AOL Community Photo Challenge - March into Spring {Advanced}

ADVANCED CATEGORY - MARCH INTO SPRING

(Deadline: The evening of Friday, March 7th)

This week's challenge is MARCH INTO SPRING...Is spring popping up in your neighborhood? Daffodils and crocuses popping up through the snow? However spring is arriving (or did in the past, if you're still snowbound), share it with us!

Please follow the posted Guidelines. If you have any questions, please email me (Vicki - CmishVicki). Marie is on vacation (or will be soon!) and may not be able to get back to you with any answers.

As always, there are 2 categories. Pick the one you feel you belong in. Post your photo on your blog. Then, come back here and leave your permalink in the comment area. Be sure to leave the link to your entry, not your entire blog...and be sure to post in the correct category.

Again, as always, winners from the last challenge will judge the beginner category.

Tags: blogplugs, photography, challenge, spring, March

AOL Community Photo Challenge - March into Spring {Beginner}

BEGINNER CATEGORY - MARCH INTO SPRING

(Deadline: The evening of Friday, March 7th)

This week's challenge is MARCH INTO SPRING...Is spring popping up in your neighborhood? Daffodils and crocuses popping up through the snow? However spring is arriving (or did in the past, if you're still snowbound), share it with us!

Please follow the posted Guidelines. If you have any questions, please email me (Vicki - CmishVicki). Marie is on vacation (or will be soon!) and may not be able to get back to you with any answers.

As always, there are 2 categories. Pick the one you feel you belong in. Post your photo on your blog. Then, come back here and leave your permalink in the comment area. Be sure to leave the link to your entry, not your entire blog...and be sure to post in the correct category.

Again, as always, winners from the last challenge will judge the beginner category.

Tags: blogplugs, photography, challenge, spring, March

Creative Challenge EXTRA•Photo Animation

Creative Challenge EXTRA•Photo Animation



Creative Challenge EXTRA is going to be different this time...Ü
Notice the grin?????????

You will  have a month to work on it because it will take time.  You WILL NOT post yet.  I will post again, in a month for all entries....
Ü


You will need a photo editing program, such as Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Picasa(is free, Google it), PSP.......whatever you have.
For some of you this could be any easy thing to do....but I don't want to make it too easy....Ü
I want this to be an exploring new horizons project.
So pick a photo, find ANOTHER effect or technique you would like to learn.  Try it, learn it & do it.  Once you have the final project done, make a tutorial on it & explain step by step how you were able to do this.  Provide as much info on it as you can so if someone would like to try it, they can....This is also a sharing project...Ü

Cause....Sharing is caring.....Ü

My project is Photo Animation using Photoshop/ImageReady
Here is the video I found & used for my entry.
click here for video-Photographs & Memories


REMEMBER**** DO NOT POST ON HERE YET
I will do another entry in about a month, where you will post your entries. This should give you plenty of time to learn something NEW & either create a tutorial or find a video for it. 

Tags: Challenge, creative, blogplugs, tutorials, photo animation, exploring

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"Prize-winning Photographs"

In photography we are all beginners....all looking to expand of abilities.
When people want to know how to improve their photography, I suggest viewing other photographer's work & ask yourself why do you like that image....what is so appealing about it.

I have sent some participants their personal scores & comments about their image from the advanced judges.


Here are my suggestions....view each entry & analyze each photo & score them with our 9 point system(suggested by Rob).  You will begin to see what we are looking for in an image & why Betty keeps winning.  Ü

    

Betty has been shooting for the past 3 years(longer, I am sure)....she always asks questions, looks to other photographers for advice, and belongs to critique groups online. 
You need to also look at her photos from the beginning of her journal.  Click Here: Check out "Someday My Garden Will Bloom" and they have...Ü
You will see how her photos have progressively improved over the years.  She has become an outstanding photographer.

A small imperfection in a photo could loose points, in my case, I received Honorable Mention, missed placement b/c my matte was too small.  An 8 X10 photo in a 11X14 frame. 

Again,
Keep in mind when shooting or selecting a photo for the challenge;
1. The theme of this challenge
2. Presentation
3. ***Composition ***
4. Interest
5. Quality


Check out
4 Rules of Composition for Landscape Photography

 also
Photo composition rules


Tags: Prize winning Photographs, blogplugs

WINTER BLUES-BEGINNERS winner

We had 5 out of 6 judges vote this time & out of the 5 everyone picked different favorites.  Because the votes were so scattered, in our next challenge, our (winner) judges will have to use the 9 point system.  It will make it much easier.  Follow THE GUIDELINE FOR JUDGES

We have only one winner in the Beginners Category. 

First Place goes to Julie from My Photo Journey



Congratulations to all the winners....& thank you to all the judges!!

Our Judges for next Beginner's challenge are Betty, Greg, Kat & Julie.  All four can compete in the advanced category only.

