Posted by Mike Smith on October 19, 2006 at 10:23 AM
Nope, I have looked at the winner sevaral times now and still do not get it (albeit the screen image is very small). What gives? what has caught the judges eye Can someone explain why this is an outstanding photograph, compared to say the dancing flamingos or the hunting hyenas
Posted by Michael Sayles on October 19, 2006 at 10:41 AM
I know people say this every year but...
On the whole I wasn't bowled over with the selection of winning shots. There were a couple of great shots, but on the whole nothing made me say "wow!", as was the case a few years ago.
I also got the impression with a few shots that I'd seen very similar before. Nothing wrong with the photos per se, but not particularly original. For example, the elephant trunk 'peeping' out of the bars... it seems if you want to be a winner (or commended), send in a photo of an animal peering out of it's cage. 'The World in our Hands' section has something like that every year (or so it seems) - where's the originality? I know it's the obvious subject for this category, but that's just it - other people manage to come up with something original, yet there's always one winning shot like this.
Right, I'm off to the local zoo to take a photo of an animal looking out through some bars, ready for next year's comp...
I do believe that as in previous years not everyone will agree with some of the results, I'm afraid I can't make comments or voice my views at present, but would remind you all that there is chance for you to post comments on the photographs on the NHM website.
All the best
Good luck at the zoo Michael
Posted by Andrew Forsyth on October 19, 2006 at 11:08 AM
A couple of great shots (love the flamingoes too, a class apart for me) and many forgettables. The winner is a good, but am not sure it's a good winner (if you know what I mean).
Overall better than last year, although too many snowy birds (ok, we get it!!! ) but still not to the standard achieved/selected (delete as appropriate) a few years ago. Hey, hope springs eternal, I will still grace this competition with my entries next year
Congrats indeed to the winners. Oh, to be in your shoes and don't let our carping spoil your big day...
A
Posted by Sean Bolton on October 19, 2006 at 1:02 PM
Hi All
I have just had a very quick flick through this years images. Generally the standard is very high and there are some stunning and original images, although I am surprised by a few of the images that got to the final selection.
The winning shot probably looks better in the exhibition and maybe loses a bit as a small jpeg on a monitor. I like it all the same but might not have been my choice for the overall winner.
My personal favourites are Rockhopper rushhour, Andy Rouse's penguins, the hyena shot, Terrapin hot spot, The swirling shoal (should have won?), Ice Hole, Crane Dance.
There are some cliche images (e.g. mallards at dawn, dolphin, lion kill) and I felt the Plants, Urban, and Creative sections were a bit weak. And what happened to the silly Black and White Category?
The judges again had a thing about owls in the snow. Last year it was Great Grey Owls, this year it is snowy owls, in the snow(!). What is that snowy owl white-out shot all about? Maybe it loses something on a computer screen.
Overall I would say the standard of entry is very high, and whilst it is easy to be critical I do see why the judges have selected the shots.
Congratulations to winners, I look forward to visiting the NHM to see the exhibition in the flesh. The images always have more impact when viewed at the museum than when viewed on the computer screen. And good to see a few Brits amongst the winners.
cheers
Sean
Posted by Danny Green on October 19, 2006 at 2:53 PM
Hello All
I really liked the winner and thought it was the most original of the bunch I brought the magazine today with the portfolio supplement inside and printed across a double page it looks stunning, walrus are dangerous underwater and off the coast of greenland that water must have been cold. Congrats to Andy Rouse for having two in one category thats a hard task both were great shots. I liked the snowy owl shot that was a classic, stellers eider taking off is a brilliant image, I also liked the Hyena and hunting dogs what an image, ducks at dawn another great shot, snowy owl envro, Turtle grooming, the great mimic, Ice hole, Japanese cranes, flamingoes, langur monkey, Lion killing a Zebra, lots more. Ok maybe one or two didn't quite rock my boat but for such a big competetion with over 18,0000 entries it is a hard task to look through that lot. On the whole it is easy to pass judgement and say what you don't like but lets face it every one of these images you would be proud to take and even prouder to get recognised.
Danny
Posted by writepic on October 19, 2006 at 10:48 PM
all in all i think this is a whole lot better than last year, with a great number of images to inspire us to continue to keep working towards one day getting there.
one or two questionable ones, i am sure amongst the many entries there were thousands of similar ones to these and the chosen ones seem something of a lottery win rather than the production of great imagery.
m
Posted by Andrew Forsyth on October 20, 2006 at 11:44 AM
Check out the book - images look much better than in the portfolio (expensive paper helps...) and on the website (useless for making a judgement).
Posted by Javier Martin on October 20, 2006 at 7:43 PM
I had the chance to attend the press preview on Thursday and in my opinion this year's images are excellent. I think the winner is great, unique and very original. Among the many amazing pictures I can mention moss mimic, mallards at dawn, hyena at bay and flamingo dance. Come on guys keep working for next year's prizes.
