Results – Light Trails – 25.18 – Whangarei Camera Club

Judged

: 01s_Into the Night The light trails are intriguing as they are sandwiched between the diffuse light from the top and the lighter area below. As an abstract image I see the trails are well focused and the blurry background has winning pastel shades of green and pink that add interest. A letterbox crop has been chosen though I feel the story is slightly to the left of centre and wonder if a crop in from the right edge might result in a stronger image as the light area on the right is tending to lead my eye out of the image. This is a pleasing image, simple but well executed. Highly Commended

: 02i_Bye Bye The photographer found well trained support staff to make this fun image. The script is well defined, I wonder how many attempts this took! My true feeling is that the bright, sharply focused windows are distracting with my eyes darting left and right and feel there is lovely detail in the centre if the windows are cropped out. I suggest the photographer try the crop and see the story emerge as a stronger image. Merit

: 03i_Window Frame This is a busy image with so much to consider with the well-focused reflections and the textures in the tiling. The bright red framework works well with the pastel shades of blue in the tiling that I see. The starburst light in the left pane is the strong focus point but it is not blown out and is balanced by the two bright lights bordering the traffic light. There is a headlight trail that I can see that just satisfies the set subject in my opinion. The image is well seen and captured. Honours

: 04n_Busy Brynderwyns The curves and repetition of the posts make this an interesting image to view. The sharp focus is pleasing and the chosen slow shutter speed appears just right. I feel the composition is not helped with the negative space top and bottom and suggest looking at cropping out the sky to bring the viewer’s eye to the lights. The story is great, just the composition not quite balanced in my opinion. Highly Commended

: Highly Commended 05s_Speedy Van At first glance it appeared the van was speeding backwards as I followed the light trails! With the blur of the vehicle there is certainly a sense of motion and there is good detail to enjoy. The composition might be a lot more powerful if the bright light at the top of the image and possibly at the right edge are cropped out because that is my landing point when I first look at it. The textures in the concrete of the background add interest. Merit

: 06s_Fountain Rocket The two blue cascading fountains are beautifully lit up so I can appreciate the flowing water. The focus is sharp with a blurry background and the chosen slow shutter speed works well. Looking at the balance of the composition I feel the background at the top is a distraction and suggest cropping down from the top edge to get a stronger image. The white vignette is effective though possibly a little heavy but this image has potential in my view. Acceptance

: 07s_Chasing the Spot Wow, so many light trails with background ICM it appears. The light trails are well defined and there are little bonuses that look like fireworks spurting out against the blurred background. The central circle attracts my eye and the image is well balanced though the white light areas are slightly blown out in my opinion which lets the image down a bit. This must have been fun to create and is enjoyable. Highly Commended

: 08s_On the Bridge This is a mesmerizing image that is fully abstract as there is no clear indication how the light trails were made in my opinion. The muted lights work well with the bright red bands and the textures within the lighted area being especially good. In my opinion the composition is spot-on and the single bright white light on the left actually adds to the perspective. This is an interesting and well worked image. Honours

: 09s_Music in the Air These are styalised treble clefs I imagine showing different light trail techniques. The blurriness of some of the lights seems at odds with the sharper lights but the black background is good. The balance of the image feels a bit out as there are two groups of lights, three on the left and seven on the right. I have looked at this a few times and truly believe that a stronger image is created by cropping out the three on the left. Another case of less is more and worth looking at I am sure. Merit

: 10s_Santas Sleigh The multiple lighting techniques come together well to tell the story of Santa’s Sleigh. The light trails are clearly defined against the black background. I am sure the three white dots in the sky are intended as stars. There is great creativity and execution in this image in my opinion. Honours

: 11s_Heartbeat Is there a Doctor in the house I wonder? As a Veterinary Surgeon I can see the PQRST points although if I had a dog with this ECG trace I might wonder how sick it was! The lights are sharply focused and the background muted with those little red dots that I do not mind. The question to be asked is whether the trace might be better started at the left edge of the image to lose the dark details behind? The modified image will have more impact I feel and it is worth trying. Merit

: 12s_Loop the Loop There are lovely swirls and loops to enjoy with the exciting colours of the lights. Focus is sharp on the lights and the background not obtrusive I feel. When dealing with loops, if one side of the loops are cropped of it usually looks better if the opposite side is cropped as well, possibly as it looks as if the photographer intended the cropping. A little off the bottom also will change the dynamics of the image and make it a top scorer I believe. The black background at the top with the red below adds interest and I think this image is a lot of fun thanks. Merit

: 13s_Almost perfect ECG With the trace starting at the edge this image is well balanced and I agree this looks a far healthier ECG! The focus on the lights is pin sharp with the colours well captured. I like this image, it might look good in the Doctor’s waiting room. Honours

: 14s_At Speed If those are tail lights it must have been a flying car! It appears this is a bridge and there are great leading lines with repetition in the safety barrier, all points that add to an images compositional attraction. I do feel the white lights overshadow the red trail which might have been stronger at road level? Watch things like the bright blue spot at the lower left corner that suggests border patrol was not done when preparing the image. This image does not feel balanced to me but it was well seen. Merit

: 15s_Looking out What a crazy mixture of flashing lights and continuous lights in this image making an exciting frame. The light sources are well focused and the colours well captured. The disembodied head is creepy and a great touch though I wish it was a touch to the left for perfection. The thought and work that went into this image is evident. Highly Commended

