|
| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 11 |
Oct 21 |
Reply |
...there you go!! : ) |
Oct 17th |
| 11 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Hello, Jim. Alternatively, image No2 with all its distortion presents its own special aesthetic, that I like. I also do not mind the ski tower and lines, thus I would have left them in or tried to capture this structure from a different angle or with a different lens.
"Points to Ponder':
I often use 14mm and 16mm for the soul purpose of injecting a mood or some type of visual "prick" to bring interest to an otherwise straight forward scene or subject. This sometimes includes turning the scene/subject into an abstract, but nonetheless the optical diversities are sometimes a worthwhile benefit.
|
Oct 13th |
| 11 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Hi Jim! Yes, the original is powerful and creates a sense of "place", where the cropped version seemingly turns into a snap shot. In fact, the original scene is actually an amazing composition and presents a very capable documentary/fine art piece! Bravo! |
Oct 13th |
| 11 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Hello, Henry Peterman! Light, Shadow and Texture, always great subjects for most artists (in any genre of art), and can present intriguing compositions in photography: your work here is good and most definitely a project I hope you continue and grow upon. For more insight and inspiration, I am suggesting you will enjoy the (DD-83 Mono) Bulletin Board conversation, "Light and Shadow" posted a couple of months ago. Just scroll down a short ways to find it. I look forward to your feedback and more compositions like the one posted here in the near future. |
Oct 13th |
| 11 |
Oct 21 |
Reply |
Understood...and thank you, Albert. |
Oct 12th |
| 11 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Hello, Allen! Well, the 1/25sec really kept details and clarity to a minimum, thus you have a lovely scene here and impressed with the re-processed no.2 version that brings back some (but very little ) clarity in the upper mountain walls. For sure Burning this area may help bring out more detail there, so will further cropping this 3x2 ratio to the point of exposing just a tiny portion of the "bright" area commented on by others.
Overall, yes, agreeing with Henry, a very artistic approach to an otherwise documentary like composition. Beautiful!
|
Oct 12th |
| 11 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Gee! Lovely composition, Albert! There is no substitute for finding the right vantage point/position to capture engaging pictures.
I see you slightly cropped the original scene, and I must suggest the original that includes more stones and rocks in the foreground may actually be adding more to the whole scene. Another question: why did you choose ISO-400 (unless this was an auto-setting), the daylight seems very adequate for the base ISO which should be 100, thus inviting less noise. I only say this because the original color version is seemingly grainy (almost film-like) in its appearance.
Overall, a dramatic wide scale view of this amazing landscape!
Lance A. Lewin
PSA BW Photography Mentor |
Oct 12th |
| 11 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Good day, Henry! Yes, this BW rendering is well designed: from a compositional aspect, really do like the frame/crop as the entire scene is engaging. Your post-production exposure correction is beautiful and grey-scale toning is good, though I would have preferred a bit less contrast/structure in the rocks. I feel less detail in this area may actually help to strengthen the photographs gestalt. In any case, as is, is absolutely beautiful!
Lance A. Lewin
PSA BW Photography Mentor
PSA South Atlantic Area Membership Director |
Oct 12th |
6 comments - 2 replies for Group 11
|
| 22 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Hi Jerry! The final image is quite clear compared to the out-of-focus original; perhaps a discussion about your post-production methods would be most beneficial. The final color and crop is wonderful!! Well done!
Technical: perhaps another way of capturing this scene/event, and especially @300mm, would have been to dial in a much higher Shutter speed, which would go a long way in helping a "Panned" shot like this. (See DD-87-General for Steve's similar photo and discussions). This way, the shot would have a better chance of "freezing" the subject.
Lance A. Lewin
PSA Black & White Photography Mentor
PSA South Atlantic Area Membership Director |
Oct 22nd |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 22
|
| 26 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Happy Friday, Jose! Indeed, a striking image...it is a beautiful piece!! I like very much photographing Sunflowers and hope you allow me to suggest a few points:
"Points to Ponder": In fact, it is not necessary to use 21st century techniques to capture this scene, and under the atmospheric conditions that your were presented: the attached image I captured in the Czech Republic in 2017 is an example: here, I laid on my back to look up at this drooping flower against a pure white sky, I too, wanted to capture back-lighting (that I enjoy doing often) and used a wide open aperture (shallow depth of field (DoF) 50mm F/1.4 lens at F/1.4. Manual focus was dead-dead center, but pinpointed the focus so pedal edges were most clear. (Of course I incorporated traditional "bracketing" to be sure the correct focus point was captured. Contact me to discuss if unfamiliar with this 20th century practice). (Canon 5D Mark II; hand held)
Post-production: Exposure correction by "Dodging" center of flower. Color pedal modifications: Dodged pedals. The BW version was placed through ( I believe a green filter, but will confirm upon my return to Atlanta next week).