Regards,
Javier
Posted by Gavin Parsons on October 21, 2006 at 2:26 PM
HI guys
I've finally had the chance to post something after a hectic week. One of the things that kept mme busy was the WPY as I was highliy commended in the underwater category with an image of a whaleshark. I have to saw I enter when I can and it is always the ones I don't expect to get far that do. Others I think are great never show up. But that's compeiotions for you. I have to say the winner looks much better in the book and on the big screen in the exhibition and while it is not my overall favourite (that was the snowy owl taking off that won the birds) I think it is a stunning shot.
IO urge you all to go and take a look at the exhibition as it is a stunning body of work.
Discussion
12 repliesFor a quickie view of some of the shots, you can check out the BBC news entry here
Congrats to all those that won
I believe Mart Smit posts here occasionally....
Second the congrats
Phil
On the whole I wasn't bowled over with the selection of winning shots. There were a couple of great shots, but on the whole nothing made me say "wow!", as was the case a few years ago.
I also got the impression with a few shots that I'd seen very similar before. Nothing wrong with the photos per se, but not particularly original. For example, the elephant trunk 'peeping' out of the bars... it seems if you want to be a winner (or commended), send in a photo of an animal peering out of it's cage. 'The World in our Hands' section has something like that every year (or so it seems) - where's the originality? I know it's the obvious subject for this category, but that's just it - other people manage to come up with something original, yet there's always one winning shot like this.
Right, I'm off to the local zoo to take a photo of an animal looking out through some bars, ready for next year's comp...
I do believe that as in previous years not everyone will agree with some of the results, I'm afraid I can't make comments or voice my views at present, but would remind you all that there is chance for you to post comments on the photographs on the NHM website.
All the best
Good luck at the zoo Michael
Overall better than last year, although too many snowy birds (ok, we get it!!!
Congrats indeed to the winners. Oh, to be in your shoes and don't let our carping spoil your big day...
A
I have just had a very quick flick through this years images. Generally the standard is very high and there are some stunning and original images, although I am surprised by a few of the images that got to the final selection.
The winning shot probably looks better in the exhibition and maybe loses a bit as a small jpeg on a monitor. I like it all the same but might not have been my choice for the overall winner.
My personal favourites are Rockhopper rushhour, Andy Rouse's penguins, the hyena shot, Terrapin hot spot, The swirling shoal (should have won?), Ice Hole, Crane Dance.
There are some cliche images (e.g. mallards at dawn, dolphin, lion kill) and I felt the Plants, Urban, and Creative sections were a bit weak. And what happened to the silly Black and White Category?
The judges again had a thing about owls in the snow. Last year it was Great Grey Owls, this year it is snowy owls, in the snow(!). What is that snowy owl white-out shot all about? Maybe it loses something on a computer screen.
Overall I would say the standard of entry is very high, and whilst it is easy to be critical I do see why the judges have selected the shots.
Congratulations to winners, I look forward to visiting the NHM to see the exhibition in the flesh. The images always have more impact when viewed at the museum than when viewed on the computer screen. And good to see a few Brits amongst the winners.
cheers
Sean
I really liked the winner and thought it was the most original of the bunch I brought the magazine today with the portfolio supplement inside and printed across a double page it looks stunning, walrus are dangerous underwater and off the coast of greenland that water must have been cold. Congrats to Andy Rouse for having two in one category thats a hard task both were great shots. I liked the snowy owl shot that was a classic, stellers eider taking off is a brilliant image, I also liked the Hyena and hunting dogs what an image, ducks at dawn another great shot, snowy owl envro, Turtle grooming, the great mimic, Ice hole, Japanese cranes, flamingoes, langur monkey, Lion killing a Zebra, lots more. Ok maybe one or two didn't quite rock my boat but for such a big competetion with over 18,0000 entries it is a hard task to look through that lot. On the whole it is easy to pass judgement and say what you don't like but lets face it every one of these images you would be proud to take and even prouder to get recognised.
Danny
all in all i think this is a whole lot better than last year, with a great number of images to inspire us to continue to keep working towards one day getting there.
one or two questionable ones, i am sure amongst the many entries there were thousands of similar ones to these and the chosen ones seem something of a lottery win rather than the production of great imagery.
m
Am warming to them, a good year I think
A
Regards,
Javier
I've finally had the chance to post something after a hectic week. One of the things that kept mme busy was the WPY as I was highliy commended in the underwater category with an image of a whaleshark. I have to saw I enter when I can and it is always the ones I don't expect to get far that do. Others I think are great never show up. But that's compeiotions for you. I have to say the winner looks much better in the book and on the big screen in the exhibition and while it is not my overall favourite (that was the snowy owl taking off that won the birds) I think it is a stunning shot.
IO urge you all to go and take a look at the exhibition as it is a stunning body of work.