the bars should be out of focus. The way it is leaves the viewer with a busy image and no clear subject.

Judge 3 Score : 7

Judge 3 Comments :

 

Love the low angle but the horizon is off and is distracting. Nice lighting though

Complete Shoot Links

Competition Rules:

Submission requirements:

Submit Images to photofrederictoncompetition@gmail.com

PEASE NOTE: If you do not receive a confirmation that I received your image submission within 24 hours. it means I have not received it.

File Naming

The image should be named FirstName.LastName-Title-XX.jpg, where XX = 01 or 02

 

Images specification:

 

You must ensure your image is re-sized to meet the following two parameters: Changes to sizes as indicated below.

1. It is saved as a jpg image with a maximum file size of 2 MB.

2. Dimensions: Minimum horizontal size: 1400 pixels to a Maximum of 2400px Minimum vertical size: 1050px to a Maximum of 2000px on the long edge.

Note: Images smaller than the maximum dimensions will ONLY be accepted when one of the image edges has a horizontal size is 1400 pixels or a vertical size is 1050 pixels. For example square image – 1050 x 1050 pixels; landscape 1400 x 800 pixels; or portrait 700 x 1050 pixels.

Note: Images will NOT be rotated by the judges and will be scored as submitted.

 

Competition Description

For this year, we changed this competition from a monochrome to a traditional black & white.
As a reminder, a black & white image ranges from very dark gray (black) to very light grey (white) with varying shades (darker) and tints (light) of the grayscale.
Based on the above, all submitted must be deemed as a black and white image.
This completion and its themes are aimed at providing photographers with the opportunity to exercise their creative skills to: capture outstanding and stunning images in areas that they may be out of their comfort zones.
Image submitted into this competition can be staged or candid.

For the purpose of this competition, the entrant will submit their image into one of the following four themes:

 

 Architecture – image(s) should be of a human-made structure (mobile, free-standing, or outdoor). Image can be taken from inside or outside the structure. This theme includes both rural and urban settings.

 

 Dilapidated – image(s) of abandoned aircraft, boats, buildings, ships, structures, trains and vehicles.

 

 Landscape – image(s) of subjects such as weather phenomena, geological formations, cityscape, landscapes, seascapes and natural phenomena such as planets, stars and astronomical events.

 

 Person(s) – image(s) can be traditional or casual portraits, and could incorporate the environment and/or workspaces of the individual(s). More dramatic images with high and low key images are also permitted. In capturing images for this theme, all photographers must endeavor to apply the principle of: “Treating all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see.”

 

Editing Criteria

Open Editing – All different in-camera, on-camera, and post-processing techniques can be used. This includes combining multiple layers to create the final image. The entrant must have taken all components of the final images. Digital frames, pin-line, borders, and mats not are permitted in this competition. Color, infrared, monochrome, and HDR images will be accepted.