SSA_027_ARMAGEDDON; HOPE IS BUT A DREAM.jpg

Honours. This is a stunning piece of creativity! It is full of drama and dreamy colours. Very well done!

OPA_027_MEN AT WORK.jpg

Achieved. There is a lot happening in this image, the machinery working creating dust around the worksite. The men seem very small in comparison to the diggers. I feel this image could be improved with a lighter vignette as the heavy dark areas draw me away from the centre of the image instead of highlighting the place of action. Good composition.

SSA_027_WINTER RETREAT.jpg

Achieved. This image reminds me of a cottage I stayed at with my family on the outskirts of Cromwell in winter. Bitterly cold outside but a nice coal stove kept the cottage warm and cosy. I felt the elements in the frame did not seem to support what seemed to be the main element – the stand-alone cottage. The surrounding trees tended to dominate the image and led me to explore the treeline rather than the cottage. I also felt the placement of the trees within the frame tended to obscure my view of the cottage and inadvertently may diminish the importance of the cottage in your frame. Arranging the elements within your frame is an important aspect of communicating your story as it also communicates to your audience how you feel about the story. Take time to cast your eye around the frame before pressing the shutter.

OPA_027_WEIGHING TIME.jpg

Merit. I was quite taken by the intricate nature of the 9 images and the symmetrical presentation of each image and the format and layout of each square. I noticed also that each image presents the faces of each timepiece with a sepia effect which in my view gives a weathered look that suggests each image has a relationship with a past era. I felt the image demonstrated a high degree of creativity. The one distracting feature for me is the tonality. I felt the set of images were a little underexposed, and had the tonality been brighter with a heightened contrast, I would have rated this image more highly.

OPA_027_UNCERTAIN WINDOW.jpg

Merit. Good use of the crop tool to echo the shape of the window. I relate to the jiggling feeling, as a person from Christchurch! At first I wondered about the light edges, but I think it gives the image overall a softness which works well with what I perceive as an old building, just like old prints often had a light vignette. The multi exposure is done with a light hand, sensitive to the building and the roses. I spent time enjoying the details including the coloured area in the window and what seems to be a plaque on the left of the window.

SSA_027_SEEN BETTER DAYS.jpg

Merit. ­I agree, it has certainly seen better days, but I bet it could tell some stories. Composition is good, and the verticals are straight. The ¾ view of the house works well. It reminds me of photographing cars, because it is a flattering angle for cars too. There is a nice hint of the time of day, with the sun not quite on the building, but reflected in the glass, and the season is indicated by a light sprinkling of snow. The lighting is well balanced across the image, with no blown highlights or blocked blacks, and a rosy glow in the clouds. Good textural detail in the building and the depth of field chosen is sympathetic to the entire scene.

OPA_027_BLUE SPRING.jpg

Honours.

SSA_027_STILL LIFE.jpg

Achieved.

FTA_027_Duncan.jpg

SSA_027_LEAF LINES.jpg

Merit. Lines, patterns and textures make this a superb abstract image. So simple, yet effective. I could see it printed large and matted in black.

OPA_027_NUCLEAR WINTER.jpg

Merit. This dark, cold, haunting scene gives me an eerie feeling. Your limited colour palette reinforces this. I follow the light-coloured stick to the boat, along the shore, to the hills. There is so much to explore here. I would suggest toning down the filter a bit. It helps tell the story but hides a lot of lovely, intricate detail in the process.

SSA_027_ODDS DON'T LOOK EVEN.jpg

Achieved. Another alternative subject with a slight vignette that adds to the effect.

OPA_027_AUTUMN ARRIVED.jpg

Honours. A great effect on the perfect subject.

SSA_027_EXUVIAE.jpg

Merit. Great subject matter, disturbing yet wonderful on the big screen. Like the use of the shadow on the lefthand side but did find the texture of the reflective surface distracting from the very revealing reflection.

OPA_027_THE LONG ROAD.jpg

Honours. Excellent use of leading lines and repeating elements. Texture and colour are superb (even though I find the vivid red quite dominant) Great image, Honours!!!

OPA_027_BEGONIA MAN.jpg

Achieved. A nice warmth and feel here, he has a lovely expression and good engagement with the photographer. I find the background quite busy and distracting. It is brighter than he is and his face is in shadow. I would recommend a to crop to his head and shoulders with enough of the background to show his environment. Unfortunately, his face is not sharp and faces need to be sharp, in my view, if they are the main focus.

SSA_027_KEEPER OF BEES.jpg

Honours. The nice subtle lighting, composition, expression and her pose together with the bee-keeping elements create a very effective portrait. I like the hint of dirt on her suit and the way the smoke curls around framing her nicely and drawing my eye to her. Nice muted background. Depth of field, colour and detail works well.

