CLOSED: POLL: The Photomode Tournament - Semi-Final

[Nicknamealguem]

Semi-final round of Season 05 of The Photomode Tournament. Make sure you understand the theme requirements of your match.
You can see each dashboard update by clicking in either: PMC or 2.0

PMC
[Click to raise dashboard]

Take very slow car(s) up to SSRX or SSR7
CARS: Any slow car(s)
LOCATIONS: SSRX or SSR7
PHOTOTRAVEL: No
UNIQUE RESTRICTIONS: See above.

Capture a car in motion, without it being the main subject
CARS: Any
LOCATIONS: Any
PHOTOTRAVEL: No
UNIQUE RESTRICTIONS: See above.


2.0
[Click to raise dashboard]

Take a shot during a race, simulating a GoPro camera shot (angle, position, etc).
CARS: Any
LOCATIONS: Any real circuit (city or race track)
PHOTOTRAVEL: No
UNIQUE RESTRICTIONS: See Above.

Bring a successor/predecessor pair and put them side by side, being in motion or static and capture the moment.
CARS: Any
LOCATIONS: Any
PHOTOTRAVEL: No
UNIQUE RESTRICTIONS: See above

Please, ensure you read and understand all requirements for this competition. Failure to follow
the rules may result in disqualification. If you have questions, send me a Private Message.
This Thread will answer many possible questions you may have.

• Be reminded that this is a multiple choice poll. Please, vote in each match;
• Do not vote on your own entry;
• Do not try to sway the poll;
• In the event of a tie, qualifying vote count will be the deciding factor;
• In the event of a second tie, total number of votes in the tournament will be the deciding factor;
• In the event of a third tie, host vote will count as two votes;
• Please, view each entry in it's full size before voting;
• If there is any problem, please, report to me via P.M.

19.12.12
[18.00 GMT]

 

[Nato_777]

Great matches!

Congrats kaede - you got this one in the bag I reckon. 👍

 

[gtuned]

Welp.
I don't have to worry about getting my entry in before I leave.

 

[Nato_777]

Welp.
I don't have to worry about getting my entry in before I leave.

It's going to be tight - you've both put up awesome entries, this goes for bmxmitch and zambuca too! There's still the bronze match left for all of us who don't go through to the final though.

 

[zzz_pt]

Great shots everyone! The one I had more troubles was gtuned vs taiga. Too close!

Kaede: Very original. Great composition.
Nato: Lovely shot.

SlipZtrEm vs ijkak4 is the least superb duel but I liked SlipZtrEm shot more. I found the 86 shot a bit over exposure and not so interesting.

bmxmitch vs zambuca. Voted for bmxmitch because of the angle...it makes the difference IMO. A gopro camera has to be very close to the car Zambuca's shot is superb though! Very very hard decision to make.

gtuned vs Taiga: Well... 2 perfect shots. Simple. But I opted for Taiga's mostly because of the original angle and the text giving it that little more context.

Congrats everyone!

 

[SlipZtrEm]

SlipZtrEm vs ijkak4 is the least superb duel but I liked SlipZtrEm shot more. I found the 86 shot a bit over exposure and not so interesting.

I won't even take this as an insult, personally; I was not happy with any of my shots for this theme, as they didn't match up to what I visualized. There were others that got closer to what I wanted, but absolutely required 2.0-style touch-ups, so this one was picked. Gotta say, surprised by the current results, though it is very early!

gtuned vs Taiga: Well... 2 perfect shots. Simple. But I opted for Taiga's mostly because of the original angle and the text giving it that little more context.

This brings up an interesting issue Luis and I have been talking about back-channel; what constitutes signatures, and how we're seeing text starting to take a more dominant position in images. A discussion for later, perhaps

 

[tronrider345]

Just wanted to say , very cool pictures , you deserve to win all!

 

[zzz_pt]

I consider Text part of the whole picture. And it has to be well edited otherwise it can ruin an awesome shot. There are people that know how to take advantage of that detail and IMO it only adds awesomeness to the competitions

 

[Nicknamealguem]

...and that is the issue. 2.0 is more about the picture, and more and more I'm seeing text taking a central part in it and an even bigger role than the picture itself. It's doesn't help that it is a grey area of the 2.0, what is permitted and whats not? What is signature and what's not? What is image title and what's not? I think it will be an interesting discussion.

