NOVEMBER - SILHOUETTES/SHADOWS

Judge: Caroline Ludford
Don't be afraid to step outside the box and embrace the darkness.

Shadows are the result of matter coming between a surface and incoming rays of light. Can accentuate shadows (in the field and in the studio) and consequently obscuring details can create striking results. With a strong backlight, its possible to capture problematic low lighting situations into something absolutely stunning. Go for it. https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/05/captivating-examples-of-silhouette-photography

https://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/shadow-and-silhouette-photography-techniques/

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Marlborough

Silhouette photography is a wonderful way to convey mystery, emotion, mood and drama in a shot. To me it means a view of something or a scene consisting of the outline and featureless interior.

Prints

Goldfinch gang – There is no mistaking the outline of these birds and the way that the author has chosen the colour of the background really makes this image ‘pop’ for me. I enjoy the panormaic view and feel that this is a very creative shot and the author has stepped outside the box with this one. Well done. Honours
Transient light - I feel all the drama that this image gives us with the forboding sky. I like the journey that I take from the dark foregound to the lighter middle with the peaks and then into the darker sky. My attention is then brought back to the lighter areas and the detail in the peaks. Well done. Honours
It could be anywhere but here we are at the cape of good hope – Having visited myself, I can say that this is a stunning place to take a vacation. I feel that we have some foreground interest with the rocks, the middle ground gives us the boat and the background is the sky with all the details in the cloud. I like the composition with the boat placed on the 1/3 with plenty of room to sail into. In my view, I find that there is a slight magenta feel to the foreground in the waves and rocks. I might suggest that the photographer try to tweak that in LR (or similar). I feel that it drags my eye away slightly. Accepted
Ebb tide – Nothing to distract us from the point of focus here. I enjoy the inclusion of the reflection and the colour palette which gives me a calm/cool feeling. This is probably something that lots of people would walk past everyday without a second thought. Simple and effective with strong composition in my opinion. I wonder how the story could be enhanced to communicate a story. Accepted
Training day – This shot transported me back to when I had my own ponies as a child. You have captured the action and we can see you have the horses attention. I enjoy the lowdown perspective that you have chosen as, in my view it makes the horse more powerful. It has plenty of room to move into. I would just say to be careful with cropping. You have just chopped the ears and hoof a little. Otherwise nicely done. Merit
The iron horse lives eternal – What a powerful looking engine which is backed up with the black and white treatment of the shot. Nothing to distract us and some drama in the sky adds to the feeling too. Plenty of room to move into and good detail too. The bright area in the sky is a little distracting in my view and you may like to try a subtle clone to remove that (in LR or similar). Merit
Melbourne morning – Stunning image. A strong subject with a defined and recognizable shape. I enjoy the colours of the sky and the printing is superb. The textured paper works extremely well for this image in my opinion. Well done. HONOURS and BEST PRINT
Ethan – Stunningly creative. I am delighted that the eyes are the sharpest part as that is where my eye is drawn. I enjoy the way the image engages me and the scale of the print is small enough so as not to distract me. Well done. HONOURS

