Sunday, August 26, 2012

dp+ pick winner - photo challenge 8 with theme "photographer photo"

dp+ Winning Entry - photo challenge 8 - dp+ Pick
theme: Photographer Photo
photographer: Omar Jordan de Guzman
title: "My World, I Rule"
camera: Nikon D700
total judges score: 168/500

Here are the remarks of the judges who included this entry to their top 3 picks:

Judge 3:
Remark: In line with the theme, yet I feel there is something missing in this photo. I would prefer if the photographer had used a prime lens to add more bokeh to the background to make it less distracting hence I had to give the quality a 10/30. Creativity & Originality is superb - something new which we do not find in other entries. Bravo!!!

Judge 4:
Remark: This picture showed clearly what the title wants to express -- a man/photographer standing on the earth replica. The action of his fist showing he stands for what he is, a PHOTOGRAPHER. Nice shot, good framing. The stripes of the globe continually reflect on the open shelves of the background.


This entry placed 16th in the Popular Votes Pick where dp+ members voted entries through likes. Lowest votes gathered is 10 votes which placed 20th.  It gathered 13 votes compared with first placer entry by Joanna Lyn Ong with 45 votes.

Only 2 judges voted for this entry in the dp+ Pick. Another entry that got picked by 2 judges is that of Carlo Paolo Adrillana. The rest of the entries that made it to the dp+ Pick only got picked by 1 judge each. This entry won by 15 points from its nearest competitor. Adrillana got 153 votes. De Guzman got 168 votes. It is one tough competition for the judges.

Congratulations, Omar Jordan de Guzman for winning the "Photographer Photo" theme. For someone passionate about his craft as a professional photographer, your work reflects it so. Way to go!!




Note: to see more of Omar Jordan de Guzman's works, you may check out this link: www.omarjordandeguzman.com




Thursday, August 23, 2012

September theme - dp+ photo challenge 10

photo by Gina Villanueva-Uyan

"There are times when the simple dignity of movement can fulfill the function of a volume of words."
- Doris Humphrey


In the Philippines, it seems like the rainy month of September is a dance month. In Calbayog City, Western Samar, they celebrate the Sarakiki-Hadang Festival from September 1-8. "Sarakiki" in Western Samar dialect means frenzied movements which aims to attract, allure, draw attention or entice while "hadang" means an offering or a sacrifice.

There's also the Sinab'badan Tribal Festival, Sta. Cruz Davao del Sur - a tribal showcasing of indigenous art in a form of music and dances among others celebrated on September 5 to 6.

There are a lot of street dancing festivities, too, to name some are:

- the Banok-Banok Maradjao Karadjao Festival, Bais City, Surigao del Norte - It is another street dancing pageantry celebrated on September 9. It features ethnic Mamanwa dance in a day-long Mardi Gras celebration;

- the Sipong Festival, Bais City, Negros Oriental - It is a lively celebration on September 7 featuring a colorful parade of choreographed street dancing;

- the Sayaw Lahi Festival, Naujan, Mindoro Oriental - It is an entertainment festival that features all Philippine native dances. In Tagalog, "sayaw" means dance and "lahi" means race;

-  the Hinirugyaw Festival of Cabanatuan, Iloilo - It is a 10-day celebration each year every September 1-10 of the Feast of San Nicolas de Tolentino; 

- the Megayon Festival, Zamboanga del Sur - It is a Thanksgiving festival that showcase not only dances but also native songs and food of the Subanens of Zamboanga; and

- the Talakudong Festival, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat - A different twist to street dancing, it is dancing to make people laugh celebrated on September 18. It is a display of neo-ethnic cultural spectacle meant to exhibit the "talakudong" and being danced to the sound of exotic percussion instruments;

So for dp+ photo challenge 10 for the month of September theme, it is "Ethnic Dance" - the most well executed capture of ethnic dance movements technically and aesthetically paying attention to color, detail, composition and how the actual dance movement is frozen in time.

As customary in all dp+ photo challenges, it should not have any major photo manipulation. To know up to what extent acceptable photo manipulation covers, here is the link to our rules and regulations: http://dpplus.blogspot.com/2012/03/dp-photo-challenge-general-rules-and.html

Criteria are as follows: 
Quality or Technicality - 30%;
Creativity and Originality - 30%;
Theme Adaptation - 20%
Overall Impact - 20%
For details on the criteria definition, please follow this link: http://dpplus.blogspot.com/2012/02/dp-photo-challenge-dp-pick.html

deadlines:

posting of entries:
from September 1 - September 15, 2012
12 midnight - Philippine time

voting or liking of entries:
from September 1 - September 16, 2012
12 midnight - Philippine time

dp+ pick start of judging date:
September 17, 2012

Good luck to all!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

1 year 1 month milestones - the addition of 2 new administrators

"At Last!" -  sample entry for photo challenge 9 photo by Gina Vi

dp+ is 1 year and 1 month as a group on 17 August 2012. Originally a Friendster group in 2007, many developments occurred since Digital Photography Plus' inception as a Facebook group on July 17, 2011. Here are our first year, first month milestones:

1. dp+ group site members - 1,143 members
It should be noted that in the latter half part of dp+ 11 months existence as an Facebook group, most of the addition to the group came from voluntary membership and addition to the group by dp+ members. Only a few became members through invites from dp+.

