**Comment Thread for April Contest.**

[alfredo]

Make conversation.

Submission thread is here:http://www.democraticunderground.com/103628684

Have fun

[Solly Mack]

1. I'm in!

Great job!

That's an actual picture frame in the photo. Just in case...



You need to check the comment link in your submissions thread. It goes to "make a post" instead of to the comment thread.

[alfredo]

2. Thanks.

[mnhtnbb]

6. Oh, Solly

I really like your final decision!

It's fun, isn't it, focusing in on a section, pulling back, changing angles--
all the same subject-- to see what we end up with?

[Solly Mack]

8. Thanks, mnhtnbb.

And I yours. I love dogwoods.

It is fun!

[Solly Mack]

3. No - Thank you!

The fun part is watching the entries come in and seeing all the ways people applied the theme.

[alfredo]

4. I can't wait to see what comes in.

I'm off to bed now. G'nite

[mnhtnbb]

5. I'm in!

Enough messin' around!

[mnhtnbb]

7. I wonder if anyone is going to stay up to get any lunar eclipse shots tonight

Last edited Mon Apr 14, 2014, 08:21 AM - Edit history (1)

for their entry? I think it's going to be cloudy here tonight.

We had a gorgeous moon last night. Or is anyone going to lie on her (his back)
to shoot up through a flowering tree with an eclipsing moon in the background?

[alfredo]

9. I hope someone tries.

[Solly Mack]

10. Lots of great photos!

[alfredo]

11. I'm glad this hasn't been a "Mary Richards" party.

[Solly Mack]

12. I like Betty White.

[alfredo]

13. Well, who doesn't?

I'm really impressed with the entries.

[Solly Mack]

14. Ted Baxter?

Me too!

[Mira]

15. What ARE you guys talking about?

honestly - I'm lost
so i submitted one anyway

[Solly Mack]

16. About the response to this month's contest. All the wonderful entries - to include yours!

Love trees in black and white!

We were doing so using the Mary Tyler Moore character of Mary Richards. She threw disastrous parties. Just horrible.

alfredo is throwing a great party!

Betty White played Sue Ann Nivens on the show. Ted Baxter was another character from the show played by Ted Knight.

At least I think that's what we are doing.

[Mira]

17. OMG

i just have not been an American long enough to catch on to this without help.
I also think he photo submissions are beautiful, and alfredo is throwing a great party.

I did the trees because that's what spoke to me today as I searched for something to convert.
A forest in New Hampshire last May.

[Solly Mack]

18. Sometimes I have to ponder the meaning of alfredo's postings.

He's very dry or I imagine him to be. I say that as a compliment.

[alfredo]

21. Sometimes I have to ponder the meaning of my posts.

[Solly Mack]

24. I'm in good company then.

[mnhtnbb]

19. I remember MTM and her character, Mary Richards.

But I wasn't a big fan of the show, so I had to google to find out what he meant, too.

[alfredo]

22. I am the king of the obscure reference.

At least that's what my wife says.

[mnhtnbb]

25. LOL. I suspect your wife knows you very well.

[alfredo]

26. She has the patience of Job.

[mnhtnbb]

27. LOL.

[Agschmid]

20. Wow!

I love all of these entries so far!

[alfredo]

23. There's some very professional results.

[Solly Mack]

28. More wonderful beautiful entries!

[handmade34]

29. GermanWatcher...

love your entry!

[alfredo]

30. Yeah, and welcome to DU and the Photo group.

[GermanWatcher]

101. Thanks.

Thank you very much, Handmade. It's my first try here. Glad the first comment was such a nice one. And thanks for the warm welcome, Alfredo!

[Callalily]

31. Wonderful, wonderful entries.

You can really see individual personalities through these photos, how the subject was treated, the various interpretations.

Scrolling through I learn so much!

[alfredo]

33. I'm impressed with the entries.

[mnhtnbb]

32. Hey Blue in AK!

I have a bleeding heart photo that I considered for an entry, too!
But it was taken last spring. My bleeding heart is just poking up from
the ground--not blooming yet--since our spring is so late this year.

Nice shot!

[Blue_In_AK]

35. Thanks.

Ours aren't even poking out of the ground yet. In fact, nothing is except the beginnings of some green grass along the edges of the snow. This photo is from 2010.

I love my bleeding hearts. Mine have been well established for about 14 years.

[Celebration]

34. Fabulous entries, everyone

I am so impressed! Makes me glad I had no time for photography this month.

[Solly Mack]

43. We've missed you too!

[ManiacJoe]

36. Alfredo was right: yellows are hard to work with.

However, I thought I would give the daffodils a try any way.
After seeing the previous "help me decide" thread, I needed to step up my efforts.

I first tried the Nik Silver Efex. It was pretty good, but I wanted to try my hand at it...
Played with the color mixer in the b/w conversion.
Added a hi-pass filter. The blend mode got me what I was looking for!

Here's to no one entering a infra-red image!

