Atherton & District Amateur Photographic Society

Competition #158 Festive scenes/Christmas lights

For the competition this time I have chosen festive scenes; from the Christmas lights of the high street, shopping centers and store displays to Christmas Markets, garden centers or even you own humble tree of stunning display. Anything festive will do. The closing date will be 12th December.

Happy snapping, Barry

Santa Run

Every year around Christmas, Botanic Road in Churchtown Southport comes alive after dark with the shops staying open, a hog roast & children singing carols. My picture is the window display from the carpet shop.
Margaret
(Mrs Yachtsman 1)

Same subject as Margaret's, mine is the children singing carols, I picked this one for the young lady in the centre.
Eric
Yachtsman1.

Festive by John, on Flickr

See - there really IS a Father Christmas !

A few minutes past the deadline, but here's my picture anyway. Feel free not to include it - entirely my fault it was posted late!

Thanks for all the entries, I will review and award a winner tomorrow.

Regards, Barry

Apologies for the delay in judging this competition.

Janice, Santa Run. I like the vivid colours of the Santa’s which contrast with the wintery back drop of the trees. The Santa’s all look like they are going to have a great day. You have managed to get in a good position for taking a group shot.

Mrs Yachtsman, Carpet shop window. You have managed to keep good focus throughout the image and there are no tell-tale signs of shooting through glass. You have captured the moving snow and kept a DOF throughout. This is the sort of image I would like to see when out and about at this time of year. It is well seen and well captured.
Yachtsman1, carol singers. Capturing a moving group is not easy and you have done well with this. I appreciate it is not easy to take photos of children these days but it would have been nice if at least one of the children were looking in the direction of the camera. You have managed to keep the image sharp which is sometimes difficult when shooting at night.

Johnd83, This is a simple image that signifies the Christmas season; it could almost be used as a Christmas card. You have managed to get the DOF right as the focus drops off as you move back into the picture which helps keep you focused on the main part of the image. The only thing I would change is cloning out the red light reflected in candle in the background. A well-presented image none the less.

Mellbarns, Santa 1. You have captured this image well by managing to keep everything in focus and not one bit of the main feature shows any blown out spots. The Santa in the sleigh looks a cheerful chap.

John, Christmas market. Another shot taken at night that is very well managed to avoid any blown out areas and have captured the colours very well. Having been to these markets a number of times I appreciate how difficult it is the stop long enough to take a shot without either being pushed along with the crowd or some walking into the shot. It would have been nice to see one of the stall holders looking towards the camera.

After much debate, the results are as follows.

3rd Place Mrs Yachtsman,
2nd place Johnd83
1st place Janice.

Thanks for all the entries, Merry Christmas to you all

Wow, thanks Barry. This was indeed a fun day out - The Skipton Santa Run - starting in the local park, through the town and ending back in the park. Some good entries again. Wracking my brains now for a subject - Watch this space -will try and post by the end of the day.

Janice.

Very well done Janice.

but it would have been nice if at least one of the children were looking in the direction of the camera.
Maybe you should have looked a little more closely, the young lady center shot fulfills that criteria.
Eric
Yachtsman1.

Ouch!

I wonder where Janice is, she has the coveted task of setting the next competition! We need a good one for the Christmas holidays.....