Photo Finish..TV show

Thought I would let everyone know about this Aussie photography show that is in its second week now, this week is landscape. They take 3 amateurs, give them the same assignment and the same equipment and the limited help of an expert. Their completed work is then judged each week.
First week was portraits and a Hassleblad camera.
http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/series/11309
This is the link to week 2, the show only goes for about 25 minutes, hopefully interested US members will be able to view it, if interested.

I would have loved to go on it.http://community.the-digital-picture...ons/icon11.png

I'll save every non-Aussie the trouble of clicking on the very interesting sounding link.

"Due to copyright reasons this video program is available for download by people located in Australia only. If you are not located in Australia, you are not authorised to view this video." :(

Damn, it's a good show.
Last week a Mum who normally just uses a camera phone, but had a really good eye, won the competition using a 5D2. She beat art college students.

I want to see! :(

Here is the US, I pay good money for 100's of channels and there is never anything worth watching on TV (except for when the Packers are playing)! Watching a show like this would at least make paying the $ worth it!

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Originally Posted by ddt0725

I want to see! :(

Here is the US, I pay good money for 100's of channels and there is never anything worth watching on TV (except for when the Packers are playing)! Watching a show like this would at least make paying the $ worth it!

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Amen to that!

Try this link for streaming the episode; I think it will work:

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/photofinish/pages/s3525319.htm

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Originally Posted by Sean Setters

Try this link for streaming the episode; I think it will work:

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/photofinish/pages/s3525319.htm

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It worked great, thanks Sean!! I am completely hooked on this show now and will be watching every episode!

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Originally Posted by Sean Setters

Try this link for streaming the episode; I think it will work:

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/photofinish/pages/s3525319.htm

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I think the judges got it right, Isobel's was the best.

On to episode 2

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Originally Posted by Steve U

I would have loved to go on it.http://community.the-digital-picture...ons/icon11.png

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Go for it Steve, I think you can win...

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Originally Posted by Sean Setters

Try this link for streaming the episode; I think it will work:

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/photofinish/pages/s3525319.htm

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Thanks for that Sean, no use talking it up if you can't see it.

I saw the ads for that on tv the other day, but totally didn't check what time it was actually on, is it wednesday night or something?
I'll try watch the next one if i can, it certainly sounded interesting (and should provide some good gear-porn too)

was interesting, and surprising how good some photos were in both episodes for people not familiar with the camera's they were using.
look forward to the next episode.

Not much for gear porn there.. but did have me googling hasselblad

Thursday night Doc. ABC has the earlier episodes available online

anybody around here has his favorite lens tattooed on his chest like the guy in the landscape episode?

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Originally Posted by ahab1372

anybody around here has his favorite lens tattooed on his chest like the guy in the landscape episode?

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I guess I could tattoo my 500mm on my leg. But then what do you have to do in years to come when you upgrade your lens? Tattoo regret.

That guy missed his opportunity to win when he didn't realize he was standing on the best subject he had seen all day, the bridge by the waterfall.

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Originally Posted by HDNitehawk

I guess I could tattoo my 500mm on my leg. But then what do you have to do in years to come when you upgrade your lens? Tattoo regret.

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Cover up get the artist to change the 5 to a 6 and the I to II then later III... of course placement of such a lens could be a bit awkward

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Originally Posted by Kombi

Cover up get the artist to change the 5 to a 6 and the I to II then later III... of course placement of such a lens could be a bit awkward

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The II version of the 500mm is a different color white. The artist would have to redo the whole thing.
I think placing it on the lower part of my leg would fit nicely, provided the hood is left off.

Yes, funny tattoes aside, that's what I find most interesting. The things the candidates see or don't, and the shots they choose and which ones not. Looking at their portfolios is also interesting for an entry level shooter like me

Arnt

On the landscape show, the gal that got the top of the mountain I thought right off had the best spot. It had a very diverse enviroment. She forgets her second lens, her lens cap and hood. She walks around with a camera she seemed to know nothing about and just randomly walks around and take pictures. She won .....