In another note, all entries to me are amazing this round and to me this is one of the best semi-final of the 5 seasons.

 

[kaede]

Great matches!

Congrats kaede - you got this one in the bag I reckon. 👍

Its still fairly early to tell, there is still chance. But I must admit this is a really hard theme.

Kaede: Very original. Great composition.

Its was totally random. Glad you guys like it.

 

[Nato_777]

Its still fairly early to tell, there is still chance. But I must admit this is a really hard theme.

I got no chance against your shot - you totally deserve to win this round, your entry is creative and works with the theme sooo much better than mine. Mine is a nice photo but that's about all and even then it depends on your monitor how 'nice' it is. On my PS3 and home computer the contrast balance is about perfect but on the work computer it's too dark around the edges and over exposed in the middle . I wish you well for the final match with SlipZ. 👍

 

[krysalis]

Match 01 for cox me to a higher level.
Match 02 beautiful blade of grass, I vote for the GT-R



Match 01 F40 glue more theme because the camera is too far from the Mazda. But otherwise the picture of the Mazda is superb. F40 poll for me
Match 02 Selection very very hard on it. I find the sun too strong, but I like that are the same Challenger.

 

[bmxmitch]

Oh wow, I'm leading way to much IMO!
When I saw the poll the first time, I thought zambuca would have this in his bag. Awesome shot Mister! 👍

But it looks like I get my revenge! hehe....
And that with a rushed shot I took in a 10min session and with around 15min edit. *asks himself, how?*

And btw, I aggree with Luis about the signatures. It can distract from the actual image, especially if it has some meaning or special effects in/on the text. This can lead to emotions that make you like that shot even more....I guess.
But I have to be honest, I liked to play around with the signatures even more the last weeks, especially because the 2.0 competitions are already really limimted and there isnt too much room for new stuff to add.

Anyways, that should be a discussion for the next weeks (after Christmas or so!? )


To the Batmo....uhm, matches.....

match01:
-Kaede: I love your shot!👍
I have to say that you're one of the Top3 Photographers here on the forum. And it's not because you edit your shots like a god or have the most beautiful compositions, no, it's because you're the most creative member I've seen here! (There are only a few with that talent here)
Pretty much all your PMC Entries are unique and totally different to the others. You always surprise me with your pics. Keep on doing that please!

-Nato: Well, I told you. The PMC side is even harder, because you need that extra creativity Kaede showcased.
To be really honest aswell, you lack a bit of that. Don't take that too negative now, but I think your shots mostly look very similar (angles & motion), but, and thats a big BUT, with your editing (that improoved drasticly) you made that all irrelevant.
Especially on standards. And my F40 shot you edited was insane too.
I think that is your stronger part. You can edit every crappy shot to a good one.
But this time here, you just couldn'T match Kaede's creativity. (But still in the race for 3rd place! )

match02:
-Slipz: constant! Thats the word that fits you the most IMO. Your shots always are one of the best, either as PMC or 2.0 versions, you never really dissapointed.
This time too. The leaf and the car rushing by a well fitting for this theme. Well done.

-ijkhk: I'm a little surprised. You were my Top-favorite for the win here. Always unique and great looking shots. You prooved that more than once. Especially in PMC competitions. But this time.....maybe you picked the wrong shot. Why? Well, I thought the cone distracts way too much. It looks a bit weird IMO.
It's not a bad shot, but I can't stop looking at that "not so well" rendered cone.


match01:
-me: Well what can I say? It took me about 50mins to take that shot till I finished it. Usually I need 5x longer (with selecting,editing and shooting).
The signature took the most time though...
So, I'm fairly surprised by all the votes and Thank You All so much! 👍

-zambuca: I really thought your shot will demolish me. Usually the people here like those kind of shots more. It's better edited and has a nicer composition.
But, as some already stated, it's a little bit high for a GoPro shot.
Looks like people recognized that too (the new banners work well then.)
I'm sorry to say that, but........Booya, revenge succeeded!

match02:
-gtuned: Ligthning and colours are gorgeous as usual. Maybe a bit too much light for my taste, but that's critizism on the highest level.
The thing that I didnt liked so much. It's a bit boring!
The angle probably made that kind of uninteresting to me. And maybe because you took the easiest way to shoot a 2-car theme. SSRX!
But I know, those themes are kind of....well, they suck mostly.