The resulting BW aesthetic is very "digital" in its appearance and was not my vision, but the color version is more natural and similar to your featured work this month.
Lance A. Lewin
PSA Black & White Photography Mentor
PSA South Atlantic area Membership Director
visualizingart.com
|
Oct 22nd |
 |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 26
|
| 27 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Good day, Brad. Stopped by to see this striking image, and then realized it was more of a hybrid-photographic effort. Your use of multiple images is keen, indeed.
Well done.
Lance A. Lewin
PSA Black & White Photography Mentor
PSA South Atlantic Area Membership Director
visualizingart.com |
Oct 22nd |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 27
|
| 30 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Happy Friday, Jessica! Frankly, the featured work is a wonderful artistic capture where Light & Shadow play host in providing depth and character to the scene.
Judy's alternative processing erases the depth and makes the composition flat: the very attributes of light & shadow are lost. The tighter crop is a viable option, but Judy's a bit too tight....
Great work and accomplished with minimum post-production...Bravo!
Lance A. Lewin
PSA Black & White Photography Mentor
PSA South Atlantic Area Membership Director
visualizingart.com |
Oct 22nd |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 30
|
| 32 |
Oct 21 |
Reply |
...well, yes, my words reflect how some judges might regard this type of work against other work with less or no additional digital additives. Example: I just spearheaded our 3rd Annual Juried Photography Exhibition at Gilmer Arts, and was careful how I set Category-Genres so work was more easily identifiable for Judging and later for those viewing the work: in this case, we have a very vibrant and engaging scope of work featuring both traditional and conceptual/illustrative photography. In any case, the defining factor for most winners in past years was those with least amount of editing, unless of course, in the second of the two categories, outlined above. |
Oct 11th |
| 32 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Good day, Diana. The basic composition (buildings, boats, dock) within this crop look engaging on their own, but you went further and added special post-production effects to give a more "Misty" or foggy appearance.
For many artist outside Clubs, Guilds and even online institutions like the PSA, added effects like these are the ones that give many patrons of arts and other artists (from any genre) to give pause: here, it is quite evident more than what the lens (and the effects of camera dynamics like Bokeh, for just one example) are being presented.
This conversation will be the basis of a talk I am giving to fine art painters and photographers on Oct 18th in Ellijay, Georgia.
Kind regards,
Lance
PSA Black & White Photography Mentor
PSA South Atlantic Area Membership Director |
Oct 10th |
| 32 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Indeed, the mirror frame creates a sense of "place", as Wes has pointed out, a very necessary component in creating a narrative.
As far as Contrast - well, as long as you all unleash yourself from the connection to PSA and Club competitions, and other restraining rules manifested by the PSA and many local photography groups - any particular aesthetic that balances the subject is 1. essential in helping to form a narrative, and 2. an artists vision: Art for art sake. (See latest topic in DD-83 Bulletin Board).
As it relates to the featured photograph, and the variety of comments (and edits), I can only suggest more time and patience in finding a position, lens choice and ultimate variations on framing behind the viewfinder could fine other, more inviting and engaging narratives of your grandson.
This all said, the featured work, in my opinion, reveals a very intimate and special time for you and your grandson as he goes through his stretching. |
Oct 4th |
2 comments - 1 reply for Group 32
|
| 39 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
"Points to Ponder"
Happy Sunday, Steve! Well, I do not support severe deleting of artifacts - and I will leave that conversation for another time - but also want to point out how powerful the original is: the work reflects the power in the vernacular: here, we see a combination of modern life (or the effects of industry) and old world architecture. Scenes conveying this narrative were often captured by Walker Evans, for just one example. In this case, I urge photographs to see the beauty and intriguing narrative these compositions can present to viewers, while spending extra time to find locations (positions) that have no obstructive artifacts to create, as your featured image is presented here.
Lance A. Lewin
PSA Black & White Photography Mentor |
Oct 3rd |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 39
|
| 47 |
Oct 21 |
Reply |
...interesting. Perhaps some in-camera setting, or the HDR routine added this grainy feel. Thank you for your feedback. |
Oct 14th |
| 47 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Good day, Albert! Yes, this part of North America is a must see...your overall composition is wonderful in its "field of view" that brings a sense of grandeur for viewers'. Well conceived....
However, the grainy aesthetic does not work here. I would have preferred straight photographic capture with post-production completed outside of the camera, in my opinion. |
Oct 13th |
1 comment - 1 reply for Group 47
|
| 48 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Happy Sunday, Bev!
