That's a good point Dave.
Yeah, I was thinking that when I first took it. But if anyone had questioned me, I can send them the original, as I still have it on GT5.
Thanks mate!
Having looked at the poll entries again, my theory above is blown out of the water - there's several random tarmac shots that did get through...
In fact, I'm confused and a little put off by this poll selection. I'm not especially concerned that mine didn't get in - mine wasn't a particularly strong shot. But I'm surprised at some that did.
Of course the poll choices are entirely subjective and by definition can't be absolutely right or wrong, but I'd be interested to hear some of the judge's thought processes for his/her choices.
The theme was "Simply take your favorite car around "Special stage route X" and find your best spot for a nice shot." Take Photos 1 and 16 (the V12 Aston and the LFA/Aventador race). Were it not for the theme I would struggle to identify this as Route X. Does this therefore not match the theme? The best spot is a bit of blank tarmac?
Many of the others in the Poll are, in my opinion, of average quality, whereas some stunners were submitted but didn't get through: f1_stig's was clever and fun; Badger-X's was very pleasing and shows the real beauty of this sweeping track; the lighting was gorgeous in jonjwlee's Enzo shot; Sprags' beemer was beautifully composed and I loved the warm colours.
That said, some excellent pics got through too. I struggled to place my vote between the beautifully lit beatle, wonderfully detailed XJR9 shot and the brave Viper image.
Again, I know it's subjective and therefore my opinion matters not, but I wonder if it would be worthwhile if, in future, beside each poll entry the judge put a few words to justify his choice, e.g "brave and interesting shot; love the theme of white lines and the strong use of perspective" (e.g. for the Viper in shot 24).
I mean this post constructively and I hope people will appreciate that no offence is meant to anyone, judge or entrants. I also hope that this can be discussed without descending into a flame war. Part of the beauty of the Photomode is that we all develop as photographers.