Saturday, April 17, 2010

Photo contest results

The $500 winner of my photo contest is:

Russ Scheid:


This photo is just outstanding. The way the cold greys and the muted reds play together, the perfect mix of straight and curved lines, the balanced composition, and the man with the balloons, all make it extraordinary.
I've sent the prize money to Russ. He's excited and say it's the first photo contest he has won. I doubt it'll be the last though.


Finalists:

Allan Jackson:



Joe Zasada:



TCGirl:




Daniel Huber:



Alex O'donnell:



Aaron Dill:



Matt Gokey:



Honorable Mention:

Steven Gray:



Sam Pieter:



Mr. Beep:



Kaveh Kardan:



Joe Rowell:



Jared Foust:



Jeffrey Wright:



Ed Portzline:



Jason Weigner:





Andreas Weber:



------
It was a delight to see how all entrants took to the spirit of the contest. Thanks. - Eolake

19 comments:

karmagroovy said...

Wow, this is so exciting! I've never won a photo contest before.

For those of you who are interested in the details, the image was shot with a Nikon D70 and a kit 18-55mm lens. It was taken from a parking structure early on a Sunday morning in downtown Portland, Oregon when there were hardly any people about.

Monsieur Beep! said...

It was a pleasure to take part in your contest (my first ever, too), and to see my photo here, among all the other contestants.

I agree that the winning photo is indeed outstanding with the combination of colours and structures.

Congratulations to Russ. (:-))

Finally, taking part in a contest is a good way to train to sharpen one´s eyes, not only to see, but to choose the right picture components, combine them and compose a remarkable piece of art.

Greetings.

Alex said...

Well, I'd like to add my congrats to Russ too. I'd also like to thank Eolake for hosting the competition.

First time entrant. I don't know if it's because the contest felt more informal, or what, but I know now this is not my last.

Thanks.

Allan Jackson said...

Lots of great photos here. Thanks Eolake.

Bronislaus Janulis / Framewright said...

Nice images all, and as I've said elsewhere, it was creatively reinvigorating. Very pleasant to just deal with composition, in an abstract and non-subjective way.

I liked the winner, though the clutter, which is what the image is about, it seems, was tough at first.

TCGurls was very nice, liked it a lot.

Joe said...

That was a exciting exercise.

Loved the view of the world through fresh eyes. You guys live in interesting places.

Russ did a excellent job with the photograph.

Also my first attempt at a photo contest. Felt honored to be in such good company.
Joe

TC [Girl] said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Andrew said...

Wow, Eolake, you weren't kidding when you said you were interested in photos which emphasize lines!

Some great photos, although I have to be honest and say that I think the winning photo would benefit from being cropped to emphasize the guy with the red balloons.

Pascal [P-04referent] said...

I'm curious: how many entries did you receive for that contest, overall?

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

... That's top secret.

---
Aaron, what are we looking at? A navel? And...? I think it's very strong indeed, but would perhaps work better in a series, so one would gain more certainty of what it's about.

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

... TCG tells me it's fig. Kool.

DaiKamonohashi said...

I'm pretty pleased I got an honorable mention. Lots of great work to be seen here! Congratulations to everyone! 8D

Pascal [P-04referent] said...

Bah. A fig LEAF would've been way better. Both more erotic, and more artistic.
OK, so maybe not more Domai. ;-)

What's the prize won by an "Honorable Mention"?
(No, wait, let me guess: classified too? Ah, you MI-5 types, so paranoid about your computer files! ;-)

Actually, what I was had in mind, was whether we'll get to see all the entries. Your contests have a knack for attracting lots of interesting stuff.
For example, there's a swell collection of (*free!*) wallpapers right here. :-)

Unless you're afraid to face a... bickering contest? ;-)
(Too late for that! Fatal mistake, to show more than ONE great picture.)
"I hate figs. I prefer bananas. And I hate mornings, so of course I disagree about your final choice. And I much prefer yellow balloons (really, I do!).Yatta-yatta-blah-blah-blah..."

In fact, I'm amazed our good pal Josie hasn't made some excellent and to the point criticism about all these photos. Especially since I don't see HERS anywhere?
I'd be her, I'd be pissed.

Another Anonymous said...

Wrong deduction as usual, Pascal.

If you were her, you'd be Josie.
And who's this Pissed guy, anyway? Stephen Seagall? :-P

"I'm no pretender."

Josie said...

Bah. I sent an awesome photo of my pussycat, and it wasn't selected. "Too hardcore", he said.

I'm positive the judging was in reality totally subjective. How unfair!

Alex said...

TCG, thanks. When DW was looking at the results, she picked out three that she thought were mine, before she spotted one she recognised, your's was one of them. I always like simple textures and shapes in natural light. Sam P's was another one which is the style I like, the reflections deny you clearly seeing what is really there. I tend to prefer fun reflections/refractions over filters and Photoshop.

I wonder how my "hovercraft from hovercraft" photo would done in this contest. http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gXNDNcQ0ryh9hBFXpzHRgw?feat=directlink.

Like Pascal I fear/wish to ask "how many", maybe all the entrants are here, that would be crushing to find that out. Yes, we're all good, but not that good! I think that there must have been nearly 100 entries.. Yes, that way we can know we are good, and not fear too many lurkers on this board.

Monsieur Beep! said...

I've looked at the "contest" this way: Eo had been looking for a certain picture as a  wallpaper for his room or compy screen, or for mounting  in a pic frame on his desk, or in an attempt to give away some money for charity, in return for a photo.
Ok, we all made our bids (I did it cheerfully, and became nervous with the approaching deadline, for it was the first time I sent in one of my photos anywhere) and Eo selected what came closest to his specs. He didn't have to follow the rules of photography to select the photo which was right for him. The specification was the only guideline, and the "winning" photo complies in an amazing manner, I have to admit. Apart from this, it's of a high photographic quality.

I'd love to take part in future competitions, sending in one of my photos which meets the specification.
 
It's as if I'd ask someone to do a painting of my house and I'd select and pay for the painting that "I" like best.

Random fact: the contest initilized a lot of positive thinking in me about contests in general and all.
It's been quite a pleasant experience, and I'll come up with more photos if Eo should come up with a similar offer in the future.

Always f/22 and 500.

(;-))

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

I could have done that, yes. And right now I do actually have Russ' and TCGirl's on my screens. But if this had been the criterium, Russ would not have been the winner, it's too energetic and busy a picture for having sitting on a screen or a wall for long. Several of the other's, including TCG's rocks, are better for that.

Yours, Beeb, is also good for that. Whereas Jared's and Allan Jacksons are other examples of too "strong". Take too much attention.

That's not a quality judgement, it all depends on intended purpose.

DaiKamonohashi said...

"Too strong," you say? I loved using it as my desktop for awhile! But then, I've always loved having really energetic desktops. XD

- Jared