The Final stage of the May contest is now up in the Lounge

[ConsAreLiars]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3306891

The order was based on the sequence in which they appeared in the first stage. The selection criteria was the top two in each group plus the top 4 of the remaining images as follows:

Group 1:
9. Sand Fences - 26 votes, 23%
5. Cord - 15 votes, 14%

Group 2:
19. Pelican at Sunset - 27 votes, 26%
13. Final Shadows - 26 votes, 25%

Group 3:
25. Hoar Frost - 45 votes, 45%
22. Alive and Still - 16 votes, 16%

Top 4 of the remaining 24:
20. Girl in the Cave - 16 votes, 16%
2. Broken Glass - 14 votes, 13%
10. Under the freeway Seattle stairway - 13 votes, 12%
29. Smoking Section - 13 votes, 13%

The same result would have been obtained by just tallying the top 10 regardless of group. I have no idea how I would have handled it if any of the several with 12 votes had received 13 and made it necessary to break ties to get it down to 10 entries. Something to think about for the next contest.

[RagingInMiami]

1. I was thinking the same thing about a tie

I'm glad it didn't happen.

[GOPFighter]

2. Well, there you go...

What happened to all those stunning photos like Arcade on Santa Cruz, Staircase, Swallow, A Shadow Box, Neon Beams, Shadowed Sara, Alfredo's Rose, Midas Hand and some others that really excited me? I'm tickled to see my entry got so many votes but I think it pales next to those noted above. I can't figure out the voting. The quality of entries this month was impressive!

BTW, my hat's off to you, ConsAreLiars. You did a superb job running the contest this month!

[Blue_In_AK]

3. We're just relegated to the dung heap of rejects.... LOL

[Placebo]

5. Heh, yup.

At least it isn't lonely in the dung heap. :P

But I gotta give it up to GOPFighter, your pic is pretty damn cool. Very surrealist, could almost be a painting, all it needs it some distorted animals and random objects.

[Blue_In_AK]

6. I agree, that hoar frost picture was very, very cool...

We have great hoar frost here in the winter (obviously). I think I'll try that black and white next time...it's very artistic.

[GOPFighter]

7. Damn!

Distorted animals and random objects? And I spent all that time Photoshopping them out! :+

[alfredo]

4. Art is subjective. Don't read anything into these results.

Just be happy for the winners. The whole reason as I see it is to inspire, and educate.

I loved Hoar Frost, Swallow, Under the Freeway, and the Cord. they stood out for me. I learned something from each.

Of mine I contributed, the one I liked the least, did best.

One vote means success.

[GOPFighter]

8. Quite right

The contests have really inspired me to look more closely at my world. Photography has let me see beauty in places I once thought ugly. Now if I can just master composition and exposure!

[ConsAreLiars]

9. I agree - the value of the contest is in the process, not the outcome.

Your photo probably got fewer votes because the shadow (or even silhouette) aspect was not apparent, but it was an interesting technique and image and technically well done. Some of the others probably lost votes because the highlight and shadow areas got blown out and lost some of their impact. And there is just the "pretty picture" aspect - the photo I put in the last contest probably would have gotten some votes in this one even if it had no relationship to the theme.

[alfredo]

12. You got it. the shadow aspect was quite subtle. I wanted the shadow on

the petals to disappear into the black. If I didn't create a black background the shading of the tips of the petals would have been lost in the clutter.

the background was black, but not consistent. I went ahead and copied the flower to a total black background and it worked. I have redone the image several times to get the composition better. It is now 6X8 in landscape format. the flower is situated to the right of the frame. I can now say it is my current favorite. I am going to have it printed professionally, mounted and given to my mother in law.

Swallow inspired me as did the cord. Both including hoar frost could be part of a professional portfolio. The red jello in Swallow blew me away.

I have learned a lot in the past few weeks.

[regnaD kciN]

10. Well, in the case of "Neon Beams"...

...it wound up far out of consideration. Which is just where it belonged. (Although I thank you for your kind comment.)

Seriously, I just went over my picture collection, and find myself wondering just how I could have picked that photo as my choice. Pure laziness, I guess. I can see at least seven or eight that would have been a better submission.

Well, at least I now have a good selection of "Light and Shadows" pictures, in case that ever becomes a contest topic again. What's that saying about generals always preparing to fight the last war?

:shrug:

[RetroLounge]

11. Great contest!

and Hey! I got votes this time!

I took 300 photos this weekend in Iowa, so I will keep plugging away!

Next contest topic: Locomotives! :rofl: I got that one sealed up!

RL