-Taiga: Nice move to use the seasonal event. I'm not too sure if the Enzo can be called as predecessor of the F40, but I guess it fits the bill.
The way how you took the shot is great! Feels like a chaser cam filming a upcoming crash. The dynamic in your shot works awesome. Also the toning and everything.....totally on paire with gtuned.
I only like your composition more than his. So you got my vote!



Alright, I, once again, have to thank all the voters and competitors. This is always the most fun and thrilling to compete here.
Well done y'all! 👍

 

[Nicknamealguem]

Yey, finally someone does a review, we used to have allot of them in GT4 Photomode Tournament.

Oh and as for the F40 vs. Enzo, yes, the Enzo is a successor of the F40, it's like a F60, so to say. It's not the direct successor (F50 not in game) but it is in the same line of succession.

 

[bmxmitch]

Yey, finally someone does a review, we used to have allot of them in GT4 Photomode Tournament.

Well, I didn't had much to do on my last day at work, so writing a review, at least looked like I am really busy.

Oh and as for the F40 vs. Enzo, yes, the Enzo is a successor of the F40, it's like a F60, so to say. It's not the direct successor (F50 not in game) but it is in the same line of succession.

I thought so!
But I still think the Enzo is a totally unique Ferrari compared to the F40 and F50. Even though it falls in line with those two.

 

[ijkhk4]

Thanks zzz_pt and bmxmitch for all the constructive comments. I guess I misinterpret the theme and didn't spend enough time to think about what I should shoot. I should have shoot a car leaving the pit stop with the pit crew in focus instead. Anyway, consistency is also my weakness

Now I hope I can be the 3rd, since I already been the 1st and 2nd for the past 2 seasons Looking forward to compete against you Nato and good luck

Good luck to Slipz, I remember Kaede is a very tough competitor.

Really love all the photos in this semi final and I am looking forward to see who will win the PMC and 2.0 this season. Full of fun doing all these competitions.

Mitch, here is the another shot that I would like to pick but I guess the cone is still very annoying

 

[Nato_777]

Woohoo, I've made double figures and now have more votes than any of the banners!

-Nato: Well, I told you. The PMC side is even harder, because you need that extra creativity Kaede showcased.
To be really honest aswell, you lack a bit of that. Don't take that too negative now, but I think your shots mostly look very similar (angles & motion), but, and thats a big BUT, with your editing (that improoved drasticly) you made that all irrelevant.
Especially on standards. And my F40 shot you edited was insane too.
I think that is your stronger part. You can edit every crappy shot to a good one.
But this time here, you just couldn't match Kaede's creativity. (But still in the race for 3rd place! )

You did tell me, yes but I'm still glad I gave this side a shot. I think everything you said is fair comment too and I don't take it negatively at all.
I do actually take quite a few more different types of shots than you see from me most of the time, just that mostly they don't see the light of day as I'm not too confident about them and I guess I just like my usual shots better and tend to play it 'safe', but I should put a few more of my more creative shots out there and see what sort of reaction I get.
To be honest this round I did really struggle though, I had kind of burnt myself out in the previous rounds taking hundreds of photos to get the perfect shot I was happy with. But all excuses aside I just can't compete with Kaede's creativity as you said.
Now to get smashed by ijkhk4 who will be out to redeem himself in the Bronze match.

Yey, finally someone does a review, we used to have allot of them in GT4 Photomode Tournament.

I like to review the matches but don't want to sway anyones vote by anything I might say regarding the entries so I wait for the poll to close (and then usually not get around to posting the review anyway).

 

[Taiga]

Damn my match with Gtuned is killing me. First he pulls a lead, then we're tied, then I pull a lead, then he leaps ahead and then we tie and then. And then. And then. Daaaaaamn.

