***APRIL PHOTO CONTEST: THIRD PRELIMINARY THREAD***

Really beautiful work. Congrats to everyone who entered their work.

I have no idea which one I'm going to vote for.

So many gorgeous pictures.

The Ironhead-"Sportster" Harley in the "Chariot of Fire" photo is a negative (maybe that's the intent?). It is in photo reverse. The actual "right side" of the bike is on the "left side" is this photo.

pleasing to the eye.

It was a tie between Best Friends and Touched by the Gods. I finally choose the doggie photo.

I voted for it in the final round.

How does someone enter the contest?

Subscribe to the photography forum to get notified about the monthly contests. The photos have to be uploaded to a file sharing site, and there are some limitations as to file size and image dimensions. We'll be happy to help you with that.

You will see the OP announcing the new comp in 'my subscriptions'
Just to add to Grumps marvellous explainer

And welcome to DU!

Dogwood would make a beautiful diamond painting.

Thanks!

I narrowed it down to three photographs. Then, I reminded myself that, in a photo contest, the quality of the picture-making ought to supersede the viewer's love or lack thereof of any particular subject matter. That helped me eliminate one of the three, as it was a beloved topic, but perhaps slightly less impressive technically than the other two.



Finally, when I thought I'd never make up my mind, I decided to choose the one that had fewer votes than the other.

Am I alone in such methodical agonizing & strategizing?

Yes, it is a photography contest, and the quality of the technique should count for a lot. However, I also think that there may be times when the subject matter is so unique or compelling that it eclipses a lack of photographic skill. Examples of this may be a photo that required a rigorous climb up a mountain, for a new take on an often photographed, cliched location. Another example might be brief moments of interaction between two people, or two animals, that are rarely observed.

Also, this is a friendly little contest among friends. Some of us have much more experience than others. I get a real kick out of seeing how much joy photography brings to people, regardless of their skill level. That enthusiasm means a lot to me. I had lost it for many years, and I'm glad to have it back.

I struggled with how to express what I meant. I knew "impressive technically" wasn't going to indicate exactly what I was trying to say. It was just the best I could come up with. No question there's a lot more that makes a photo "good."

Since it is a photo contest, even though it's a friendly little contest among friends, I try to and wish others would refrain from simply, "Oh look, a [fill-in-blank]! I love [fill-in-blank]s! I'm definitely choosing this one!"

Obviously, DUers are free to choose and vote in any way they like. Especially since, as far as I know, there aren't any suggestions from the contest sponsors on what qualities they'd like for voters to consider when voting.

Kick!