Well I have the results. There were three divisions: large print, small print and slide.

Bromo boy came 1st in the large print division.

John Howard came 1st in the small print division.

Flinders came 3rd in the slide division.

Unfortunately, Violinist didn't come any place in the large print division.

This was my first competition, and I am very pleased with the results. I'd like to thank all those who assited me on choosing the required photos for entry, and offering their critique. I've learnt much from this and hope to improve on my next lot of work...if you call it work!

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), April 10, 2002

Answers

congrats!

-- Matthew Geddert (geddert@yahoo.com), April 10, 2002.

Kristian, looking at the judges choices I would question their aptitude. I do not know what the other entries were but the two winning shots above are mediocre in the extreme. What is the John Howard pic about? Is it a winner because he is "a famous person"? It is otherwise a poor snap of two people at a function - hardly artistically and technically a notable photograph.

They do seem a similar standard to other club photo displays I have seen - ie marginal at best.

I would have judged your two pictures above the two winners.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), April 10, 2002.

Giles, thankyou very much for the positive and constructive feedback.

I didn't post my shots to show off, but to thank those who helped me and gave feedback initially.

And I never expected you to like my pics anyway.

PS. Do you call yourself PINHEAD at the best of times?

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), April 10, 2002.

Kristian Pleased to see the sax player win a prize,always liked that photo.Ignore Mr P,do not give him a result..that is what he is looking for.Regards Allen

-- Allen Herbert (allen1@btinternet.com), April 10, 2002.

Kristian, I think there's a bit of a misunderstanding here, I think Giles believes that the two winners are not your pictures but someone elses, and that he prefers your pictures (is that right, Giles?). I have to say I don't think much of the Howard snap, but the saxophonist is nice. I also agree with him that the violinist picture is better than the Bromo boy picture. (If I have understood his intent correctly).

I don't see a combative approach from Giles here, so I suspect you're feeling a little defensive and attacking him before really reading what he said. Of course, I could be mistaken.

That's all.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), April 10, 2002.

Kristian, what happened to your pictures you asked the forum to critique? I actually liked them better than the ones that won a prize.

I guess that this is also what Mr. Poilu was referring to. In this context I would like to invite Giles to post some of his work to this forum. Quote: Yes Marc some good points, but this forum has been hijacked lately by every Tom, Dick And Harry posting their family snaps - most of which shouldn't even be in a family album. To add insult to injury they are then complimented profusely on their marvellous work (???). unquote My first name is Eric, but I guess I have three middle names according to Giles' standards.

-- Eric Kragtwijk (e.kragtwijk@hccnet.nl), April 10, 2002.

Yes Marc some good points, but this forum has been hijacked lately by every Tom, Dick And Harry posting their family snaps - most of which shouldn't even be in a family album. To add insult to injury they are then complimented profusely on their marvellous work (???)
you said it, brother...

-- Dexter Legaspi (dalegaspi@hotmail.com), April 10, 2002.

I agree with Giles. Sax & Violinist are fine. The first two, apparent winners, are mediocre. Regardless, congrats, Kristian. It's always tough exposing your work. Nice efforts!

-- Patrick (pg@patrickgarner.com), April 10, 2002.

Thank you Rob.

There seems to be some confusion here and I'm not sure why the attacks are coming in.

From Kristian's wording I understood "Bromo Boy" and "John Howard" were entries by other people and that "Flinders" and "Violinist" were Kristian's entries.

I commented that "Flinders" and "Violinist" should have been placed above the two others. I am not sure why Kristian is taking this as an attack - it is a compliment on his work!

I post under my own name - always - and do not believe in hiding behind other aliases.

Regarding posting my own work, I have done this in the past - presently I have no access to a scanner and in the light of my complaints of this forum being flooded with submissions it would be rather hypocritical of me to do so.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), April 10, 2002.

Kristian:

Very nice work. I noticed that two of your shots were taken with a Nikon F100. Would you tell us more? What Nikon lenses do you prefer? Do you shoot on auto focus? (F100 is autofocus, isn't it?) How much do you use the Nikon for street photography in comparison to the Leica? Is the Nikon faster and easier to use? Thanks and keep up the brilliant work.

