It’s not been an easy process for anyone involved in the process of judging all 373 images. There were a lot of good photos, many of which deserved to win. In the end, a combination of most judges having this image in their top 5, and it being the most compliant with the original guidelines is what won it. But it was close.
Julian’s comment about the photo:
Can you feel the rhythm? A summer’s day in Hamburg, where the seasons change by the hour. Latin American music spreads out over the Elbe, bodies moving with determinate passion, both slow and abrupt – that is Tango Argentino! Not even a raging storm could dissuade lovers from dancing. Off with the shoes, open the umbrellas, continue.
Film – Fomapan 100
You can see the rest of the entires here
For those interested, I thought I’d talk a little it about what gave the image the edge.
First and foremost, its origin as being taken on a 35mm point and shoot camera isn’t too obvious. This was one of the most important measures by which I wanted the winning image to be judged. If someone can take a photo that looks like it was taken on a good camera, but it actually have been taken on a point & shoot that can be bought for a few quid, then in my mind they deserve a good camera.
The image was most questioned as a possible winner was around its busy composition. On face value, there is little about it that is comfortable on the eye, and there are elements such as the bike wheel in the left background that provide slightly jarring distractions. The dancing couple in the foreground also have their backs to the viewer which for one of the judges was a negative.
That being said, what makes the image is its dynamism – something about it feels alive. There is a real sense of the moment too – split second later or earlier and the dancers in the background wouldn’t have been framed so perfectly by the arms of the foreground couple. The low angle adds to the dynamic feel and allows for placing them in a context, context that doesn’t give too much away. There is very little that dates the image.
There are also some very relationships between the various elements within the frame that after looking at it for a little bit of time seem to pull together. The size of the people in the background relative to the tree, the reflections in the wet ground, the diagonals in the umbrella handles, the steps and street light. For me all this adds up to a composition that given time to settle, somehow feels incredibly engaging… and thats even before you start to wonder who these people are and why they are dancing barefoot… …
Anyway, thanks to everyone that entered, thanks to all those who helped me buy the M4 to review then give away, thanks to the judges for helping decide the winner – it’s all bee a lot of fun!
Julian – I hope you enjoy your new camera!
Share this post:
Comments
Des McSweeney on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 04/08/2016
schlem on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 04/08/2016
jeremy north on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 04/08/2016
Ric Capucho on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 04/08/2016
Love the sense of movement, the reflections, and the general fun: they're literally dancing in the rain with an umbrella.
And taken with a very modest point and shoot camera. Imagine what this guy could do with the M4?
Ric
Ľubomír Brindza on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 04/08/2016
Dave on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 04/08/2016
Lee on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 04/08/2016
Stephen on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 05/08/2016
Congrats to Julián...
Enjoy the M4.
Frank Lehnen on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 05/08/2016
Lars on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 05/08/2016
Dan on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 05/08/2016
Eddy on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 05/08/2016
Matthew on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 05/08/2016
David S. de Lis on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 05/08/2016
Comment posted: 05/08/2016
Comment posted: 05/08/2016
Terry B on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 05/08/2016
Dan Castelli on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 05/08/2016
Now Julian, be sure to feed the M4 with lots of good film, exercise it on a regular basis, get it a comfy, warm bag and post some pics!
David on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 05/08/2016
Christos on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 05/08/2016
Boris on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 06/08/2016
Comment posted: 06/08/2016
Danno on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 06/08/2016
I did not participate but I watched and learned from the side lines. This contest motivated me to return to shooting film cameras again. I still enjoy shooting with digital but the whole film and waiting process has made an impact on what I want to get out of my photography.
So a big and sincere "Thank you" to Hamish, the participants and Judges for all the efforts!
Comment posted: 06/08/2016
Charles Higham on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 06/08/2016
Cody Priebe on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 07/08/2016
Ken Hindle-May on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 08/08/2016
Comment posted: 08/08/2016
Ken Hindle-May on And the winner of the M4 is Julián Péter
Comment posted: 08/08/2016