Reef Central Photo Contest!

[gregr]

Enter your best photos for a chance to win a Premium Membership aaaand… to have your very own photo appear in the 2008 Reef Central Calendar!
Each member may submit a maximum of two photos per monthly contest. Photo submissions will last until the 20th of the month, at which date we will begin accepting submissions for the following month. The voting will begin at this time too- so be sure to check this thread towards the end of the month to cast your vote.
Maximum image size is 900 pixels on the longest dimension and the file size cannot exceed 150k. If one of your photos is chosen for the calendar you'll be asked to provide a full-size file for printing- please keep that in mind as you choose your submissions. Copyright of the images remains the property of the photographers however by entering your photos in the contest you agree to allow Reef Central to use your photos in the Reef Central Calendar.
Have any questions? Ask and find answers in this (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=982123) thread.
And now- on to the pictures :D

[melev]

Here's one. :D

http://melevsreef.com/pics/06/10/td_maxima_1022.jpg

[IBASSFSH]

I will enter this one.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/Ibassfsh/IMG_0015.jpg

[Rod the Roofer]

Ok, here's mine:

#1 Elegance
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Rod_the_Roofer/1001a.jpg

#2 Spike
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Rod_the_Roofer/1115a-1.jpg

Rod. :thumbsup:

[jasutton]

Here are mine

Bubble
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h111/jasutton/DSC_0140Bubble-M.jpg

and Shroom
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h111/jasutton/Picture005shroomweb.jpg

[Gary Majchrzak]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y270/gary334/IMG_0454keeper.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/521/7144new_pics_11691228_2_-med.jpg

[Nikon_Guy]

Here they be...

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l91/icebryce/anemoneshrinkonclown.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l91/icebryce/ricart3.jpg

[scothew]

Full sizes (without border) available.

One:
http://www.scothew.com/rc/gallery_117.jpg

Two:
http://www.scothew.com/rc/gallery_119.jpg

[edwing206]

Nikon guy what is that in your second picture? looks like a ric
and what kinda camera are you using?

[clippo]

bluestripe pipe

http://upload.pbase.com/image/55445248.jpg

[Racenrich]

Well, its taken me a min or two to determine which of my photos id like submit.....well it came down to 12 of them :D....i know, i know...ONLY 2!

Photo #1
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/xcmtbkr/robs_spsntang.jpg

Photo#2
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/xcmtbkr/night_bali.jpg

Good Luck to all!

Enjoy...Rich K.

[CH]

Here's my entry. A couple of my better shots!

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/522/35591damsel_crop_sm.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/35591IMG_5054_reduced.JPG

[IBASSFSH]

Ch,I am not a big damsel fan but that is a great shot.

[melev]

Here's Picture #2:

http://www.melevsreef.com/id/acro_crab.jpg

[Racenrich]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8654637#post8654637 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Here's Picture #2:



NICE!

[IBASSFSH]

Racenrich, I just saw your shot. I did not scroll up high enough yesterday. Awesome colors, I love it.

[Blazer88]

Here is one from me:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Fish%20Tank/Zoa/IMG_2565_DxO_rawcopy.jpg

[IBASSFSH]

I love this thread so far!!! Pictures are awesome from everyone.

[Victoria]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e284/VICTORIARAW/clownfishinMonti.jpg
Victoria

[Victoria]

:strange: I sent the wrong file. oops
Victoria

[-=Zepplock=-]

I'm in:

http://vova.org/pics/DSC_0622.jpg

[dhoch]

Ok I'm in...

Here's my first shot... I'll have to think about what one to do for my next one...

http://www.danj.com/reef/images/fish/lineatus_male03.jpg

Dave

[bradleyj]

#1

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/tileman/100_2624Large.jpg


#2

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/tileman/bluezoos.jpg

[kentrob11]

A couple of my favorites....

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o183/kentrob11/BlueberryShrooms.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o183/kentrob11/cap.jpg

[melev]

Some of you are breaking the 150k rule.

Maximum image size is 900 pixels on the longest dimension and the file size cannot exceed 150k.