Dennis

-- Dennis Couvillion (couvilaw@aol.com), April 10, 2002.

Maybe be Mr P. has got people a bit touchy. The F100,Leica question is interesting as i have both...worthy of a post.

-- Allen Herbert (allen1@btinternet.com), April 10, 2002.

Kristian, congrats, but why didn't u submit NO 2 that u showed us a while ago, the mountain pic?

I think John Howard is just ok. Blinders deserved much better and the Bromo boy was just better than OK.

anyhow, congrats and show us more of your future work.

regards.

-- Travis (teckyy@hotmail.com), April 10, 2002.

i would put the violinist above these 3.

bromo boy: colors are attractive, but when you take that away there not much else.

john howard: i don't understand it's appeal.

flinders: way to "stock-like" for me.

violinist i did like.

-- johnmolloy (ballyscanlon@hotmail.com), April 10, 2002.

Pray tell, who is John Howard?

The photo looks to me like nothing more than a party snapshot. It doesn't say anything and it's not really a good picture of John Howard, whoever he is.

What was it competing against?

-- Keith Davis (leica4ever@yahoo.com), April 11, 2002.

Kristian, are you big enough to issue even a small apology?

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), April 11, 2002.

Giles,does it really matter mate...why not just move on.I really cannot see the point of it all.

-- Allen Herbert (allen1@btinternet.com), April 11, 2002.

Kristian:

Wholeharted congratulations for your success ! !

Sincerely

-Iván

-- Iván Barrientos M (ingenieria@simltda.tie.cl), April 11, 2002.

John Howard is the Prime Minister of Australia.

-- Tim Gee (twg@optushome.com.au), April 11, 2002.

Sorry guys I have been away and couldn't access the forum yesterday.

Giles, I do apologise for my rude comments. I am just a bit edgy lately. I am truely sorry, as I did misinterpret your comment. Actually I do agree that the violinist and flinders pics is better than the winners.

And there were other great shots that should've done better in the comp too.

PS. I am still learning and I have much room for improvement. Support and critique from you all makes it worthwhile to continue posting and seeking advice.

Thanks

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), April 11, 2002.

The other great shots I was referring to were shots by other people, that should've placed in my opinion. Maybe in front of my pics. But I am glad to recieve the recognition, which motivates me to continue on and improve.

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), April 11, 2002.

Well, thanks Kristian. Am I right in thinking all the four shots were yours? And you got two firsts and a second? Regardless of how I judged your shots (and it is *only* my opinion) that is an amazing result - well done.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), April 12, 2002.

Giles, Bromo boy won the large print, and john Howard won the small print. The Flinders came third in the slide division. I entered another portrait and a landscape that didn't place.

I believe that the judging was somewhat strange, and considering that the judges were very well known (can't say who) photographers and authors, it came at a bit of a surprise.

In regards to my experience with Nikon gear I like the following lenses with a Nikon F100/F5 and a FM3a:

AIS 28mm f/2.8 (8-element), AIS 35mm f/1.4, AF 50mm f/1.8, AF 85mm f/1.4 (favourite) and the later AIS 45mm f/2.8P (awsome and has the "supposed" Leica look). I also liked using both the AF 20-35mm and AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D lenses.

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), April 12, 2002.

Dennis, I don't shoot with Nikon anymore. Not because I don't like it but because I made a choice that was financially motivated to owning only one system. I chose the Leica M and never looked back. I'd love my old Nikon F100 and the AF 85mm f/1.4D for when I need quick shots. It was an awesome lens, much better than the old AIS version but a stop in quality behind my new Summicron 90 SAA.

Overall I believe the Leica to win in most street shooting situations over the Nikon, as the camera is small, quite and discreet. Only in some situations would the quick focusing SLR be handy. My photogrpahy has improved by owning the Leica and I intend to keep the momentum going. Just need to get out more and shoot instead of sitting here and talking about taking pics!!! :-)

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), April 12, 2002.

The F100 with a Sigma 28-300(if quality is not a issue)would seem the ideal street machine.In the real world i find it attracts to much attention(looks to pro)The shutter release, while not that noisy ,still again attracts attention.

-- allen1@btinternet.com (allen1@btinternet.com), April 12, 2002.