[Blue_In_AK]

41. I started to do a yellow picture,

but just couldn't get it right. Too much contrast, and I couldn't seem to tone it down.

[Solly Mack]

42. I also went with yellow.

Very frustrating.

Yours came out wonderfully!

[MichaelSoE]

62. Though I love Mira's shot ... at first glance i thought it was infra-red

and besides ... what's wrong with ir?

me like ir

[ManiacJoe]

75. Most of the IR images I have seen would win this contest.

Thus they need to be disqualified. BANNED, I tell you!!!!!

[Solly Mack]

37. bluesbassman :)

That converted nicely!

[bluesbassman]

68. Thanks Solly! And thanks for suggesting I enter.

I stayed with the darker contrast for the B&W. The lighting was fairly dark in the original, there was very little post processing used, but I felt the dark contrast created a little more drama.

What can I say, I'm a hopeless romantic.

[Solly Mack]

69. I'm glad you did!

I like how light and shadow explores the varying textures of a rose with each bloom. From the velvety soft topsides to the slightly fleshy undersides of the petals. A visual feast of the tactile.

[Solly Mack]

38. Wow! I love the entries!

Just 10 more to go!

[alfredo]

39. Let's see if it fills up early.

[Solly Mack]

40. It could happen.

[alfredo]

44. I'm seeing now that this isn't too difficult, but

I need to know how you randomized the prelims and what about permission to post the contest in GD.

I've looked at some randomizers, but they don't do what I need.

[Solly Mack]

45. Standing permission until Skinner says otherwise.

Copy and paste the "Permission...granted..Skinner..." sentence if you want.

I've used a 20 sided die and a 10 sided die before. I don't recommend it.

I use a randomizer I saw posted in the group. Chances are it is the same one you have already.

http://www.random.org/lists/



If you think the random draw doesn't shake it up enough then just switch some around.

[alfredo]

55. Thanks. I ran it through three times.

Thanks. I must have missed the list function on that page.

[Solly Mack]

56. You're welcome.

[Mira]

46. What Solly said

I've randomized with the randomizer linked in her post. Did not like the results much but went with it out of principle.
Then someone (who actually got tombstoned for something else later ) criticized my order and accused me of maybe trying to skew results through the grouping.

So now, if and when I do it, I just use them as they come in and let the arrival of the entries determine the order.
It also eliminates some work- heaven knows it's enough work already

[ManiacJoe]

57. Alternatively, you could game the system

by taking the ones you think are the top picks and spreading them between the three groups in the hope that they make the finals for a nicely difficult final round.

[handmade34]

47. love the B&W

but here are my lilies in color... just because


[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[Richard D]

48. Nice idea

Here's my whatever they are. I like it a lot better in B&W

[handmade34]

50. it IS nice in B&W

[CC]

77. I love these and even

more so in the black & white.

[Mira]

49. to me, they are almost not the same photo

the entire emotion changes.
The softness of the color in the lilies is just wonder-ful.

here my original:

[handmade34]

51. I LOVE your photo

in B&W... it is so dreamy and makes me want to be in the photo... of course, you know I love the woods more than any other place

by the way Mira... do you bike... I thought maybe we could do a little bike ride or hike when I come your way... just pulled into Virginia Beach today and next stop (approx. 2+ weeks) will be North Carolina...

[Mira]

52. if i could type better i would

let out a long german curse
i can't bike, garden, take photos, kayak, and above all swim.
i have a broken wrist that is seemingly barely improving.
WHINE
i live next door to the YW - well, 4 min. walk - and i swim 30 min 5-6 times a week. i miss the swimming the most.
in va beach i would go to the edgar cayce institute.

when you visit there is nevertheless a lot of nice green stuff to see or do. this is a very good town.
can't wait to see you, even though the bike is parked for now.

thanks for liking my photo, i did not even look further once it was converted. i was forced to submit it

[handmade34]

53. so we do a gentle casual walk

ugh about the wrist... positive thoughts for quicker healing..

[GermanWatcher]

105. If I may be of assistance...

Kreizkruzifixhimmiherrgottsakramentscheissglumpvarrecktsjamileckstamorsch...

Here´s a long German curse (Bavarian style) to copy and paste with minimal fuss...

[Mira]

106. Ach Du Liebe Zeit

ein Bayer der Himmelherrgottsakrament noch verbessern kann!
Seit Jahrzehnten habe ich kein Scheissglump gesehen.
Thank you.
I feel better now.
(seeing the doctor today, will take the curse along in my head since i know it by heart now)

[Richard D]

76. The black and white one

Is so dramatic.

[mnhtnbb]

54. Oooh....like them in color, too!

Fun idea to show the color photos.

