<<<<< Theme Search - Contest for April >>>>> Please read and participate

[Mira]

Let's get started with going after our Theme.
I want to begin by bringing a few suggestions, and want you to add your thoughts about them, or your ideas for a theme.

I will stop this preliminary search tomorrow (Friday) early evening EST and will begin polling.
The number of suggestions will determine my method.

If we have many, I'll do a quick 10 suggestions 1 day poll to determine the most favored ones, and then a final poll to determine the actual theme.

I plan to be done with the picking of it by about the 4th or 5th of April, by that time I will give you the schedule for the whole contest, taking a good and solid 2 weeks for shooting.

Trusty Elf, the winner and real host for whom I am substituting suggests the following theme potentials:

PORTRAIT OF A MUSICIAN
or any person playing an instrument

FAMILIAR OBJECTS REGARDED IN UNFAMILIAR WAYS
such as from an unusual vantage point or angle

DOORS OR GATES
with special attention to carved wood and wrought iron.

Go back now folks, and resurrect a theme you liked that did not make the grade and present it again.
Or venture out into something new.

I'll be curious to see what develops.

Thanks!

[NV Whino]

1. Squares

:rofl:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. I like the idea of a musician...

[Celebration]

3. Since the weather is warmer now

"Let's get physical!"

Sports, exercise, physical activity, etc.--human or animal.

[Bonhomme Richard]

4. April showers..How about water droplets. n/t

[Earth_First]

5. First off, my appologies...

I haven't been participating much lately.

I've had a massive remodeling project going on here at the house that has take up vast amounts of my time lately. Additionally, I am seasonally employed, and I've gone back to work full-time for the year; so it's put a massive dent in the amount of photog time I've had in the last month.

I haven't abandoned my participation!

With that said, I've suggested this one on at least one occasion, and I believe it bears suggesting again:

Mirrored Images: This theme affords a wide range of possibilities, be it architecture, water, mirrors, the possibilities are endless really.

Transportation: This could come from 19th century outdated modes of travel, to new high-tech modes of public transport. Another wide open option.

I really like the idea of 'Portrait of a Musician'

I've had a buddy of mine that has been asking for me to bring my equipment out to a gig for some promotional stuff all winter, so maybe this could be my catalyst.

Whatever the group decides, I am sure that another crop of stunning images are certain to be created.

Enjoy the turning of the pages with the Spring season upon us, and as always, be happy and create great photos!

[bluedigger]

6. Gee, I don't know...

I just returned to work in New Orleans this week (:bounce:) so those don't sound very good...

Sure we can't wait till the end of the month?

http://lineup.nojazzfest.com/events/2011/04/29

:rofl:

[Mira]

8. To prove to you I understand... all I had to do is walk about 20 feet

picking up the camera on the way, and take this photo in my bathroom.
I bought this screen print on the floor of a salvage place about 10 years ago.

I'm beginning to think that maybe you guys are right, and my house is kind of interesting...



What you see to the left of it is a piece of acrylic onto which I scotch tape "thoughts for the day" from my local paper.

Have a great time in NOLA.
And no - your input cannot wait.

[bluedigger]

10. That's a sharp poster!

Nice find!

Since you aren't inclined to be cooperative, I'm voting for doors/gates. No scheduling problems.:)

Does this count?

[Mira]

11. What counts is what the folks in GD find interesting, and what they think is

illustrative of the theme.
When I chose what to enter, I think of the folks in GD. I would enter different photos if the voting would be done by the fellow photographers.

My poster is a screen print, of an edition of 15 000. I got it for about 70 bucks. It probably would sell for quite a bit more now.
It doesn't matter, because I would not part with it. The edition is too high for it to be worth all that much, and I love it's colors and the quality.

(I'm a screen printer, so I know how hard this is to do)

[bluedigger]

13. I've given up trying to anticipate the audience.

Think of the folks in GD? :crazy:

Besides, you know how I like to push the envelope when it comes to the themes.:rofl:

[Blue_In_AK]

14. That's absolutely the truth

I NEVER think of the folks in GD when I pick my contest photos. I post something I like, and if they don't like it ... oh, well. :)

[Mira]

22. I have never entered a photo I did not like myself.

I'm a small business owner whose reputation is based on aiming to please, I am trained to think of the overall picture and about what the "customer" might like, and so I chose between what I have with that in mind.