DIGITAL

Muster’s End – Hard work is how I feel when I look at this image. A long hard day but well worth it. The guy will never be lonely with his working dogs. The sky makes it feel quite dramatic which adds some tention in my view. A good choice of subject. I would say just to be careful with the fenceline. One part of it appears to be coming out of the top of the dog’s head. That is just a timing issue. Otherwise nice and it fits the set subject well as silhouette. Accepted
Abstract reeds – With abstract images, I believe that photography rules do not apply and reflections are just one way of making amazing abstract shots. Use of colour, textures, repeating patterns and getting up close are also some of the other ways. Whilst I enjoy the use of monotone in this shot I find that my eye looks around the image for something to settle on and then I see the triangle in the middle of the shot and follow it. I find that this leads me out of the image. Great idea though and worth pursuing again. Accepted
Headstones – A nice low down perspective makes these headstones seem tall and proud in my opinion. I find them quite central in the image and sharp. I think that if the sky had some more detail that this would add to the drama of the shot. However the author has chosen to give us a blank sky without detail and this helps the headstones to stand out. Accepted
Watching – We see a lovely story here with the tractor and boat being watched over by the guy with his dog. I like the way that everyone is facing inwards which helps to keep our attention too. The colour together with the black which is framing the action works well in my view. We can see exactly what the story is whilst keeping it in silhouette. The only thing that I might suggest would be to crop out the fence at the top left hand side with the orange sky. I find that it drags my eye away slightly once seen, as it light. Merit
Fire breath – I certainly wouldn’t want to do this but it is great entertainment for people watching. Awesome action shot of the guy breathing fire. Nice detail in the face and nothing distracting us away from the action. Well done. Honours
Gibraltar rock sunset – I find this shot very inviting and I would like to take a stroll along the path. We have some nice detail in the foreground with the grasses and leading lines in the middle ground lead us to the rock. There are even leading lines in the clouds too which lead to the setting sun. The blues of the sky compliment the golden grasses in my opinion. Nice job and good use of the portrait format for the landscape image for a change. Honours
The island – I get a cool feeling come over me when I look at this shot being in the cave, I can just imagine it being chilly. I like the way the author has used the rock as a frame for this image as we peep through to the island in the background. I do feel that we could crop some of the top and bottom as the main subject is quite small in the overall shot. In my view the framing is too dominant. Maybe the author might like to consider cropping and see if you agree. Accepted
Pelicans at sunset – I am not convinced that these are pelicans due to the shape and length of the bill which is usually very long. The lower bill has a distensible pouch for scooping up and holding food. That aside, we see a clear outline of the birds without any features so this fits the silhouette subject perfectly. I think that the composition has been well handled with the point of the bill almost like a pin in the sun. Well seen. I feel that this image would benefit from more of a letterbox format. Maybe the photographer might like to try a 16 x 9. That would remove some of the bottom which I do not feel adds anything to the shot. Merit
Desending New Zealand – This looks like an amazing place. We really get the true scale of things with the person hanging on to the rope. The choice to use black and white helps to add to the drama of the place in my view. I am not sure I could be so brave and do that myself but I sure would like to go visit. Well done. Merit
Happy Hour – What a great story. You can just imagine the laughter and tales of old with the glass of wine following a long day or maybe a hike up the hill. Well seen by the photographer. In my opinion I find the bright areas in the foreground (grass) distracting. They drag my eye away from the story as I can’t work out why there would be lighter areas in the foreground. Maybe the author could darken them down a little in LR or similar. That would prevent the eye being dragged away. Accepted
Boy meets girl – This looks like the balloon festival at Hamilton to me but it could be anywhere in the world. Having been to Hamilton a number of times, I can highly recommend it and this image transported me back to my time there. I feel the image is well exposed with some nice detail. We can see just how big these ballons are with the tiny people at the bottom of the shot. I do wonder about the portrait choice of format by the author. Maybe there were other distractions and so that fitted best. Merit.
Easter sunrise – Who doesn’t like a nice sunset or sunrise? I find I can put the world right when I walk along the beach. In this image I like the placement of the middle cross as it slightly obscures the sun. In my view I find that the image is a little over saturated for me. It also has a magenta feel and I would say to try tweaking the white balance and this may give a more realistic colour. Accepted
Hollow earth – This makes me feel like I want to go visit myself and see the grandeur and beauty of the place. The image holds my attention and I enjoy the compostion that the author has chosen and the way the eye goes from the dark to the light. The shafts of light coming down bring my attention to the people. Just a small thing, I would say there is a small lighter area on the bottom left hand edge. I might suggest just cropping that out. Minor. Well done. Merit
Camel train – I can feel the heat of the sun and can imagine the journey as I look at this image. The warm orange colour of the sand helps to emphasize the feeling. I enjoy the letterbox format used and feel that it helps to accentuate the journey that the camels are on. I feel that the focus is a little soft but well seen to the photographer. Accepted
Wild pines and colour – The defined outline of the pines which is recognisable works well with the pink/purple sky in this image in my view, as it is a good contrast in colour. The trees have a mysterious feel to them with being so dark. I find that the image is a little noisy and might suggest that the photographer try to reduce the noise in LR or similar. I think this would help to just clean the sky up a little. Accepted
