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Decision on Contest entry

Hi Everyone.
I am trying to make a decision on a Photography contest I am entering at the Prallsville Mill, NJ in August.
I know I posted some of them to POTW a couple months ago.
But still cant decide.
Should I choose one of the ones below.. or go to the Mill and try for another shot.
I heard from an online friend who is also entering the contest, that they are looking for artistic ideas and not necessarily just a shot of the mill
Here are some of my choices. Thanks for your input

I have never posted a POLL before, so hope this works
Complete reflection of the Mill that I called Water Colors

The Mill and its Reflection in full color



Reflecting the Future


Shadows at Prallesville

Or this composition with its reflection on a better sunny day.

Last choice would be something new

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http://www.pbase.com/reflectionsbyruth
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Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter. -Ansel Adams

Last edited by rct4905 on Jun 4th, 2004 at 05:33 PM

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Hi Ruth, how's things? You don't seem to have had many replies. This Mill is a lovely place to go to with a camera. If it were me, I know it's not, but if it were, I would go back, take images from all sorts of angles and reflections, lots and lots, even if it seems funny at the time, you may be surprised at what you get. I've done this before...and it works! Also different lightings, perhaps you could go back several times, different times of the day, etc. The red of the small building is great. Can you get inside? another angle, eh! If I may say...look a little more for the unusual. I'm really looking forward to seeing your final image Ruth. Take care. [F.R.]

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REGARDS...Flyball Rebel

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Thanks FR.. I just posted this 2 hours ago.. so wait until people get home from work.. maybe more will help.
I do plan to go back, but have limited times since it would have to be on the weekend. I dont get to that area until at least 6-7 at night during the week. The buildings are usually open on weekends. The morning I dont think would be good, because no light would shine on the mill since it rises behind it. So 1pm or after ths sun would seem to shine towards the mill. I'm guessing the same on the water reflections in the creek and canal too.
I'll post more later when I get them. Let me check my CD, I wonder if I have others I took that I forgot about

__________________
http://www.pbase.com/reflectionsbyruth
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Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter. -Ansel Adams

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When I first saw the top picture I thought you used Photoshop to apply some watercolor effects to a regular picture of the mill - not sure if you have seen this before or not. That might be an idea (watercolor would be artistic, right?) and I think the colors would look nice if done that way. Also, I like the color the red building adds, so I guess I would try and work it in somehow - either fully or partially. Lastly, would foliage be a concern now? Seems like it might block some good sight lines if it has all gone green. (OK. One more thing -- The split shot color/BW is nice but I find the branches on the left distracting as they switch from color to B&W.) Alright, I am done blabbing. My choice if I was choosing? The reflection or the last one taken with more green possibly taken over to the left more. Any of this make sense or help? Good luck!

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Well out of the group you have here, I still think the one of the building with the tree shadow is a classic. If that photo was framed and mounted in a 11x14 or 16x20 frame, I cant see where you could go wrong.

Out of the 5 you have posted, I find 4 being my choice with the 5th one following that.

The 1st one is nice and I like it. But for some reason its giveing me a Photoshop feel, even though I can tell its a reflection. I think it would be worth printing though to see how it looks on the wall. Some photos like this can really suprise you once you print them. The colors are very nice here, and I like the dreamy arts effect.

The 2nd one is nice, but just looks bland with the bare trees. I am sure you can see the whole place better, but its just bland looking. I feel lighting has alot to play with this as well.

The 3rd one, well not much I have to say about that one. Maybe its me, but not getting much from the orginal or the remake of it. Same comments apply that where listed above.

The 4th one seems to apply a classical image, with a arts like feel. I find the lighting was right and the warm sandstone is accented by the red windows. And then that mistical shadows just pulls you in. Again I would love to see a BIG print done of this. I am sure it would be a WINNER.

I like this composition. I am not fond of the bare winter look (but that may be what your going for), but I find the composition nicely done. I wish it was a hair more light. The over all photo seems a little bit early, not quite what I would call that magical lighting. I feel with some warm basking evening/morning lighting, this would be nice. The only thing is the water is empty. Maybe you could plant a fisherman in a red vest, with a 9 foot fly pole to accent the background (come on, we can dream cant we ).

Over all you have some really nice images here, but I would try it a few more times. Seems you have alot of senic style images. I personally liked when you moved in to accent pieces of it (the wall). I think it would be neat to see a few more of spacific items such as some close ups and some differant angles.

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I would go for the #1 as it is IMO the most artistic out of the series.

However, before entering the competition take more shots. Do a sort of photographic brainstorming session, like Flyball Rebel mentioned, take many without thinking too much about the composition etc.

Another suggestion is to go to your local library and have a look through some graphic art books. This should fill your head with shapes, patterns and colours and I'm sure you will go to the same scene with a slightly different outlook on the subject.

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Kind regards
Stephen

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Shadows at Prallsville

Hi Ruth

Shadows at Prallsville, number 4 is my choice. I bet there won't be many entries like that one and it's a lovely shot. Saying that however all of them are very origional and I'm sure anyone of them will stand out as a great entry.

Good luck

Matt

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thanks everyone

Thanks for all your suggestions. I think I might be able to go there on Thursday from around 2pm on so lets hope it doesnt rain that day. That time of day is when the best reflections seem to occur.
I'm going to take lots more and even some landscape types just for myself not necessarily for the contest.
My 2 favorites were the "Watercolors" and the "Shadows at Prallsville Mill"
Other times when I went back there, the shadows were never the same

They want 1 entry and 2 portfolio pieces of the Mill, so I can pic 2 others to show my work not entered in the contest. I think you can sell them too at the end of the contest. Not sure if I will decided to do that yet.
For those of you who havent seen my other shots of this mill, they are in my premium gallery
Thanks again for your time

http://gallery.bytephoto.com/showga...m&password=

__________________
http://www.pbase.com/reflectionsbyruth
_______________________________________

Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter. -Ansel Adams

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Good Luck Ruth, Hope your entries do well. I'm sure they will. [F.R.]

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REGARDS...Flyball Rebel

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