2. Number of Likes on dp+ official Facebook site - 779 Likes
To all dp+ members - please support our official facebook page through likes found on this link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Digital-Photography-PLUS/242285489128553

3. dp+ site members - 188 members - check out this link: http://dpplus.blogspot.com/2012/05/it-was-dp-9th-month-in-existence-as.html
Edmund Chan

4. HDR department head, Edmund Chan, is now part of the dp+ administration as Content Creator.

5. dp+ photo challenge 9 - with Happiness Captured as theme - awaits dp+ Pick result, and  to be posted is the announcement of dp+ photo challenge 10 theme for the month of September. Here is the official entries album to photo challenge 9:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.366248333447778&type=1

6. A Picbadge site for the group still in operation. This is dp+ official picbadge page: http://www.picbadges.com/digital-photography-plus/2345457/#

7. Continuation of presentation of Certificates of Photography Excellence to the winners of dp+ Popular Votes Pick and the dp+ Pick

8. Continuous issuance of Certificate of Appreciation to the dp+ Pick Panel of Judges

9. New daily photo challenge in the making and to be announced later.

photo of Matthew Matchinsky by Matthew Matchinsky
10. Addition to the dp+ team of  a new co-administrator as Content Creator  - Matthew Matchinsky.

In behalf of all of the administrators, thank you to each and every member who continue to support the group. 

We appreciate your photo sharing and insights, appreciation of other members' works, joining the photo challenges as entrant or as voter or as a judge, and for the simple act of lending strength to the group when and where needed.

Congratulations to all those who won our photo challenges may they be the Popular Votes Pick or the dp+ Pick. Here's hoping for more challenges to overcome and many many more monthsaries and year-long anniversaries to come. Happy shooting to all - cheers!

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Winner of Popular Votes Pick, photo challenge 9, "happiness captured" photo

photo challenge 9 winning entry by Popular Votes Pick
photographer: Karen Sharkey Eaquinta
title: "Tears of Joy, the Birthday Surprise"
camera: Coolpix L20
photo challenge 7 theme: "happiness captured"
number of votes: 65

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

dp+ Pick - top 11 ranking - photo challenge 8 - photographer photo


For our theme "photographer photo", 13 entries made it to the dp+ Pick.  It means 13 entries made it to the judges' top 3 choices. If all 5 judges would each have their own different set of top 3 picks, there would be 15 entries included here instead of 13. It means that only two judges included 2 same entries on their top 3 picks.

Instead of 13 rankings, however, there will only be Top 11 Ranks. 2 entries tied at Top 7 slot both scoring 91/500 each. They are Joanna Lyn Ong and Manuel Yambao Jr. 2 entries also tied at Top 8 rank. They are Rockit Potograpiya and Vhinic Sanctus. Both of them scored 90/500 each.

Only 2 entries got picked twice by 2 judges. The rest of the entries, got picked once only.
Picked twice are entries by Omar Jordan de Guzman and Carlo Paolo Adrillana. Omar Jordan de Guzman scored 168/500. Carlo Paolo Adrillana, on the other hand, got 153/500. The top score won only by 15 points difference.

There were 5 judges as before, 1 is part of the dp+ administration and 4 are select members of the group. Each judge picked their top 3 choices from all the entries and scored them based on 4 criteria which include Quality or the technical aspect of the photo (30%), Creativity and Originality (30%), Theme Adaptation (20%) and Overall Impact or Impression (20%). Each also gave their reasons for their picks. A total of 100% per judge is the perfect score in all categories per entry. Final perfect score is 500 points with 100 point percentage from each of the 5 judges. The one who gets the highest score wins. 