[dhoch]

Marc,

You are correct... so if I resubmit my pic (now setup under the 150k), does this count as a 2nd image? Regardless here it is:

http://www.danj.com/reef/images/fish/lineatus_male03_size.jpg

Dave

[gregr]

Count that as your first pic Dave. Thanks for catching that Marc!

[cubber]

Here is mine:

Bubble Coral
http://www.ronnysreef.com/images/site_images/bubble.jpg

[melev]

Greg, since this is a monthly submission, and we are now in December, can I submit two more images?

[MAreefer1]

The photo contest is for the month of december. Im pretty shure you cant submit anymore.:)

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8678538#post8678538 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MAreefer1
The photo contest is for the month of december. Im pretty shure you cant submit anymore.:)

This particular thread started in November, so I would think it was the November entries. But since I'm not sure, I thought I'd ask.

Here's another thread with discussion that the contest is every month.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=982123

[MAreefer1]

yep, but since this contest was started at the end of november, it would make sense that the submissions would be voted on for the December contest. It says in the beggining of this thread that submissions will end for this months contest on the 20th and on that date the submissions for the next months contest will begin. Since this thread was created after the 20th of November you can conlude that the entries are for the month of December.

I understand what confused you:)

that help?



Added: yes, there are a few photos that do not meet the 150k size requirement.

[melev]

Works for me. I must have overlooked that. Thanks for the help.

[silkione]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j140/silkione/gobyoooooOOOoo.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j140/silkione/mandarin5.jpg

[coralite]

So far I really like Gary's hidden polymnus and clipper's pipefish image is untouchable. Nice picks guys.

black durgeon triggerfish
http://coralite.net/webpics/ccap/durgeon.jpg
Cyphastrea ocelina
http://coralite.net/webpics/ccap/cypha.jpg

[Cshradr7]

these are the first couple of pictures that i've taken of my tank. i'm pretty happy with them despite the lack of color from the corals that you all have. hopefully soon i'll have coral.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/Cshradr7/Finnextankpictures039.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/Cshradr7/Finnextankpictures037.jpg

[einsteins]

Wow these are some great shots by everyone!!

Hope somone likes mine among all these great pics...

http://www.einsweb.com/bluetip01_contest.jpg

Thanks for looking!
einsteins

[Rod the Roofer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8675439#post8675439 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Some of you are breaking the 150k rule.

Could you please explain how to reduce the file size to 150k wthout making the quality of the photo poor. I have tried in Photoshop, but the image ends up quite blocky or way too small on the screen.

Thanks,

Rod. :thumbsup:

[melev]

Rod, when you save your image, do a SAVE FOR WEB instead. Then save it as a .jpg, setting the QUALITY to 52 (off to the right of your screen, pictured below).

http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/demo/save2.jpg

[ssbreef]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/Thalasinos/PB900_150.jpg

[clippo]

still too big file size wise (right click on the pic and view properties)

I recommend the following:

open image in PS

go image>image size

adjust size as required (ensure 'constrain proportions' box is ticked - 900pixels is max for the competition) - change dpi to 72 and ensure image dimensions are as required.

then go file>save for web

you should see 2 images size by side (unless you have 4-up view selected which isn't strictly necessary) - the one on the right is the one after compression at rate set by slidign scale on upper right of screen. Start with say 50 on the scale and observe change on file size figure shown under right hand image. Keep fiddling until it is under 150kb - check quality is not noticable different from original image on left. A setting of '52' may yield different file sizes - every image is different.

[gregr]

This article (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-03/gr/index.php) has a step by step tutorial for Photoshop as well as the free program Irfanview :)

[clippo]

second entry...

http://www.pbase.com/clippo/image/71294202.jpg

I've noticed something odd Greg - this image is hosted on pbase as a 600x900 148kb file (original is 3456x2304 btw) - it seems to have automatically been downsized slightly here though... any ideas?

[kentrob11]

Nice!

