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gillk

PostPosted: Sun May 03, 2015 6:29 pm
by kzaret
We got a good number of entries for this topic and, as usual, a lot of creative interpretations! Looking at them all, two aspects stood out to me: First, I liked when the background blur had a clear contribution to the overall image, though in a few cases the simple effect of isolating the foreground was enough (i.e., exception to the "rule"). Second, in some of the images with a large amount of the image as blur, not enough of the foreground subject was in focus, or the blur dominated the image, or the blur was too monotonal, for my taste. [please click on full size images to appreciate] So here we go:

Honorable mentions:

Markus Grompe
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Luxun54
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Nice insect shot by Jean B
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Flo Hendry, if the foreground was more in focus, this would have been a winner. Her Black Phoebe shot was also very well done.
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Arnie Peterschmidt's deconstructed watch is just a little busy for me, but otherwise thoughtfully executed
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The swirling pink background adds an unusual highlight to this squirrel shot by Allen Hart
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Another animal shot highlighted by Chris Lock. And I love that monkey!
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Alla Gilbourd
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Walter Koenig; this would have been a winner but just not enough of the stamens in focus for me, when you look at the image in full size
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This simple image from Andrzej ¯muda beautifully captures the intensity of the boy. Here is where complete background blur highlights the subject.
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AND the winners are:

Third place:
Sometimes the assignment is to target an individual in a crowd. This image from Alain Lestrade nicely shows how to do that with selective focus and enough background blur to highlight the foreground yet still depict how crowded the scene is. Must view in full size to appreciate.
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Second place:
Terry Bowker's image beautifully illustrates how the background, blurred, can contribute to the overall concept of the image. Plus this image reminds me of a scene in the movie Oblivion where Tom Cruise and his wife remember that they had a previous life together. And the composition and toning are just right for a dreamlike image.
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WINNER:
This image from Gill Kopy nicely illustrates how the blurred background grasses provide lines that draw your attention to the simple dandelion seedling. For me, this is a thoughtful, well executed, and artful shot.
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Thank you everyone for your entries!
Best regards,
kz

Re: 359th Show & Tell Competition: BOKEH: Using the background blur - WINNER

PostPosted: Sun May 03, 2015 8:12 pm
by terrybowker
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Congratulations to Gill! Great winning image!!! Thanks for Second place Ken; congratulations to all of the other winners!

Cheers,

Terry

Re: 359th Show & Tell Competition: BOKEH: Using the background blur - WINNER

PostPosted: Sun May 03, 2015 11:04 pm
by gillk
Love this topic Ken - so do many others judging by the amount of entries. Am so thrilled to win - many thanks - and congrats to all other winners and HMs.
Gill

Re: 359th Show & Tell Competition: BOKEH: Using the background blur - WINNER

PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2015 2:56 am
by peterschmidtab
Congratulations Gill, well done. Thank you Ken for an excellent theme and for the HM.

Re: 359th Show & Tell Competition: BOKEH: Using the background blur - WINNER

PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2015 3:35 am
by luxun54
Thank you for the HM, great topic and great entries!

Re: 359th Show & Tell Competition: BOKEH: Using the background blur - WINNER

PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2015 3:49 am
by cits_4_pets
Thank you for the HM and the critique that is helpful in future compositions. Great contest with many great images!

Re: 359th Show & Tell Competition: BOKEH: Using the background blur - WINNER

PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2015 11:48 am
by allagil
Congratulations to all the winners! Thank you for HM, Ken
Alla

Re: 359th Show & Tell Competition: BOKEH: Using the background blur - WINNER

PostPosted: Tue May 05, 2015 1:45 am
by amoxtli
Great topic and a lot of worthy entries. Many thanks for the HM.
Regards, Walter

Re: 359th Show & Tell Competition: BOKEH: Using the background blur - WINNER

PostPosted: Tue May 05, 2015 2:28 am
by christophertravels
Thanks for the honourable mention and congratulations to all the winners.

Re: 359th Show & Tell Competition: BOKEH: Using the background blur - WINNER

PostPosted: Wed May 06, 2015 12:23 am
by fishit
All great choices Ken, congrats to the winners and honor mentions