I think.
Choosing is always hard for me nevertheless.

[Johnny Noshoes]

29. I feel the same way.

I go out and shoot something I like - scenes or objects that strike me as interesting and will fit the theme. If the folks who view it - like it and vote for it great and if not well hey I liked it and if it gets a few votes so did those who voted for it.

[postatomic]

24. I don't have a Frog in this Pond

I have a real hard time doing 'normal', so I'll stay out of the contests. I don't even vote.

If your objective is to please the electorate in GD why don't you just rotate the themes of puppies, kittens, babies, and real purdy?

When I saw the Butt of a Bird I associate with Spring "win" a Winter contest I came to the solid conclusion that the electorate doesn't vote based on the theme. Especially given that there were many very good photographs that did represent the theme that were ignored. With that consideration why even have a theme?

I've never looked at photography at pleasing anyone unless I'm doing something that I've been contracted to do and contests should be about challenging the photographer-not pleasing anyone.

Just my opinion. And like I said, I don't have a frog in this pond so it's really not important what I think.

[Mira]

25. There was more to the Robin on the snowy branch than just a bird mooning winter.

I think you missed that.

Speaking of missing, I'm sure I would benefit and know more about you if you decided to participate as well as occasionally opine.

But either way, I'm happy to see you show up.
It's never boring when you do.

[KC]

19. I love

doors and gates too !

[HappyCynic]

7. There's always...

Last month's runner-up, Negative Space.

Another suggestion: Wood

[Mira]

9. Yes - about Negative Space - but I can't participate so I want one to win

that I don't like so much. :rofl:

About "Wood" - what is it that tickles your fancy?
To describe it in a lineup, I'd like to know how you narrow it down a bit.

[HappyCynic]

12. Hmmm... Describing for a lineup...

To be honest, I hadn't really thought about that... I believe I was thinking about the striking patterns in Celebration's "Aging" entry for the circles contest and my mind went to all the patterns in wood grain. My idea for it would be either natural wood or items made from wood where it showcases the natural patterns or texture of the wood.

[Blue_In_AK]

16. I was thinking about negative space up in Nome.

I think this about captures it. This is the annual Nome Classic Golf Tournament. Nome residents save their Christmas trees every year and "plant" them out on the ice during Iditarod, which they call the "Nome National Forest" (since there are no real trees up there).

The golf classic goes on for several days, and it was pretty funny to watch from our hotel balcony, especially in the fog and snow like this. The balls are orange -- which helps. There really is a horizon out there.

[tabatha]

15. I lke musician a lot.

To which I would also add dancers, parade.

[Solly Mack]

17. Familiar Objects/Unfamiliar ways sounds intriguing

[MissHoneychurch]

18. How about

Books :D

[Mz Pip]

20. Lots of good ideas here.

I don't have a preference at this point. I know we did DOORS a couple of years ago, so I'd be up for something not yet tried.

[Mira]

21. If i"m right you know this - because you won it?

Was it a beautiful back door with some steps and flower pots on the steps?

But I could be wrong...

[Mz Pip]

26. That was me.

My first win. Scary hosting that first time. :scared:

Here's my DOORS

[Mira]

27. Yup - that's the one. Congratulations, all over again!!!

I loved that photo then, and I still love it now.

I was really fresh and new here then, I remember thinking at that time that you had run many contests.

[Celebration]

23. I'm with you

I actually liked my doors/gates entry last time, and it didn't make the finals. Maybe I'll take the photo again and enter it. I am pretty bored with most architectural subjects like stairs, doors, gates, etc., so doing it twice isn't really my thing. Or, I'll just go to to Graceland, LOL.

[Mira]

28. I'm closing this now - and later tonight or in the morning

the poll will appear.

Thanks folks for participating!