Winner Chosen - October 2009 - Admin's choice - Image of the month

**Marko** · 11-09-2009, 02:51 PM

Hi members,

In case you are new around here this is where the Admin (me) chooses one excellent photo each month from the Show forum, the critique forum and the assignment forum to talk about and suggest why it is good as a learning tool. Just so it's clear, the photo I choose is not necessarily the best one of the month. I've come to realize it's not really logical to pit images from totally different genres against each other. That's why there are categories in photo contests. My goal is to simply choose an excellent photo and talk about why I think it rocks.

I have spent hours going through every single thread from October 2009 from the Show forums, the assignment forums and the critique forum....and it's getting harder and harder to choose one image. It's also taking longer and longer because more members are joining and posting which of course makes me (and other members) happy. Unfortunately (due to time restraints; +4 hours this month)...this will be the last month that I will choose an image from all the forums. From now on, I will be choosing my fave only from the images that other members nominate in the Member's monthly choice forum.

This month's choice Suburbia on Thin Ice is by F8&Bthere

I chose this image for several reasons. First off it's a unique shot that catches your eye immediately. But the main reason I choose this image is for the story. The sign is instrumental in telling this story which shows the beautifully lit houses in the background juxtaposed against the bright orange sign in the foreground. The sign tells you just how fragile (despite the apparent beauty in the houses and their delicate reflections) the suburban lifestyle in the background is. Like ice, it can crack and break instantly. The beauty, safety and serenity of the background is an illusion.

The rest of the elements in this image all support the story. Everything is working for me here. I normally prefer HDR images to be more subdued, but HERE the brightness works to show the off the illusion of suburban tranquility. The colour is very warm and would be slightly too warm in most images. Not here; the warmth supports the theme for me. The composition works for me here and I love that there are interesting things to look in the foreground midground and background. I like how the clouds at the top and the bottom of the image 'protect' or 'cushion' the houses in the middle. I Love the reflections in the water that to me, all support the theme of 'illusion'.

For all these reasons, this is my choice for image of the month.

Since we all have opinions, some members may disagree with my choice. That's cool but THIS thread is not the place for debate over my pick, NOR is it the place to further critique the image. The purpose here is to suggest strong elements in the photo that we may learn from.

Congrats again F8&Bthere for creating this beautiful image!

**JAS_Photo** · 11-09-2009, 02:58 PM

Congrats, F8!

**crystalb** · 11-09-2009, 04:18 PM

Congrats! Great Pic!

**corporallouis** · 11-09-2009, 05:29 PM

What a perfect title. Good PP also. Well deserved.

**kat** · 11-09-2009, 05:48 PM

Well chosen! It's a wonderful photo that caught my eye as soon as I seen it!

**1putts** · 11-09-2009, 06:28 PM

Great choice. Congrats F8!

**AntZ** · 11-09-2009, 06:44 PM

Well done F8. The composition is fantastic.

**Bambi** · 11-09-2009, 07:39 PM

I totally agree with this choice! It's one of my favorite photos!

**F8&Bthere** · 11-09-2009, 08:14 PM

Just clicked my way in here and had to stop and do a double take! I am so thrilled to have an image of mine chosen. Thanks Marko for the recognition and thanks all for your encouraging words and congrats!