huga

Adam Finch is the bomb, I love him :laugh: So very glad he got it.

So very glad they talked about it!

Thank you. God, I'm shaking :laugh:

With my QPPA prints, I just got them back with the score on the back. So I'm assuming the same thing is done with APPA. No comments or feedback. But yes, letting go of personal preferences and seeing an image differently is so tough.

Yeah, I agree with you, just feeling a tad bitter, as 60 is under professional standard. No idea what room I'm in. Will attempt to keep an eye on all three (when it eventually starts!).

But when there is such a huge difference in scores, it would be nice for the people who poured everything into their images to be told why. There was barely any comments at QPPA too. I think it sucks a bit, that's all. Anyway, settling down to watch portrait now :)

Sorry, I just meant no comments at all. No feedback. Hate that.

Thank you so very much. A 60! And no discussion. Ugh.

Thanks. And bugger :laugh: Where did you find it?

That's ok. I might just have to wait until it comes back :)

These are the other two that are in portrait, so if someone sees them, I would love to know! Scored 77 at QPPA Scored 83 at QPPA - Silver

I have no idea how I went! I didn't get to watch the judging because I was out. This was the image though (in case anyone saw it): It scored a 77 at QPPA. So impressed that you are watching the judging again, Pheebs :D

I like to experiment and see how far I can push my camera. Best to try in low light. Bump the iso, see how far it can go. Shoot wide open, see how far before everything is too soft. Take your shutter speed down and see how far you can go before you get camera shake.

Ooooh - love the second one!

Thanks. They are the same images I entered in QPPA and only one scored a silver, so will be interesting to see how they compare.

The judging is really interesting to watch. I will say that it's completely different in person and sometimes images that look a bit blah on screen, look amazing in print. There were (and always is) images that I just understand how they scored well, and there were images that should have scored much higher. Comparing a silver from someone and then looking at another that also scored silver is very eye opening. Anyway, I have one in documentary and two in portrait (open), so mine haven't been judged yet.

Linky for those keen: http://asukabook.appa12.com.au Have you got anything in, Linda?

Cloud cover is great! No harsh light and squinty eyes. What lens are you planning on using? Have you checked out the location? Posing can be tough and really, practice is the key. As a rule, I rarely photograph women front on or from a lower angle. Have her looking slightly up at you. Bend the parts that bend. It is your job to direct her and help her relax, she will feel awkward and that will show. Focus on her eyes.

RAW will always need adjustments - that's the point. Nail the exposure and the focus, but they will always be slightly softer and the colour more dull than jpegs.

I would like more space to the right and I (personal thing) try to avoid cropping at joints (i.e knees) - I just think it looks awkward.

I preferred to see his hand on the dogs back - more connection.

I prefer the b&w too, but can't decide on the crop :laugh:

thanks Huga, yes his mum's seen it and loves it. I posted it to our clubs facebook page. I've taken many pics of this boy and his dog, I love the relationship they have together. His mum will think I'm obsessed with them, but they're both just so photogenic and the bond they have really shines. I bet she doesn't think that at all. It's lovely to see :) I love images of kids and their dogs.

It doesn't want to be b&w, lol! I just tried to have a go, but mine looks completely awful because of the small jpeg. I'm too used to working with RAW.

It's lovely. Do you know his parents? I bet they'd love to see it.