SSA_027_MAN SHED.jpg

Merit. In his happy place I suspect. A good example of environmental portraiture as well as PJ.

OPA_027_JARRED MAGNOLIAS.jpg

Merit. nice use of the texture, although I find the texture a little strong for the delicate tones of the flowers and the crop is a little tight. Those beautiful flowers just need more room to flourish. Good effort

SSA_027_EAT ORGANIC.jpg

Achieved. An interesting assortment of ‘not perfect’ fruit and vegetables – there is a certain honesty in the speckles, blemishes, wrinkles and rubs. I like the way the frame has been filled with the central pumpkin providing a central launching pad for exploration. The lighting is a touch harsh, and a little post-production work could soften down the brighter highlights. I do not find that the overlayed messaging adds to the interest of the composition.

OPA_027_PEONY BLOOM.jpg

Merit. This is an innovative composition. The inclusion of multiple layers adds interest. I find the use of Iceland poppies as a background unsettling – harmonious colour palette aside; perhaps it is the unrelatedness of the peony in a poppy bed. I think the texture adds value to the composition, but would have preferred that it be slightly more opaque over the bloom itself. An enjoyable image.

OPA_027_BULBIFEROUS GEOPHYTE-4485.jpg

Merit. I like the way the curved stem leads me into the image - giving the flower flow, for me. The background has been blurred to make the tulip stand out and I feel this has been well done. I suggest trying a square crop as I feel there is a tad too much area to the right that doesn’t add to the story. I do find myself looking from one light petal to the other so maybe some darkening there on the smaller one would eliminate this. I like being able to see so much detail in the petals and the water drops add to the story, adding another dimension.

SSA_027_EYE CONTACT-2.jpg

MERIT. I love the way this has been done so that my attention can only go to the eyes. I feel the nose and mouth are extraneous. I suggest cropping the nose and mouth out and see how it feels. The detail in the eyes is exactly enough and looks like a drawing to me. Great editing.

OPA_027_HELLEBORUS.jpg

Merit. I like the simple colour palette in this image and the texture layer that you have used. I hope this is one of your own. The image is artfully arranged sitting on an old timber table. The vignette directs our attention to the arrangement, although I feel this is tending to feel slightly heavy. I would love to see this as a print perhaps.

SSA_027_HIGH COUNTRY.jpg

Achieved. The lighting is exposed well in camera. I like the triangles created by the converging angles but overall the composition needs more work at this advanced level with perhaps some foreground interest.

OPA_027_BRAIN OVERLOAD-2.jpg

Merit. There’s no doubt where my attention is meant to be drawn, with the colourful clown face. It does appear as if the person’s brain has exploded up to the right. I found it a bit puzzling that their arm also appeared to be exploding, which destroyed the illusion a bit for me. I like the composition very much, with the face on the thirds, the hands forming a strong triangle, and a diagonal line leading up from the crook of the elbow right in the bottom left corner, through the main debris to the top right corner.

SSA_027_MESSENGER.jpg

Honours. This feels like the Messenger of Doom challenging me. I think it is very cleverly done, with the overlay of pandemic-related words everywhere on the head but over those piercing eyes, and between the thin, pursed, scowling lips. Brilliant.

SSA_027_TRAPPED.jpg

Achieved. Another topical image, sympathetically treated. The message on the window or door is only just clear enough, with black letters against a dark slightly busy background. The lighter arm and the peeping teddy are well placed. Could this be made a little brighter and more contrasty? I do wonder, though, if this might have been more effective in colour, to include the colours associated with the Covid warnings and information and make the lettering clearer.

OPA_027_PEONY.JPG

MERIT. For me the way the peony fades into the background really adds to this image. I find the quality in the front petal where there are the most water drops and texture is lovely. I am not sure whether all of the negative space around the flower adds to the composition – it might be fun to try some closer crops where the green stalk isn’t such a strong part of the image. I do feel you have handled the tones of the pinks and whites beautifully.

SSA_027_THE REAPER.JPG

HONOURS. I find this a well-executed image. In my view you have been successful with a concept for the use of slow shutter speed and you have carried all aspects of the image through to create a high quality finished product. I do wonder if a slightly more subtle border would have been effective. I love everything else about the image!

SSA_027_NOT YET OUT OF THE WOODS.jpg

Acceptance. A clever idea referencing the Covid 19? I suggest you could crop the top off the tubes as they add nothing to the image.

OPA_027_METAL RECYLCLER.jpg

Honours. Congratulations on eliminating everything not adding to the composition. Simple – yet effective. Well done!

