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August contest theme: Center It

Posted by Teresa Hanafin  August 1, 2012 04:13 PM
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With all we have learned about the Rule of Thirds -- and seen how effective it is -- why would you ever center your main subject in a photo? Here's what some of the pros say:

> It's an effective way to draw attention to your subject when there are very few other items in the composition.

> It's can be a good tool for creating a sense of space and size. By centering a subject that is surrounded by smaller (or larger) objects, the size of the subject can be emphasized - like a house in a huge pasture.

> When there is a pattern or symmetry in your subject, centering can emphasize it.

> In portraits of one person, a centered image can be very dramatic.

> You may have no other choice, if foreground or background items force you to center your subject. In those cases, make the most of it.

So let's give it a try. Your photo does NOT have to be taken in August; you can use something from your files if you want.

As usual, one photo per photographer.

Deadline: Midnight Aug. 31.

AUGUST GALLERY AND SUBMISSION FORM

CONTESTS UPDATE: Ken Hoffman, a retired professional portrait photographer, has judged the "Group Portraits" contest, but I'm waiting for Paul Marotta's judging of the "Famous Places" contest first. Those results should be in any day now.

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20 comments so far...
  1. I didn't see a link to submit photos for the August Photo Contest. Are submissions being accepted now? Where can I find the link to submit my photo?

    Thanks!

    Posted by Kimberly Nyce August 7, 12 04:07 PM
  1. Hi Kimberly, I've posted the link to the gallery and submission form. Thanks, and good luck.

    Teresa

    Posted by Teresa Hanafin Author Profile Page August 8, 12 02:34 PM
  1. Great! Thank you, Teresa!

    Posted by Kimberly Nyce August 8, 12 07:01 PM
  1. Is there a problem with the gallery? All I see is "Loading..." indefinitely.

    Posted by Mindy August 13, 12 11:35 AM
  1. Hi Mindy, the entries we've received so far are live now ... just approved them.

    Posted by Teresa Hanafin Author Profile Page August 13, 12 06:33 PM
  1. I've tried submitting the same picture three times now, but the number of submissions has remained at 35 for about a week now. I doubt I'm the only one who has tried to submit during this time. Is there a backlog of submissions to go live? Thanks.

    Posted by Beth August 29, 12 10:24 AM
  1. Hi Beth,

    I just approved the pending photos. Sorry for the delay; I've been working on this:

    http://www.boston.com/community/note_to_bostoncom_users/

    and this:

    http://c3.thevoterguide.org/v/boston12/

    Pretty busy!!!

    Let me know if you see any duplicates among the latest batch of photos. I tried to eliminate the dupes, but may not have caught them all.

    Teresa

    Posted by Teresa Hanafin Author Profile Page August 29, 12 10:36 AM
  1. Thanks so much for your quick response, Teresa! I did not see any duplicate entries but did not see my submission either. Should I try it again? Thanks.

    Posted by Beth August 29, 12 12:14 PM
  1. Yes, Beth, please do.

    Posted by Teresa Hanafin Author Profile Page August 29, 12 12:21 PM
  1. Hi-
    kinda the same issue. About a week and half ago tried to submit photo, about 4/5 days after I submitted more entries were added, but not mine. Tried again a couple days ago, and again, more photos added, but still not mine. Any suggestions?
    thanks!

    Posted by lisa s August 30, 12 11:11 PM
  1. I think the RAW community could use an update on judging.. Maybe throw us a bone and release the group shot results?

    Posted by Ben September 5, 12 01:18 PM
  1. I entered my picture on Friday but do not see it. Can you tell me if there is a backlog of uploads?

    Thank You
    Tracy

    Posted by Tracy Morani September 5, 12 02:21 PM
  1. Just wondering, when will the winners of the August contest be posted/notified? Thank you!

    Posted by Leeanne September 10, 12 12:02 AM
  1. Teresa, any update on Paul Marotta's judging of the "Famous Places" contest?
    If it will take much longer, why not publish the results of the "Group Portraits" contest? Thanks.

    Posted by chuck September 11, 12 03:57 PM
  1. My picture never got posted! I tried to submit multiple times on multiple days

    Posted by Josh September 11, 12 07:20 PM
  1. submitted the same picture twice for August competition and another picture for july but none of my pictures are posted. I am wondering if my pictures did not qualify to be included in the competition?

    Thanks,
    Hank

    Posted by Hengky "hank" susanto September 15, 12 07:24 AM
  1. I uploaded a photo for the August contest as well but have not seen it. Did it not go through? Should I resubmit? Thanks!

    Posted by victoria September 18, 12 08:44 AM
  1. Hank (comment #16) I had the same problem. I noticed the number of pictures was 35 for a long time then mid September it's up to 68 and my photo never got loaded. I stayed away from entering for months in hopes there would be improvement, but not much has changed. It takes a long time for the winner to be announced, photos being accepted after the deadline, or the deadline is extended. Maybe I'm not being accepted either because I'm not a New England photographer, but many photos come from others outside the area. Maybe I'll give it another go in September.

    Posted by Laura September 18, 12 10:36 PM
  1. Hi Therese,
    I still have not seen the photo I posted, "Earnest Tia." If it didn't go through, am I still able to post it now that the August contest is technically over?

    Posted by victoria November 4, 12 12:54 PM
  1. August contest "Center it"...
    Your response for 5 months... "Those results should be in any day now."
    Is anybody in charge of "RAW"???

    Posted by Len Burgess January 29, 13 08:10 PM
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