This was the last of the three digital image competition rounds.
The theme was ‘The Monochrome Moment’ with the brief described below:
Submit a striking image in black-and-white or toned monochrome. Focus on texture, shape, light, and contrast. Subject matter is open — from portraits and architecture to abstract forms.
Judging criteria includes effective use of contrast and tonal range, strong composition and subject clarity, creativity and emotional impact in a monochrome medium, and technical excellence in post-processing.
Image 1 – Skullpted By Nature
I chose this image because it seemed a reasonable choice for monochrome, because of its abstract (something different) quality, and because a photographer friend of mine commented at the time that they thought it would make a good monochrome image with boosted contrast.
This image was taken on an autumnal shoot in Thetford forest, and you can see the original below.
On the shoot, many of us were wandering around taking images of trees and anything with an autumnal look when I spotted this leaf sitting there on a fallen tree trunk.
I grabbed the shot and thought it looked interesting.
Revisiting this image for this competition, I’ve cut a bit out round the edges, removed some distractions all over the image, darkened the trunk and brightened the leaf.
I played around with the stem or stalk as it’s out of focus and a little distracting. I tried chopping it out completely but the image looked odd and unnatural without it.
A Nik Silver Efex filter has been used to bring out the contrast.
Self-critique (pre-judging)
It’s an interesting image and something different and quirky.
The title is designed to make it obvious what I think it looks like – this should be welcomed, but the judge may be annoyed by it.
There is a part of the leaf bottom left that I ended up darkening to blend in with the tree trunk, which I did as that element was out of focus and I felt the image was stronger like that, but the judge may interpret that as a flaw.
Aside from this, only the tones or monochrome qualities can be criticised.
Then there is the possibility that the judge just doesn’t like it.
I think it should get 17-18 based on uniqueness.
Judge’s verdict
The judge commented on how we can see faces or shapes in nature or everyday things.
They said there was plenty of detail in the leaf and good tonal range.
They thought the image had a sepia tone (it doesn’t) and might be due to the projector (possibly).
They said they would’ve cropped the stem of the leaf as it’s going off the frame. At this point, I was worried it would lose a lot of points, but much to my surprise it was held back, and in the shortlisting round, the judge awarded the image 19/20.
Post-judging thoughts
Would it surprise you to read that I’m really pleased with the result?
I have no grievance with the feedback and the flaw that perhaps stopped this getting a maximum score is fair, and I’ve learnt a really important thing regarding something leaving the frame.
Image 2 – Meandering Channel
The next image was taken at Snettisham last Summer on a sunset shoot.
I had an enjoyable evening with three other photographers looking for shapes in the water channels and mudflats of Snettisham marsh.
I picked this image as I really like the leading line and think it works very well in monochrome.
The original capture is shown below:
And a straight switch to plain black and white is below:
Following feedback from a photography buddy, I filled in the small water pools at top of image to eliminate them as distracting elements.
I then applied a Nik Silver Efex filter to really boost the contrast.
I then ensured that any distractions were removed, for example there were some minor marks on some of the mud areas (particularly in the foreground) like bird sh*t plops or the odd small twig.
No other editing was applied, and I suppose capturing this image in a reasonable good composition to start with, plus having excellent natural lighting on that evening all came together really nicely.
Self-critique (pre-judging)
I’m really hopeful for this image for several reasons.
Firstly, I chose this very early on as something I had a good idea would work great as a monochrome image.
Since I did the early editing, I had a hunch this would be strong because it felt like that. The composition, the leading line, the contrast in the mud cracks.
I’ve been so careful with the editing, and cannot think of any doubts or niggles, therefore the scoring potential is really down to judge’s preference and other competing images.
I feel this image has a strong chance of being held back and achieving a top score.
Judge’s verdict
The judge liked the S shape and leading line, which they said ticks all the boxes.
They liked the treatment of the image which meant that there was detail in every scale.
They liked the lighting which was mimicking the shape of the S bend.
They liked that the lines went off at the top of the image and said the crop was superb.
The image was held back, and in a nerve jangling shortlisting round, the image made it to the last three and was picked as the winning image!
Post-judging thoughts
Very little else to say other than “Well Chuffed”!
Refections
To have scored a 19 and 20 and get 39/40 (97.5%) overall so cannot be feeling anything other than delighted.
To have won this competition was really pleasing and I’m thrilled to have achieved it.
Thank You’s
I’d like to thank my parents… oops, hang on, wrong event, wrong speech…! 😁
It’s right and proper that I thank a couple of photography friends (Bill and Pat) who’ve helped me with these images, and I feel deserve a specific mention.
Skullpted By Nature
Bill sent me a comment when I first flung the leaf shot up online, and said it would work well in monochrome with some high contrast.
Pat saw a later version of it and suggested I make the leaf a bit lighter. As it happens, I’d already submitted the images at that point, but sent in new versions right on deadline day of both my images as I had forgot to add a key line. I took the opportunity to slightly lighten the leaf.
Meandering Channel
Bill invited me to the shoot last Summer where I captured the original image.
Pat sent me a note when I posted it online and suggested I tone down the small water pools at the top of the image. In the end, I cloned them out.
Final thoughts
Without these helpful comments and tips, I’m sure I would not have been able to achieve such good results, and this reminds us of the huge value in peer review within a small trusted group.
There may be more celebrating at a later date too, as I was aware I was leading the digital competition league table so with this being the last of three rounds, I think I have won the digital competition.
But never mind all that, let’s celebrate in the moment…. winner, winner, chicken dinner! 🥇
I’ll be back down earth very soon as I’m worried about the next round as I only have one image so far. Beyond that, I suck at panels and have done nothing to prepare as we’ve been advised, and image of the year is something of a random competition.
But it’s not about the winning, it’s about taking part right? Sod that, it’s all about the “W”! ✌🏻
I’ll remind you of what the great Bill Shankly once said about football… but it’s really about competing.
Some people think football is a matter of life and death; I don’t like that attitude. I can assure them it’s much more serious than that.
Onwards and upwards…