Crit & input for contest entry pls

[tirediron]

Okay, I'd like input & suggestions on these images. I'm going to be submitting one or more of them to a local contest, nothing, major, but entering is free, so... At any rate, the theme is 'water', so: Could you pls offer suggestions on the suitability of the images, which one(s) you would or would not submit and why, and what you think needs doing to get them contest ready?

Thanks!

#1
http://www.johnsphotography.ca/hold/Temp/Contest.jpg

#2
http://www.johnsphotography.ca/hold/Temp/Contest%20(1).jpg

#3
http://www.johnsphotography.ca/hold/Temp/Contest%20(2).jpg

[EJC]

Hi Tirediron

I think all 3 are contenders. The 1st one may be slightly over saturated and the second one seems more so to me. The moss on the top foreground log in particular. It could be my monitor though it's never been calibrated. The drop picture is really cool. The drop seem pretty sharp but the leaf is soft, maybe see how that looks sharpened up a bit where the drop is hanging. Best of luck in the contest!

cheers
EJC

[AcadieLibre]

Well if it was me, no entry fee I would submit all three. If I had to pick one I think the 3rd is the better one. Just my :twocents:

[kat]

#1 is nice but it doesn't scream to me like #2. I think I'd like #2 with some dodging. I like #3, but if it's stricly a water contest I wonder how many shots like this will pop up and some with more color into it (not just the greens).

All three are nice though! Tough decision. Guess it's all down to preference. Hope you get some more input to help you out!!!

[Mad Aussie]

I discarded #3 due to the noise in the photo as I don't think it works with the sharpness of the water drop. Shame because it's a nice photo really. Maybe with a filter applied it could work for me.

#1 has a yellow cast across that doesn't look right to me. I like it but the water is a blown out and I don't think you'll save that unless you have a few shots to make an HDR out of.

#2 is the shot I would choose. Colour cast looks better but the whites still aren't quite white enough. They are at least not blown out though which is a big reason for me choosing this one.
I agree the greens are saturated too much and dominate the photo. I'd be desaturating the greens somewhat and bringing the red and maybe yellows up a little. Get that white right first though.
Is this the full photo or a crop? It would be nice to get the waterfall off centre a bit I think.

All beautiful scenes!!

[BlueX]

Wow, I really like all three pics! I'm a sucker for waterfall scenes.

If I could only enter one, I'd go with #2 because of the 3, it is the one that grabs my initial attention the most. I do agree wit MA that the centered waterfall is the only con I can see with it.

I also like #3 a lot. The clarity and sharpness in the drop is awesome. Maybe darken the background a little to hide some of the noise and focus the attention on the drop and pine neddle? Theres also a little orange blob in the lower right that doesn't look like it belongs.

I like #1 too, but coming from someone who's searched for and looked at lots of waterfall pics, it looks too "ordinary" I guess for lack of better words. It's a great pic but I don't think it it has the visual punch that would jump out at a judge.

These are just my opinions. Great job, I'd be worried if I entered this contest against you.

[Marko]

I like #3 the best. For me it's the most interesting of the 3 shots. The other 2 are nice, it's true, but #3 has something different going for it.

I might slightly crop the left side of the image though just a touch.
Hope that helps
Marko

[tirediron]

Thanks all! #2 was the main entry. I cleaned up the WB issues and generally tidied it up - I guess we'll see what happens.