Member's Choice June 29 - July 11, 2021

[Andy]

Hogpen Hills

[hmca]

OK....so I have two thoughts here. First, if I don't start this no one else will.....and if I keep looking at them it's not going to become any easier. So I just might as well get started.

Composite of Images by Lillias
I have photographed plein-air artists and always find them to be interesting subjects so I was immediately drawn to this image. I could see where an artist would want to sketch the colorful buildings with their overflowing flower boxes.
She is positioned in such a way that we have a good view of her work. Well chosen images and a nice sketch effect was added to the canvas. A thoughtfully created image.

On the Parade Route by PeteB
Seeing the smile on the face of the woman in the window is what makes this image for me. She is obviously enjoying the passing marchers with their colorful outfits. The dog and a glimpse of the apartment interior is an added bonus.

Enjoying the Updraft by dandc
Because I have only recently tried to photograph a bird in flight, I have gained a new appreciation for photographers who can actually do it. What makes this one stand out for me is that EYE!

I found it especially hard to choose just three images. I really liked so many of them and could make a case for each of them. I am looking forward to seeing and reading the choices made by others. I always gain insight by reading what
factors influence other viewers.

[Lillias]

My thoughts are as follows...

Pears in a Basket by deany
I love the colour tones in this image and the play with light from the lantern bouncing off the pears making it a warm inviting image.

Basket by fotofrank
The interplay of light and shadow attracted me to this image. The light casting the shadow of the window frame on the bench and also bringing out the weave of the basket on the side nearest the light source.

Bunnies by srmoment
Nice double exposure / blending effect of the two in the background and love the beautiful bunny in the foreground. A happy image.

It's always hard choosing when there are so many worthy images to pick from. All I can say is well done to all.

[whippet]

Sorry. I can't narrow it down to three.

[PeteB]

Wow… Very hard to decide. Here are my three picks.

Basket by fotofrank. I was immediately drawn in by the light and the shadows. Also, I really like the processing.

Dreaming in bokeh by AlexR. I keep going back to this image and I am drawn to the eyes of the animal (cat) in the lower left corner. Really like the results…

Blending In by dandc — This is my favorite. This is an example of what Michael Freeman calls “The Reveal”. This technique is used in motion pictures when a viewer sees one thing first, then eventually is led to the subject. In still photography, composition helps tp reveal the subject. In Dan’s image, first the field of gold plants is seen by the viewer, then the bird is revealed. A couple of things help make the bird or subject stand out. First its color, especially the eye catching yellow with the black; second, the plant’s stem that holds the bird is bent and different than the other plants that are standing upright and grouped together; and finally, that plant stem acts as a leading line to the subject.

Michael Freeman is a photographer and author of the book Fifty Paths to Creative Photography.

[pontiac1940]

Thanks for the entries. 
Hard to select favorites, but will comment on three or four. 

The Basket by fotofrank stands out because of the pleasing window light, light gradient right to left, soft colors and general  "old time" subject. 
Blending in by dandc works well. The yellow-headed blackbird is the primary focal point in the sea of dead reed grass. I'd have preferred the bird's head to be facing to the right. 
The Shoe by hmca has a pleasing composition and soft diffuse window (?) light. 
Other comments: 
deany and BillieJean's Photoshop work is always excellent. 

[dandc]

What a nice variety of shots to gander at this week - well done!

My selections, in the order they were presented are . . .

Composite of Images by Lillias - I'm not good at composite images and I admire greatly someone who is - this creation doesn't even look like a composite it is so well put together and edited - I like the touch of B&W which draws my eye to the artist as well at the vibrant colors.

Basket by fotofrank - This is my kind of shot - letting the simple beauty of a ordinary object speak for itself - the lighting is superb as is the touch of color in the background which draws the eye and directs the viewer to look at the whole scene to see what else it contains.

Bunnies by srmoment - Simple portraits of a furry friend are turned into a wonderful mosaic which more fully displays the cuteness of this subject - just enough detail mixed with soothing colors and haziness to make this a 'stop and see' creation.

[srmoment]

Sorry gang! I've been on an escape COVID/visit family road trip (YAY!!!) so I'm a little late to the party. (...and admittedly trying to find open routes through the fires in B.C. - heads-up Clive, we are sending smoke your way!)
It was very hard to choose from these images...here goes....
Alex R's Dreamin in Bokeh caught my attention with all the little hidden gems there were to look at, the expression on the cat's face and its reflective eyes.
Helen's shoe caught the texture and age of the shoe perfectly.
Andy's Enders Falls had wonderful color and composition. (...and honorable mention to Hogpen Hills for a curiously intriguing image!)
....