May 2011 Photo & Caption Comments Thread

[Stefan-A]

Comments about this month's photo and caption contest get posted here, so that we keep the contest threads free of clutter.

Before submitting any pictures, please read the rules.

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks Stefan for the quick posting of this month's contest.

[drache]

does it have to be an actual flag?
this is a tough one

[guidofatherof5]

Explain what you mean Rhea.

[RedSidedSPR]

I think she means does it have to be a flag, or can it be a fake one, or an image of one etc. Would like to know the same thing.

[drache]

could it be our national colours?

[Didymus20X6]

What about a photoshopped background? Maybe for someone who doesn't actually have a flag around, but could easily shop one in?

[guidofatherof5]

Sounds like a question for the mod. to answer.

[zooplan]

could it be our national colours?
I think you have at least one option more than me, Rhea:
Germany
Baden-Würthemberg
???
USA
NY-State
New York City
Queens

I´ve been born in the same country and state where I live now.

[Stefan-A]

What about a photoshopped background? Maybe for someone who doesn't actually have a flag around, but could easily shop one in?
No photoshopped flags. You can draw one, print one, open up a picture of one on your screen etc. Or if you can't find a flag anywhere else, there's one under your user name over there on the left side of the page. ;)

[drache]

oooh, I didn't know this
Brooklyn has a pretty flag
too bad I don't have a colour printer . . .

[guidofatherof5]

Tell me what you want printed. I'll mail it to you;)

This offer is for any forum members.

[zooplan]

My only national flag is two to three feet,
so a big snake would be neat;)
Too bad I have to cut the photo or shrink and loose the details:rolleyes:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/DSCF96994.JPG

[infernalis]

Tell me what you want printed. I'll mail it to you;)

A big bag of 100 dollar bills would be nice ;)

[guidofatherof5]

A big bag of 100 dollar bills would be nice ;)

I don't do that anymore.:D Only 20's now.
Just kidding.
Sorry, got to go. There's a knock at the door.:D

[zooplan]

for this is not my photo contest entry
this couldn´t be an entry for the caption contest:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/DSCF97001.JPG
Fahneneid; oath on the flag (oath of allegiance )

[ConcinusMan]

Thanks Stefan for the quick posting of this month's contest.


Yeah, the effort to get the contests on time during the past few months is definitely noticed. It's much better than it was. We noticed. I like it.

[Mommy2many]

Thank you so much, Stefan.

[ConcinusMan]

for this is not my photo contest entry
this couldn´t be an entry for the caption contest:

Fahneneid; oath on the flag (oath of allegiance )

And why not?

[RedSidedSPR]

Love to know the same thing!

[zooplan]

And why not?
:confused:
These are two questions to me.
1. Because entries to the caption contest are only eligible, with photos from the photo contest.
2. Because I like the "basking patriot" more.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/DSCF96993.JPG
Isn´t it amazing how easy it is to choose different details, which are focusing different contents?
But I still like the entire picture most. ( hard to explain in English...)
The direction of the snake from left to right (like writing) is a symbol of movement, dynamism or departure.
The direction is also from shade to light.
The set up is open at the right side, so the snakes direction is also from closed (hidden) to open range, another symbol for departure, curiosity or daring.
And last but not least is the tail of the snake melding with the shade and colour of the flag, while her head is a well defined contrast in the brightness of sunlight.


Is this answering your question?

[RedSidedSPR]

I give up!:rolleyes:

[ConcinusMan]

I think I get it now. The photo used for the caption was cropped from the original entry, therefore not exactly the same picture and so ineligible for the caption contest. Oh, and Udo, I'll have whatever your smoking.:p

[zooplan]

Oh, and Udo, I'll have whatever your smoking.:p

I had good teachers in fine arts:rolleyes:
Interpretation could make a dirty bath tube become an expensive work of art.
Ever heard about the German artist Joseph Beuys - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Beuys) ?

