Pictures of IAPLC 2008 AQ entries!

[Shadow]

I think that also the reason why taking photo is important, because it contribute to the first look.

[StanChung]

You have to have something nice to photograph in the 1st place!

Setting up for the photo session is a pain to do alone. It's always best to get help.

[jacian]

Hi Robert,

Since you mentioned you are lost, I put up the comparsion so as you can have a better idea. At this stage I am only pointing out why is it better and not so much about how to get it better.

I understand the limitation of the 2ft but I doubt the judge will look at the tank size first, as you already mentioned, it is the first impression that count. Like what Stanc mentioned, it is about the 'lots more to see' thing. It will be more difficult to achieve that in a 2ft but still something worth looking into it.

By the way, I did not notice that it is a 2ft tank till you mention it.

[StanChung]

I look at the size of the fish to get an idea of tank size.
Just like how I tell the size of building/room by the size of the people.

However, I'd rather be fooled into thinking it's a large tank.

As for getting better, a couple of years of planting experience would help tremendously.
I don't even worry about algae, nothing to panic about. Just some elbow grease.

[Shadow]

By the way, I did not notice that it is a 2ft tank till you mention it.

I considered that as compliment because that the reason I put espei.

By the there also 10 yamato and 10 c.pymaeus, but all hiding during the photo taking. Will judges minus my point because of that?

[Burnz]

Time for me to dissect my tank and open up for critique!

Concept: Actually the picture posted was quite close to what i first imagined it to be. I was thinking of some neon greens bursting out from the centre, that being the general mood. Very simple.

Likes

Color- primarily striking green on the top contrasted with darker shadow regions near the centre. I think the wood and the ferns compliment each other quite well, overall it has managed to display some form of dynamism.
Lighting - The seemingly central lighting seem to help dramatise a otherwise simple setup.
Easy Maintance - Very low demanding plants

Dislikes

Lack of originality - must have seen this kind of layout somewhere before. Will attempt to innovate next setup.
Lack of depth - I keep wondering if i had sloped the scape with the effect be better?
Lack of Perspective - The bunch of ferns in front is the same size as the ferns behind. Wonder if replacing the whole lot behind with narrow leave would do the job?
Lack of plant variety - I acknowledge the lack of plant variety, I simply cannot think of what plants to add. Any suggestions?
Fish Selection - I think the balloon fish is out of place, but the ember tetra does contrast the green nicely
Too Starck - Looks the least natural. Sure can learn from the example quoted by Jacian.
Awkward Layout - In retrospect, the bunch on the left (again) is beginning to seem out of place. The proportion was better when the bunch was smaller until it grew and skewed the form. The intention to include it was to break an otherwise symmetry layout.
Lack of foresight - Cannot get fish to in nice position. I didn't realise only have this wide angel lense for half an hour only and never see it again! I didn't make the best out of it

Most happy to hear from all fellow hobbyists regarding the layout. Please feel free to critique so we all can learn from our shortfalls cheers

[StanChung]

Bern,

Another Island layout. oops.
This must be Singapore style.

Ok, first of all, your picture is very contrasty. A lot of details cannot be seen.
You've done well to break up the middle and added the nana petites for interest. The wood pieces look very nice but let down by lighting. I can't see it clearly enough. The centre piece of D/wood is too centre IMO.

There is lack of 'joy' in your tank. I think it's the colours. More small red fishes could help and I agree with your own comments regarding the balloon fishes.
[I think it's lighting again] You should try white bg.

I personally feel the moss looks flat. Should choose another type or fluff it up a bit. If you could find some nice low rocks to form the base of the Island, I think it would score well.

Overall, I think it's 60-70% there. There's quite a bit to see and I would enjoy a tank like this very much.

------------

On another note, I find the frontal shot limitation by contest organisers very limiting and we end up seeing a lot of valley/road setups that in turn make a lot of the tanks very generic looking. [Including mine- I scratch my head a lot for new ideas]

[StanChung]

This is mine #228

Hi William,

As per your request for comment.

Your tank is near perfect already. There is no obvious mistakes but...

1. Grandness=WOW factor. Small details like finer texture on the rock, scale illusion could be better.
2. Medium level of difficulty tank. I imagine your score peak at 70%.

My suggestion: try working on a larger tank and also put in more details- cave/road/mountain/finer leaved and more striking looking plants.

It's good that you can do a small tank, if you multiply this by a factor of at least 6, your max score I imagine would increase to 80++.
Originality counts but sometimes when go for execution marks we can still score high enough for top 200.

The analogy I can give is like Olympic Artistic Gymnastics-Level of Difficulty[percentage]X Total Technical Execution marks.
To score well you need both.

[williamng]

Hi Stan

Thanks for your comments. I hope to make my scape look "larger" this year.

[StanChung]

You're welcome, that's the spirit! 'jia yau'!

[jacian]

I considered that as compliment because that the reason I put espei.

That's a compliment and I am glad that you noticed that.

On Burnz and William's tank,
To add on Stan's comment, I find that every layout has it's level of difficulty, just like diving. You can go for a high level of difficulty but if you do not execute it well, you will ended up with lower points. For William's tank, there is nothing for me to pick on already, it could just that for that level of difficulty of the setup, this could be just the highest position the tank could get.

If you find that you are not a creative person, don't worry too much about the originality, or else you will never get started as you are struck at new ideas. (At least this is true for me ).

[williamng]

That's a compliment and I am glad that you noticed that.

On Burnz and William's tank,
To add on Stan's comment, I find that every layout has it's level of difficulty, just like diving. You can go for a high level of difficulty but if you do not execute it well, you will ended up with lower points. For William's tank, there is nothing for me to pick on already, it could just that for that level of difficulty of the setup, this could be just the highest position the tank could get.

If you find that you are not a creative person, don't worry too much about the originality, or else you will never get started as you are struck at new ideas. (At least this is true for me ).

Guys

Thanks for the comments. Next year, I will try some difficult stunts. Basically, it is still early. If the stunt fail, I just try again. Plenty of time.

[StanChung]

I think I've OD'ed on olympics. I think think scoring analogy applies however the focus there is more on technical perfection. Somebody doing a super 3.6-3.8 difficulty dive + rip entry is going to score really high.

I agree with Jacian on originality. Although it is very important to get the wow factor but technical perfection is good enough for high scores. Since most of you only have one maybe two tanks, It would take awhile before you master all the main styles. Nature, Dutch, and everything in between. Just go for the style you like best. You would definitely be better at it.