Help choosing calendar photo

Discuss Spyderco's products and history.

Best chance of winning?

"The Gift From St. Nicks"
8
32%
"The Kave Spyder"
17
68%
 
Total votes: 25

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Mushroom
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Help choosing calendar photo

#1

Post by Mushroom »

First of all, if you haven't already, go check out Rick's (TkoK83Spy) thread and help him choose a photo of his own!

---

Similar to many of you I'm sure, choosing the right photo to enter in this contest each year is a tough decision. We only get one entry, so we really want to make the most of the oppurtunity.

I have been taking photos in anticipation of this since last years contest ended. I really just like being creative and basically treat it like a never ending contest, always trying to get my next Spyderco calendar entry. :D


---


Here are my top 5 choices from the photos I've taken this year.

"The Gift From St. Nicks"
Image

"The Kave Spyder"
Image

"Lil' Native Workin'"


"A Homage to Home"


"Para 3 Trail Guide"


Ultimately, my goal is to win the cover shot. I think everyone who enters this contest, should be entering to win the cover shot! It really would be a tremendous honor to have my work showcased by Spyderco in such a way. None the less, I would be genuinely happy with any place in the calendar. I try to submit my highest quality and most creative photo each year, as the competition has only got better over the years!

I appreciate all and any help you would like to provide. I have a lot of fun taking photos for this contest and it's always a pleasure to see everyones photos each year. Good luck to everyone that plans to enter!

Thanks! :cool:
Last edited by Mushroom on Mon Aug 10, 2020 8:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
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SG89
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#2

Post by SG89 »

Those are all awesome
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JonLeBlanc
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#3

Post by JonLeBlanc »

I think Gift from St Nick's is the best. Kave Spider is really great, you got the exposure of the background perfect, but I just feel like if the Kapara had been turned about so that the light shone on the flat of the blade it would've been even better. Nice pics all around!
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#4

Post by The Meat man »

Those are great photos Nick! I voted for the Kapara. It's such a great shot from so many perspectives - the spider theme from its custom pedigree (and Spyderco of course), the setting, the lighting...everything is spot on.

I think it'll at least take a spot among the 11 winners, and there's a good chance it makes the cover!

My second pick would be the last one, the Para 3.

Good luck! :)
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#5

Post by Dazen »

I see December being your month! They are all great though!
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#6

Post by ladybug93 »

of course everyone loves the kapara picture. it looks like it belongs in a calendar.

that said, i doubt there will be many themed entries and your Christmas photo of the st. nick's lil native is very fitting for december.

hmm... but i also doubt a Christmas-specific photo makes the cover and the kapara has a real chance at that. tough call, but it's between those two for me.
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#7

Post by Freediver »

The first one will make a perfect photo for December. Nicely done.
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#8

Post by The Meat man »

ladybug93 wrote:
Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:42 am
of course everyone loves the kapara picture. it looks like it belongs in a calendar.

that said, i doubt there will be many themed entries and your Christmas photo of the st. nick's lil native is very fitting for december.

hmm... but i also doubt a Christmas-specific photo makes the cover and the kapara has a real chance at that. tough call, but it's between those two for me.
This is exactly what I was thinking. The St Nick's photo would make a terrific December themed picture, but if you're shooting for the cover shot, maybe a less-seasonally themed image would be better.
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#9

Post by bbturbodad »

I like them all! Makes me realize how much I've been slacking with my pics this year. :D

I had a similar thought as JonLeBlanc, I like The Kave Spyder but thought the knife was a bit dark so I brighten it a touch.

Image
If you like it I'm more than happy to apply the same adjustments to the original for you.

Edit: Based on the comments leaning towards Gift from St Nick's I gave it quick color correction and I think it makes the pic pop a bit more.
Image

Second Edit: I forgot to say I really like Para 3 Trail Guide
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#10

Post by Filoso- »

Those are all great photos Nick! I like the St Nick’s pic, it has really beautiful colors and could be perfect for Christmas. My second choice would be the Para 3 Trail Guide.
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#11

Post by TkoK83Spy »

Thanks for the plug Nick! :cool:

I'm torn between the St Nick's, Kapara and Para 3. As others said, I could definitely see the St Nick's shot taking December...but maybe not the cover because of the holiday theme. I love that pic though.

Kapara is such a creative shot, and when lightened/brightened up a bit it looks even better!

The Para 3 shot is great as well. The foggy and mysterious trail in the background but not taking our full attention away from the knife itself. Another thing I've noticed the past couple years...seems like they like to select newly released models from the past year in the calendar. I know there's a couple that are in this years calendar that left me scratching my head, but each of them were new releases. Maybe something to think about?