[Blazer88]

My last one this month:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Fish%20Tank/Other%20Corals/_MG_4093_DxO.jpg

[astrogazer]

Clippo, you got my vote on that second image, and I'm not easy to impress ... :D

[gregr]

Clippo- I'm not sure but it wouldn't surprise me if pbase did something wierd. I'd be happy to host the photo on my site for you- just let me know.
Greg

[clippo]

cheers chaps - you're probably right Greg.... I'll leave it for now (as it's only another 100pixels) - thanks for the offer though.

[Rod the Roofer]

Thanks Melev and Clippo for your instructions on how to reduce size of file.

You learn something new every day!

My pics are duely reduced.

Thanks again

Rod. :thumbsup:

[ProudMom]

this my picture
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p129/ProudMom02/DSCF0411.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p129/ProudMom02/DSCF0056b.jpg

[fuzed]

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i22/RashidRaja/small.jpg
some great pics in here... :)

[melev]

<b>fuzed</b> - great picture, but it is .5 megs. You are allowed 150k, no more.

And fyi, we aren't allowed to have URLs in our signature lines on RC.

[fuzed]

ahhhh cheers mel - will resize it ;)

[fuzed]

Ok mods can you remove the one above and use this instead ;)

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i22/RashidRaja/small.jpg

[zenya]

Man, this is another thread packed with spectacular photos. :eek1:
Here;s my humble submitions.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8411IMG_6747-copy-med.JPG

and second:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8411IMG_5399_copy.jpg

[Blue Deuce]

There is some top notch work here. As soon as I can figure how to post images instead of links I am in.

My teachers always said I was kinda slow.

[Bebo77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8633618#post8633618 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rod the Roofer
Ok, here's mine:


http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Rod_the_Roofer/1115a-1.jpg



ohhhh.. me like

[saltycreefer]

That powder blue looks very skinny.

[RudyCDX1]

My submission...........

[Spiffyguy]

I will play along lol.

#1
http://spiffyguy.com/images/random/slides/IMG_5070.jpg

#2
http://spiffyguy.com/images/random/slides/IMG_5099.jpg

[RudyCDX1]

My entry...http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/77015PICT0017.jpg

[143gadgets]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a290/143gadgets/CHR_1371web.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a290/143gadgets/0026web.jpg

[RudyCDX1]

Great pictures Chris (as always)!

[fishlibrary]

My foxface
http://www.fishlibrary.org/files/faxface.jpg

[NanoCube-boy]

HOw do you guys take these incredible photos? I can't even take these. It always come out blury and unclear when I try to zoom in, also the flash comes on and it's makes the take unreal.

[melev]

"Umm, fish?" - pretty picture but would be disqualified for being too big in filesize and dimensions. :(

["Umm, fish?"]

Sorry, did I link the wrong one? I made one especially: 144kb, 667 x 618. Looks like I must've. I apologize for wasting bandwidth, especially since I really did read the directions. I can no longer edit the post above, so please feel free to delete if you'd like.

http://65.102.221.68/IMG_4339_2.jpg

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8725714#post8725714 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by "Umm, fish?"
Sorry, did I link the wrong one? I made one especially: 144kb, 667 x 618. Looks like I must've. I apologize for wasting bandwidth, especially since I really did read the directions. I can no longer edit the post above, so please feel free to delete if you'd like.



Looks like they did just that. :)

["Umm, fish?"]

Apparently so. Thanks to whoever took care of that for me!

[gregr]

You're welcome :)

[ADHDboy]

OK Here are my 2 :)

http://snap27.photobox.co.uk/81158068e1aea177e512a8779b4e7cc085399224e356c50dfb038c7f.jpg

http://snap29.photobox.co.uk/2975324588c68dfc6059c9d612b025a4fcd015aaa7066fa18c673bc5.jpg

[PL-Reef]

Okay I'm game too.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_1748121206.jpg

[D Boy]

Here is Mine

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p142/w0208830/shoped1-1.jpg

[mike89t]

Here are my two:

Anthias
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/73065anthias.jpg

Seapen
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/73065seapen.jpg

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8743068#post8743068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plreef
Okay I'm game too.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_1748121206.jpg

Your image exceeds the 150k limit. You'll need to resave it to qualify for the contest.

