It was tough judging dp+ photo challenge 3 - sweet Valentines theme. As varied as the entry submissions are the judges who have different photography field of expertise. It is for this reason that no consensus was arrived at and dp+ admin had to decide on a consensus. Since most of the works were done technically well, what most of the judges centered on were creativity and originality, and more importantly the right interpretation of the theme. There were 5 judges and as our usual procedure, only their scores and remarks would appear not actually naming who picked who for impartiality. Here are their scores and remarks on why they chose an entry to be included in their top 3 picks:
Judge 1
3rd pick - entry 2 - Glenn S. Buenaventura - "Circle of Love" - Canon 7D
Quality - 23/30
Creativity and Originality - 25/30
Theme Adaptation -23 /20
Overall Impression - 15/20
TOTAL - 86/100
Remark: I like the idea of how he played with the shadow of the round ring turning it to a heart-shaped shadow over the yellow paper.
2nd pick - entry 34 - Macky Sevilla - "You, me and that sunset" - Panasonic Lumix LX5
Quality - 27/30
Creativity and Originality - 27/30
Theme Adaptation - 17/20
Overall Impression - 17/20
TOTAL - 88/100
Remark: Is it gummy bears? Anyway this photo really gives the theme concept - sweet. Thumbs up, too, for the setting - the sunset view, and the composition.
1st pick - entry 40 - Happy Blue - "Buds of Love" - Nikon D5100
Quality - 28/30
Creativity and Originality - 27/30
Theme Adaptation - 19/20
Overall Impression - 19/20
TOTAL - 93/100
Remark: I don't know what to say but WOW this photo really amazes me the simple idea and the little effort put into it and the way the photo was taken really puts this to my top spot. Very original, very neat, very touching, very simple - it is the one I've been looking for.
Judge 2
3rd pick -Entry 7 - Dennis Fabros - "Everlasting Vow" - Nikon D70
Quality - 20/30
Creativity and Originality - 20/30
Theme Adaptation - 20/20
Overall Impression - 15/20
TOTAL - 75/100
Remark: Nice silhouette shot, good composition. It, however, would be better if there are some properly exposed areas, and if the image was captured more sharply to be more appealing. Overall the image is good and true to the theme.
2nd pick -Entry 14 - Sallie Tumlison - "I love you, Bubba!" - Nikon 7000
Quality - 20/30
Creativity and Originality - 30/30
Theme Adaptation - 20/20
Overall Impression - 15/20
TOTAL - 85/100
Remark: Love the emotion and innocence of these lovely kids.Simple but very, very effective. It's like one of those "Kodak " moments shots.
1st pick - Entry 42 - Gilbert de Vera - "A tryst in Boracay" - Canon 50D
Quality - 25/30
Creativity and Originality - 25/30
Theme Adaptation - 20/20
Overall Impression - 2020
TOTAL - 90/100
Remark: Great photo, nice use of depth. Everything is nice especially how the background supported the foreground. Good blending. Love the mood.
Judge 3
3rd pick - entry 34 - Macky Sevilla - "You, me and that sunset" - Panasonic Lumix LX5
Quality - 27/30
Creativity and Originality - 27/30
Theme Adaptation - 17/20
Overall Impression - 16/20
TOTAL - 87/100
Remark: Great perspective, nice angle.
2nd pick - entry 44 - Aries Aguilar - ''Come Full Circle'' - Nikon D90
Quality - 28/30
Creativity and Originality - 25/30
Theme Adaptation - 18/20
Overall Impression - 17/20
Remark: Very artistic, it's like a scene from a movie, full of emotions.
1st pick - entry 9 - Lennox Tpc - "They do celebrate Valentines" - Fuji Film Finepix S200 EXR
Quality - 29/30
Creativity and Originality - 29/30
Theme Adaptation - 18/20
Overall Impression - 18/20
Remark: When I saw this picture it put a smile to my face. The timing was perfect because it's very difficult to capture a moment like this. Very unique, too.