: 16i_Golden Gate This is an enjoyable abstract with that glowing gold colour that feels good. Focus on the lights is good and the black background works very well. There is a once seen cannot ignore red dot at the bottom left that might have been picked up on border patrol. This image is likeable and I do not intend to penalize the red dot but please edit it out before entering an external competition. Honours

: 17i_Alphabet The colours are vibrant in this image with many swirls and overlaps to follow. I’m not sure which alphabet the characters come from but I can see a number. In my opinion the combination of blurry and soft focus lights does not work and the very bright areas at the overlap distract my eye. I think the black background is good and the creative attempt is appreciated. Acceptance

: 18i_Night Drive By Ferry Building The photographer has captured the details of the magnificent Ferry building well and there are enjoyable colours. There is a good depth of field and good focus. I feel this image is really about the Ferry building with the light trails secondary so this may be worth cropping in from the top right corner diagonally, losing the Downtown sign which will bring the viewers’ attention to the light trails. The shutter speed has just missed the clipped highlight problem so well handled. Merit

: 19i_Te Wero Bridge Wynyard Crossing The golds, greens and blues are well captured in this image with the light trails from the lifting bridge I believe. The soft focus makes for a dreamy feel to the image and there is detail to be explored. Whether the ASB building and the green lights add to this image is debatable as the ASB is trying to take my eye away from the bridge I feel. This is a great idea and something different. Highly Commended

: 20i_Flying By This is an interesting landscape with water and a road in the foreground I believe. The soft focus is OK in my view as I still have enough detail to understand the story that the photographer is telling. There is a lot of sky with little stars and as a composition for light trails I feel it dominates the image. Consider a letterbox crop to bring the viewer’s eye to the lower right of the image to enhance the validity of the light trails is my suggestion. A small adjustment in an image can make a big difference to the narrative in my experience. Acceptance

: 21i_Neon Lights I feel a lot of effort went into the creating of this image to produce so many light trails with the beautiful colours. Focus on the lights is sharp and the flashing lights produced the dotting. After careful inspection I feel the negative space at the top does not add to this image and recommend trying a square crop to leave the bottom left corner so the whole image is lights. While the balance is not optimal in my opinion the capture is competent. Merit

: 22n_Home Time A Motorway in the dark with ubiquitous traffic cones! The photographer has chosen part of the Motorway that has bends which adds interest. I feel the focus needed to be sharp. The light trails are strongly represented. There is some good thought gone into taking this image though the result is not as intended I believe. Merit

: 23n_Big City LightsSkyline This image was taken just down from the Harbour Bridge I think with plenty of detail as we look across to Sky Tower. The chosen settings work well in capturing the detail. The sky is a problem as there are dots and smudges then the green halo behind the tower. The starburst lights are very well captured. Acceptance

: 24s_Light Trails Lovely leading lines invite my eyes to follow up and out which is fine. Focus and depth of field are good as they give detail. I find the bright white lines overpower the image as it stands and recommend trying a crop to remove the pole on the left as I believe a much stronger image results. I do like the blue tinges seen along the trails. Merit

: 25s_Hey To make a light trail look like broad brush strokes is very clever with the pastel pink and blue going well together. There is texture in the text and the black background enhances the image. The pink border is a great touch that completes this image. Honours

: 26i_Fly There are so many inclusions from the plane’s reflection to the starburst lights and the golden lighting. The composition is excellent in my view, well balanced with the tower attracting my eye. The focus appears sharp on the yacht but I think the tower needed to be in focus also. This is well seen and captured Highly Commended

: 27s_Liquid light at the Basin The fountains flow has been well captured and the yellow, orange with green tones complement each other. I find the focus and depth of field to be good. The problem I have with this image is the multiple clipped highlights top and bottom that overpower the image by attracting my eyes away from the fountains. I do love the mini ghost fountain on the left! Acceptance

: 28s_Light Traffic I feel great care has been taken in choosing the correct camera position for this image. The symmetry is lovely. Focus on the bridge is sharp and there is great detail throughout. The highlights are on the cusp of being clipped I feel but strangely they appear acceptable in this context. One consideration I had was whether there were actual light trails present or just reflections then I identified car headlight trails that allowed me to accept the image. This is a great image of an interesting structure, well done. Honours

: 29i_The Portal Someone was whirling the burning steel wool round vigorously and wearing a hoodie is sensible as I know from personal experience! The focus on the sparks is spot –on and I do not mind the human element being slightly soft. At first I wondered if the human element might be better centered but the current position matches the concept of someone looking though a portal to the trees behind. If this image is to be entered in external competition I suggest attention to the left edge green lights and the white spot on the right. Honours

: 30i_When sparks fly Don’t tell health and safety, no face mask or gauntlets, tut, tut. The narrow depth of field focusing on the grinder and sparks is very effective as it leaves the human element in soft focus and he moved during the exposure I think. There is a lot of noise in the background possibly due to a high ISO setting but it works well in this instance I believe. I like this image and enjoy the detail. Honours

: 31i_Neon The colours are well captured, the curves pleasing and everything set off by the black background. Many of the trails are detailed though others are discontinuous or soft in focus. The story is not coming through and I can visualize a square crop starting from the bottom right corner that instantly creates a colourful abstract image. Look at composition as it makes all the difference is my advice. Merit