Which shots should go in a photo contest??

We have a local photo contest coming up and two of the categories are people and pets. I'm terribly indecisive so please let me know which you think are the best. THANKS!
1.

2.
3.

4.

5.

6.

~Images deleted

 

My favorites are #'s 2 and 5. I like 2 because the background adds on to the subject and 5 because it's primarilly(spelling) black and white and the amber color is a nice touch. *shrugs* Just my oppinion, heh.

 

2 and 6 are my favourites. 2 is simply gorgeous--the colours, the pose . . . and number 6 is cute, but my horse love might make me a tad biased.

 

Here's some critique.

1. Doesn't look sharp to me and the burn't out area on the hair and dark shadows catch the eye...

2. I really like this shot. A great capture. If I have one thing to say, I'd have the subject more off centre and would crop away some of the sky and foreground so that the sun is on the all important third (read about the rule of thirds. (I was going to include an edit but I see you don't want that).

3. The eyes of the boy are not sharp and the image seems to lack contrast.

4. Is underexposed by quite a lot. Focus also is not on the eye. In a portrait the eyes are everything and must really be sharp. the image is not very sharp.

5. Is even more underexposed than the last. Look at the histogram when you shoot or in post processing. Although it kind of looks ok when exposed and sharpened a bit - the image is also pretty soft. I don't find enough interest in the subject. Maybe shooting closer and editing the iris? Not sure.....

6. Doesn't quite work for me. Not a strong enough composition for a competition entry. It's just looks like a snap of two horses. More thought needs to go into portraits of animals, in particular lighting is everything. (see No2 which works well - if recomposed)

Potential there. Keep working on that composition.

Cheers
Jim

 

If you like I can post the edit I made of No2 but I appreciate your views if not. Regards JD

 

I would like to see your edit of #2, thanks!

 

Now I'm not saying this is perfect but it conforms a little more to the rule of thirds. also cropped out the pylon in the background. It focuses more on the subject. I think you had too much sky in (not really adding anything to the composition and a little too much foreground too so I cropped that out.)

Cheers
Jim

 

Wow. I like that a lot. I've tried cropping that picture so many different ways and never seemed to get it in a way that looked good.

 

Read anbout the rule of thirds. It really does make a difference although sometimes rules are there to be broken.

Your horizon line almost splits the image in 2. Setting it higher (along one of the thirds) helps too.

Glad you like it.

I had a look through your gallery. Many could do with a small crop to move the subjects off-centre and would improve them.

 

Definitely love that edit of number two. That's a winner.

 

I have a good understanding of the rule of thirds...just have a hard time cropping some things...I'm very indecisive. Just glad I have everyone here to point me in the right direction when I get flustered

 

Nice series. I love the 2nd shot.