Photo Contests!

[Paso Matchmaker Extraordinaire]

I was thinking...(scary...I know ) It would be fun to have a costume contest for Halloween.


I am not sure what the prize will be yet...still cooking that up.
You CAN use pix that have been used in previous contests this time, as long as it was NOT a winning photo. Also, you do NOT have to be the photographer,...so you can be IN the pix. :D



Anyway, I wanted to give you all time to be creative and get it going on before the end of October.

So.............

Best overall Horse in Costume, Best overall Human in Costume, Best Horse/Human together and Best Other Pets will be awarded.

But for fun...let have these catagories to choose from.
Humans, Horses,Human/Horses,Other Pets
Scary
Funny
Most Authentic
Most Original



BE CREATIVE

[Paso Matchmaker Extraordinaire]

Our Judge, Rafael Arbelo was kind enough to give us some photography tips for next months competition. Thanks Rafael!


Things judges will be looking for when looking at your prints/images.

Impact
Is there is something about the image that catches the judge's eye as soon as he /she sees it? ...
Does it have an element of excitement?
Critical points can be earned up front if the image has good impact and
"breaks the boredom" for the judges.

Creativity
The goal is to make the judges ask themselves; "How did he / she do that?"
The creativity can be either in the idea (concept), and / or in the image itself.

Correct Composition
A dead-center, static-looking image very seldom will do good with the judges.
Utilize the "rule of thirds" (divide the image with three imaginary horizontal lines and see that the image
does not fall dead center, then divide again with three vertical lines and see that the image does not fall
dead center again. A simple rule but goes a long way in the photography world. The judge's eyes
should be drawn to the "center" of attention, which does not necessarily has to be the center of the photograph.

Good Color Balance
Colors should be realistic and lifelike. Whites should have
details, not blown up, and blacks should have them too. Colors should harmonize, not clash.

Correct lighting / exposure
When photographing outdoors is critical you get the correct lighting / exposure. Here is a
rule of thumb; try to use the morning or the late afternoon light, (almost sunset). In any case
the shadows should be long and as a consequence the sun light will be soft. Times between
11 am to 4 pm should be avoided. If artificial light is used, you have to master that source
to the point that is not noticeable in the image.

Make a statement or tell a story
An image that tells a story or makes a statement is more exciting and interesting than just
a nice picture of a nice looking person / horse / dog / etc ... The image should stir the emotions
and imagination of the judges ... not just your emotions. So, say to yourself; "I know what it means
to me, but will other understand and see the same thing?"

Center of attention
The judge's eyes should naturally be drawn to the center of attention, which is the main subject matter.
Any leading lines should lead to the center of attention without making the judge's eyes jump back and forth
around the photograph.

Watch out for ...
Poorly posed subject matter, (try to present the best side of the subject), cropping too close or too far, too much
"information" in the image, (stuff that has nothing to do with the image, either around or behind the subject) ... A
busy image will get the judges to lose interest very quick.

Good luck ---- Buena Suerte

[pnalley]

May I be the first to post a "Halloween" type photo?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/pnalley1/spider5x7cropped.jpg

This has nothing to do with horses. But it is very "scary'.

I hope you enjoy!