 

[Bram Turismo]

The F60 Enzo is most definitely a successor to the F40 since we obviously have no access to the F50.

Anyway, I voted for Taiga in that match-up. Gtuned has great effects going on in his work, but this time I feel he's overdone it. The sun looks like a blinding nuclear explosion, drawing all attention away from the subject. The amount of light even kind of hurts to look at when viewing the full sized image.

Thumbs up to everyone who's participated in this competition 👍

 

[kennylmao]

^Yep, Gtuned's entry was an amazing, beautiful picture, no doubt about that.

But for Taiga's entry, the action in the shot and the (short narration?) at the bottom really tells a story.

 

[zambuca]

Well mitch - looks like you got your revenge this time

It's a great angle and a great action shot. I'm only missing a few other cars in there to make it a race Funny that I also did some shots with the F40 but chose the 787B instead. It seems like you can get a little closer to the F40 - maybe there's a difference in the build?

To the leading entries I would like to say:

kaede - this is what it's all about! To interpret a theme a make a creative and surprising photo the way you did. Hats off!

SlipZ - well...in order not to repeat myself I'm just going to say hats off again You always deliver!

gtuned vs Taiga - great battle (but I do have something against these big balls of light in the horizon, just like Mog mentioned a long time ago)

No matter what happens...I will get a very hard time in the bronze match

 

[bmxmitch]

I know zambuca! That was one point why I wasn't too confident with my Entry.
But I had a second GoPro equipped on my F40. See here:



So there actually was action on the track, hehe.
I missed the brake point and touched the grass a bit, so I came in a pretty bad position. But still managed to get back on the track and overtake the Corvette with a spectacular maneuver!


Btw, I hope I haven't swayed the poll with my review (at least for match2 on the 2.0 side)!?
That wasn't my intention, really, I just had nothing to do at work.

And ijkhk4, I like your reject a bit more. The tarmac looks better there and the flying pole gives it that sense of action I missed in your other shot.
But you haven't interpreted the theme wrong, not at all.


Oh and final match? I have no idea what to shoot. I used the F40 way too much already. Guess I have to use a RUF or something like this now.
Just please no LFA in the finals!

 

[kaede]

match01:
-Kaede: I love your shot!👍
I have to say that you're one of the Top3 Photographers here on the forum. And it's not because you edit your shots like a god or have the most beautiful compositions, no, it's because you're the most creative member I've seen here! (There are only a few with that talent here)
Pretty much all your PMC Entries are unique and totally different to the others. You always surprise me with your pics. Keep on doing that please!

. I'm seriously flattered. I don't know what to say. This is the first time I got more than 50 votes. Anyway, good luck on your next round, whoever your opponent is(still tied when I checked).

kaede - this is what it's all about! To interpret a theme a make a creative and surprising photo the way you did. Hats off!

It wasn't planned. I just got lucky this time round. I went for a one make race and it just happened.

But all excuses aside I just can't compete with Kaede's creativity as you said.

Now to get smashed by ijkhk4 who will be out to redeem himself in the Bronze match.

Yes Nato, be prepared for ijkhk4. He's way better than me. Just visit the Hall of Fame and you'll see.

 

[gtuned]

Oi.
At the last second by one.

Welp, seeing as I haven't had any time to shoot for the Bronze match, guess I have to forfeit it :/ Congrats Zam and Jaden.

 

[zambuca]

Oi.
At the last second by one.

Welp, seeing as I haven't had any time to shoot for the Bronze match, guess I have to forfeit it :/ Congrats Zam and Jaden.

What?! I will have to create an entry no matter what...

 

[zambuca]

I was looking forward to our battle gtuned...

 

[Bram Turismo]

I know zambuca! That was one point why I wasn't too confident with my Entry.
But I had a second GoPro equipped on my F40. See here:

I think if you had managed to capture more of the Z06 in the background, that entry would've been spectacular. I love that angle so much, just a shame you can see so little of the Corvette in the background.

 

[Eric Demory]

Congratulations kaede, SlipZ, Mitch, and especially Taiga for the one vote difference!

 

[Watchman]

Congratulations to all those who made it.

 

[zzz_pt]

^This