Tapu bay sunrise – I find this image very inviting with the calming colours. I can see an outline of a face in the rock looking away from us and although the tree is fairly centrally placed, I feel the image is balanced as it is leaning to the right. I do wonder however, if the author has more of the scene to the right of the shot. Merit
Hi – I tried hard to get images of frogs on a visit to Costa Rica last year and it wasn’t easy. The black background really makes the subject standout in my view and I like the shadow of its body on the leaf. I like the angle that the author has chosen to show us this image. I feel that the frog is quite central and would suggest a crop as I feel this would enhance the image by placing the frog on the 1/3. Good detail in the leaf. Merit
Evening in Vienna – I get a real calm feeling with this image and I think it is the tones that back that feeling up for me. The warm orange colours in the sky that are reflected in the water give this image a warm feeling. I find it creative and engaging. The only very small thing that I might suggest to the photographer is the white line in the boat by the people is a little distracting to me and once seen, I find my eye is drawn back to it. Maybe clone it out and see if you like it. Merit
Beach sunrise silhouette – I can see myself walking along this beach with my dogs. The leading line of the surf takes us on a journey through the mist and it feels chilly. I like the choice of the author to put the sea on the 1/3 and to include the end of the hill in the distance. One minor thing is a number of dust spots, the most noticeable one is top right corner. Easily removed in LR or similar. Try the spot removal tool and ‘visualize spots’ tick box on the bottom. This always works for me and is a good way to complete your processing. Accepted
Marfells milkyway – Aren’t we lucky to be able to see so many stars in our night sky, depending on where you live. Light pollution can be a real issue for some when taking these shots. Well done for taking the time to get out there and show us our night sky. In my opinion I find that the trees are leaning in to the middle from the sides and look distorted. This can be from tilting the camera and/or the use of an ultra wide angle lens that people use when making these astro images. The wider the lens, the more distortion you can get. I would suggest that the photographer tries the lens profile button in LR or the skew Transform in Photoshop. These can help to get the verticals straight. Accepted
Driftwood – If you are a regular to the beach then you will see lots of driftwood on your walk. We can easily just walk on by without looking and some of the pieces can make really interesting images. I find that the line of the sand takes me round from the bottom left and out of the image to top left. I feel that a lower down perspective would work for this shot. Worth experimenting with for sure. Accepted
The poplars – I see great strength in the poplars as they stand so proud. I enjoy looking through to the mountains in the background and feel that we have some interest in the fore/midd and as stated before the back grounds. The shadows act as layers in my opinion and I find myself stepping through the image. I might suggest just darkening down the very bottom of the shot as with it being lighter, it does grab my attention. The author might like to try to reduce that area a little. Accepted
Gathering storm Milford – A beautiful place to visit with mountains and peaks and in my view one of the most magical places with plunging cliffs and waterfalls cascading down. The author has captured a dramatic sky with details in the clouds. I like the way they have put the water in the very bottom of the image which adds to the majestic feeling in my opinion. I would say just to be careful with the brighter area in the sky but otherwise a lovely image. Merit
Tumbling down – I get a foreboding feeling from this image and I think that is backed up by the choice to use black and white plus the low down perspective at which the photographer has chosen to make this image. The building towers above us with dark windows leaving us wondering if there is somebody in there watching us. Very moody and atmospheric. Personally I feel that the angle at which this has been taken with a wide angle lens has caused distortion and you can see the building taper off as it rises. I would suggest trying the skew in Photoshop or transform the verticals in LR if you have them. Personally I feel that this would enhance the image. Merit
Lights and shadows – Not too sure about shadows but I feel this is nice and sharp with good textures in the stone. I would suggest to be careful cutting off the very top though. Also the image has a ‘magenta’ feel to it in my view and a tweak of the white balance may assist with that. Accepted
Palace of the winds – What a facinating building with such lovely details. I like the author’s choice or timing of the sun in the middle of the two structures. The image has a number of dust spots but I do like this, a place I would like to visit. Great detail in the buildings. Consider the spot removal tool in LR or alternative. Merit
Banal but still so beautiful – Personally I wouldn’t say banal but that is up to you. I would just love to visit. Such a magical and enchanting building with so much history. I am not sure that it fits the set subject as everything is shown in detail and without shadows. However, I enjoy the way the author has framed the building with the structure. The lines draw me in and add depth to the scene. It feels well balanced to me. Accepted (as not quite set subject)
Breathe – I think of freedom and clean fresh air when I see this image. Aren’t we lucky to live in such an awesome country? A lovely idea and fits the set subject very well. The line of the hill on the right brings us down to the child. The low down perspective makes her seem at one with the vast landscape. Accepted
Wairau sunset – A lovely little story with the family dog enjoying the last of the sun. The yellow/orange colour give the image a warm feeling. I see a little magenta halo effect on the heads of the people. This can be caused by chromatic abberation (where the different colours of light do not focus in the same plane or where you have an image of high contrast). Sometimes lens correction in LR can help. Accepted
Ninja – Well done. I see the power and skill of this person. Caught in the act with excellent timing. A decisive moment well captured. A perfect silhouette too with no details. Good low down perspective adds to the powerful feeling. Nicely composed. Honours
