Preparing for a Holiday

When looking for an image that conveys the planning stage for a holiday, what could be better than a load of shelves crammed with relevant information? At first glance, I assumed it to be a library, but the fact that it was a well-stocked book shop didn't matter. After dreaming about the different destinations, whilst reading the spines, I found myself trying to determine the logic used to decide the order that the guides had been placed in (- there must be some?-). Eye-catchingly different.

Maybe I have a weakness for the Olympus? No, I try to be a little more objective than that! Indeed, if I was judging the quality of the packing, I would say that this case is far from “ready”. However, it is an image that portrays the acting of preparing for a holiday, and it is a good one.

This is a lovely shot but it is my belief that an accomplished photographer should be able to add a simple caption to their image. Without a title, I feel that an image is incomplete. It may be that you couldn’t think of anything but a good shot is usually composed with a message of some sort in the photographer’s mind and that’s what can make a good one even better.

I wonder if the title of this image chosen deliberately, as a pun - there is a torch protruding from the bag and the drink may already have been consumed? The colours and lighting work well, with added interest provided by the disparate collection of equipment. Thank you for an imaginative interpretation of my brief.

This image conveys an intention to visit the Pink Lakes. Monochrome helps to pick out the detail without allowing colour to distract from the objective. In this case, however, I might have tried to introduce a shade of pink for ‘effect’. An excellent submission and worthy of a top ten placement in my “Planning a Holiday” contest. Well done!

I love the “dreamy” quality of this composite image. My contest was about planning for a holiday and surely a good starting point is a guidebook for the relevant destination? Here, a guide to Venice is in the centre of possibilities, as an image of it emerges from behind. An excellent interpretation of “Planning a Holiday”.

Another image that meets the brief head-on. I like the fact that there is a beverage waiting within arm’s length as these tasks are rarely completed in a moment. I would have preferred a better focus on the map, so that I could ponder on the detail more, but the story is in no doubt: you are off to Budapest. I hope you get there and have an enjoyable trip!

This image ‘pops’! I feel that it was a border-line case for meeting the brief (“Preparing for a holiday”) as the preparation is complete (in more ways than one, if you consider the setting). None-the-less, it’s difficult to ignore such a stunning shot and, for that reason alone, it has gained a commendation. Thank you for submitting it.

Thank you for reading the brief and addressing it so well. There were many good images submitted that followed a trend towards luggage and travel but this one has the added suggestion of activity. The title and image convey exactly what preparing for a holiday means to me – fighting to get all my belongings into a case (before weighing it) and deciding what to leave behind. I felt that this met the brief best as the task was not yet complete and I also enjoyed the humour. Although ‘thrown together’ there has been much thought in composing the image and I feel flattered that its creator has taken the trouble to provide what I had asked for in an original and imaginative way.

Until I noticed the red duffle bag, this looked more like a scene of crime image! It reminded me of exactly how it can be, ahead of getting everything packed away for a trip. I’d rather fold it, flat, into a case rather than stuff it into a bag, though. I hope you got it all in and that it wasn't too creased!

A great interpretation of “planning a trip”, although few of us may have the materials to create this kind of image. “Variety is the spice of life”, so it was a welcome alternative to the more common methods of travel portrayed in this contest.

I loved this ‘true’ picture. My use of photography used to be entirely documentary, creating memories of holidays and other major events. The ‘arty’ side may provide good entertainment but is never as meaningful as images with a story to tell. Many thanks for sharing this tender occasion with us.

Staged or not, this is surely a place we’ve all been to? Phone cameras are so handy, if only you remember to use it, for unexpected moments like this. I’d have felt a little awkward, photographing the activity rather than lending a hand, however. (- Or, perhaps, you already knew that it was in her back pocket?-)