Contests

Today my photo club held its annual photo contest. I did pretty well. You could say I was pleased. It was nice to see several people who don't normally win at our smaller monthly contests get awards at this one.

There's something about contests, though, that makes them unique. First off, they're VERY subjective. You are at the whim of the judge(s) and their preferences and biases. And second, selecting photos for a contest is not like selecting a photo to hang on your wall.

When selecting a photo to hang on your wall, you pick something that pleases you. You have time to stare at it, and ponder it, and appreciate its subtleties. When selecting a photo for a contest you have to select based on a "Wow!!!" factor... you have to grab the judge(s) attention in a split-second. Sometimes they really are great photos, sometimes they are not upon closer inspection.

The photo I have here won second place in the "Anything Goes" category. The judge liked it for its creativity. It does have something that appeals to me, but I always think I can do better on this one. Maybe I'll have to do a better version to hang on my wall.

Oh, how I love a good sunset...

...and it's even better when you can get a good silhouette in there, too. It just doesn't get any better than that.

This shot is from the State Capitol grounds in Des Moines, looking west toward downtown. I have other shots of the downtown itself in silhouette that will find their way to the website and/or here eventually.

Oh, and just in case you haven't heard, Iowa Landscape Photography is having a Holiday Sale through the end of November. Be sure to check out the details at http://www.iowalandscapephotography.com/contact.html .