Justifying

I wasn't particularly enamored with any of the images I entered for last night's MPS club night, so coming away with two 'Highly Commended's left me satisfied.
The set subject was Monochrome, and the image I got the HC for is this one. The judge - who I did learn stuff from, and have no bones at all with - seemed to have an aversion to anyone who had chosen to go with sepia tones. In my defense, I did not apply a sepia preset - I used muddy brown colour monochrome.
He applied the same criticism to my photo as he did to many others who applied this toning to their images - that it would probably look better in black and white, and that 'the author' should go home and try that.
I had already tried it. In my mind it was insipid in black and white, and the brown tones brought out the broodiness in the sky which prevents the photo from being flat.
Still, everyone has their own opinion, and that's what a critique invites. What do you fullas think? (I have also included the original)

My Beautiful Boy in B and W

May MPS Club Night will be upon me before I know it, and I have done no special photography missions at all lately. As with last month's set subject, I am pretty uninspired by the set subject topic of monochrome.
So I revisited some previous shots to see if any translated OK in to Black and White which, I understand, falls under the monochrome umbrella.
I have always loved this photo of Hugo. If you knew this little dog you would agree that it encapsulates his personality to a T - cheeky, confident and totally loveable. It was stolen on the spot without no consideration at all given to settings etc, and I had my wee 50mm fixed on, dialed down low, hence the very shallow depth of field. I had to work hard on the colour version to bring the most out of what was captured in camera, but have never been completely happy with the amount of shadow across the left (right as you look at it) eye, and the distraction of an inconsistent background.
I think there is much more clarity in the Black and White version, and I was able to black out the wall and curtain into a solid block.
I am not sure if I will enter it, but because I like it as a B and W, I am definitely going to print it and put it on the rapidly growing 'famous' hall wall. (Becoming a bit like going straight to the pool room, for those who appreciate the humour of The Castle)

Bird Watching

Fulfilled another '50 Lister' yesterday, by visiting the Open Sanctuary island of Tiritiri Matangi with a group from the Manukau Photographic Society. Just a short ferry trip from Gulf Harbour (or a little longer from Auckland City - we chose to leave from Whangaparaoa to save central city parking fees!) is this little gem of a place which has been being developed as a sanctuary since 1984. I recall a School Journal story about the replanting of the island, and the development of the project can be found, along with heaps of other information, here.
One of the major goals of the project has been to develop colonies of NZ native birds in a predator free environment. Some are threatened, others not. Whilst we did not get to see any kokako, a drawcard of the visit to the island for bird watchers, our enthusiastic and learned volunteer guide pointed out many others.
The most 'frequent flyers' however, were the tui and the korimako (bellbird). They were especially prevalent at the man made feeding stations, and if you had your camera ready just at the right time, you could catch a shot! Had to be quick though!
The movie at the bottom is more for the 'soundtrack' than the moving pictures; at the final feeding station we happened upon, the bellbirds were in full chorus.
For a person who has not been especially interested in birds, this trip sure made me appreciate them and their qualities.

Female Korimako

Male Korimako

Losing the Beginner Tag

It's official - I can no longer say that I am a novice photographer, or say it is a fluke when I get a good critique...

Tonight at MPS I won Open Image of the night!

My FB  friends may recognise it as the cover photo on my page. I called it 'Summer Sunset', and it was one of the images I took on my most excellent adventure to Awhitu.

That and an honours also for the Wind Power picture I posted earlier. But no recognition for my 3rd entry just to keep me honest lol.

Wind Power

I was not terribly inspired by the set subject of our upcoming MPS club night next week - machinery. I had one photo I knew I could enter, but was looking for a second.

I remembered taking this photo last year ( I blogged it here) and it always appealed on some level - mainly for the cloud formation - but I didn't feel like the bottom half  'said' much.

I had cropped it before, but tried a different crop this time, fiddled around with b and w and a few other things and I am really pleased with the result.

I am posting it here now before 'the judge' has a chance to critique it, because I am learning that however the pros react to a photo is not the be all and end all. Personal appeal also counts!

Readers - I need your help!

This week I have to submit two photos for the MPS club 'salon'. I had to ask what that actually was in this context, as my reference to 'salon' ordinarily involves my hair. Consulting wikipedia's article on what a 'salon' is made me smile, and feel a bit stupid that I did not already know this meaning.

What we have to do is submit what we believe are our two best, previously critiqued photos again for pre-judging, as well as take a 6x4 print of a photo for on-the-night critiquing by the group.

So.
I am including as my blog post today, all the photos I got MPS Honours for, a couple that were only highly commended but I quite like, and two being critiqued this week.
Please can you tell me your two favourites, and I will tally them up to help me decide what goes forward.

If you read this via my Facebook link, please comment on my FB page if you prefer.

Thanks!

