DPG Theme Competition

Clicking on the image will open up a new window with the original size submitted entry

Firstly, an appeal. Can all entrants ensure their entry is given a title. And can you try and make the filename the same or very similar to the title too – makes publishing to the internet easier for Si.

Secondly, your picture will nearly always look better if you put a frame around it – its not so bad on the gallery – but on the voting page on the website, they can look a little less than perfect. And you don’t need photoshop to do a border – photofilter is a freeby and works very well.

I can see an end to Christmas

Mark Says;

As an idea this shot is great – but it’s not worked completely for me. Too many hot spots.

Ron Says:

Lots of colour and well executed. Nice one.
A little more distribution of the sweets would have made a better shot.

Kinder Reservoir and the Downfall.

Mark Says;

The snow seems to me to be a bit under exposed. It looks like it should be really bright – and isn’t. The mid-foreground is under some shadow, but looks dull.

Its also a little tightly cropped – would have been nice to have had at least the edge of the water in the shot on the left.

Ron Says:

This is a nice shot, the water and buildings as well as the stand of trees help balance the white of the snow. This draws the eye into the shot.

Red Robin - WINNER

Mark Says;

The Robin is the classic bird associated with Winter. Shame there is no snow to go with it!

The shot itself is a little dull and the red breast looks a little forced – that or it’s the result of being compressed for the web.

I’m also not sure of the crop, the bird is little central and I would like to see more space to the right for it to look into. The twig on the right is a bit too bright as well and is pulling my eye away from the subject.

Ron Says:

A nice colour to the Robin and it is in a nice position in the shot. It is a pity the background is so cluttered and one twig right beside the robin. Still a nice shot.

During the Blizard

Mark Says;

Sorry, but I don’t like this shot; too flat and has no focal point.

Ron Says:

This is my entry so no comment.

Ice, After a snowfall

Mark Says;

The dark background works well at highlighting the frozen water droplet. But I don’t like the branch to the left, nor the shadow that its cast.

I keep trying to see whats reflecting in the drop too.

Good effort.

Ron Says:

A good shot but let down a little by the branch on the left, I also think that the black background over powers the drop.
The focus is on the drop so this saves it a little

Mount Famine and South Head in Winter

Mark Says;

Somehow this is a better exposed shot than the earlier one, and I think it’s the same photographer.

The colour looks better – bluer emphasising the cold. I like the diagonal lines through the shot too.

Sky would have been better if it was more interesting, but other than that a good shot.

Ron Says:

The exposure in this shot is well balanced between the trees and the snow. The trees catch the eye and then let the walls lead it into the shot.
Well done

Winter Catkins (Salix)

Mark Says;

Lovely shot of the Catkins, lighting is excellent, really emphasising the branch the form. The dark background totally de-cluttering the image

One of my favourites and should do very well.

Ron Says:

A very dark shot but the catkin flowers are well light with just a hint of over light on the left. I personally would like to see a little more light on the left buds.
Dark backgrounds are not a favourite of mine

Pink Pagoda Mountain Ash Berries in snow. - THIRD

Mark Says;

Generally a good shot, but again, a little flat. Snow can be a right pain to get right! The background is a little distracting too.

Ron Says:

A nice head of berries wearing their winter coat of snow. The berries are also a beautiful pastel shade with nice focus on them.
The back ground is a little fussy and would have been better thrown further out of focus

what could be more seasonable .. another rainy day..

Mark Says;

I like the diagonal of the bridge and the arches, although the colours are a little muted – but then it is in keeping with the title.

The river is a little too straight up and down.

Nice effort.

Ron Says:

I like the way this bridge is made up of arches. The way your eye is taken by the river right into the shot is great.
There is a lack of contrast, there seems to be no real blacks and this would help the overall look.

Winter Wonderland - THIRD

Mark Says;

The tree line works really well at taking the eye into the shot, and is nicely held up by the break in the snow in the foreground.

Although the snow is in shadow, the picture still looks bright and well exposed.

Should do well.

Ron Says:

A nice line of trees on the thirds or near enough the thirds. This and the snow make it a nice shot. The break in the snow from bottom left to bottom right is distracting; I would like to see it cropped out.

Christmas Pudding - SECOND

Mark Says;

This one is mine. Background at the bottom is not as good as it should have been – but the head was going and it was on the wrong side of me!

Ron Says:

A nice study of real ale, well diffused back ground. The focus is just where it should be, on the label and the froth on beer.
It would look better if the pint pot handle had been hidden, or in focus as it is a little distracting.

Spring Crocus

Mark Says;

My Second. Lighting is a little flat. But the sun was in at the time.

Ron Says:

This is nice with good colour in the crocus. The back ground is a little distracting, as is the out of focus crocus to the left.
A nice natural shot.

Clinking on to Christmas

Mark Says;

I like the red trees and tubs. Shame the sky is so washed out – a clear blue sky would have really helped I think.

Ron Says:

The reason for the title eludes me but that’s me.
This is a good shot with a lot of eye catching red in it, a lot. The reds are nice but the green need a little lift just to balance the reds. A little crop to the top to lessen the effect of the over exposed sky would I think also help.

Snowy Tree

Mark Says;

A good abstract of the tree, but again would have been excellent if the sky had been blue.

Good effort.

Ron Says:

This is a nice silhouette made all the better by having the snow on the branches.
A little lightening of the mid tones may have made it punchier, even a little burning of the black but with care.
It is still nice as shown

Morning Frost

Mark Says;

The frost on the leaves emphasises them very well, but again, the lighting is a bit flat and the shot lacks any real punch.

Funnily enough, I find my eye pulled to the top right corner, where there is a bit of grey.

Ron Says:

Lots of people like shots of plant life with frost covering it and, rightly so it is a great subject.
The focus on this one seem a little soft on the centre set of leaves which is a pity. This is where the eye wants to settle but instead it has to hunt for the sharp area.
This is still a nice shot