Top 10 Finalist in Canon's National Parks Contest!

[mjs1973]

Wow, what an impressive collection of images. I have voted!

Best of luck to you Bob!

[Canon_Bob]

Hey all -

Please be sure to vote for the image you like the best! Believe me, I'm not looking to win by popularity vote. I'd only want to win on the merits of my image. If you like one of the other images better, then please vote for your favorite! -Thanks!

[paulnj]

Tough crowd, but I am a wildlife guy, not a landscape guy

[BrokenPerfection]

Did you notice that three of the images look like they are of the same Mountain just different perspectives. It is definitely a interesting combination of landscape and wildlife.

[Canon_Bob]

Did you notice that three of the images look like they are of the same Mountain just different perspectives. It is definitely a interesting combination of landscape and wildlife.

Yup - Looks like Yosemite is definitely getting some attention from this contest


Definitely some powerful images there. With such diversity in the subject matter, it will be interesting to see how this comes out. Frankly, I think any one of those images could win. They're all good.

[AgingEyes]

Frankly, I think any one of those images could win. They're all good.

Frankly, I think landscape type photos have better chances to win. It seems to me they're easily acceptable and appreciated by most people. Just look at the results of the our own monthly photo project here

[Dylan8i]

voted.... all great photos

im surprised the delicate arch one made it though, that seems like one of the weaker delicate arch photos (from even the ones ive taken).

[readingr]

Well deserved and I have voted for you.

Roger

[Old Timer]

I cast my ballot this morning. Great bunch of pics, Good Luck to both of you, hope its one two for PR.

[Jaedon]

I voted from mine and 3 other email accounts lol. Not telling who I voted for ... but at least one of them was for Bob =) ... ok .. all 4 of them were... but ssshhhhh.

[Canon_Bob]

FYI all - They have some pretty good controls in place on this, so casting multiple votes from different e-mail addresses won't help. In fact, I think they discount them all! No Internet voting scheme is fool proof, but this one is pretty good from what I hear.

Please just vote once for the image you like best. I really don't want to win anything by any standard other than the merit of my image. If the other contestants are out drumming up votes via questionable means, then I hope they enjoy their prizes, because I sure wouldn't. Sorry, I'm just kinda like that :-)

I do appreciate everyone here, and I hope every one of you votes for your favorite image in the competition, whether it's mine or not.

[paulnj]

I think everyone should vote for Bob because we like him, then he will feel bad and give me the prize

BUT REALLY, Bob I wholeheartedly agree with your wanting to win because of your imagery, not popularity! That shows you have alot of character and I commend you on posting that.

[mjs1973]

I too commend you for wanting to win on the merits of the photo, and not a popularity contest!!

FYI all - They have some pretty good controls in place on this, so casting multiple votes from different e-mail addresses won't help.

I was wondering about this when I voted. I read through the rules, and this is what is says:

Limit one (1) entry/vote per e-mail address. IF THE SAME E-MAIL ADDRESS IS USED TO SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE VOTE/ENTRY, ALL ENTRIES/VOTES FROM SUCH E-MAIL ADDRESS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. Use of automated/programmed/robotic means of entry/voting is prohibited

Based on this, I would think it's OK to vote multiple times as long as it from different email addresses, but it might be better to play it safe, and make sure your one vote counts.

[Kajuah]

Good luck ! I voted for you, Bob

[Canon_Bob]

Thanks all! I've received a good amount of e-mail from people who have seen my image, and looked me up (I'm not doing a very good job of hiding my true identity on the Internet). Some very flattering comments from some notable people! Many remember the series I posted way back when I first captured this, and commented that the "other" image was even better! For the record, I submitted BOTH to the contest

They chose the one which I feel was the better of the two. So..... Le't turn this thread into al lesson of sorts.

Here's the question: Why is the image in the contest better than the one below (MANY folks liked the one below better)? What are the differentiating factors? I'll post my opinion on Sunday night :idea:

[paulnj]

Good luck and glad to here notable people are commenting:thumbsup:

[mjs1973]

Here's the question: Why is the image in the contest better than the one below (MANY folks liked the one below better)? What are the differentiating factors? I'll post my opinion on Sunday night :idea:

The one thing that really stands out in my mind about the photo that made it to the finals is the little drop of water that is frozen in mid air. I really think that that tiny little detail adds a lot to the overall image.

I also think the body position is more interesting. I find the curve of the neck to be much nicer than in the other photo.

I'm a little torn between the legs. I like the cleaner look to the other image, but I also think the one leg out of the water is interesting as well...

[susaan]

Voted ! (for the first one)

[Canon_Bob]

OK, so let me share MY opinion of the diference between the two (although both have some strong points).

First off, the elements that make BOTH images strong are obviously that reflection (which, by the way, is superior in the second image!), the subtle ripple of the water. The difficult exposure technique used to capture properly, the light fog rising off the water, and the low POV and perfect light angle. And last, but not least, the fact that this is an extremely rare bird that also happens to be in full breeding plumage.

However, the first image is superior in my opinion because of the foot raise (and the fact that it is ever so slightly just contacting the water again), that wonderful little drop of watter falling from the beak (as pointed out by Mike - which happened to be seen in the reflection as well), and the head angle is slightly better.

So what could have made these slightly better? I thing just a bit more light in the eye (a catchlight) may have added a bit more icing to the cake. They're pretty darn good, though. These are like hitting a hole-in-one in golf IMO. Everything has to line up perfectly. You're only going to get shots like this every now and then if you just keep at it. But they are SO worth it! You just have to keep practicing and be prepared for when the opportunity presents itself. These images could have VERY easily ben in the "delete" bin had I not been paying attention to my histogram and making the exposure adjustments on the fly!

[AgingEyes]

Rumor has it that Canon_Bob has won !

Congrats!!

[Canon_Bob]

Rumor has it that Canon_Bob has won !

Congrats!!

LOL - I guess good news travels fast! Actually, I won FIRST PLACE, not the "Grand Prize". That means I won the Canon 5D, 24-105 f/4L Zoom, and a PixmaPro 9500 Printer. Approximate retail value of $4128.00.

I was just notified a couple hours ago, and have just started spreading the word. Thank you all for the support! This is an awesome forum, and I hope to help everyone here accomplish far more than me!

[paulnj]

OMG!!!!!!!! I really hope so, but it's great that he even got in the top 10 if you ask me.

[Canon_Bob]

OMG!!!!!!!! I really hope so, but it's great that he even got in the top 10 if you ask me.

Our posts hit at the same time! LOL - See my post above yours :-)

[paulnj]

LOL - I guess good news travels fast! Actually, I won FIRST PLACE, not the "Grand Prize". That means I won the Canon 5D, 24-105 f/4L Zoom, and a PixmaPro 9500 Printer. Approximate retail value of $4128.00.

I was just notified a couple hours ago, and have just started spreading the word. Thank you all for the support! This is an awesome forum, and I hope to help everyone here accomplish far more than me!

Need my address... tis the season

Congrats on a well deserved recognition Bob.

[Canon_Bob]

Need my address... tis the season

Congrats on a well deserved recognition Bob.

LOL - Yeah, I need someone to pay the taxes on the prize! They kindly reminded me of that in the notification e-mail

Seriously - Thanks my friend. I guess I might actually have to print my first image now that I have one of Canon's best printers (that's right - I've never printed an image!). I'm still a bit dazed by it all.

I'm wondering who won the Grand Prize now. Canon won't be putting it out officially until the 15th, but it sure would be fun to find out.