*** MiniChallenge #349 "Simplicity" *** Winners

Thanks to all who participated in the "Simplicity" challenge! It was pretty simple really, and appeared not to be much of a challenge for you. For me it's nice to see (and try to create) non-busy compositions and step outside the box, so to speak, of more typical photography.

It's hard for me to judge other people's photos. To make it easier I just tried to remember that it's all subjective opinion and we all have our individual likes and not-so-much likes. Thus, I tried to explain my preferences for the top three.

With that, here are the runners up in no particular order...IMHO.

Amosf – Papillon

That’s really cool. Can’t get much simpler. Beautiful way to portray that dog in black and white. I agree about the butterfly look too! (He looks really smart.)

Baneling – your half sunflower

At least it looks like a sunflower to me. A nice simple close-up of a bright, beautifully colored flower set against a dark background. The water drops added to it too. Well framed, IMO, instead of showing the whole flower which would be a more common shot by many photographers.

Shutterbug Nut – “R”
Very simple. Good use of DOF to highlight just the R.

Ziad Joseph – bird eating

Beautiful lighting on the orange bird with a creamy soft green background. I also like that there’s a little action in the photo as well. Nice shot.

CPNock – Blue Lagoon

A nice shot and simply framed. No question to what the subject is here. The warm skin tones against the water also make this person stand out. I don’t see ‘shiver rings’ around him so I assume it one of Iceland’s geothermal pools.

David Vichich – Bird on a Stick

Wow. This looks more like a drawing that could be framed and hung in a nice art gallery. Beautifully done. I loved Pedro as well. Both fine shots.

Brightcolours – Flooded Crocus

Very simple with fine colours. I like the framing and reflection aspect as well. It was truly a tossup between this and your Lonely Duckie which I’ve always liked a lot too! Both met the challenge very well.

Oilman – White Bird Must Fly

Truly stark simplicity. Good job getting the bird’s white feathers to subtly stand out against the white background. And great lyrics to go with it, which took me back as well. The gator shot was really good too, but the bird stood out a little more in simplicity, for me anyway.

Carol – Red Gold and Green

Best still life. I really liked the color against the black, and setting it up as a reflection added to the composition. Simple familiar subjects, nicely arranged and easy to look at.

And now for the top three.....

3rdPlace

Jim Cassatt – your staircase

Simple but strong. By that I mean the material (appears to be stone) is strong, the perpendicular, slanted and curved lines are strong, and for a “flat” subject it shows depth with its strong shadows. Nicely framed and a cleaver way to capture a stairway. I just liked the way you did it.

2ndPlace

Wilba – Mum and Dad

This photo is captivating if one allows it. We instantly know what it is. The only words are Mum and Dad, also the only focal point. By not being personal with actual names, anyone can potentially relate to it. It's pretty simple yet at the same time it has the power to evoke strong emotion. Good photos have that capacity. Nice one.

1stPlace

Imqqmi – your broad winged bird

I kept coming back to this one because the photo drew me in, as a photo should draw the viewer in. For me, it seemed pretty simple on first take, pretty much just another of your well-shot birds. Yet there was something about it that made me keep looking closer.

It looks to be backlit, looking up yet he appears to be upside down with his legs on top. And what exactly is that body relationship with the position of the head (I'm still scratching mine), which if I thought about it too long could appear to be 'up' with the feet. Great texture, color and definition in the wings and body, too, especially with that lighting. Besides the technical aspects, it just captured my interest enough to put it in top place.

I probably get way to involved in these things, lol. Anyway, the next MC passed on to you, Josha!

Nick

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photography -- a compatible blend of tech and art --