Competition #99 - Hardware - VOTE HERE!

[Oldthumbs]

Sorry I'm a little late getting this up. I had to work today and am just able to get to it now, so here we go.

As a reminder - The topic for this comp is "Hardware" - An image of hardware - you know - things like hinges, screws, nails, hooks and eyes, latches, angle irons - the metal things that hold our world together. The items can be pictured in use or alone. The hardware is to be the main part of the image, not, for example, a wide shot of a gate with a latch on it. That's a picture of a gate, not the hardware.

Images are judged on technical merit, whether they are on topic or not, and if they have that certain "zing" that makes people say, "Oh, wow!"

On to the entries, presented in all their full-sized glory -


1) Three Wood




2) The Old Barn Hinges




3) Wedged Wood




4) WW II Hardware




5) From the Hardware Store




6) Grandpa's Nails and Bolts




7) Railroad Hardware




8) Blue Door




9) Elephant Hook




That's it - not too many entries. Check 'em out and vote for one.

Ray

[debsn2paintn]

Gosh another really hard choice here!

[kaleidoscope eyes]

Another week where everyone's on topic
My two cents worth on this weeks entries:

1. Three Wood
A good idea with many interesting shapes, the messy background spoils this one for me - all the little white bits on the table could have been cleared away making for a much cleaner image.

2. The Old Barn Hinges
A strong contender, I like the pov and the lines and textures make this shot. Well done!

3. Wedged Wood
Good subject and title but the over-exposed top right corner is very distracting. I'd like to have seen the wedge surrounded by the logs with no other background.

4. WW11 Hardware
I like the subject here very much but the image seems very harsh. I'd like to have seen the wood at the right cropped off.

5. From the Hardware Store
Technically perfect and full of colour but the composition bothers me, I think perhaps the focal point is too central.

6. Grandpa's Nails and Bolts
Another good idea but the OOF foreground and the OOF nails are too distracting.

7. Railroad Hardware
Another contender, I like the rusty colours and the almost abstract quality. A little too tight a crop; some space on the right would be nice.

8. Blue Door
My third choice, I like the composition and the textures but I'd have liked the colours to pop - this looks a little on the pale side.

9. Elephant Hook
A good simple image but not quite sharp enough on the focal point - the top curl of the hook.

Next two cents worth please......

[Windy]

Wow excellent selection, apologies for not getting into this comp, (one of my fave topics too )
I will come back and do a crit later, but on first glance it is a very impressive group.
Well done everyone.

[damar]

Excellent entries here.
I am so sorry to miss this one too, I have some recent photos photos that would have been right on topic.
(Sunday submittal deadline gets me. I have to just accept submitting by Saturday PM..that's all there is too it)
Nice work everyone..I'll be back to vote later.

[Oldthumbs]

Originally Posted by damar

(Sunday submittal deadline gets me. I have to just accept submitting by Saturday PM..that's all there is too it)

Heck, sometimes I get entries the same day I post the topic, so you don't have to wait until the last minute.

Ray

[Oldthumbs]

Originally Posted by kaleidoscope eyes

1. Three Wood
A good idea with many interesting shapes, the messy background spoils this one for me - all the little white bits on the table could have been cleared away making for a much cleaner image.

Just a quick observation on this point - anyone who has used wood screws knows that they come with the little metallic waste dust included, so I actually found the inclusion of those "little white bits" to be a reflection of reality and a legitimate part of the image. (And no, this is not my image. )

Ray

[Windy]

I agree with Ray on this point. (and no its not my image either )

[Oldthumbs]

The proverbial wrap-up -

First Place - The Old Barn Hinges - Natalie (Dreamin)

Second Place - Blue Door - Ron Biggs

Third Place - Wedged Wood - Angela (Stormluvr)

And then -

WW II Hardware - Maria (bairam) - 2 votes
Railroad Hardware - Mary (mkap.garde) - 2 votes
From the Hardware Store - Sue (moccasin) - 1 vote
Three Wood - Chuck (Windbreaker)
Grandpa's Nails and Bolts - Deb (debsn2paintn)
Elephant Hook - Ray (Oldthumbs)

Thank you all, once again, for your entries, votes and comments.

Ray

[debsn2paintn]

Congrats Natalie!

Congrats to Ron and Angelia too! And everyone else that entered!

[Windbreaker]

Good show Natalie, Ron and Angelia!

I never thought of using leather for washers on nails.

[Dreamin]

Wow! I am honored that you all voted for me. Thanks!
Congrats! Ron and Angela, and I want to thank all those who participated! Good show!

These hinges have been there like forever, and that leather is still there!! I don't know why they used it, but apparently it works!!

[Windy]

Well done winners and grinners! A very nice selection!