After all this rambling, for the best cover shot I'm liking the Kapara. Best of luck bud!
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#12

Post by Sharp Guy »

Nice shots Nick! Some tough choices there! Since you're going for the cover, I went with The Kave Spyder. The Gift from St. Nick's is almost a shoe in for the December slot. Mind if I share that with the guy's from St Nick's. I'm sure they'd get a kick out of it
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#13

Post by PStone »

KaveKapara vote here. Not to make it any harder, but Para3 Trailguide is a very very close #2.
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#14

Post by wrdwrght »

All call for attention, but “The Kave Spyder” is my choice. bbturbodad’s touch-up does feature the blade a bit better.
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#15

Post by Mushroom »

Thank you everyone for the compliments, constructive criticism, and all the votes! So far, this has been helpful to narrow my decision down to "The Gift From St. Nicks" versus "The Kave Spyder." Making the final decision between these two is going to be difficult. I might have to put this into fate's hands and flip a coin. :eek:
The Meat man wrote:
ladybug93 wrote:
Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:42 am
of course everyone loves the kapara picture. it looks like it belongs in a calendar.

that said, i doubt there will be many themed entries and your Christmas photo of the st. nick's lil native is very fitting for december.

hmm... but i also doubt a Christmas-specific photo makes the cover and the kapara has a real chance at that. tough call, but it's between those two for me.
This is exactly what I was thinking. The St Nick's photo would make a terrific December themed picture, but if you're shooting for the cover shot, maybe a less-seasonally themed image would be better.
I definitely agree as well and thats the predicament I'm in now. LOL :o

I like to think that both shots have potential to win one of the months but if I really want to aim for the cover, I don't know if a Christmas themed photo is the best option. Decisions, decisions :eek:!

bbturbodad wrote:
I like them all! Makes me realize how much I've been slacking with my pics this year. :D

I had a similar thought as JonLeBlanc, I like The Kave Spyder but thought the knife was a bit dark so I brighten it a touch.

Image
If you like it I'm more than happy to apply the same adjustments to the original for you.

Edit: Based on the comments leaning towards Gift from St Nick's I gave it quick color correction and I think it makes the pic pop a bit more.
Image

Second Edit: I forgot to say I really like Para 3 Trail Guide
Those look great, thanks! The edits definitely improve the photos. I think I would like to try my own hand at editing them but depending on the success of that I may be in contact with you via PM. I really appreciate the offer, thanks again! :)

Filoso- wrote: Those are all great photos Nick! I like the St Nick’s pic, it has really beautiful colors and could be perfect for Christmas. My second choice would be the Para 3 Trail Guide.
Thanks for the help, Filoso. I love that Native 5 Salt pic you entered! :D

TkoK83Spy wrote: Thanks for the plug Nick! :cool:

I'm torn between the St Nick's, Kapara and Para 3. As others said, I could definitely see the St Nick's shot taking December...but maybe not the cover because of the holiday theme. I love that pic though.

Kapara is such a creative shot, and when lightened/brightened up a bit it looks even better!

The Para 3 shot is great as well. The foggy and mysterious trail in the background but not taking our full attention away from the knife itself. Another thing I've noticed the past couple years...seems like they like to select newly released models from the past year in the calendar. I know there's a couple that are in this years calendar that left me scratching my head, but each of them were new releases. Maybe something to think about?

After all this rambling, for the best cover shot I'm liking the Kapara. Best of luck bud!
No problem! Thank you for pioneering this type of thread. Also, thanks for the help! I've narrowed my decision down to the St. Nicks shot vs the Kapara shot. Fortunately, I still have time to really think about it.

Sharp Guy wrote: Nice shots Nick! Some tough choices there! Since you're going for the cover, I went with The Kave Spyder. The Gift from St. Nick's is almost a shoe in for the December slot. Mind if I share that with the guy's from St Nick's. I'm sure they'd get a kick out of it
Thanks Patrick! Also, I wouldn't mind at all, feel free to share it with them! :D

Again, thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. Though I did not respond to everyone individually, I read and absolutely appreciate the feedback you have all provided.
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#16

Post by JRinFL »

I like both, but voted for "Gift" as it fits the calendar theme the best.

Also, I'm only seeing my vote for the "Gift" so some are posting, but forgetting to vote in the poll.
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#17

Post by p_atrick »

Kave Spyder. The other photo has a reddish haze to it that I do not like. With so much red in the background, I find the lack of contrast to take a bit away from the photo.
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#18

Post by Red »

In the minority but the St. Nicks shot is awesome. Both of them are excellent but I like that one the most. Wish my phone took better pics, may invest in a camera soon.
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#19

Post by standy99 »

St Nicks for me.
Cave one draws my eye to the rope/cord and knife doesn’t look as crisp focus wise compared to St Nicks......
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Re: Help choosing calendar photo

#20

Post by SpyderNut »

They are both excellent pictures, so it was difficult to choose. I ended up going with the St. Nick’s because it is such a bright and cheerful picture and reminds me of better times.
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