My first time...

The photo club I joined last fall gets together every year with a few of the other local clubs for a friendly little photo competition.  I decided at the last minute to enter a few prints.  I completely missed the deadline for digital images, but I thought..."what the heck, let's see how these do!"

Now, let's get this straight from the get-go...this is a fun competition and you get to walk away with 'bragging' rights and a certificate.

Not only was this my first time entering a competition, this was my first time at any type of critique session outside of what my own club does.  As it was a competition, this was more formal than what we do...here's a bit of a rundown:

digital images were judged first, prints second

there were four judges (one from each club)

the score was on a scale of 10, with the lowest mark dropped, so total score is out of 30, and

each judge entered their score on a key pad that was all connected to a 'master computer'

So as the image was shown, the number of the entry with the title was announced.  Judges entered a score and the final score for that photo was announced. It was quite an interesting set-up, and I thought it was very efficient and well-done!

So the digital images were shown first.  The were amazing!!  The scored went from 19 through 25...there was a 2 way tie for first (the judges re-score for first and second) and a 4-way tie for third...after reviewing all and recasting their votes our club picked up a third place!  Yeah us!

All through the digital images, I was getting a little concerned about two of my prints.  Rules vary between competitions, and I was fairly certain this was an "open" competition.  So, I was hoping that they would be "open" to some of my processing experiments.  They were getting near the end of the digitals and I was thinking..."yikes...they're not liking overly saturated and/or heavy HDR effects"...they mostly scored around 19-21.  But I went into this as a learning experience, so if they didn't like them...that was OK.

We had a little break while they  set up the light-box for the prints ... then went right back at it!

The prints were assigned random numbers, basically so you didn't get all from one photographer or one club in a row.  The first print of mine that came up was one I call "Tulip Explosion", and I got a very respectable 23 (at that point tied for second). 

The second print ("Freedom") was scored at 24!  OMG!  Tied for first?! WTF??  PS - you may notice this is the photo that I turned into the background wall paper for this blog (at least for now!)

Finally, the third print ("King of the Coop"), which I thought was the strongest (IMHO) received a very respectable 22.

 So...how did it end???  "Freedom" ended up in an 8 or 9 way tie for third place.  But, as I indicated earlier, ties are not allowed and are re-judged, and I ultimately lost out to another fine photo from a rival club.  Bare in mind, however, that there were two prints that tied for first -- each receiving a score of 25...and they were fan-effing-tastic!  To give it some perspective...the photo that ended in SECOND place was a red-tailed hawk grabbing a snake in it's talons.  (For what it counts...that was my fav print!)

What did I learn...there are seriously good photographers that do amazing things (travel, processing, ideas etc).  I also learned that there is an appreciation for the 'spur of the moment' type image versus a 'snapshot'.  There was also a bit of appreciation for pictures with interesting perspective, lighting and subject.

So, while this was my 'first'...it certainly won't be my last.

Have a fun day...and if you're still lucky enough to have your dad around...say hi, I love you and Thanks for being you!  If you're in that group that is missing a dad...say hi, I love you and Thanks for being you!

Back where I started

OK...now that rant season is over, I'll try to get back to the reason I started this little endeavour.  Well, really, there were two reasons.  First, I needed/wanted an outlet to share my learning adventure as I rediscover photography and I didn't want to do that on Farcebook (that's a typo that's staying!).  

The second reason is I wanted to learn more about blogging.  

In the past year, I've started and discontinued a 365-project.  Maybe once I'm retired, I'll take another stab at it!  I was a bit of purist (and a lot naive) to think that anyone with a full time job and a 2 hour commute could shot a new photo everyday, process it and post it...all while learning the ins and outs of a new way of taking photographs.

Although I didn't limit my last few posts to my photographic journey (sorry)...I have found that attempting to post about once a week is not so bad.   So, this is where I get back to where I started and I'll be sharing my little photographic adventure with you...whoever you are.  It helps me to think I have an interested audience, so in my mind there are more of you out there than just my husband!

Last September (2009), I joined a photo club.  I was a little hesitant at first, but what a fantastic group of people...some have been involved in photography for over 50 years!  Others are completely new to the concept of images created by light (and shadow).  Others like myself, were quite familiar with film cameras, put it aside for awhile, and have rediscovered photography all over again with a digital camera.

I didn't get out to all of our sessions (or outings) this year, but when I did, I learned so much...the best session was a very spontaneous Q & A session regarding shooting in RAW.  As much as I was captivated by the almost instant gratification of using a digital camera, I was completely baffled by some of the new terminology, concepts.

RAW was one of them...anyway, one of the club members was able to provide a very basic non-techy answer that was not at all condescending (that's a talent!)  I had tried shooting in RAW a few times, but was always frustrated in the processing end.  As it turns out...I was skipping the "conversion" step...and without that, you can't do much with your image!

I was able to go from this:

To this:

 ...and then to this:

That's it folks...have a good night!

Bullies make me sick!

OK...well, this is a REALLY long way from a blog post about amateur photography...

I cannot believe the number of my friends that have or know kids that are being bullied.  The worst case I heard of was a kid getting beaten up for wearing his cadet uniform...on Remembrance Day!  

Last fall there were a number of bullying events that made national (and international) headlines.  These events led to the "It Gets Better" campaign.  All in all, I think this is a great concept, but I'm really of two minds about it.  On the one hand...bullying has become less taboo to talk about - that's good.  On the other hand...it kinda makes it sound like you have to suck it up...and THEN it will get better.  I'm hoping that's just my extra-jaded perception.