I´m so benignant,
and so clumsy with English language:p

[ConcinusMan]

Wow, don't everybody jump in on this contest all at once now.

[RedSidedSPR]

It's hard!!

[Stefan-A]

Why do you find it hard?

[ConcinusMan]

I thought it was one of the easiest in a quite a while.

[RedSidedSPR]

Sigh. it is. I just don't have a flag at the moment:p:rolleyes:

I made a really cool one just for the heck of it with photoshop, but i cant use it.

[ConcinusMan]

Sigh. it is. I just don't have a flag at the moment:p:rolleyes:

You mean, even after Sept 11, 2001 you still don't have a flag? For shame.:p

Of course it helped that I worked for the U.S. Dept. of Veterans affairs that day/year. I have a POW flag, a WA State Flag, and of course, numerous U.S. flags of varying size. We put out around 375,000 of the little US flags on sticks every memorial day. One for each grave at the cemetery. Takes a large crew 3 weeks to do it, and about 4 weeks to collect them all up and put them away. I just used one of those little cheapy ones on a stick for the picture.

[RedSidedSPR]

something happened to it and we haven't bought a new one yet! Gimme a break.:rolleyes:

Yeah, I'll bet. 360,000 is a lot of flags.

I do have a "little cheapy one on a stick", but it's the size of a nickel.:D My new snake would fit on it curled up, but I couldn't get him to do it.

I'm gonna keep trying though, I may end up entering... but it HARD for ME.

[Stefan-A]

I've got a flag. Unfortunately it's technically desecrated (not by me) and should be destroyed.

[RedSidedSPR]

I've got a flag. Unfortunately it's technically desecrated (not by me) and should be destroyed.

:eek:GASP!! By whom?? (kidding you don't have to answer that)

If you wanna know what happened to ours... remember a tornado came through our place:D

[ConcinusMan]

I've got a flag. Unfortunately it's technically desecrated (not by me) and should be destroyed.

Even at the VA cemeteries we don't fuss too much about flag etiquette unless you're talking about appropriate size, height, etc. for the specific display situation. Burning is the only correct way to dispose of a flag technically. You're also supposed to burn them if they touch the ground. We don't actually do that just for touching the ground.

However, if a flag becomes soiled, faded, torn, etc. requiring disposal, it doesn't matter how small or cheap the flag is, we put it in a special bin and they do get incinerated. It doesn't just go in the trash.

Technically it is not appropriate for any likeness of the U.S. flag to be worn as clothing except for certain military situations where it is worn as a patch on the shoulder. Obviously, many Americans, including those (military and Govt. employees) that actually know better, wear clothing that is against flag etiquette anyway.:cool:

The main thing is the spirit behind the display or burning. Obviously we find it very disrespectful for non-americans to burn a flag in public. However, at the same time, this is the only proper way to dispose of one. It's not the burning, or wearing of the flag that is the issue. It's the spirit behind such wearing or burning that is important.

Personally, I don't give a damn. It's just a flag. One that probably won't last but a few centuries anyway.

[RedSidedSPR]

We'll get a new one, but what can ya do when a tornado comes through your yard?

[ConcinusMan]

If you find it on the ground tattered and torn, it is appropriate to burn it. Jeez, PM me with your address and I'll send you one, just like the one I used for the photo, for the cost of stamp. I'll even pay for the stamp. No biggie.

There's also no specific rule that says your snake has to be sitting on a flag. Be creative. Just include a flag in the picture. If that means taking your snake and holding it up at the local Burger King, (They usually display a large American flag) then do it.;) There's bound to be a flag somewhere in your neighborhood that you can incorporate into the photo. It could even be far in the background and out of focus. Who cares?

[RedSidedSPR]

It's probably down in Georgia by now:D I'll leave it to the natives.

