****Comment Thread for the Summer Photo Contest****

[CaliforniaPeggy]

Please post your comments about the photos submitted in this thread!

I"m hoping for 30 original photos from our amazing photographers. And I love reading what others think of the work presented.

Let's Go!

[mnhtnbb]

1. First in!

I couldn't believe I had a shot taken on the first day of summer this year of Lantana I have growing in pots on my balcony.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. That is just a brilliant shot, both in the colors and the subject!

You must have been subconsciously thinking of our Summer contest.

[mnhtnbb]

3. It would have to have been subconscious, indeed.

It has been a summer of confinement. I had booked a trip to the mountains late June to mid-July this year. Going to finally explore some of the little NC mountain towns. Hike. See waterfalls. Canceled it because of COVID-19. As a matter of fact, to me, the shape of the lantana blossoms is reminiscent of the shape of the virus one sees in photos.

[flamin lib]

4. Had to go to the archives this time.

Too damn hot or raining for the last few weeks!

Love both of the (so far) submissions.

Good start, up for less than an hour and HERE WE GO!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Yours is gorgeous, my dear flamin lib!

And all three are floral!

I expect that will change, sometime.

It's a very good start, YES!

[MichaelSoE]

6. OMG ... it's only been an hour since you opened the thread

and it looks like it's going to be another amazing contest. I am going to wait though before submitting a shot.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. I was stunned by the submissions too! The numbers and the quality.

I don't expect this pace to keep up. I'd be thrilled if it were, though!

It's fine for you to wait. I have no problem with that! I'm sure it will be wonderful.

[Soph0571]

8. I'm in

Obvs from the archives but it is what it is!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. Hey, it's a beauty, my dear Soph! Very summery.

There are reasons we have archives. You've made excellent use of yours.

Hope your day is going well.

[Soph0571]

10. I bought him a bell so he did not have to try and shout out if he needed help after last night

Well that is as much a curse as a blessing

[Talitha]

11. Ok count me in, too... Fabulous images, everyone!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. And now we have just over 1/3 of the desired photos, all in the first day!

I am thrilled to see the pace of entries.

KEEP 'EM COMING!

[Callalily]

13. I'm in!

My photo was taken on a bike ride along Lake Michigan!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. It's beautiful, my dear Callalily! The flowers are perfect.

[HAB911]

14. I'm in, from my Pacfic Coast Highway Collection

Good luck everyone!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

18. It's a great shot, my dear HAB911!

Just lovely, a truly Zen moment, so calming and serene.

Thank you!

[alfredo]

16. I'm in

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. I love your submission, dear alfredo!

Even though the flower is past its prime, the colors are great and the bokeh too. You have chosen a great emblem of the season!

[alfredo]

19. Thanks

I still have to stay close to home because the state still hasn’t sent back my new license So I can’t drive. So I make do. Today I captured a Luna Moth caterpillar, the first one I’ve seen. Next time I try to photograph a moving caterpillar Head-on I will used sequential

I love your lily. CAAFB

[mike_c]

20. Wow!

I mean, wow!

[flamin lib]

21. Changed out my entry.

Same title. The rain settled to a soft constant drizzle, what mid western farmers call a 'lady rain', and dropped the temp to the low 80s so I put on my foulies and took the OMD, macro and flash for a walk. Found this Morning Glory and it's natural droplets which for some reason defy gravity much better than my mister.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

22. That is an amazing photo! Love how close in you got.

It blew me away!

[Mz Pip]

23. I changed mine, too

Decisions, decisions. I love the summer contests.

Mz Pip

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. Wow, how gorgeous that is! It's so beautiful that I don't remember what was there before.

Thanks for telling me!

[flamin lib]

25. Hey, MikeSOE!

That looks more like a midsummer's nightmare! Memories of that image are burned into my brain from 60 years ago . . .

[MichaelSoE]

28. Good morning Lib

I had given it serious thought about titling it that but the Bard of Avon won out.

I sometimes get these flashes about photos I can create including setting up a scene. One I have had for years taking up space in my head is a disturbing Easter shot. I my mind's eye I envision a crushed basket filled with candy crushed under the wheel, tread marks imprinted into chocolate, prominent in the foreground. To the right and in the distance is the car that created the carnage with some horrified kiddies looking out the back window.

Is there something wrong with me???

[flamin lib]

29. Na, you're okay. But I have to ask if you might be

related to Gary Larson who doe's the farside comix. https://www.thefarside.com/

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

26. ALL of the photos are breathtaking... but I have a question....

I've voted MANY times over the past few years.....

but now I have to ask:

Do we vote for our 'favorite photo' which may/may not honor the Theme of the competition....

or do we give more weight to the photos who actually follow the Theme??

and do 'amateur photographers (point and click)' have ANY way to compete with photoshop and computer enhancements?

Just wondering....

[CaliforniaPeggy]

27. Those are great questions, my dear JustFiveMoreMinutes!

We prefer that people vote for the photo that best works with the theme, but I'm sure many folks just vote for the photo that grabs them. And it's OK.

I don't think you have to vote for the photo based on how well it fits the theme.

Someone once said "It's not the pixels, it's the photo." In other words, if the photographer has taken a photo that grabs you, or that speaks to you, that's all that matters. Most of us here are amateurs. But most of us have what we call the eye. We know how to make a beautiful photo without all the photoshop or computer enhancements.

I hope this helps!

[flamin lib]

30. If I may weigh in on your questions.

Peggy answered the questions about voting & theme.

As for point n click photographers competing I know a number of regular entrants who use smart phones and do no "post processing". Straight from phone to DU. (Well, not exactly as there is a process to get the picture here but they use no computer enhancements.)

These contests aren't really a competition. They are an opportunity to show DU something you have seen and experienced. The process of picking a 'winner' is more or less a framework to allow us all to share our world with others. Simply by entering you become a winner and so does everyone who gets to share your vision and experience.

So, share with us!

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

32. Thanks to you both! Myself, I try to pick the best 'based on theme'...

.... but as you point out, it's about sharing.

Now if I could figure out all neat features on my phone camera! LOL!

[CrispyQ]

31. There are some stunning submissions!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

33. They truly are! It's wonderful to see.

[Niagara]

34. I'm in.

I realized that I hadn't submitted any photos since December of 2019.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

35. It's great to have you back! It's a stunning photo.

[Niagara]

36. Thank you, Peggy!

[flamin lib]

37. Oh! IcyPeas!

Great photo and great subject. Can I grow these in N Texas? Are they house plants like African Violets or outdoor annuals?

I WANT some of these!

[Talitha]

38. Looks like we only need 3 more submissions.

[mindfulNJ]

39. Just entered!

So happy for this theme. I've been home all summer taking pics of birds and bees