Monthly Image Challenge

 

February 2024 - CATTLE IMAGES

 

Here are the comments provided by Jean de Roeck who was this month’s selector.

All the entries for the monthly competition clearly conformed to the theme “Cattle Images.” And the following is my personal choice. I’m not a judge, nor am I a “technical” photographer, and so my selection is bases purely on personal preference.

Congratulations to Des King whose images REAL COWBOYS was Jean’s selection for image of the month because of its visual impact. An impact not least due to its subject, the spectacular Texas Longhorns. The working cowboys add to the characterfulness of the image. I like the aerial perspective and the overall tone of the image. It’s a shame the left-hand beast is cut off. A readjustment of the camera position could perhaps have fixed that?

There are a few technical issues, such as the smoke/smudge in the sky above the rearmost cowboy and some suspicion that there may have been considerable postproduction work done to create the image. Non the less, for me, this is the most striking overall picture.

“..During a visit to the USA last year we went to Fort Worth in Texas after a tour of Dallas and the South Fork Ranch.  

 Fort Worth is the only city that has real cowboys on the payroll to tend to the Fort Worth Herd, the world’s only daily cattle drive.  Since the 1860’s cowboys worked and played in Hell’s Half Acre, located where Sundance Square stands today.  This is a great tourist attraction, but the cows look rather old and tired.  But at least this gives them a bit of daily exercise.  Well worth a visit...”

Des King

Runner-up is MUD BATH by David Wilcock . This looks like an African, probably Cape Buffalo with horns close to perfect curvature. These are exceptionally dangerous animals and to see one contentedly lounging about, in the open, with his eyes closed, relaxing in the mud, makes a change from their more usual posture of full eye contact and threatening expression. I’m not saying I would want it on my wall, but, for me, a nice picture of bovine contentedness.

Second Runner-up goes to BREAKFAST by Tom Watson. A fully filled letterbox frame of winter-feeding bovines. I wonder, how you could call the beasts to raise their heads and look at the camera? There’s no doubt this one meets the criteria for this month’s competition.

 
 
 

REAL COWBOYS by Des King

 
 
 

Monthly Image Challenge

Each monthly challenge begins on the first day and closes at midnight on the 24th day of each month.  The ‘image of the month’ and two runners-up will normally be announced before the end of the month.  The theme for the MARCH 2024 CHALLENGE is shown below.  It is a ‘PICTORIAL’ challenge meaning there is no restriction regarding the composition of the image and post-processing techniques you may use.

OUTSIDE NORFOLK - On our travels, we see many incredible things, photographing the great natural and man-made wonders, as well as the smaller places and moments of beauty

Members can enter a maximum of TWO images in the challenge

When submitting images for the MARCH challenge the reference to be added at the end of the file name is MC03.

About the challenge

The Society’s Monthly Image Challenge is the perfect opportunity for members to test their photography skills, and to compete with other members in a friendly environment without the rigours of formal competitive photographic competitions.  It is, therefore, a perfect challenge for anyone who has recently joined NDPS, particularly if they are just starting out on their photographic journey, and/or, have not entered a photo-competition before.

The Monthly Image Challenge is open to all CURRENT members of the Society including eMEMBERS

The THEME for each challenge will be confirmed at the start of each challenge but for those who prefer to plan ahead they can also be found along with everything else you need to know about the Monthly Image Challenge below.

Selector’s Choice

When each challenge closes a 'Selector' will be asked to select an image of the month and two runners-up together with a few words explaining their selections.

The ‘Selector’ will be provided with a slideshow that contains all the images that have been entered in that month’s challenge. Only the title of the images will be visible, and all metadata will be deleted so that the author cannot be readily identified.

Selectors will be reminded when the receive the slideshow that the ‘Monthly Image Challenge’ has everything to do with having fun and being inclusive. It is not about winning or losing but rather it should reward those members who take a chance, are bold with their composition, try something new or simply invoke emotion in the mind of the viewer.

 

Gallery of all February’s Images

Monthly Image Challenge

As with all other photographic competitions, there are few rules to follow.  These are required to create a ‘level playing field’ for all who participate and because it is much easier and quicker to handle and store the images if they all arrive correctly named in the same format and size.  In addition, for members who are less familiar with submitting images into formal competitions it is also good practice, under no pressure, for the real thing...!

The ‘image of the month‘ will be displayed on the Society’s website together with a gallery showing all the other images entered that month’s challenge.  There will also be an archive so members can look back through the galleries of past monthly challenges.  The ‘image of the month’ will also appear on the cover of In Focus (the Society’s monthly newsletter) and on the Society’s Facebook page @ndpsinfocus.