If you had the choice of entering just one of THOUSANDS of lighthouse photos that you have taken over the years into a contest, how would you pick? Season? Weather (sunset or sunrise, storm, etc)? Location? A light that might be less popular? What would factor your decision?

I think I would have to look at which one was the picture that most jumped up and caught your attention. I would think this would tend to be one that featured a colorful sun rise/set or some spectacular weather event. Now, of course, things could be complicated when you factor in the "normal" shots where you happened to catch something very special or unique, such as a reflection in the water.

It's tough often times we're inclined to pick out favorite shots which in reality are seldom representation of our best work. I'd survey people first before submitting for a contest.

Jen...I tend to agree that it doesn't matter which lighthouse it is but rather the composition of the photo. I like seeing detail that makes you want to stop and look whether it's sunlight, clouds, flowers, fall leaves, crashing waves, etc.

Jen, I tend to agree with Lorie, I think if something different, unusual or otherwise unoticed is captured in a unique and different light/angle/etc it can take a plain lighthouse and make it shine...no pun intended.

It is called stopping power in photo contests... it doesn't always have to be something bright or even colorful.. It just has to have that special something that makes the judge come to a stop when they walk past it..

I remember one from 911 that was 95% gray but the subject and the emotion of the subject made you look at it and feel a part of it..

Have 5 or 6 of your friends (one at a time) walk by 10 or 20 prints set up on chairs with the same light falling on all of prints... Put a card with a number or letter in front of each print and give them 2 or 3 minutes to walk by all of them and write down their favorite 2 or 3... You want them to do it walking by only one time no back tracking... Judges are people too!!

Jen,

It’s not the lighthouse itself so much as the uniqueness surrounding the lighthouse. The time of day, the weather conditions, the water near the base, the vegetation surrounding the lighthouse – all of these together make for a stunning photograph as opposed to a point-and-shoot picture.

I take pictures. You create works of art. I totally agree with the posts that Kat and Lorie provided.

Bob

I think that a great image creates a feeling within the viewer that lasts long after they have viewed the image. It is like the image touches a chord deep within. Composition plus the "story" within the image are very important. I agree that a good term would be Stopping Power (as Paul has put it).

Ron
(CT Keeper)

That's a tough question. Only one? Well, the sky is important to me. A white lighthouse against a blue sky will certainly look better than puffy white clouds. Angle is another factor. I took one of Ponce Inlet from the bottom base of the lighthouse and the lighthouse looks even taller than it is. Of course who knows what the judges are looking for. I have picture of the stairs and an open window at Hillsboro from the inside view that I like very much, but would the judges? I also have a picture of a chimney of a keepers house, the walls and roof are all gone. If I could only enter one it would most likely be a total view of the lighthouse at an angle most people don't take.