Mystery Reviewer Critiques

I very much enjoyed looking through the entries and being reminded what a fabulously lucky country we live in, with such a beautiful diversity of these birds. More to the point, the efforts of those entering this competition show that there is some great talent in BLP's ranks. As well as a good variety of species, there was a nice selection of subject treatment from simple and effective portraits to activity shots. There was also a nice selection of compositional treatments. As you will see from my comments, I especially like shots that show birds in their habitat. For me they tell more of a story about the bird and can create great connection and understanding. That's not to say I don't like close portraits but for this competition, I felt none of the submissions in that space were strong enough for an award.

As I reflect upon the entries submitted to this competition, it is crucial to acknowledge the impact that visual storytelling holds within the realm of art and expression.Each photograph has the power to evoke emotions, convey narratives, and leave an indelible imprint on the viewer's mind.

It is important to recognise the essence of the “impact” of an image and the undeniable presence of the "wow" factor that distinguishes exceptional photography from the ordinary.

One of the criteria for selecting a winning photograph extends beyond the technical aspects and composition. While we undoubtedly appreciate technical excellence, we recognise that a winning photo must possess something more—an extraordinary, intangible quality that leaves an indelible mark on the viewer's mind and heart. I call it "impact" and the "wow" factor.

The impact of an image is its ability to communicate, evoke emotions, and provoke thought. It goes beyond the frame, reaching deep into the observer's consciousness, leaving a lasting impression. The "wow" factor, on the other hand, is that electrifying spark that elevates a photograph from the ordinary to the extraordinary. It is the moment when a viewer is compelled to pause, reflect, or simply exclaim, “Wow!”

I feel privileged to have been invited to be the Mystery Reviewer for the Birdlife photography Advanced Category Yellow Mellow competition and it is indeed an honour to be judging 111 submissions .

Naturally an image from an advanced category photographer is expected to be of high quality with technical aspects , aesthetic or creative aspect and impact on the viewer.

About 85% of all the 111 images from my calculation are ‘portrait style‘,  ‘bird on stick or ground‘ and ‘static’. Remainder are showing some action.

Some of the images submitted had obvious faults. Some had obvious digital noise .

Some had the bird facing away from the viewer. Some had considerable distractions on the back ground .

Knowing these images are from advanced category I emphasised on looking at technical merit, creativity and impact on the viewer to choose the winning images according to my personal taste.

With the popularity and ease of accessibility to mirrorless cameras, the art of photographing birds has been made somewhat easier, an in particular when one considers the impact of ‘eye detect’ technology and its ability in enabling the photographer to quickly focus on the bird. Nevertheless, a ‘good eye’, thought, effort, and a journey is still required to land that ‘special’ shot. The task of sifting through more than 120 images where much of the above factors have played a role is a difficult one, and in particular where the quality of images is very high.

My process for judging commenced with reviewing all submitted images three times, and in a few instances a few more times. I then shortlisted the top dozen  images, and again reviewed those images a few times each, focusing on elements such as composition, sharpness, eye contact, exposure and depth of field before ending up with the final selection. Other considerations were given to processing, and in particular processing elements such as cropping, noise reduction, shadows and highlights.

It was so encouraging to see 75 submissions, some so very good and showing a few photographers are ready for a higher level.  It was also a test to narrow this great field.  For those new to birds and/or photography, a few general guidelines to improve bird images.