So here are the 13 entries who made it to the dp+ Pick top 11 ranks and their rankings in reverse order from top 11 to top 1:

Top 11 - Entry no. 18 - Lindsay Roberts - "Me in the mirror taking photo of me on the computer with reflection of me in the computer" - Canon 5MDK11 - 60/500
Top 10 -  Entry no. 31 - Beeboo Baxa Daguplo - "Please wait, Mommy" - Canon 500D - 85/500
Top 9 -  Entry no. 35 - Nada Stambuk - "Photographer" - Olympus E-PL 1 - 87/500
Top 8 -  Entry no.8 - Rockit Photograpiya - "Self Strobe" - Pentax KM+SMC DA L - 90/500
Top 8 -  Entry no. 1 - Vhinic Sanctus - "Ali I Voi" - Nikon D7000 - 90/500
Top 7 -  Entry no. 5 - Joanna Lynn Ong - "Scotch Bottle Genie" - Nikon D90 - 91/500
Top 7 -  Entry 13 - Manuel Yambao Jr. - "Double Protection" - Nikon D7K - 91/500
Top 6 -  Entry no. 37 - Aries Aguilar - "Sweet Romance" - Nikon D90 - 93/500
Top 5 -  Entry 2 - Camilo Corpuz - "That's it, girl!" - Nikon D2HS - 94/500
Top 4 -  Entry 38 - Choco Martin - "Another Tiring Day" - Nikon D700 - 95/500
Top 3 -  Entry no. 6 - Allan Valenzona - "Comfort Zone" - CANON EOS 1000D - 96/500
Top 2 -  Entry no. 15 - Carlo Paolo Adrillana - "Poolside Photog" - Nikon D7K - 153/500
Top 1 -  Entry no. 42 - Omar Jordan de Guzman - "My world, I rule" - Nikon D700 - 168/500


Congratulations to all entrants who made it to the dp+ Pick! 



Sunday, August 5, 2012

judges top 3 choices for photo challenge 8 dp+Pick

Judge 1

3rd pick - Entry no. 15 - Carlo Paolo Adrillana - "Poolside Photog" - Nikon D7K
Quality - _20/30
Creativity and Originality - _25/30
Theme Adaptation - _20/20
Overall Impression - _15/20
TOTAL - 70/100
Remark:
Good composition and great use of branch of trees as background.


2nd pick - Entry no. 35 - Nada Stambuk - "Photographer" - Olympus E-PL 1
Quality - 25/30
Creativity and Originality - 25/30
Theme Adaptation - 20/20
Overall Impression - 17/20
TOTAL - 87/100
Remark:
I like this shot - very dramatic. I like the use of birds as subject. I like the photographer, too! Great shot!


1st pick - Entry no.8 - Rockit Photograpiya - "Self Strobe" - Pentax KM+SMC DA L
Quality - 30/30
Creativity and Originality - 20/30
Theme Adaptation - 20/20
Overall Impression - _20/20
TOTAL - 90/100
Remark:
My first pick, I love the wide angle shot - the lighting is perfect! Marvelous job!


Judge 2

3rd Pick - Entry no. 15 - Carlo Paolo Adrillana - "Poolside Photog" - Nikon D7K
Quality - 25/30
Creativity and Originality - 20/30
Theme Adaptation - 20/20
Overall Impression - 18/20
TOTAL - 83/100
Remark: I liked the overall quality of this image. It is composed well and feels balanced. The depth of field is good. Noise is low. Highlights just a bit over exposed. It fits the theme very well - a photographer framing a shot or reflecting on one just taken and appearing to be relaxed in the effort. It is a well thought out photo. Image left me with the feeling that I wanted to be in her place.


2nd Pick - Entry no. 31 - Beeboo Baxa Daguplo - "Please wait, Mommy" - Canon 500D
Quality - 25/30
Creativity and Originality - 22/30
Theme Adaptation - 20/20
Overall Impression - 18/20
TOTAL - 85/100
Remark: Image works well in black and white. Good framing and exposure. I like how the lighting illuminates the child's eyes - and gives me a feeling of seeing the photographer's eyes as she sees through the lens. This image appeals to me on this level as I have a daughter about this age and she is also taking an interest in photography. Perfect photo for the theme. - a photographer in the act of taking a picture.


1st Pick - Entry no. 37 - Aries Aguilar - "Sweet Romance" - Nikon D90
Quality - _28_/30
Creativity and Originality - 25/30
Theme Adaptation - 20/20
Overall Impression - 20/20
TOTAL - _93_/100
Remark: This photo does it for me - excellent composition and exposure, good focus and depth of field. The lighting is on the money. And the image captures a photographer intent on getting the right image for his 'client' - the epitome of the theme. Timing is also right on as it captures the kiss. A splendid image.


Judge 3

3rd pick - Entry no. 18 - Lindsay Roberts - "Me in the mirror taking photo of me on the computer with reflection of me in the computer" - Canon 5MDK11
Quality - 10/30
Creativity and Originality - 30/30 
Theme Adaptation - 10/20 
Overall Impression - 10/20 
TOTAL - 60/100
Remark: Interesting photo with 2 perspectives to suit the theme. Well aligned with creativity and concept in mind.