Tonight, yet another friend of mine was seeking some counsel as to how to deal with a bully...and a child that is that bully's victim.  It's odd...but think about it...you hear the word BULLY all the time.  When was the last time you heard that little Johnny was the VICTIM.  You don't...people say "Johnny was bullied" or "Johnny is being bullied"...but not very many use the correct term...VICTIM!!  

"Johnny is the VICTIM of that bully".  Does that make it sound more urgent?  A matter to be dealt with swiftly?  When we do not use the word "victim" does it give the impression that there is NO victim?  

So, I told my friend (Ms Beautiful), that there are a few things to do:

• don't equate today's bullying to anything we might have experienced...it's seems to be nastier and thanks to technology can go 'viral' really quickly.  
• go to the source of the problem (school, sports team, whatever) and insist on a meeting with the bully's parents.  
• if the kid has any hint of self-esteem issue, get the kid help...if it's a shrink it's a shrink, if it's karate classes -- that's cool too.

There's so much else to add: don't ignore it, or hope it will blow over!  Don't hesitate in getting the authorities involved.  And for heaven's sake DON'T think it's just kids being kids.  It isn't!  We all know that kid-bullies grow up to be adult-bullies (or worse!), but they don't "grow out of it".

I hope the kid in this instance is doing OK and getting lots of reassurance that this is NOT his/her doing.  I know Ms Beautiful is a loving and nurturing person and I that will go a long way.

Sorry, I thought my rant was over.  Apparently, I still feel like I have something to answer for...you see my child was a victim.  That was a VERY long time ago...before "It gets better", before Facebook, before blogs and even before the Internet...so yeah...it was a long time ago.  

But the self-esteem issues that are acquired by the victims of these cowardly, petty tyrants we call "bullies" can last a lifetime.

Bullies make me sick...they are cowards that get pleasure out of making other people miserable.

Sylbert

ps - that's a pigeon not a dove...but it was the closest I could come up with ...

No man is an island

This past week NEWS yielded some of the most spectacularly improbable headlines any could have anticipated:

• Canadian Election results in the NDP forming the Official Opposition
• Osama bin Ladin killed by US Navy Seals
• Tornadoes in the US
  
• Flooding in Canada
  

These stories kept the media types busy, but at least it was 'real' news and not yet another non-story about Charlie Sheen "winning" or Lindsay Lohan getting arrested again! The list, as usual, goes on and on, but there were a few others that didn't have the talking heads as busy:

• Canada commemorates the Battle of the Atlantic
• Oldest combat veteran from WWI dies

I often think about the men and women who serve, and have served for their countries. I don't know if I will ever be able to say thank you in a way that is meaningful. I love the fact that our Canadian Armed Forces have been better known to the world for their peace-keeping missions than as fierce fighters. But I also like that they can kick-ass when need arises!

A few years ago I was reminded of a mediation that was written by a man named John Donne. Mr Donne published Meditation No. 17 in 1624 as part of book called "Devotions upon Emergent Occasions". I read and reflect on this meditation as part of how I remember those who serve...and have served. So maybe on this eve of Mother's Day, and in my round about way...this is how I can remember my mom.

Mom never wore a uniform, but she served none-the-less by working throughout WWII for Canadian National Rail in Halifax Nova Scotia. She worked arranging trains to drop off troops and supplies at the ships and made sure there were trains to greet the ships that were coming back with the sick, wounded and returning troops.

Whenever I read Meditation No. 17, I can hear my mother reciting it from memory. She could do that ... recite things that she had learned as a school girl. This is a shortened version, but the whole meditation is very short and well worth a few moments:

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee."

John Donne Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, no. 17 (Meditation) 1624 (published) The complete Meditation can be found on many Internet sites, but here is one that I located with a simple Google search.

Long time...no type!

OK...so I'm not a prolific blogger...but here I am again!

I've been playing with my camera again and continue to wonder at the magic of modern technology. What used to be multistage processes can be done with the click of a button, and the endless possibilities of what can be done with a simple photograph never ceases to amaze me!

Last summer Mr Wonderful gave me a fantastic gift. I forgot how therapeutic being creative can be...it certainly helps in the dark days of winter to be able to surround your mind with light. In this case...the "light" of photography!

Some of the photos below are older, but all of the "post-processing" was done in the last month. Here are some of my favourites from April:

Mr Wonderful and I went on a day-date to "Taste of the Danforth" in Toronto last August. It was a wonderful time! I took this shot of the Greek Orthodox Church:


Another one from last summer...this time from the fabulous little inn that we stayed at in New Brunswick. Its a little tucked away, but worth going to, even if just for the food, which is FABULOUS! Before we left, I wandered around a bit and snapped a pic of a fantastic little sunflower that decided it needed to grow up in a pot of petunias!


Another one from last summer...from the tourist information centre in Riviere-du-loup.


My first attempt in Photoshop...I really didn't know what I was doing (still don't) - but I liked the way this turned out! This is from a photo I took while on vacation in Disneyworld (November 2010).


Now for one a little more recent...this one I took on April 30, in the botanical gardens surrounding the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls, Ontario.


TTFN...Now that I've found my way here again, I'll probably post throughout the summer. Have a great week!