Tags: winners, winter challenge, blogplugs

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Important Ü

ADVANCED Group ONLY
If anyone wants their scores & comments on their challenge entries, e-mail me & I will send your private critique.  Rob has kindly wrote a few words about each image along with the scores.  Even Vicki has expressed her thoughts about each image entered.  As for me I just scored each photo, so if you would like your scores, drop me an e-mail, I will send you your scores.

Next Challenge will be totally run by Vicki .....Rob will assist in the ADVANCED group judging, again.  On March 6, I will be leaving for Italy.  My first trip EVER!  Been trying not to get nervous about it, but I am excited....VEEEEEEERY!  So, as long as nothing happens, like sickness or anything.......I will be gone from March 6th & return on the 15th. 
I wasn't going to bring a computer, but I can, I guess, not sure if it's necessary, I don't know if I can get Internet access everywhere, anyway....I am not a traveler...Ü  I just don't know these things.

WINTER BLUES-ADVANCED winners

We have 3 winners in the Advance category.  I am still waiting for the judges to submit their choices for the Beginners.

FIRST PLACE-Betty from My Day My Interests



Rob said this about Betty's image
" well-composed, nicely cropped, beautiful color, tack sharp"


Greg & Kat tied for second place

Greg from Phototrek



Kat from In My Dreams I can Fly

Tags: WinterBlues challenge, winners, blogplugs

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An Important Addition to the Basic Guidelines

This is just a short entry to let all our photographers know that there's an important update to the "Basic Guidelines" document:

--IMPORTANT--PLEASE READ!!!!! All entrants into the challenge grant permission to the Challenge owners to post their images in the event they win. No further permissions will be requested and the ONLY use of the images will be to display them in the "winner's circle."

This means that, by entering a challenge and placing a link to your image, you are automatically granting us permission to use your image in the event you win. If you do not want us to post your image, please don't enter the challenge. Email me (CmishVicki) and/or Marie (MarieBM56) if you have any questions...

Creative Challenge-Collage

Another Creative Challenge-COLLAGE

The Self Portrait Challenge seemed fun & successful, so I wanted to add another this
 week.  Again, you can enter anytime you want. 

The collage can be of anything...you decide, post it on your blog, come back here &
 leave a link. You can add a little explanation on what you did & why.   PLEASE
 follow GUIDELINES (use permalinks).  Like the last creative challenge, there will
 be no judging.

This one starts today....enjoy~

Example of collages...you can do Sports
or anything like scrapbooking..check out Donna's graphics some of her posts are collages.
I will try to find some tutorials & post on my old UK Blog

If you don't have an Editing program , like Photoshop & Elements, you can download Picasa(free program from Google)....My old UK journal has 2 videos on there.
Check it out
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariebm56/PhotographsMemoriestoo/entries/2008/02/23/picasa/2518

Tags: collage, creative challenge, blogplugs

Guidelines for Judges

Guidelines for Judging

ALL  winners  in the previous challenge will judge the next challenge.

We use  a Nine Point System:

1-3 for impact
1-3 for technique
1-3 for composition
9 = Excellent;  8 = Very Good;  7 = Good;  6 = Fair;  5 = Nice Try.

It helps to decide which ones score the highest & deserve recognition.

The judges do not need to use this system.
But they do need to select their first choice & second choice, as follows

1st CHOICE-Name, Screen name, Blog name
                 & link/url address.
2nd CHOICE-Name, Screen name, Blog name
                  & link/url address
 3rd CHOICE-Name, Screen name, Blog name
                  & link/url adress
 (3rd choice will help with any ties)

Then e-mail their choices to me, Marie and Vicki on Saturday.

AOL Community Photo Challenge-Winter Blues[Advanced]

ADVANCED CATEGORY-Winter Blues

This week's challenge is WINTER BLUES.....Could be a winter scene, something that shows YOUR WINTER in YOUR TOWN.....or something blue for those who do not really have a winter.  Use your imagination for this week's challenge if you don't have any snow.

PLEASE follow Guidelines, if you have any questions, e-mail both Vicki & myself.
Posting entries start today & ends next Friday the 22nd. 

Again, there are 2 categories, so pick the one you feel comfortable submitting in.  Post your photo on your blog, come back here & leave your permalink in the comment area.  Please only leave a link to your entry.
Those winners from last weeks challenge will judge the beginners category. 

Tags: Winter Blues, blogplugs, photography, challenge

AOL Community Photo Challenge-Winter Blues[Beginners]

BEGINNERS CATEGORY-Winter Blues

This week's challenge is WINTER BLUES.....Could be a winter scene, something that shows YOUR WINTER in YOUR TOWN.....or something blue for those who do not really have a winter.  Use your imagination for this week's challenge if you don't have any snow.

PLEASE follow Guidelines, if you have any questions, e-mail both Vicki & myself.
Posting entries start today & ends next Friday the 22nd. 

Again, there are 2 categories, so pick the one you feel comfortable submitting in.  Post your photo on your blog, come back here & leave your permalink in the comment area.  Please only leave a link to your entry.
Those winners from last weeks challenge will judge the beginners category. 

