Winner Chosen - October 2012 - Admin's choice - Image of the month

[Marko]

Hi members,

In case you are new around here this is where the Admin (me) chooses one excellent photo each month from all the photos nominated by other members during that month in the Member's monthly choice forum.

Just so it's clear, the photo I choose is not necessarily the best one of the month. I've come to realize it's not really logical to pit images from totally different genres against each other. That's why there are categories in photo contests.

My goal is to simply choose an excellent photo and talk about why I think it rocks.

This month's choice is Something to Hide by ewaizel.

I chose this image for several reasons:

1 - Sense of story and decisive moment - We can't be sure exactly what the story is here but it sure looks suspicious. Maybe it's a drug buy or a trade for stolen goods but the story here is well captured and well defined. Part of the reason the story is so strong is that the gestures of the 3 participants were captured at the right time, at a decisive moment. Two of the 3 people are looking at one another and the third is peeking around the corner. Fab timing.

2 - Composition - Really like the composition here. It's a well framed moment, shot from above. The inclusion of the white door with heavy bars was a fabulous move. It helps the scene by further defining the immediate environment. The inclusion of the cobblestone road in the upper right was also a fab choice as it also helps define the environment. Many photographers might have been tempted to go in for a tighter crop and I'm happy that ewaizel chose not to do that.

3 - Exposure and colours - The exposure with good highlight and shadow detail was well handled and the colours feel very natural here.

For all these reasons, this is my choice for image of the month. Since we all have opinions, some members may disagree with my choice. That's cool but THIS thread is not the place for debate over my pick, NOR is it the place to further critique the image. The purpose here is to suggest strong elements in the photo that we may learn from.

Congrats again ewaizel!