I prefer the third one, not sure about the sepia,needs straightening slightly and I would adjust the levels and give it some more contrast.
Then sharpen it up a little.
Just my opinion, I think everybody will be going for the duck photos,
although they look ok.
Is there anything unique or noteworthy about the park, that sets it appart from other parks ? If so, might be worth taking some shots that include that - if not, typical park life is the thing to go for - I like the second shot the most from that perspective - good reflection, bold contrast.
The bridge might be stronger with someone crossing it/ looking out in to the park - feeding the ducks perhaps ? :)
I like the bridge too, it shows something specific to the park. You can take duck photos from just about anywhere (where there are ducks) but this particular bridge is only found in this park. Yeah, the duck shots are good too.
Nice shots. My personal favorite is the third one. If you were to show me just those 3 and ask me which would encourage me to visit the park, I'd choose the bridge. Someone else might be different though, we have ducks landing in our pool so that sort of thing doesn't make me want to visit a park.
I want to see what's beyond that bridge, it looks like a really neat place. Then again - I live in Phoenix, we don't have that sort of park around here.
I would suggest trying to lighten it up a bit, it does look a bit gloomy, reminds of something I would see in the Hobbit. It is slightly off to the left, probably a .5 arbitrary rotate CW would fix that up.
Just my $.02, hope it helps. :-)
Good luck with the contest! Make sure to keep us posted.
I was trying to think back to last year and I think the winning shot was a bridal portrait done in the park, I don't remember second place and I won 3rd place with this shot: SMILE
Anyway...here is the bridge reworked a bit it B/W and lightened up a touch as well
I prefer the third one also. I love ducks but the bridge is much more 'thought' provoking. I like both the sepia and the lighter b&w. Good work and nice to look at.
I gotta be different. Not weird, just different. I like the first shot best - excellent saturation.
the white duck..less crop on the bottom (to balance that above the head)will enhance hte reflection (and if you can do more in editing do so). The white feathers are very bright..almost too much so, but they work well with the black water.
the bridge...boring. Perhaps with a young couple in love, or dad and son, or somehting else that says 'this is a fun park to visit'. The first shot does that much better. The sepia shot makes it look dirty and muddy to me. Not some place i wanna go with my family. The b&w version looks very compressed front to back - perhaps it is that way in reality, or a telephoto lens was used.
I really like the bridge as well. It has such a nostalgic quality. I do agree that the bridge blends into the background a bit much, but nonetheless, I like it. My second choice is #1. bestagents said it already..excellent saturation. Good luck no matter which one you choose.