Enlightened

Lily 

The Secret

Sunday @ Cornwall Park

Synchronicity

Take Off

Calling Jonny Wilkinson

Courtship

Simplicity

Simplicity

That's the name I gave to this photo, one of my entries this month for MPS club night. It's one of the first photos I ever took when I got my 50mm fixed lens, and while I have always loved it, I thought it was a bit too simple to appeal to anyone else.
I really enjoyed the judge's critique style, though as he went through the set subject entries (which I had not entered) I felt that he was going to crucify my offerings this month.

Obviously I am still to learn the lesson I have been trying to teach myself all year, not to doubt myself or put myself down... as I received two 'honours' - for the seed head and my swans ('Courtship') - and a highly commended for my pic of Jaime Lyn.

Seeking Feedback

My photo today is, obviously, the one that appears as my blog wallpaper. It remains one of my personal favourites, despite being one I took when I was still a learner driver on my DSLR.
At the time I took it I published it on my FB page and received some affirming feedback from a friend who I think is a wonderful photographer. He (Mr Spudooli) was also the very first blogger I followed and I miss both his photos and his commentaries (hint, hint, Dave).
Last night I put this favourite photo forward for more feedback at the MPS Club night - set subject, Trees. Even though I know that feedback - both positive and constructive - is what helps us to learn and grow I must admit that I felt protective of my 'Sunday @ Cornwall Park' pic and hoped the judge would share a similar view. I did not feel quite so precious about the other set subject entry, as I did not feel it was as 'good' as this one. But I had not fully analysed why. His comments showed me what I could do next time to improve the image. And I appreciated that knowledge.
I took this attitude with me today as I continued observations of my teachers. I know they put their best efforts forward, and that they also know to expect to find out what they did well and where they could hone their focus moving forward. Like me with my second photo, our teachers are pretty good at actually drawing their own conclusions about what went well and are open to ways to improve.
So how did I go? Well this pic received Honours. Yay. The second Tree one - a Merit. All good and to be expected.
I had also entered a 3rd photo - another I really like myself - and was awarded a Highly Commended, which is all good, but I would have like to know what would have lifted it to an Honours because the platitudes about it were flowing. Proving that getting positive feedback only is not always wholly satisfying.
Except when your favourite one gets Honours.

Personal Passions

I joined four other photographers at MOTAT today for my first MPS field trip. Kind people, easy to be with, and all very interested in the photographic possibilities that this 'transport and technology museum' had to offer. All except me as it turned out - I'm afraid as a destination, it just confirmed for me that I ain't a museum kinda girl. Well not of the traditional dusty exhibit old type anyway.
However that did not stop me appreciating the passion of an older man who voluntarily runs the print room, and who, as it happens, also belongs to the club. What a gentleman. As it transpires, the print room (which was very popular with the punters) is not usually open for business on a Saturday. But this lovely man came and opened it especially for us.
As I have alluded to, I did not get particularly inspired by the exhibits photographically or in terms of personal interest, though I happily listened to this chap because he cared so much. And just for him, my blog photos are from 'his' room today.

An oldie, but apparently a goodie

MPS club night, and as mentioned in an earlier post, I was brave and entered 3 pics this month; one into the Open category, and two in the set subject which was 'Song Titles' this month.
I put forward this pic - a very familiar one to my friends, and a favourite of mine for some time. Not technically, but because of what it conveys.
I have always titled "The Secret", but called it "Do you want to Know a Secret?" to fit the set subject. I also threw in this one and called it "Baby Love" (Are you singing in your head?)
The judge tonight liked the human element in photos it would seem.  I like this shot of Dan and Hugo for both the connection between the two, and the fact that you cannot read/see Dan's face. I also like its simplicity. All of these things he seemed to like too.  I quite like Baby Love,  but am bothered by the size of the hand - it is out of proportion with the head because of the angle I was at.  Interestingly when the "Baby Love" pic rolled over, the judge made comparisons to this dog-and-boy one, not knowing of course it was by the same 'Author', as photographers are referred to.
Pictures are awarded acceptance, merit, highly commended and honours. Thrill of thrills, The Secret got honours and Baby Love highly commended.
I also entered Lily in the Open category. There was an audible 'Ohhh' from the audience when it flashed up. I was amazed with the feedback and superlatives this photo got, and when I spoke to the judge afterwards, he asked if I took it on a 'job' - as if I was a pro lol. Lily also received honours, and was even in the final 3 for Open shot of the evening.
Memo to self - learn to give self more credit. Learn to accept and believe in positive feedback. Try harder not to undersell yourself. But stay humble and true.
Well done, Lynn.

Open for Criticism

OK so strictly speaking, posting this photo today is kinda cheating as I definitely did not take it today, but I did bite the bullet this morning and submit three pics, this being my favourite, for critique at MPS club night this coming Tuesday.
I already know that my photos are nowhere near the standard of those who 'win' the competitions, but you've got to start somewhere, right? And feedback and feedforward is always good.
That said I will always love this photo of Lily regardless. I love the way she is looking straight through the lens at me.