Judge no. 4
3rd pick - entry 36 - Nada Stambuk - "Symbol Of Love" - Olympus Pen ELP
Quality - 26 /30
Creativity and Originality - 20/30
Theme Adaptation - 15/20
Overall Impression - 15/20
TOTAL - 76/100
Remark: I love the colors in this image. Which I would guess were enhanced with photoshop. That's ok if it was. The composition was excellent and the exposure was excellent, too. It was pretty close to the theme mentioned in the title. The reason this is the third place pick (although it doesnt seem fair) is because this is an example of a good photo just happening, and not the way our creed is "making good pictures happen". This photographer was lucky enough to have those geese there in the water. So the creativity suffered because of that. Still a beautiful shot though. Nice job.
2nd pick - entry 45 - Lourdes Inosanto - "Broken Vow" - Nikon D5000
Quality - 23/30
Creativity and Originality - 28/30
Theme Adaptation - 15/20
Overall Impression - 16/20
TOTAL - 82/100
Remark: When I first looked at this image it really impressed me the way it was lit and the way it was set up and composed. The theme of the picture Broken Vow sadly is true a lot of times, but it is a little too much on the gloomy side of Valentines Day. The creativity was awesome in this picture. Good photographers draw in their life experiences to express themselves. So the photographer must have had some experience with this subject, otherwise, I don't think that it would have had the intensity, power and feeling that this image creates. Great Job!
1st pick - entry 25 - Joey Yepez - "Can't say it" - Nikon D300
Quality - 28/30
Creativity and Originality - 28/30
Theme Adaptation - 18/20
Overall Impression - 18/20
TOTAL - 92/100
Remark: When I first looked at this photograph the thing that captured my attention the most was the colors. The camel color background with the red heart on a white plate was an excellent combination, and they all blended well together. The composition was almost perfect. The exposure also impressed me. As someone who has done some product photography, I know how difficult it is. The only different thing I would have done would be to get some highlights on the silverware. It looks kind of flat to me. But overall impression was great, and stayed true to the theme. I scored this photo very high because of the use of colors, and the difficullty in shooting an image like this. FANTASTIC JOB!
Other observation from Judge no. 3:
Over all this was a very difficult contest to judge because there were so many great images here. I would like to call out some honorable mentions.
entry 9 - "They do Celebrate Valentine's Too" by Lennox Tpc (Fuji Film Finepix S200 EXR)
Great capture, but then this again is a good picture that just happened. The photographer came across these two insects. The other thing is that with the spirit of Valentine's Day the one insect eating the other kind of kills the romantic part. hahahaha... but overall a good image.
entry 27 "Sweet Surprise" by Jecris Nocon (Nikon D3100)
Overall this is a wonderful shot, and well thought out. The use of natural light was really good, and almost made it to my selection of 3rd place. The only thing that kept it from becoming 3rd place or close to the 1st place is the Rose behind the image and its horizontal position. It kind of throws off the balance of the image as a whole. There is always a fine line between a good photograph and a great photograph.
So all in all, congrats and respect to all the participants. You guys made my job of judging this very hard. Again great job everyone!!
Judge 5
3nd pick - entry 45 - Lourdes Inosanto - "Broken Vow" - Nikon D5000
Quality - 24/30
Creativity and Originality - 28/30
Theme Adaptation - 16/20
Overall Impression - 15/20
TOTAL - 83/100
Remark: Very original and very creative. It's like saying that all is not sweet in a sweet Valentine. A treat after being delectably enticed with all the sweetness, and cliche portrayal of Valentines - a powerful and touching image that speaks volume.
2nd pick - entry 40 - Happy Blue - "Buds of Love" - Nikon D5100
Quality - 26/30
Creativity and Originality - 29/30
Theme Adaptation - 20/20
Overall Impression - 18/20
TOTAL - 93/100
Remark: It is so not cliche and so not like the usual portrayal of a Valentine symbol, and yet it IS a Valentine symbol. A great reminder that sometimes you don't need much to make good pictures happen. It is a simple and yet effective visual of a love that is true and pure and therefore, SWEET. Had it been more polished, with its title and all, it would have been on top of my list - could have been a perfect symbol of a sweet Valentine.
1st pick - entry 9 - Lennox Tpc - "They do celebrate Valentines" - Fuji Film Finepix S200 EXR
Quality - 28/30
Creativity and Originality - 28/30
Theme Adaptation - 19/20
Overall Impression - 19/20
Remark: Kudos for being in the right place at the right time when nature chose to make its union in the shape of a heart which is a symbol of Valentines, too, although not as sweet. For lack of other more eligible entry puts this on top of my list. A quite unusual Valentine and great capture!