This confirms what Missy MWAC has been saying in her videos. Turn your camera to "P" for professional, and you to can be a rock star professional photographer.

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Originally Posted by HDNitehawk

On the landscape show, the gal that got the top of the mountain I thought right off had the best spot. It had a very diverse enviroment. She forgets her second lens, her lens cap and hood. She walks around with a camera she seemed to know nothing about and just randomly walks around and take pictures. She won .....

This confirms what Missy MWAC has been saying in her videos. Turn your camera to "P" for professional, and you to can be a rock star professional photographer.

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I think the jury read too much into that picture. I found it quite boring

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Originally Posted by ahab1372

I think the jury read too much into that picture. I found it quite boring

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Like most images- the best is highly subjective. I liked the Macro-esque picture the most, the waterfall the second, and least liked the winning image.
However I agree with the judges and think the Winning image best captured the assignment best.

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Originally Posted by ahab1372

I think the jury read too much into that picture. I found it quite boring

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I think the judges got it right, the other two gave it away more than the winners picture was any good though. One picture was almost macro and really not landscape. The waterfall picture was to common you see them all the time (even the gal with the macro picture had waterfall pictures she didn't use). I thought the winners picture was very bland, but I think she had the most unique area to work with.

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Originally Posted by ahab1372

anybody around here has his favorite lens tattooed on his chest like the guy in the landscape episode?

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I'll never tell!

Show us your "lensbaby".:D

Wedding photography tonight.

Well, I got home late and managed to remember just before it started, so did see the Wedding show.
The guy pretty much summed up how I'd be, comfortable with the technicals of the camera, but petrified of doing an actual wedding. Surprising how well those images turned out, especially after the middle chick, was a bit mean giving a 1-series to a total amateur (is it even possible to mount a speedlite backwards without breaking tabs off or something?)
I'm wondering how much PP time they were given, if any. They did comment on the 'tie' shot being too warm and orange, but didn't seem to mind too much in the end.

Anyway, I'm definitely going to have to look up that first episode to watch online now (and try to figure out how to get myself a spot on that show too)

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Originally Posted by Dr Croubie

Well, I got home late and managed to remember just before it started, so did see the Wedding show.
The guy pretty much summed up how I'd be, comfortable with the technicals of the camera, but petrified of doing an actual wedding. Surprising how well those images turned out, especially after the middle chick, was a bit mean giving a 1-series to a total amateur (is it even possible to mount a speedlite backwards without breaking tabs off or something?)
I'm wondering how much PP time they were given, if any. They did comment on the 'tie' shot being too warm and orange, but didn't seem to mind too much in the end.

Anyway, I'm definitely going to have to look up that first episode to watch online now (and try to figure out how to get myself a spot on that show too)

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I don't think they were given much PP time if any. Some of the things the judges picked on could have been corrected.

Manual Focus, OOF for the win.

This episode was a little contentious for me. It just goes to show that you have to follow the brief.
None of the photos screamed "wedding" to me, but it was what the second time bride, children focused, nothing cheesy bride wanted.
To me they were more like candid portraits. I don't think any of those shots would hang near the front door of the family home as "the shot" from our wedding.
Did anyone notice that Skye was manually focusing what seemed to be a 50/1.2mm lens?
Might help explain why OOF was the winner on the day.
I do love the show.

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Originally Posted by Steve U

Did anyone notice that Skye was manually focusing what seemed to be a 50/1.2mm lens?
Might help explain why OOF was the winner on the day.

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I could understand putting the flash on backwards, in fact I think I have done that in the past and had a DOH.... moment when I finally figured out why the flash wouldn't work. I cringed a little when she turned the flash at a 90 degree angle and took off shooting, if I had done this I would have washed every picture out. While I thought the last fellow was bouncing his light he ended up washing out the color of the brides dress.

But seriously, Skye used MF when you have Canon's flag ship AF system. None of the pictures they showed her taking were in focus. OOF for the win.... was it skill controlling the DOF with MF or was it chance? I suppose her picture was better in an artsy fartsie kind of way, but it said nothing about a wedding.