[PL-Reef]

Sorry, try this one, it should be good.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_1748121206-2.jpg

[astrogazer]

WOW ... love the composition plreef ... nicely done!

[PL-Reef]

astrogazer- from you that is a huge compliment! Thanks. I really like the photo but I just can't get it to pop the way I want it to, probably because I have to shoot at an angle through the glass, oh well, thanks again.

[argo]

If it's not too late, then here's my submission:

http://www.fastpcsupport.com/staff/reef_tank/DSC_0012_copy_RC_contest.jpg

Thanks.

[143gadgets]

plreef

That is simply amazing!!!

[jwedehase]

So the real question is why have all of you been holding back so many great shots for so long? Seriously, where did all this come from? What ever happened to "What settings do you all use for aquarium photos?"

Good job on the thread idea, GregR. You brought out all the lurking heavy hitter veterans!

Great shots everyone!

[gregr]

lol- yeah, there are a lot of amazing pictures being posted. And speaking of which, only 5 more days to enter your photos for the December contest!

[astrogazer]

I've dusted off and re-processed a couple of images to post here. You guys have raised the bar so high it's hard to compete. Great job everyone!


http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i72/djpalliser/The_Blue_Clown.jpg



http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i72/djpalliser/The-Lone-Safecracker.jpg

[icenine2005]

I'm not too late am I?


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/icenine2006/RSCN2364.jpg


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/icenine2006/starfish.jpg

[melev]

<B>icenine2005</B> - <i>I feel like I became the Contest Policeman for some reason... </i> Your images exceed the filesize limitation and will be disqualified. They must be 150k or less in size for this portion of the contest. The actual print version will need to be much larger, but that occurs if you win. :)

[gregr]

Thanks for all the help Marc.
The last day to submit photos is 12/20/06. The following day we'll begin a thread for the January contest :)

[Reefdrumz]

Hi all

I'm REALLY NEW at this whole thing, but I figured I would throw my hat in the ring anyway!

http://www.njreefers.org/gallery/albums/userpics/10199/openbrain.jpg

http://www.njreefers.org/gallery/albums/userpics/10199/normal_RBTA.jpg

Hopefully I sized them correctly :rolleyes:

[melev]

Yes you did Brian. I really like the closeup of the rose BTA tentacles.

[Reefdrumz]

Thanks Marc!

[blackheart]

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r37/skess4444/fishtank125.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r37/skess4444/fishtank038.jpg

[incysor]

Fun contest...Nice pics everyone. Here's mine.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/incysor/RCcontests/RCdec2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/incysor/RCcontests/RCdec1.jpg

[PL-Reef]

incysor-
i love you second photo. very nice. :)

[MAreefer1]

these pics all look great, tomorow is the last day to submit?

[gregr]

Yep- tomorrow is the last day. But don't worry- the January contest will start soon. Only difference is that in the future contests we'll have just one photo per person :)

[MAreefer1]

will there be a theme for next months contest

[Racenrich]

WOW

These photos are making me look like an amateur!!!

Nice shots all! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[incysor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8788493#post8788493 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plreef
incysor-
i love you second photo. very nice. :)

Thanks, that was a friend's 30g about a year ago.

B

[aztbs]

I am going to throw in my last minute entry for December :)

http://www.projectbat.com/Aquarium/candy1feed.jpg

[Reet15]

These pics are awesome!! Good Luck to everyone that entered - I am sooooo glad that I don't have to judge them!! Someday I'll have the camera to take those kinds of pics, until then, I'll just drool over all of yours!! Kudos!!

[dhoch]

A bit last second, but here is my 2nd entry:

http://www.danj.com/reef/images/corals/candy_cane03_150.jpg

Dave

["Umm, fish?"]

Nice shot, aztbs! I like the dramatic lighting.

[BlueCorn]

That does it for this month. Stay tuned for the voting thread and next months contest.

[rbaker]

Thanks for all of your hard work Doug and Greg. I'd also like to extend a big thank you to everyone that submitted these incredible photos! :thumbsup: