Thanks to everyone who took time to join in this Mini-Challenge. We had exactly 90 different photos submitted, and just as I hoped the topic allowed quite a variety of different interpretations of the theme. It never ceases to amaze me the creativity and talent that can be found in these forums, and the varied submissions were good evidence of that. A great job by all.
Now, I suppose every mini-challenge judge says this, but it was very hard choosing a winner among the many great shots. Really! To choose a winner, I mainly wanted to find photos that:
1) somehow grabbed my attention
2) kept my attention, or made me want to view it again (and again)
3) for whatever seemed to be the main subject of the photo, that subject should preferably be not fully revealed (further enhancing points 1 and 2) -- this was an important consideration...
4) by virtue of the above, evoked some sense of emotion, curiosity, mystery, etc about the subject. in other words made me think about it more than had the subject been in plain full view.
5) could be a minimalism-style photo, but did not necessarily have to be
6) alternatively somehow made some creative interpretation of the words "Less is More"
One other minor comment - there were a number of untitled shots that might have ranked better with a clever title. (you DID read the rules, right??) Somehow I often find titles can add an interesting and valuable diminsion to the enjoyment of the photo...
enough blabbering - on with the choices.
Honorable Mentions
(in no particular order, and sadly I've omitted many other great photos)
"My 2 Cents" - Oved
I thought this one fit the theme on several levels of interpretation, and in spite of there being nothing unfamiliar here, I found myself wanting to study it more closely (but hey I'm Canadian, so maybe it's just me and foreign currency!).
"Moreton Bay Brisbane oz" - rodbam
I liked the somewhat unconventional portrait-orientation of this land/seascape, where there's less of the bay itself in view. Beautiful gradient in the sky, simple elements in the photo and yet it somehow makes me want to see more of this place.
"Less Score = More Cash" - Scott Doyle
I liked this one as a literal interpretation of the theme "Less is More". also because as a would-be golfer I dream of a result like this one day...
"Money Affairs" - A. Rand
The tight crop, the blur of the money and overall graininess all add a bit of mystery to this shot, it has a great feel to it. I'm wondering, what's transpiring here? It seems there's a story behind it....
untitled - Zarathustra
A beautiful, almost abstract image. Great mood in the colour and textures - like a painting. The whole need not be seen, to be enjoyed. I'm not even certain what this is (a flower, I think?) but who cares, it looks great.
and now, the Overall Winners
3rd Place:
"Where are they going?" - MaxButen
This shot has a photojournalistic feel to it, seemingly caught on the spur of the moment. Are the people running from the photographer? Who are they, and what's going on here? Are we witness to something important here? Somehow I want to find out more...
2nd Place:
untitled - ShallowDOF
The high contrast of this one at first caught my attention, but then the subtle tones of the wall on the right as well as the blackness of the doorway obscuring what might be beyond kept me interested. Simple elements, but effective composition and execution, and more to it than at first glance.
and the 1st Place photo and winner of Mini-Challenge #86 is:....
"Longing for Freedom" - Abstract
This is one that I would call a great "less is more" style portrait. Even without Abstract's carefully thought out explanation of the photo and what he was trying to express, the photo seems to convey a lot about the orangutan. A full-on, clear of the fence shot of the animal would have been too "documentary" or too "snap-shot", but zeroing in on its hand behind the fence seems to say more about it's true situation. Therefore I think this shot says, Less is More. Great work, Abstract!
thanks again to everyone who joined in the challenge and congratulations to all the winners.
Let's see what Abstract has in mind for the next mini-challenge!
cheers!
b.c.
Now, I suppose every mini-challenge judge says this, but it was very hard choosing a winner among the many great shots. Really! To choose a winner, I mainly wanted to find photos that:
1) somehow grabbed my attention
2) kept my attention, or made me want to view it again (and again)
3) for whatever seemed to be the main subject of the photo, that subject should preferably be not fully revealed (further enhancing points 1 and 2) -- this was an important consideration...
4) by virtue of the above, evoked some sense of emotion, curiosity, mystery, etc about the subject. in other words made me think about it more than had the subject been in plain full view.
5) could be a minimalism-style photo, but did not necessarily have to be
6) alternatively somehow made some creative interpretation of the words "Less is More"
One other minor comment - there were a number of untitled shots that might have ranked better with a clever title. (you DID read the rules, right??) Somehow I often find titles can add an interesting and valuable diminsion to the enjoyment of the photo...
enough blabbering - on with the choices.
Honorable Mentions
(in no particular order, and sadly I've omitted many other great photos)
"My 2 Cents" - Oved
I thought this one fit the theme on several levels of interpretation, and in spite of there being nothing unfamiliar here, I found myself wanting to study it more closely (but hey I'm Canadian, so maybe it's just me and foreign currency!).
"Moreton Bay Brisbane oz" - rodbam
I liked the somewhat unconventional portrait-orientation of this land/seascape, where there's less of the bay itself in view. Beautiful gradient in the sky, simple elements in the photo and yet it somehow makes me want to see more of this place.
"Less Score = More Cash" - Scott Doyle
I liked this one as a literal interpretation of the theme "Less is More". also because as a would-be golfer I dream of a result like this one day...
"Money Affairs" - A. Rand
The tight crop, the blur of the money and overall graininess all add a bit of mystery to this shot, it has a great feel to it. I'm wondering, what's transpiring here? It seems there's a story behind it....
untitled - Zarathustra
A beautiful, almost abstract image. Great mood in the colour and textures - like a painting. The whole need not be seen, to be enjoyed. I'm not even certain what this is (a flower, I think?) but who cares, it looks great.
and now, the Overall Winners
3rd Place:
"Where are they going?" - MaxButen
This shot has a photojournalistic feel to it, seemingly caught on the spur of the moment. Are the people running from the photographer? Who are they, and what's going on here? Are we witness to something important here? Somehow I want to find out more...
2nd Place:
untitled - ShallowDOF
The high contrast of this one at first caught my attention, but then the subtle tones of the wall on the right as well as the blackness of the doorway obscuring what might be beyond kept me interested. Simple elements, but effective composition and execution, and more to it than at first glance.
and the 1st Place photo and winner of Mini-Challenge #86 is:....
"Longing for Freedom" - Abstract
This is one that I would call a great "less is more" style portrait. Even without Abstract's carefully thought out explanation of the photo and what he was trying to express, the photo seems to convey a lot about the orangutan. A full-on, clear of the fence shot of the animal would have been too "documentary" or too "snap-shot", but zeroing in on its hand behind the fence seems to say more about it's true situation. Therefore I think this shot says, Less is More. Great work, Abstract!
thanks again to everyone who joined in the challenge and congratulations to all the winners.
Let's see what Abstract has in mind for the next mini-challenge!
cheers!
b.c.
As Abs & me are not on speaking terms can you tell him well done? 