2nd pick - Entry no. 42 - Omar Jordan de Guzman - "My world" - Nikon D700
Quality - 10/30
Creativity and Originality - 30/30 
Theme Adaptation - 20/20
Overall Impression - 10/20 
TOTAL - 70/100
Remark: In line with the theme, yet I feel there is something missing in this photo. I would prefer if the photographer had used a prime lens to add more bokeh to the background to make it less distracting hence I had to give the quality a 10/30. Creativity & Originality is superb - something new which we do not find in other photos. Bravo!!!


1st pick - Entry no. 1 - Vhinic Sanctus - "Ali I Voi" - Nikon D7000
Quality - 20/30
Creativity and Originality - 30/30
Theme Adaptation - 20/20
Overall Impression - 20/20
TOTAL - 90/100
Remark: It is a photo with a concept which I favour personally.With creativity in mind to capture the audience but yet focusing attention to the theme. Creativity & Originality here requires some praises where composition and timing is of the essence. Job well done you are my top pick! 


Judge 4

3rd pick – Entry no. 5 - Joanna Lynn Ong - "Scotch Bottle Genie" - Nikon D90
Quality - 28/30
Creativity and Originality -28/30
Theme Adaptation - 20/20
Overall Impression - 15/20
TOTAL - 91/100
Remark: Obviously the photographer gave her effort to this kind of shot. It is not a common shot. When I saw this photo I didn’t realize that there was a bottle. Maybe a little adjustment on the aperture of the camera will help to make the bottle more obvious. So that you can see a beautiful genie in the bottle. But it was a great shot!


2nd pick – Entry no. 6 - Allan Valenzona - "Comfort Zone" - CANON EOS 1000D
Quality - 28/30
Creativity and Originality - 30/30
Theme Adaptation – 20/20
Overall Impression - 19/20
TOTAL - 96/100
Remark: 
What captured me most in this shot is the title itself, “Comfort Zone". As a photographer he showed his passion in this picture. In what way did he show it? He revealed himself by exhibiting kitchen utensils and camera artistically in the three objects. 3 in 1, as we say it. In addition, the object formed was a symbol of PEACE…. A ZONE where there is COMFORT, indeed. GREAT JOB!


1st pick – Entry no. 42 - Omar Jordan de Guzman - "My world, I rule" - Nikon D700
Quality - 29/30
Creativity and Originality - 28/30
Theme Adaptation - 20/20
Overall Impression - 18/20
TOTAL - 98/100
Remark: 
This picture showed clearly what the title wants to express…a man/photographer standing on the world. The action of his fist showing he stands for what he is, a PHOTOGRAPHER. Nice shot, good framing. The stripes of the globe continually reflect on the open shelves of the background.


Judge 5

3rd pick - Entry 13 - Manuel Yambao Jr. - "Double Protection" - Nikon D7K
Quality  - 30/30
Creativity and Originality - 26/30
Theme Adaptation - 18/20
Overall Impression - 17/20
TOTAL - 91/100
Remark: Anything to take that shot, even wear mismatched water protection (at least the hat matches the outfit) ;) But humor aside, it follows the theme - it is a photo of a photographer trying to take a photo even in uncooperative weather conditions. Photographers are supposed to be chameleons that blend in on their surroundings - this one appears to be a peacock. ;) This photographer photo is different. Something that leaves a smile to the viewer. It is a simple, crisp, appealing shot.


2nd pick - Entry 2 - Camilo Corpuz - "That's it, girl!" - Nikon D2HS
Quality - 24/30
Creativity and Originality - 30/30
Theme Adaptation - 20/20
Overall Impression - 20/20
TOTAL - 94/100
Remark: What makes this shot different is it shows not just the photographer in action actually taking photos. It also shows how he was able to successfully motivate his subject. Something which I think is an important quality of a good photographer. I like the unconventional way it was taken. The subject takes the most part of the frame while at the same time focusing on the main theme which is the photographer himself. Very apt use of foreground. Great job!


1st pick - Entry 38 - Choco Martin - "Another Tiring Day" - Nikon D700
Quality - 30/30
Creativity and Originality - 30/30
Theme Adaptation - 20/20
Overall Impression - 20/20
DEDUCTION: 5 points (watermark)
TOTAL - 95/100
Remark: An iconic photographer shot! It is different from other photographer photos in a way that it shows that it is a photographer photo without him aiming at a camera to shoot. It's like saying the photographer gets tired, too, shooting, not to mention carrying all those stuff. Apt use of black and white. Even the choice of background and the man's expression contribute to the "tiring" feeling - as if this photographer "had really been to war". Simple but effective. Excellent shot!

To all the entrants to photo challenge 8 who made it to the dp+ Pick - Congratulations! With very little difference in scores, everyone picked are winners!