SSA_027_BEAR BUBBLE.jpg

Honours. Wow what a story you have created here. Excellent lighting highlights the beer and just enough to see the red design in the carpet to make it look homely. I Just love the toilet rolls he's keeping close by or perhaps he was one of the 'panic buyers' who has that much toilet paper he is utilising it for other purposes. The surgical gloves on the hands just tops it all off. This image says it all and deserves honours.

OPA_027_RUBY.jpg

Achieved. I see a red and black theme happening here, total colour coordination. Ruby has been nicely exposed and there are catch lights in her eyes. The image is sharp yet not that sharp as to be harsh on her skin. The crop is not too tight and there is enough breathing space on the left. Her right (image left) shoulder is quite bright compared to the rest of the image and along with the border is a bit distracting. I am not a fan of big white borders on portraits, landscapes or nature as they distract the eye. As for any other type of photography I'm more than happy to see a frame as they can be the making of an image in some cases.

OPA_027_OPEN WIDE.jpg

Honours. This brings back memories of when the dentist used to come and see our Police horses at work in the UK. This one appears not too interested in having them looked at. The ears slightly back and the mouth tightly shut. Made me smile. Nice action scene and everything is sharp where it should be. All the parties are engaged in the event and the lighting has been well handled. Well done.

SSA_027_BLACK CAIMAN.jpg

Merit. This is a different way of showing us a caiman. A stylistic choice of the photographer to use high-key. There is no disputing the focal point of the image and I feel a sense of tension as the caiman gives us the eye, ready for dinner maybe. In my opinion the image does not appear sharp in the eye which is where we look first. The back to the caiman looks to have the sharpest part. I enjoy the differrent way of presenting this though. Well done.

OPA_027_HOSE DOWN.jpg

MERIT. Must have been a fun event, and this is the aftermath. His expression is good, I do find the back ground very distracting, maybe if you could have zoomed in to concentrate on his face

SSA_027_RAIN AT ALTITUDE.jpg

Honours. Very moody image, and I could see this up on a wall. The small tree adds to it as a focal point. I did look weather you needed all the sky, and if you crop it to a panoramic image it still works either way

OPA_027_WIND IN THE VEIL.jpg

Honours. It is a fantastic shot but the face needs some profile. More contrast should have been added in post production.

SSA_027_PINION EYES.jpg

Honours. The colour is a bit lost, it is well balanced with good post production.

OPA_027_KAKABEAK-NATURE'S DETAIL.jpg

Merit. I feel that I am gazing at a perfect form from nature. The end of the petals end in the sharp focusing near the top right third. Even the bokeh follows the curve to the main area of interest. So lovely composition, focussing and great use of DOF. I find the yellowish circle on the left hand petal to be distracting. This detail has prevented me from awarding an honours.

SSA_027_CLEMATIS SIMPLICITY.jpg

HONOURS. This is a lovely, beautifully presented/controlled image with subtle and effective creativity. Its apparent simplicity belies the thought and skill which have produced it. Congratulations.

OPA_027_GRANDMA.jpg

HONOURS This Image was the stand out for me, so simple and honest, great separation and balance between the elements telling us the story of this Woman's life. Lovely soft lighting and an honest pose and expression add weight to an otherwise very simple portrait. Well done.

SSN_111_TULIP DROPS.jpg

Non Acceptance. Good use of shallow depth of field to isolate the tulip from the background, just left me wondering why it is in set subject when the subject is movement and I can’t detect any reference to movement.

SSA_027_TULIP SHUDDER.jpg

MERIT. Simple clean Image showing movement with no distractions.

SSA_027_THE ELECTRICIAN.jpg

HONOURS I like the pose of a proud man in his workshop. It shows him in his work environment. The busy back ground is not too bad as I am drawn into him and his face

OPA_027_ENTERTAINER.jpg

HONOURS Great image, you have not got in too close so we can see what she is doing, the person in the background adds to it, I might have toned her face down a touch though.

SSA_027_ROTARY CHICKEN.jpg

HONOURS This is an intriguing image which has created a lovely piece of art to hang on a wall. Well composed with lovely symmetry I especially like that you have applied a vignette around the edges which keeps the focus in on where all the action is happening. The crop you have chosen suits the subject well. Well done

OPA_027_DIVA.jpg

ACHIEVED An apt title for this image. When I look at this, I see the face of a woman who is aghast at something. She is wearing what looks like a hairdresser's cape – has she just seen herself in the mirror after her latest hair do, or has somebody said something shocking to her or perhaps things just aren't going her way. Whatever the reason for her look, the image has captured my attention. Good choice of black-and-white and I like her pale face as it adds to the drama of the scene. Well done

SSA_027_A STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE.jpg

ACHIEVED. An interesting high key image, with the trees as the main subject works well in my opinion. Detail has been retained well in the trees which helps.