Peas

With the background nicely out of focus, I am left to concentrate on the delicate hairs of these pods. I’m not sure if this plant has an edible product but it certainly provides a most attractive image with the addition of water droplets to catch the light.

Most of the pea plants that I have seen have uninteresting white flowers, although I have seen a few with more colourful ones. This one is exceptional. The square format suits this image. It is well-focused and enjoys a good bokeh. This is a delightful shot and one to be proud of.

The backlight gives the hairs on these pods great contrast against the black background and I love the tendrils that are reaching up from below. They add an eerie drama, after studying the translucence of the pods, but I think the feint border does little to enhance this excellent shot.

There is a hint of a story here, created by including fresh pods with the podded peas and even a sprig of mint. The setting is carefully arranged and well-balanced, whilst the low light adds an eerie feel and degree of mystery.

There appears to be a collection of images from this photographer, judging by their style and titles, and this is the one I prefer most. Not only are the peas carefully laid out in a seductive way, but their reflections in the surface below enhance the whole experience. The black background maintains focus on the subject, which is perfect.

These peas really do look tasty! Peas can change shape through processing or cookery, as these have done, but the lighting here shows them off in their full glory. If you look at other images, the Peas can look more like Brussel Sprouts! The spoon is an excellent addition to the composition by giving it scale as well as added interest. (As it happens, there is little doubt here about the vegetables being presented here.)

If only every pod was filled like this! - That’s not usually the case in my experience! A ‘photographer’s licence’ gives the ability to choose and arrange their subject and, having done so, the next step is to capture it as effectively as possible. Perfect lighting, exposure, focus and framing. I wonder if they taste as good?

I love this imaginative arrangement of peas and pods. The subject’s ‘mouth’ even has teeth! Whether the title describes the subject or their state of mind is something I’m left to ponder… Never-the-less, this is an original and strangely charming creation using a common product available to all. Well done!

In my youth, I was always told to “use my head” and that is what appears to have happened here. I’m less certain, however, that this interpretation is quite what that instruction had in mind! I am assuming that you have been to the trouble of producing this image especially for my contest and am flattered by that. I am also bemused that you may have endured discomfort for the benefit of the Photocrowd membership. You display talents that extend far beyond the art of photography. This stunning shot is certainly entertaining, original and creative; it may be educational as well. If I hadn’t considered that the subject was more of the injured party than the incidental Peas, this would have been even higher up in my top ten.

This is a remarkably pleasing image. I don’t suppose the result came by chance, but by trying different combinations of mirroring settings before obtaining this result. It was worth the trouble! The image stands out from others by being unusual whilst remaining very much on brief. I love the square format and the care you have taken to get it all central.

This image could be used to advertise peas! I like the open pod of full-flesh peas, sitting on top of a fresh harvest of peas. It tells a story, reminding the viewer of where peas come from (just in case they didn’t know). The lighting is excellent and the colour, true. That perfect pod of peas is begging to be plucked!

This is a great shot. It’s simple but, in spite of that, I’ve been studying the result in detail. Something that can grab one’s attention must be good! If anything, I feel that it may improve with a tighter crop to reduce the surrounding. The peas have been arranged with care and precision, allowing the viewer to compare and contrast their ‘cords’ (where they had been joined to the pod).

This would have gone further in my ranking if it wasn’t for the absence of a title. Many may not be bothered by such omission but I feel that an image is unfinished without one. I could not ignore it, however. The title is, in effect, within the image itself. From that arrangement, the eye drops to the opened pod – to discover a pea family staring back! A most creative shot!

I like this image because of its informative style. Anyone who has podded peas will recognise this situation: a seemingly un-ending process yielding more pods than peas! It wasn’t until I studied in more detail that I was able to work out what all the elements were and be rewarded with fond memories of processing my own garden produce.

The title says it all, the colour tones and randomness are so authentic that I’d be happy to take these. Captain Bird’s Eye might wish for evenly matched peas but these are real, no-nonsense, ones and probably taste better for it. If I wanted a picture to front my product for marketing purposes, this is one that I’d select!

I’d like to thank all those who took part in this contest. I was pleased to discover the variety of submissions achieved while addressing the subject of Peas. For me, photography is more than creating a technically sound picture. A good image should invite the viewer to invest time to discover the detail below its surface for further satisfaction. Judging is a subjective activity, iterating through the entries one by one to select and refine one’s favourites. Having made my choices, I encourage you to read my reviews to understand how I felt those I chose stood out for me.

I liked the educational aspect of my first choice, portraying the ingredients for making a Pea Soup. This would complement the detailed quantities and method for making a lovely dish in a recipe book. It certainly inspired me to think about making some! It was refreshing to discover this delightful and instructional masterpiece amongst the more obvious and familiar shots of Peas. Congratulations! Perhaps you can reveal the details for creating a rewarding soup?

This striking shot caught my eye immediately. As its title suggests, it’s completely wrong:- there’s none of the expected green to be seen. Swapping green with the two other primary colours has produced an extraordinary view that is difficult to overlook, even if the result may be somewhat unpalatable. This is an interesting experiment that I can understand others swiftly passing by. I stopped to admire this creation, however, and I enjoyed it.

I enjoy a play on words, so was delighted to find this particular contribution. I would have appreciated the pun even if the title had simply been “Peas” – one of the few occasions when such a title in this contest would have added value. A tidy and original arrangement. Peas to you, too!

I like this colourful presentation being in the centre of a square. The dish, to me, looks a bit like a dog’s feeding bowl but the random combination of colours within has overcome any prejudice to provide an appetising collection of vegetables.

To photograph peas on their own, and make it interesting, requires good lighting and technique. I like the overlay of the open pod across the diagonal of this bold image. The colour of the perfect peas bursting out of their shell invites me to try and take one. An attempt to find a more imaginative title than the obvious is much appreciated. I encourage you to build on that. Your photography is already perfect.

This illustration includes more interest than many that only included Peas. The result is a pleasing colour range and more detail to absorb. Personally, I wouldn’t be shelling Sugar Snaps, I’d be eating the pods too – but I’m not judging culinary skills here. The composition is delightful.