The show has entertainment value, for me any way. I think it is similar to this; my wife is an RN and watches the medical shows on TV. I ask her sometimes is that show how it really is, and the answer is always the same...uh...no...

Other than having their photo chosen as the winning "Photo of the Day", do they win anything like cash, prizes, B&H gift card??

I think the show is entertaining to watch but as with all reality shows, you can't help but wonder how much is staged and how much they are helped with off-camera. All in all, I could be biased but I think this is definitely one of the better reality shows that have been on TV! It's fun spotting shots that I would have taken that they missed!

I normally watch (and keep) photography shows to get information on creativity (since that gene bypassed me). This is not one of those shows, it’s pure entertainment. This is in my opinion why there’s no technical training for the contestants.

After 3 episodes, I have not seen any images I would be happy with.

I also spotted all of the OOF images and the manual focus, this I was such a big mistake.

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Originally Posted by Raid

This is not one of those shows, it’s pure entertainment.

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And sometimes that is what we need and it is enough.

I'm happy enough that something that I am passionate about is getting some airplay. I can certainly identify with some of the fumbling and bumbling that is going on.
There are Facebook links there for anyone to leave comments for the shows producers, even though I think it is all in the can, as they say.
Here is the link to the latest photo from the host of the show Andrew G.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewg...4/in/contacts/

Certainly no technical insight here, but as an amateur photographer I think it's interesting how others see a scenario.
Of the 3 submitted images think they made the right call again.. but really all those pictures could have been better. some nice images


I'm sure they had there gear more than 30 min prior to event, would be prudent to peak at the manual. That aside, think it would be only fair to give a crash course on the equipment they were given.

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Originally Posted by Kombi

That aside, think it would be only fair to give a crash course on the equipment they were given.

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Since when has anything on Reality TV been Fair?
I think the point of the program is to have the contestants embarrass themselves.

People flustering like a headless chook makes for better tv (apparently), we may never know if it's 5 minutes or 3 hours before the bride rocked up though. I'd like to think I wouldn't be as bad as any of them, seeing as i'm fairly technical, a gear-head, and an engineer, I should be able to get anything to work.

As for gear, as long as it's got an inbuilt light-meter, i'm fine.
(But knowing my luck, the day I ever get on a show like that is the day they pull out the 8x10 Horsemanns...)

I think that may be a little harsh, I don't think the point of the program is to embarrass people.
The point of most programs is to entertain people, other programs try to educate. If I don't find either of those qualities in a program I don't watch it.
I think they advertised for people to go on and like most things you get a broad spectrum of people applying. The photography students are pretty swithced on and there have been some very keen amateur photographers. The person that won the landscape episode, usually uses a phone to take pictures, but she loves her photography as much as the next person.

Without a doubt, I think everyone on the show is as passionate about photography as any of us are or they wouldn't have applied to be on it. The show is very successful at doing what it set out to accomplish & that is entertain those that are also interested in photography. I think we can all relate to the days of having no clue about our equipment! Heck, I just had one of those moments yesterday ...LOL!

The one thing that I am walking away with after watching each episode is a reminder to myself to look more for the unique and less obvious shot. Something I really need to work on!

For those following, Episode 4 is plastic cameras; the Lens Baby and Fish Eye users might like this one.

I absolutely loved the photo the young girl took right when she snapped the shot of the older gentleman & at the end, I still thought it was a winning photo! Yeah, it would have been nice if there was a horse or two toward the right side of the photo but I still feel it was well captured!

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Originally Posted by ddt0725

I absolutely loved the photo the young girl took right when she snapped the shot of the older gentleman & at the end, I still thought it was a winning photo! Yeah, it would have been nice if there was a horse or two toward the right side of the photo but I still feel it was well captured!

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I agree, I thought she had the best picture. I thought the guy who won had the best picture for the assignment though, but not the best picture overall.