PF PHOTO CONTEST - Chiaroscuro (Aug 2 - Aug 9)

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses a photo contest centered around the theme of "Chiaroscuro," which involves capturing images that highlight the contrast between light and dark. Participants share their entries, discuss the rules, and debate the interpretation of the theme, including the requirements for submissions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about the contest rules, particularly regarding the definition of Chiaroscuro and whether a brightly lit subject against a dark background is strictly required.
  • Warren questions if a brightly lit background can qualify as a suitable subject, suggesting that the interpretation of the theme may vary.
  • Others argue that the definition of Chiaroscuro allows for broader interpretations of light and dark contrast, not limited to the contest's stated requirements.
  • Several participants share their entries and express appreciation for each other's photographs, highlighting various aspects such as color, composition, and lighting.
  • There is a discussion about the impact of technical adjustments and professional lighting on the contest entries, with some participants noting the difference between photo editing and the use of lighting techniques.
  • Warren acknowledges his earlier criticism of another participant's entry and reflects on the subjective nature of the contest.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the appropriateness of their entries based on the evolving discussion of the theme's interpretation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the strict interpretation of the contest theme, with multiple competing views on what qualifies as an appropriate entry. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the definitions and requirements for submissions.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the clarity of the contest rules and the definitions of Chiaroscuro, leading to varying interpretations among participants. Some entries may not align with the stated theme, but participants express differing opinions on what constitutes a valid submission.

Who May Find This Useful

Photographers interested in themes of light and dark contrast, participants in photo contests, and those exploring artistic interpretations of Chiaroscuro may find this discussion relevant.

Andre
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Note: Matthyaouw is offline for sometime due to technical problems and I offered to take over until he is back.

Chiaroscuro[/color][/size]

Chiaroscuro(italian) is a term in art for a contrast between light and dark. An another form is Rembrandt lighting. So this week, it is about the nicest picture of any brightly lit subject against a dark background.

Contest Rules:

1. Any digital photo or digitally-scanned photo relevant to the theme will be accepted within the contest period. In case there's a gray area, or you're not sure if the picture is suitable, check with me first.

2. Please resize your digital photo to no more than 650 x 490 or 490 x 650 pixels. You may also crop your picture if you wish. You are also allowed to adjust the brightness and contrast of your picture but these should not dramatically alter the look of the picture. But other than those, any form of picture editing or modification is not allowed. This is a photo contest, not a picture editing/special effect contest. You may add a watermark or your name/nickname to the photo for identification purposes.

3. Upload your photos to any of the photo servers such as imageshack or photobucket. Then post it the relevant contest thread and link your picture using the img command. PM me if you do not know how.

4. Only ONE picture per member per contest. Once a picture is posted, it cannot be changed other than a total withdrawl by that member from that week's photo contest. Exceptions will be made for modification to comply with the rules, such as resizing.

5. At the end of the contest period, I will open a poll and every PF member can vote for the picture they like best.

6. Note that in case we have a large number of entries, I will do the polling in more than one thread. If that's the case, you can vote in each of the polling threads. The photos will be assigned in the polling threads in the order they were submitted.

7. These pictures must be something that you took, not something taken off someone else's photo albums or taken by someone else. I have no way of checking if you did this, so we'll go by the honor system.

8. You can use a picture only once. Once it is used in a contest, it cannot be reused in another contest.

9. Please post only pictures meant for submission in this thread.
 
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PICT0016.jpg
 
My entry.
 

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- Warren
 
Phew, I think my computer is in full working order again. Thanks Andre!

Topher925 said:
My entry.

Can you upload your photo to an external server such as www.photobucket.com[/url] or [url]www.imageshack.us[/URL] then post it to the thread please?
 
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Rembrandt lighting, eh? So photo tweaking is not allowed, but professional photography lighting rigs are recommended for entry?

Anyway, Warren, nice color, composition and focus on that one
 
Thanks, junglebeast. brewnog, awesome photo, man! I love the sharp edges and the soft, rounded glow on the wall.

- Warren
 
A blue-flag iris in the shaded frog-pond near my garden.

iris_cont.jpg
 
Ah, I hate choosing..and I hate downsizing...sucks the life right out of a picture!

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/7296/palms.jpg
 
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  • #10
Hmm, junglebeast, does your photo fit the category?

Andre wrote "brightly lit subject against a dark background," but does a brightly lit background, even if it is the subject, fit?

- Warren
 
  • #11
The definition of Chiaroscuro makes no mention of the subject needing to be bright on a dark background -- it speaks only of overall contrast between light and dark in the image.

Since the topic is entitled "Chiaroscuro," I think it conforms. However if we are instead going with "bright subject on dark background," then brewnog's and topher's don't really fit. And of course nobody's fits with Rembrandt lighting.

Whatever. It's just a game, and I'm not going to win anyway.
 
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  • #12
See? This is what happens when you have a polysyllabic photo contest theme. :wink:

Notwithstanding that, I really like all of the entries so far. Very interesting uses of light.
 
  • #13
Eh, you guys are right. Someone harped on me a while back for posting a photo that was, in a sense, not appropriate for the category, so now I'm just unnecessarily passing the buck. It didn't make me feel good when it was done to me, so it's a little eerie that I so readily did it to you, junglebeast. My apologies.

- Warren
 
  • #14
Since I recently digitized the family slides, for the first time in 30 years I have access to some of my old 35mm shots from vacations and the like. I wasn't sure if this qualified, but now it sounds like it does.

- entry withdrawn -
 
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  • #15
Well, I have a few pictures that might qualify, but now, I'm not sure what the "official" policy is. And I don't go by with the title, I go by with the more descriptive requirement for the contest.

So is it lighted subject in front of a dark background only? Or does it also includes a more general dark-light contrast? I really don't care either way, but it would be nice to have a confirmation one way or the other.

Zz.
 
  • #16
Whether the strict definition of the term or not, Andre wrote:
So this week, it is about the nicest picture of any brightly lit subject against a dark background.
So in my eyes the last 2 entries do not fit the theme even though they are both nice pictures. The first ones do fit.
 
  • #17
However, the theme is Chiaroscuro.
 
  • #19
"... brightly lit subject against a dark background..."

img6481b.jpg


Zz.
 
  • #20
*bump* any more? :)