My photo project and judging photos
14th July 2021
The general area of my project, 10th June 2021.
I have a project where I am taking 50 photos (originally intended 100) of the same location in Barron Gorge. The only rule I have is that I need to stay within a 20 metre radius of the central spot.
When I finish it I am going to do a post here showing all the photos to remind me how some days the photos just do not turn out and how moving just a little can change a photo. They fail either because I am poor with the camera or mother nature fails to provide anything spectacular. I just need to be ready when I am lucky and keep on showing up even even after I am not.
Coffee while I wait.
Once I make my way to this spot I usually make a cup of coffee and see what is happening before committing to a photo. Everyday is so different.
The spot, 5th July 2021.
Some days the beautiful light is before the water has risen and the sun has set. But it may just never come and on those days I can just enjoy the peace and quite or find other things to photograph.
Afterburn at the spot, 2nd June2021.
Other days long after the sun has set, darkness is nearly upon me…or already dark…. the sky lights up. I get colours that are so rich they look fake.
Cairns Show Photography Competition
In the end I take photos for me and do not have much interest in having people judge my photos so it felt a bit strange recently being a judge for the Cairns Show Photography section. But as all my customers know, if you ask me for my opinion I will give it.
The spot, 11th July 2021.
The judging took place on the 11th of July and after I got to chat to some of the entrants about their photos. All of them better photographers than I am but I wondered why some entered photos that they themselves stated just did not turn out optimally. Either the clouds were not right, composition/proportions off, people were in the wrong place etc etc.
All the great photographers I have read about have one thing in common, they are/were relentless in their pursuit of a photo once they had it in mind. Often it is the result of many failed attempts before they get that one photo of a spot/event/emotion that is worthy of winning a competition/recognition….if that is your thing.
As I thought about this after the judging it reminded me of my 50 photo project so late that day I headed to the Gorge to take another photo of that spot. And guess what….I got the photo above but there are things that I do not like about it. The 50 photo project continues and I may not get a great photo :)
Barron Gorge near Gorilla Rock, March 2020
Above is one of those photos (not in the 50 photo project) that for me everything turned out right. Colour in the sky, low clouds in the Gorge, not too dark, river water flow and level just right, colour reflected on the water top and wet rocks. Never come close since in this spot in hundreds of attempts before and after this photo.