March MHK: Photography Contest Results

Thanks to everyone for actively participating in the photography competition. The entries posed a tough challenge for the 3 judges (Rathi, Ravi & Roshin) who evaluated the pictures based on technique, originality & aesthetics and assigned points as per the following:

Technique: 4
Originality: 3
Aesthetics: 3

After consolidating the evaluations from the 3 judges, we have selected Tharunya's "Who's coming to tea?" as the winner for receiving the best photograph title. Tharunya will receive a copy of John Hedgecoe's "How to Take Great Vacation Photographs".

Selected comments from Judges

"Inverse Silhouette"

One has seen countless photographs of the photographer's shadow - on sand, water, lawn and other surfaces. However, this creative photograph by Ananth gives the whole concept a unique new treatment. By exposing for the shadow detail in the grass, he forms an inverse/negative image with details in the shadows and blown out highlights defining a silhouette.

"Game On!"

Color is a very strong, defining element in any picture and this picture from Varun utilizes it to full effect. The composition is also very dynamic, yet very balanced. The triangular/pyramidal leading lines lead to the main center of interest - a colorful ball.

The fact that this was taken using a mobile give credence to the photographer's ability to "see an image" and capture it without relying on the help of technology.

"Gururaj - I"

This picture from Guru explains the power of composition in making a picture better than any other. Here is the picture before Guru cropped it:

In the original photograph, the main subject was lost amongst all the elements in the picture. By cropping it tighter and framing the photograph around the insect, Guru has created a very pleasing photograph with rich saturated colors and sharp focus on the subject.

"Who's coming to tea?"

This photograph by Tharunya exemplifies what photography is all about - capturing a fleeting moment in time and preserving for all eternity, using light, shadow, color, symmetry and framing to reveal a subject and a story. The parallel lines of the pillars at the side draw our eye to the second frame formed by the door and into yet another frame formed with light on to the subject - an empty chair besides a table with two cups on a tray. The composition also exploits the vertical frame within frame concept, and uses color and the additional element of the window to break the monotony of the frames and avoid the banality of symmetry. The window mirrors the chair and balances the overall picture.

The empty chair in front of the two cups raises tantalizing questions - from whom is the table set? have they already finished or are they yet to arrive? what/who else is there in the room besides the lone chair visible through the door?

As in any good photograph, light and shadow play a defining role. The warm evening light throws long shadows framing the main subject which is well lit. The unique closed shape of the inner courtyard lends to the symmetrical shadow forming the frame at the bottom of the picture. The parallel lines of the chair mirror the parallel lines of the door and the pillars. Overall, a very pleasing composition to the eye.

The only complaint I have about this photograph, and a minor one at that, is that the photograph is not exactly level. However, this is something that can be corrected during post-processing in an image-editor.