|
| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 38 |
Jul 20 |
Reply |
I am not a fan of artificially "blurring" unless it really looks like natural bokeh or unless the subject really needs the help. The lighting in an indoor arena is usually horrendous and requires as fast a lens as I have and even then ISO really needs some cranking. That's why I was seriously attracted to Topaz DeNoise AI. |
Jul 21st |
| 38 |
Jul 20 |
Reply |
I was shooting as low a focal length as I could with a 70-200mm. I was at 70mm and the subject was probably 150 ft. away. The crowd was maybe 50 feet farther. |
Jul 21st |
| 38 |
Jul 20 |
Comment |
What a beautiful capture. I don't think situations like this come around often enough to plan ahead so I'm only going to address post processing. I think I would crop a little closer to emphasize the feet and crop to place them on the diagonal line for balance. I believe by opening up the shadows you could highlight where the feet were placed and I think that the colors would open up more as well. By placing a little space ahead of the feet I think that gives the action direction. The natural reflection helps with balance and the pebbles fill in the space. I think this is one image you and your daughter will cherish for many years. Nicely done. Congratulations. |
Jul 12th |
 |
| 38 |
Jul 20 |
Reply |
Sometimes the expressions on the spectators are priceless. |
Jul 10th |
| 38 |
Jul 20 |
Reply |
Thanks for the feedback. |
Jul 10th |
| 38 |
Jul 20 |
Comment |
I really like what you wanted to do with this image. The use of a high f/stop in my opinion kind of defeated your stated intention. The pebbles are overwhelmed by the sky/bright water and dominate spires of rock. (So is the nature and danger of stating an intention.) With that said, to my eye your capture is sharp and properly exposed. I like you balanced composition. In my opinion you tackled a really difficult objective with the imagination needed to create a good image. Based on the cost you paid for my suggestions, this is how I would tackle this project. (It's so much easier on Monday morning.) 1) I would go totally monochrome. Half of your image is practically monochrome already.(Nothing more difficult than try to emphasize a monochrome subject in a color image.) 2) I'd crop and balance the composition to bring the horizon closer to the all too sacred one-third line. I would use a brush to tone down the highlights on the water. I'd use the graduated filter tool to boost the saturation in the clouds. I'd use the brush tool to reduce shadows on the pebbles. To me it's all about trying to get my viewer to KNOW what I want them to look at. It's a great image and very dramatic, in my opinion. In spite of my verbose critique, as is this is still a very nice image. |
Jul 9th |
 |
| 38 |
Jul 20 |
Comment |
I think you have done this Kingfisher justice. To me the image is sharp, properly exposed with an appropriate white balance. Getting close to one is darn near impossible. The only suggestion I have is to isolate your subject just a bit more with a little cropping. My working philosophy is to ask myself what is and is not contributing to my art. It is a subjective paradigm. I once read that painters add to a canvas and photographers remove. (That's the way it used to be before Photoshop and Luminar.)Just another opinion worth what it cost you. Very nicely presented. |
Jul 7th |
 |
| 38 |
Jul 20 |
Reply |
I appreciate your candor and suggestion. However, the man's name is Shorty and he, along with two other bull fighters are in the arena to keep the bull away from the rider after he is either thrown off or gets off after 8 seconds. The reason he is just standing there is because another bull fighter, Frank, who is cropped out just out of view is moving in to get between the rider and a very angry bull. Their job is to divert the attention of the bull to themselves and away from the rider. That in no way invalidates your suggestion. You see the image as it is without backstory. That's not only fair, it is welcome because I need to be reminded that not everyone who will see my images will know the backstory. Thanks again. |
Jul 5th |
| 38 |
Jul 20 |
Comment |
In the absence of any other suggestions, I have to say I agree completely with Art. I had an identical image prepared sans the curve adjustment.
|
Jul 4th |
| 38 |
Jul 20 |
Comment |
I really like your use of straight and rippled lines. I don't thing that I'd disagree with Art's cropping suggestion but I find the diagonal reed a nice transition point from straight to ripples. I'm not usually a fan of selective colorization but your technique is subtle and in this image, in my opinion, works very well. At first I thought it was pure monotone but the green tint to the reeds was a pleasant surprise. I would love to see this poster size on my office wall, if I had an office. |
Jul 4th |
| 38 |
Jul 20 |
Comment |
I think you've done a great job isolating the most interesting segment of your original image. To me the use of monotone was exactly what was called for. The object hand is well exposed and sharp. The slight blur of the left hand adds drama and mystery. I liked how you burned the background to further isolate the primary subjects. To my mind's eye the story is dramatic and I have no idea what is happening. Nicely done |
Jul 4th |
6 comments - 5 replies for Group 38
|
| 55 |
Jul 20 |
Reply |
Yes, that is better. It also helps balance the image. |
Jul 21st |
| 55 |
Jul 20 |
Comment |
I will agree with Alec, I think this is one of your best although you did a bang-up job last month. Your colors are very nice and since I'm getting a new prescription for glasses tomorrow, I'll say the focus looks fine to me. My only suggestion would be to give the bird a little room on the left. To me it looks a bit cramped on that side. You may have to borrow that camera again. Once again, very nice. |
Jul 20th |
1 comment - 1 reply for Group 55
|
7 comments - 6 replies Total
|
