Attachment 29017

Attachment 29018

Awesome shot of the train tracks, Gravdigr! I have one sorta similar, but it was taken in winter. Nowhere near as much character as your shot.

OK...so next week is when I enter some of my photos in a photography contest at a local fair. In the "Wild Animal - Color" category, I'm entering either the butterfly photo I just posted...http://cellar.org/showpost.php?p=675340&postcount=971

or...

this one of a ladybug I posted a while back...http://cellar.org/showpost.php?p=669198&postcount=895

Any thoughts on which one? A lot of my friends on facebook like the butterfly. It is more colorful, but the ladybug is more "artistic". I am still quite undecided.

The Butterfly does it for me, better lighting, creative use of depth of field, generally more detail on the little critter.

Good luck either way, dmg1969!

I love the texture of the paint in the ladybug picture... tough call good luck!

Thanks both. I know each photo has its own strengths. I wish you could submit more than one per category. it would make it so much easier. :neutral:

I was sure about the ladybug a week ago. But then I got that butterfly pic this past weekend. Damn decisions!

The butterfly will appeal to more people, does the public vote, or do they have judges?

The butterfly is excellent but there is more to consider, photography-wise, in the ladybug shot.

The contest is at a local fair, you say? I'd go with the butterfly. The ladybug photo will only be truly appreciated by photography afficianados, and I'm betting this is being judged by a bunch of volunteers from the local Elks club or something.

Awesome pic.

Honestly, Bruce, I'm not sure. This is the first year I'm entering. I have a big catalog about the fair. I'll have to look tonight to see if it says who judges. If not, I have a contact who I have spoken to already about when to submit them. I have to call her again with another question, so I will ask her. I agree that the butterfly will probably appeal to more people. I think only someone who does photography or has an eye for it will appreciate the minimalist aspect of the ladybug photo. If the judges are in the photography field, I'll definitely use the ladybug. If not, the butterfly it will be.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. But then again, it depends why you're entering, to win a prize or show your skills? :idea:

I'm doing it merely for the fun of putting my work up against that of the others who enter. I imagine, being a fair, that the only prizes are ribbons. If there is a cash prize, which I doubt, I'm pretty certain it's not something I could retire on.

My object is to win at least one of the four categories I enter. Knowing who will be judging them is, let's say, similar to insider trading. :D

Your are going to do some cropping to the butterfly picture, right? It will gain a bit more impact if you do. You could probably add some appeal to the lady bug if you played with the brightness /contrast/mid-tone too. Too bad you cant submit both.