Tags: Winter Blues, blogplugs, photography, challenge

Extra CHALLENGE-Self Portrait

Extra CHALLENGE in addition to Friday's challenge

This challenge starts today & can be posted all this week thru the weekend.  No rules, anything goes.  Must  be a self portrait : a portrait of oneself done by oneself
You can use Photoshop or any editing program, be creative....
Have fun & show your true self...Ü
Leave only a link to your entry here in the comment area.

Only one category on this challenge.
There will be no judging.

So get your tripods out & use your timer.....& say CHEEEEEEEEEEESE!
(or just stick your arm out, aim it your way & snap...Ü)

Tags: self portrait, challenge, blogplugs, photography

Winners for the Beginners Challenge-LOVE

Here are the winners for the Beginners Challenge.

We have ONE First Place Winner & that goes to..........

Nancy From Nancyluvspix




We have THREE Second Place Winners...

Kathy from-Unedited ME



Nancy- From -My Life & Loving it



Chrissie from-Just for Fun



Congratulations to all our winners!!!
Thank you to our judges.....Sue, Martha, Monica, Betty & Chelle!
Great Job~

Tags: community photo challenge, love, winners, beginners, blogplugs

Winners for the Advanced Challenge-LOVE

We have a tie in the Advanced Challenge-LOVE
This week there are only 2 winners & both are 1st Place. 

Monica from
Midnight-conversations



Sam from
Dock Lines



Congratulations to our winners!!!

Thank you to our judges, Vicki & Rob, who gave their time to view all the entries,
 scored & commented on each.  If anyone would like an individual email on their
 scores, just let me know.

Thank you to all who participated, we hope to keep this fun & that everyone is
 enjoying these challenges.  We are always looking for feedback, so you can e-mail
 anyone of us.

Tags: Winners, Advanced challenge, Love, blogplugs

Photoshop & Elements Tutorials

I decided to also include my old UK Journal.  I've been posting a few Photoshop & now, Photoshop Elements video tutorials on my old journal.  These are a few videos I've found that I wanted to share with a few fellow JLanders who are new to Photoshop & Elements.
Click on Photographs & Memories

Tags: photoshop, photoshop elements, tutorials, videos, blogplugs

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Tips & Tricks

Another great website for photography tutorials is found right here within
 our own AOL Journals.  Greg from Photo Trek started his own Tips & Tricks journal.

The tutorials found here are intended to not only help you out with your
 photography, but also give a greater understanding of what goes into creating a
 photograph. ~Greg

So check it out, if you haven't already~
http://journals.aol.com/radar446/tnt/

Tags: Tips & Tricks, tutorials, photography, blogplugs

Photo Tips & Tutorials

Clyde from oldetownephotos has posted Photo Tips & Tutorials on his blog. Check it
 out......  I am posting the link on our sidebar, also.
http://www.slrtoday.com/categories/Photo-Tips-%26-Tutorials/

Tags: Photo tips & tutorials, blogplugs

ADVANCED- AOL Community Photo Challenge-LOVE

AOL Community Challenge-LOVE

With Valentine's day upon us this month, our next challenge was suggested by Betty.
Of course, this can be of anything that represents love.  There are many forms of love, so this should be an easy challenge. 
Love is all around us......so find it, capture it, or just use a photo from the past, that says it!

*REMEMBER that you may enter as many photos on one entry, but the first photo(the top photo) will be the one judged.

Please follow the guidelines.

Deadline is Friday Feb. 8th.

Remember to visit all the entries & try to leave a comment. 

ALL WINNERS FROM THE LAST CHALLENGE WILL BE JUDGING THE "BEGINNERS" CATEGORY.

Judges are

Betty from My Day My Interests
Monica from Midnight Conversations.

Michelle from Reflections
Martha from Perceptions
Sue from  Southern Ca Desert and More.....

These judges can also enter in this challenge, but must post in the Advanced category.

*ADVANCED* enter here

Tags: blogplugs, Photography, Photo Challenge, love

BEGINNERS-AOL Community Photo Challenge- LOVE

AOL Community Challenge-LOVE

With Valentine's day upon us this month, our next challenge was suggested by Betty.
Of course, this can be of anything that represents love.  There are many forms of love, so this should be an easy challenge. 
Love is all around us......so find it, capture it, or just use a photo from the past, that says it!


*REMEMBER that you may enter as many photos on one entry, but the first photo(the top photo) will be the one judged.

Please follow the guidelines.

Deadline is Friday Feb. 8th.

Remember to visit all the entries & try to leave a comment. 

ALL WINNERS FROM THE LAST CHALLENGE WILL BE JUDGING THE "BEGINNERS" CATEGORY.

Judges are

Betty from My Day My Interests
Monica from Midnight Conversations.

Michelle from Reflections
Martha from Perceptions
Sue from  Southern Ca Desert and More.....

These judges can also enter in this challenge, but must post in the Advanced category.


*BEGINNERS* enter here

Tags: blogplugs, Photography, Photo Challenge, love