No need, seriously we'll get one. Pretty tight right now, but we'll get one. We got bigger things to worry 'bout. Ya know, like 200 trees down in the yard:D

[zooplan]

What happend to your entry?

The count down is running.

Polls will start soon!

[drache]

sorry
I just haven't had the time
this one requires a bit of preparation
I barely have the time to read posts these days

[guidofatherof5]

I feel like a dope. Didn't even read Richard's entry.
Duh:D

[ConcinusMan]

I feel like a dope. Didn't even read Richard's entry.
Duh:D


I stole your thunder. Heehee

[zooplan]

congratulations to the winners!

What will be the next theme, Richard?

[ConcinusMan]

I sent a PM to Stefan but I don't think he's been around. Should I post it here?

[guidofatherof5]

I'm sure Stefan will get it posted in a timely fashion.

[ConcinusMan]

I guess you'll just have to wait to find out then. I assure you it's nothing all that creative or clever and might have even been done before. I chose a theme that would make it easier for more people to participate. I hardly feel like I had any dang competition this last contest.:rolleyes:

[guidofatherof5]

Winning by only 1 vote makes me believe you had some good competion.;)

[ConcinusMan]

That's not exactly what I meant. I mean I would like to have seen more entries.

[HazAnga]

dangit I forgot to vote and it would have made it tied!!! :(

[ConcinusMan]

Stefan hates ties

[HazAnga]

lol, I'm sure he does lol, But I would have seriously voted. I don't always vote for myself, because usually my pictures are crap... even when I try... but that one turned out pretty decent... when the other one's i took didn't.

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, it is a great photo.

[ConcinusMan]

I'm going out of town again for a while so I probably won't be on the forum until I get back. Stefan hasn't posted the new contest yet. Just to make sure everyone has time to get their photos done for June's contest I'll just go ahead and tell you the theme I chose.

"Heads Up" - Photos of your snakes with their heads held high.

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/5504/headsup2.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

Alright something I don't need insane macro lenses for!

[ConcinusMan]

I don't have macro lenses and I can still get great macro shots, (cameras original lens can focus at 5mm to 35mm) but I hear what you're saying. I wanted to make it something that's going to be easy for more people to participate.

[RicMartin]

Congrats, Richard.

[ConcinusMan]

TY. It's about time I won this thing, (only my second time and it's been over a year) and as Nick was so quick to point out, it would have been a tie if he had voted (for himself) on time.:rolleyes:

But I do have to say, like Nick, I vote for myself only when I really objectively believe my photo or caption is the best. I actually almost voted for his photo but I honestly thought mine was better. It was a tough call and I still think his photo is very good.:)

So, I'm not sure what's going on with Stefan other than perhaps he has a life, but do we need to get boots to post the new contest? Anyway, everyone knows now what the theme is so they can get started taking pics. Actual posting of the contest thread can wait I suppose.

I won't be here most of this week. Camping/herping in So Oregon. Weather looks perfect. yippie! Looking forward to seeing everyone's photo contest entries when I get back, so get busy! :D

[RedSidedSPR]

I don't have macro lenses and I can still get great macro shots, (cameras original lens can focus at 5mm to 35mm) but I hear what you're saying. I wanted to make it something that's going to be easy for more people to participate.

Yeah, I can get pretty good macro shots with my camera, it's just hard to compete with people who DO have lenses... for instance, the "Keeled Scales" contest.

Have a good trip

[HazAnga]

TY. It's about time I won this thing, (only my second time and it's been over a year) and as Nick was so quick to point out, it would have been a tie if he had voted (for himself) on time.:rolleyes:

But I do have to say, like Nick, I vote for myself only when I really objectively believe my photo or caption is the best. I actually almost voted for his photo but I honestly thought mine was better. It was a tough call and I still think his photo is very good.:)

You could say that there would have been some patriotism in voting for myself, to add to the photo quality... lol. And it would have been my first time winning/tie for the photo contest, I have only won one or two caption contests, i think only one.