Here are the dogwood

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[handmade34]

59. they are so pretty

makes me want to touch and smell them (DO Dogwood blossoms have a scent?)

lucky you though... where I was there was not much new growth or flowers so I went to the store and bought a plant to photograph

[Laura PourMeADrink]

58. I haven't put my submission out there yet - but I have been

learning SO much about B&W photography. Thanks for that. What conditions typically make
a brilliant color pic - do not work for B&W - almost the opposite. Same with lighting and time
of day too. Oddly, I am having better results at times it is not good to take color.

All that said, I feel like I am committing a mortal sin draining the spectacular colors
out of spring.:&gt

[Mira]

60. Glad you're having a good time

we can be a productive and inspirational group
and I agree with your comment of draining out the color - yet your infusing drama.

[alfredo]

66. Let's say we are uncovering a truth hidden under the color.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

67. LOL. My problem is that my subject matter is

rather distant. So when I take the color out - all the detail leaves too. so - no color and just flat. Perhaps B&W for detail is only possible with the close-up still life approach.

[alfredo]

70. Look for simple compositions. High contrast subjects - good. There's an old saying that if

your pictures aren't good enough, you are not close enough.

Do you have any veggies in your fridge? Some celery up close could be interesting.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

83. thanks for the tip. too bad I have no

veggies. LOL JK.

On my patio - we are surrounded by giant oaks - probably 100 yrs old at least. I have been watching as the first buds appeared - and the doves came back. It's a brilliant shot - with the birds roosting among the buds - but up and maybe 50 ft away. True about high contrast - direct perfect sunlight hitting the branch looks perfect in color - flat in B&W.

[alfredo]

84. Have you tried an color filters?

[Mz Pip]

72. I may change mine.

The more I work on changing photos to black and white the more I like the more recent versions. I'm learning a lot processing in RAW.

[MichaelSoE]

61. the color version

[alfredo]

65. The light is so rich.

[handmade34]

73. you did good

with the B&W of that Photo

[MichaelSoE]

63. This is going to be tough for the voters

so many great images
soooo many
i'm surprised that we haven't hit 30 entries yet

[alfredo]

71. It shouldn't just be the photographer having the anxiety attack.

[ohheckyeah]

74. Things are just starting to really bloom in my area

which is why I haven't entered yet. I've got one I might enter, but am going to do a few more first.

[alfredo]

78. It doesn't have to be the flower, it can be the leaves.

[ohheckyeah]

85. Nah.....

I prefer flowers. I've got a couple now to choose from. Still thinking about it. The subject matter that I thought would be it is losing out to an impromptu photo I took. LOL The best laid plans.

[alfredo]

86. I will await your entry.

[MichaelSoE]

64. A warm welcome to GermanWatcher ...

your wondering about too much wildlife made me think of this one shot I have

I call it "Fly? What fly?"



I love the snail ... it gives the image a narrative

[GermanWatcher]

102. Thank you.

That's a beautiful shot! Taken on the fly? Didn't think so... The snail was a challenge - most of the times, you set up your gear, and vooom, they're gone.

[CC]

79. Sorry for the oops in

submission thread.

[alfredo]

80. No harm, no foul.

[CC]

81. TY I just hate being the

one the mess up the count.

[alfredo]

82. I think I can figure it out.

[Solly Mack]

87. ohheckyeah

Oh! Heck, yeah!

[ohheckyeah]

89. Thank you very much.

When the contest was first announced that tree had no blooms so I had something else entirely in mind for my photo. Mother Nature was very good to me.

I've missed checking out everyone's photos every day. I have a new job and have been very busy.

[Mira]

88. Every new photo

blows my mind anew. Thank goodness there is time in between them for me to gather my wits.
this is a contest where we will have a heck of a time chosing, as you can tell I'm very impressed, and proud to be part of it.

[alfredo]

90. I'm selling my equipment and taking up knitting. I'm

In awe of the entries.

[Mira]

91. Actually, a number of times I was thinking:

"Alfredo is still missing"

[ManiacJoe]

92. I don't have a problem with the host entering a photo

if there is still openings at the end of the submission period.

[alfredo]

94. It's nice sitting one out.

[alfredo]

93. It's been very busy here with physical therapy and all.

How's the arm?

[alfredo]

95. 5 more spaces. If you are going to enter, get a move on.

[Mz Pip]

96. I switched mine

Hope that's okay.

[alfredo]

97. It is OK. I will have to take a look.

Nice. It looks like a painting.

[mnhtnbb]

98. Well, that's kind of strange.

I went to scroll through to look at the entries and discovered mine was gone!
Had that little funny red broken box where the photo should be.

Chose edit, clicked on the box, and the photo came back. Now the post shows
1 editing, but really, I didn't do anything to it!

Weird.

[alfredo]

99. It was probably a problem with the site hosting your image.

[alfredo]

100. I will be locking the threat late Sunday evening. I live in the East, so Don't wait too long.

If you have a problem with that, let me know. I'm easy.

[alfredo]

103. Keep em coming!

[alfredo]

104. Submissions are locked, now all that is left is a bit of copy paste.

Prelims will be posted tonight or in the morning.