Need Help

[katydaqueen]

OK! I have decided to enter this contest: Mama Focus Photo Contest!
I need to narrow my selections down to two pictures.

From the site:

We hope to see photos that show us what modern motherhood can be like: the ugly and the beautiful. We are looking for pictures with a fresh, unique perspective or that capture a moment, convey a feeling, or tell a story. We want interesting and unexpected shots that give us a peek into real mamahood.

Some themes you might choose to explore (but anything goes!): Self & Solitude, Work & Play, Sleep (or lack thereof) & Dreams, Nature & Nurture.

Composition and photographic excellence don't count, just pictures that capture a moment of motherhood. In my case, here are the contenders:

1)
Sunset Crater. Photographed by Konal.

2)
Wupatki Blowhole. Photographed by Konal.

3)
Working on Home Improvements. Photographed by Konal.

4)
Graduation. Photographed by Mom.

5)
At the Zoo. Photographed by Chris.

6)
Taxi Mom. Photographed by Aidan.

7)
Tackle Hugs in Tombstone. Photographed by Chris.

8)
Graduation. Photographed by Chris.

9)
Ready to go. Photographed by Aidan.

10)
Head Bonk in Vegas. Photographed by Chris.

11)
Vacation Fatigue. Photographed by Chris.

12)
Fishing with the Boys. Photographed by Chris.

13)
Taking a Nap. Photographed by Chris.

14)
Long Day. Photographed by Chris.

15)
Photographed by Chris.

Now you see why I am having a problem choosing. Please leave your vote in the comments. They have to be submitted by 11/30.  (I invite you to enter too-  for me, it is not about winning, but about capturing the diversity of being a mother)

Comments

[elmocho.livejournal.com]

I would narrow it to 7 and 10, because they show you with the children, show action, and show faces. 10 wins out in this respect, though there is more affection in 7.

12 shows action but is vague and has no faces and lacks the grace of the Willow Tree line.

The graduation shots are good and do show the variety, but they don't say motherhood unless you have the kids with you or some representation of them.

I like the collapsed shot, 11 -- which is why I took it-- but it has no faces. It does tell a story though!

[katydaqueen.livejournal.com]

With the kids is optional- "In our Mama Focus photo contest, we challenge you to get artsy, take a self-portrait, give your kids the camera and let them do a mama photo shoot. We don't care how you get the picture, as long as you (mama) are the focus (the photo's actual technical focus is optional)."

That being said, 7 & 10 are favorites too.

[elmocho.livejournal.com]

It's probably a sign of our times that the Graduation shots say "Graduation" more than "Mom." Ideally, we'd have you doing everything, then photoshop them together, so you'd resemble a poly-armed Hindu diety.

[katydaqueen.livejournal.com]

LOL. Although I like the uniqueness of the Grad Photo. The hard part is just picking two. I will have to see what others say. ZenJen voted for Fishing on Myspace. Zan votes for Graduation and me driving.

[djtseliot13.livejournal.com]

Something about 11 seems to represent the contest very well. I think it encapsulates a few of the criteria/suggested themes. That's my favorite.

That said, I like 10 and then 7.

[bluebeegirl.livejournal.com]

3, 7, 11 and 2 are actually my votes... i know, you need less, but these are the ones i really thought captured things.

2 - solitude
3 - the mom working on the kids' beds, that's priceless.
7 - i love that picture
11 - ah the rigors and joys of mother hood. i so relate.

[elmocho.livejournal.com]

3: IKEA rules. Though both of us have cursed that bed...