I was pretty excited when I entered the GGW Picture This Photo contest in January thinking I finally had a strong contender with this photo:
But a few days before the deadline a photo similar to mine, and quite frankly better, was submitted by Through Laura's Lens. Sure enough her photo won a silver medal award. I don't know much about her because it looks like she might have created the blog just to enter the contest (or at least that was her one and only post to date). But her profile gives the following description:
I capture images of exquisite natural light and the colors, patterns and textures of our beautiful world. I have been honored with local, national and international awards at art shows and online, and have held numerous solo shows.
Well no wonder her photo is so much better than mine! For the rest of the honorees (most of which were also stronger than mine) you can visit GGW. I'm not sure I'm going to enter their contest again. I'll have to take the perfect photo for the theme and even then, the single juror system is so subjective.
So when Skippy's Vegetable Garden wrote that she was entering an on-line photo contest run by the Boston Globe for amateurs, I was hesitant to put my work out there again. Plus the contest wasn't exactly an easy one:
The deadline draws near for the January contest, in which we asked you to take unusual shots of familiar items (or not so familiar) in such a way that most observers would scratch their heads.
This was a challenge; not only does your photo have to be taken this month, but the style of photography may be a first for many of you.
Yup, the sticking point for me was your photo has to be taken this month. So I spent a few days looking at everything around me for a subject and a viewpoint that would leave most observers scratching their heads. I tried the amaryllis and though you couldn't really tell what kind of petal it was, I think it's pretty obviously a petal and it wasn't that interesting an image:
Here's the photo I went with, but I can't tell you yet what it is...just in case I do get chosen for the top ten:
And on Sunday I entered five matted prints into the Shoreline Arts Alliance's annual juried photography competition: IMAGES. You may recall I entered last year, but none of my photos were accepted. There are about 50 fewer entrants this year, so at least the odds will be better! I entered five photos in all.
Warning:
Funny story...I was showing my photos to some ladies in their 60s at the IMAGES submission and when they saw the above photo they laughed and asked if it was real. Confused, I said yes and explained how it was a label on an old wooden crate that I was using as a planter. They said you're probably too young, "drop acid," how funny. Duh! Why did I never see that? I came home and told VPH who said that's the first thing he thought of when he saw the label on the crate and my photo of it. Just another example of each viewer's life experiences coloring their perception.
Spring:
About 50% of the people who see this photo have no idea what it is. An easy way to figure out a gardener (or a gourmand) from a non-gardener.
Soaked:
One woman thought this was an aquarium. I'm not so fond of the rectangular reflection on it which I never noticed until I saw the print of the photo. I have no idea what it's a reflection of, but I now find it distracting. Hope the jurors don't.
Winter:
This photo looks so much better printed out than on my monitor.
Seuss:
I can easily excuse those who don't know that these are clematis blooms gone to seed. I wasn't sure what they were when I photographed them. This is another print that just looks awesome printed and matted.
Keep your fingers crossed for me!
UPDATE: I didn't get into IMAGES. The official press release states: "The jurors examined 750 prints, submitted by 131 photographers from across the state carefully selecting the works for exhibit based upon creativity, photographic excellence and ability to evoke reaction. The daylong deliberations resulted in a show featuring diverse subject matter, superior technical expertise and artistic merit. There are 116 images representing 70 photographers."
I'm going Friday night to see the show and I'm sure I'll have some comments afterward. I will say that I know that at least one of the winners has work in the gallery of one of the jurors, so I find it hard to believe that the juror didn't recognize that person's work and abstain from judging, but who knows? I think I'll take next year off from submitting and go help with the judging process instead and try and see exactly what the jurors are looking for in submissions. Maybe make friends and have someone critique my portfolio at the end of the day.
Who ever knows what those judges want. I sure don't. And I get paid a lot of money to take pictures.
Posted by: [email protected] | February 03, 2010 at 06:48 AM
It's hard to put yourself out there to be judged, isn't it? Don't think I could. I love your photos - thanks for sharing them. The fern and the clematis are especially beautiful. Good luck in the contest!
Posted by: Cyndy | February 03, 2010 at 06:57 AM
?Basket weave? I'm so fond of the clematis seed fronds - nice hostess gift for Mummer?
Good luck on all your entries - I still think you inherited your photography skills from your Mom!
Posted by: Mummer | February 04, 2010 at 09:33 AM
Eric -- You made me laugh. Check out the stats above that I just got from the offical press release. Over 1/2 of the people who submitted were hung. I guess they really didn't like my work.
Cyndy -- You said it! It is really hard, but the nice thing is that people whose opinions I trust really do like my photography, so I'm not completely crushed. I definitely made progress this year as a photographer and my portfolio was vastly improved.
Mom -- I have a hostess gift for you already, but it's not photographic. Maybe next year after I've stared at the clematis seeds for months I'll bring it to you.
Posted by: Heather's Garden | February 04, 2010 at 06:16 PM
The Fern frond gives me butterflies in my belly, it is so beautiful. I don't suppose you would share that or let me buy a copy of it from you?? My daughters name is Fern and that would be the greatest thing to have up in our house. I abstain from hanging up ferns all over in general, but this would be perfect! If not I understand, just wanted you to know how great I think it is (and the other photos are great too!).
Posted by: Andrea | February 05, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Good luck with your submissions. I have been enjoying the lovely photos in the calendar you sent. Thank you so much. The photos are even more wonderful in person.
I like the bird feeder photo. This is my first season tending a bird feeder and I had no idea the seeds would sprout. It makes sense, I just never thought about it.
Posted by: Kate | February 05, 2010 at 11:18 AM
Andrea -- How sweet, I'll write to you directly to see what we can work out.
Kate -- I'm glad you're enjoying the calendar. The seeds aren't supposed to sprout in the birdfeeder though, it just didn't stop raining for 2 months here and I don't think it was designed with that kind of rain in mind. You remind me that I should fill it up again though.
Posted by: Heather's Garden | February 05, 2010 at 11:24 AM
Judging is so subjective - don't let it get you down. You captured some lovely and unusual images. What really matters is the pleasure you get out of composing, shooting, and sharing the pictures. There are a lot of people out there who love seeing what you'll come up with next!
Posted by: GardenJunkie | February 05, 2010 at 07:44 PM
GardenJunkie -- You are very kind and you are very correct. I do get a great deal of pleasure out of composing, shooting, and sharing my photos. And it's very gratifying knowing that there are people out there who like them!
Posted by: Heather's Garden | February 06, 2010 at 04:10 PM
Well, I for one am IMPRESSED! Both with the quality of your photography, and your courage at sharing your images with these contests. No small feat, that. :)
Posted by: Blackswampgirl Kim | February 09, 2010 at 11:42 PM
So sorry you didn't get in. I think you chose 3 great photos. I'm with you on needing some better equipment. My little point and shoot is great, but it can only do so much!
Posted by: Jennah - MD | February 14, 2010 at 02:58 PM
Kim -- Thank you! It isn't very fun not to be chosen, but if I don't enter I stand no chance at all of being chosen.
Jennah -- I did just start reading through the manual for my camera and have learned that it can do more than I thought it could. And my mom just bought me a tripod which I'm looking forward to trying out in Florida next week. And I haven't forgotten about sending you that calendar. This week I promise.
Posted by: Heather's Garden | February 14, 2010 at 08:11 PM
....and some more lovely photos...:-)
Posted by: Hillevissan | February 19, 2010 at 08:44 AM