The boatman – Another very good silhoutte with good details in the sky and setting sun. Just be careful with the horizon, it appears to me to be slightly leaning down to the right. I wonder if you have got the ends of the pole too. I think it would be a stronger image with the full length of the pole in. Great job though. Merit.
New day – The sun breaking through the branches gives this a mysterious and magical feeling for me. The reflections add an extra dimension and I applaud the author for deciding to keep them in the image. What will the new day bring? I wouldn’t change anything. Honours
At rest – How peaceful and moody at the same time. The mist adds to the drama for me. At first I thought it was a black and white image but then I saw the blue on the boat and in the windows of the smaller boat plus a little colour in the ferns. Not sure about the ferns at the top if needed or not but the photographer has chosen to leave them in. In my view they make the boats look very small as we have the ferns so much closer to the viewer. I might suggest either getting a little more of the tree and framing along one edge as well as the top to see how that looks. You may like it. Merit
Coming ready or not – Someone is having fun. Nice low down perspective gives us the eye view and we see the face and excitment on it. Good action shot capturing all the detail and emotion. Nice and sharp in the face with the tongue hanging out adds to the excitement feeling. Good use of depth of field too. The only minor suggestion I might make is to try to darken down the lighter poles in the background a little but other than that, nice job. Merit
Flax flowers – I enjoyed the tones of this image. It gives me a mellow and soothing feeling. I find that my eye is drawn to the larger of the flax on the right and then I move down the plants to the smallest one on the left. I might suggest just cloning out the one on the far left as we only see part of it. I feel that the image would be ‘cleaner’ with either all of it or none of it but that is just my suggestion. Merit
Silhouette of 3 flax flowers – The choice of the photographer to show these flax on a plain background rather than the environment that we usually see them works well in my view. It creates a dynamic image with the positioning of the three. I enjoy the choice of black and white for this one. No colours to district the eye and they all stand to attention. Good low down perspective gives them a sense of strength in my opinion. A couple of little dust spots near the bottom of the shot. These can be sorted in LR or similar. Merit
Night light – Something that we regularly see but rarely photograph, especially during the darker hours. Nice detail in the bench that throws some shadows on the ground. Just a suggestion, but have you tried it in black and white? I think it would look impressive and give a sense of drama in the night. Worth a look at. Accepted
Regal stag – I am not sure if this is a shadow on the wall or floor but it is well seen by the author. The colour on the top left corner is a little distracting for me and I might suggest just giving the stag a little more room. I feel that it is a fraction close to the edge and if the author has cropped in, they may like to try a little less. Accepted
Filtered light – Mysterious and captivating. I feel curious and enjoy the reflection in the water. I feel the portrait format works well with the shape of the windows. Black and white leaves nothing to distract the eye. Very well done and I could see this on an art gallery wall. I wouldn’t change a thing. HONOURS and BEST DIGITAL IMAGE
Deer on a hill – My eye travels down from the left side along the deer and then up and back down the triangle shapes that we see in this shot. My attention is drawn to the shapes and this is helped by the contrast with the white behind. Well seen. There is no mistaking what these animals are in their environment. Merit
Bigfoot in the spotlight – Clever use of the title with this one and something different. Some people can be very creative. Having fun is the main thing and this is certainly a little different. Accepted
The dawning – What a very calming and peaceful scene. The simple composition lets us concentrate on the colour and form of the subject. I enjoy the composition with the tree and horizon on the 1/3 and the negative space on the left. I feel that the colours have been handled well. Lovely shot. I could see this one hanging on a wall. Honours
Me and my shadow – Something a little different and I can imagine the person just enjoying the warmth of the sun and thinking of things or people gone by. This is a nice idea and has been well seen by the photographer. It allows us to think of the story oursleves. Good composition with plenty of room to look into. Honours
Surfing – Great fun to be had in the surf and here we see somebody balancing well. I enjoy the splashing breaking waves and the person is nice and sharp. He is quite centrally placed and I feel that the image may be stronger if he was placed more on the right hand side and with more room to surf into on the left. I also find the bright hotspot on the top left corner a little distracting. If the photographer was able to, I would suggest a different crop but well done. You could also consider flipping the image and have him travelling from the left to the right as that is how we read. Accepted
Couples time – What a dramatic sky we see here and the people are so small giving the image a powerful atmosphere in my view. The drama of the sky as it puts on the best show with remarkable colours. I wonder if the author might like to try a slightly different crop and try 16x9. This would eliminate some of the very top of the black sky and I feel would make it a little stronger. Merit
Melbourne mist – I believe you but that could be anywhere. I feel lost when I look at this image and that I would be soaked if I was standing there with soggy feet. The murky sky with no detail adds to that feeling for me. I am not sure if we need all the top of the sky but it could be seen as negative space adding to the ‘lost’ feeling. Merit
Tulip – What striking colours nature can produce. I admire the leading lines that take us into the middle where everything is so sharp with great detail. Great choice to use the square format. I feel it works well with the very centrally placed view we are given. The colours really pop. Oe minor thing I might suggest is just a slight vignette to darken down the very edges of the image. Great job. Merit

Judges Critique and Results