Well, the original is already an out-of-focus capture, and thus does not work. Cropping and enlarging the image only exasperates the blurred view. In my opinion, the large blurred view can be more disturbing than attractive, even as an abstract.
If the original attempt was to soften the image, then using camera dynamics and natural lighting, for example, could have paid solid results. (e.g. using wide open aperture and selected point of focus in creating a soft aesthetic).
|
Oct 3rd |
| 48 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Happy Sunday, Lloyd! So, let me also suggest, the guy in red to the left spoils the shot: why? His stature (size and placement) disrupts the rest of this very (otherwise) engaging composition. I am assuming you have several from this vantage point and I would like to see one....but I think you were trying to convey a social, or cultural narrative....
"Points to Ponder"
Alternatively, if your goal was to present Health or Social content, (as we see a Covid sign and a masked-man hurrying away) then the piece works quite well, indeed. The scene very much illustrates the severe change in our social and cultural lifestyles here in the US.
In this format, the Masked-man seems to heading very quickly out of harms way as he seems, perhaps, uncomfortable in this large crowd. A documentary style application with a series of like-photos, this one composition fits perfect and completely successful. |
Oct 3rd |
2 comments - 0 replies for Group 48
|
| 62 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Hello, Israel... a very powerful composition, and the entire scene made me think of painter, Claude Monet (1840 - 1926): and this particular painting: from my research paper...'peering through rain, sleet, snow, or the fog and coal dust depicted in Monet's "Waterloo Bridge", 1903'. "They are impressionists in the sense that they render not a landscape, but the sensation produced by a landscape. These artists were painting what they saw, not what they knew was there; perception, not appearance".
(Cite: Monet - An accessible, engaging introduction to the life and work of Claude Monet. Editions: Paperback | English by Carla Rachman
The work is wonderful and I continue to enjoy looking at it!
"Points to Ponder":
In my opinion, I do wish you had not added any film-like aesthetics, as I feel the natural and man-made atmospheric conditions already provided the boldness, richness and emotion.
Lance A. Lewin
PSA B&W Photography Mentor |
Oct 14th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 62
|
| 64 |
Oct 21 |
Reply |
Good day, Helen. Please, find email sent to you last week. Enjoy a great weekend! |
Oct 22nd |
| 64 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Hi Helen...been looking through a lot of your work since we last spoke and I enjoy your eye for finding and capturing engaging compositions within Light & Shadow. (See my DD-83 Bulletin Board post (from a couple of months ago), if you have not already.
The original composition is absolutely wonderful! It is not too busy... In my opinion, the Featured crop loses a great deal in...suggestive-narrative, and thus leaves me unmoved. Look forward to more of this great photography! |
Oct 14th |
1 comment - 1 reply for Group 64
|
| 76 |
Oct 21 |
Reply |
Hi Heidi... of course cellphone is appropriate, but I was talking about the extended post-production to render this very creative and engaging composition. Work like this is center to most discussions in the DD-Creative group, and of course, there is a Cellphone group as well: the point of these other groups is to focus on a particular concept, technique and/or genre, where like-participants can share like-information.
Though "General" does mean "general", I would hope more "creative" or what I like to refer to as, Photographic Mixed Media, is placed in the aforementioned "creative" or other non-traditional photography genre groups. It is not a rule, it is something I am trying to stress to participants (especially in "General") to keep more in line with traditional photographic concepts and limit use/discussions on AI software (e.g. "pre-sets" and "layers" for two popular examples).
I am surprised you are not aware of DD-Creative: take a look through DD-77, I think this will interest you. Look forward to seeing more of your work and of course reach back out to at your leisure:
Lewin.author@gmail.com. Have a great weekend!
Lance A. Lewin
PSA Black & White Photography Mentor
PSA South Atlantic Area Membership Director
|
Oct 22nd |
| 76 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Good day, Heidi...a very attractive image, indeed. Of course capturing this scene with a cellphone greatly limited ones creative options from behind the viewfinder and this is an important point to bring out as this is a "General" photography group.
To "create" a more lasting impression this image file needed to be heavily modified and the results are beautiful. For sure, this example best illustrated in the "DD-Creative" groups.
|
Oct 22nd |
1 comment - 1 reply for Group 76
|
| 78 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Happy Friday, Mitch! A very exciting scene! The featured version is well processed.
Technical: first, and important the rest of the group see this...you used Shutter Priority to capture the scene and of course, I would guess being on this boat and knowing you will be capturing other fast moving creatures, this was the best choice, indeed.
Thoughts: a faster shutter speed would have been a viable option as it was bright outside: in this shot you have ISO at 640 and that is fine, but with bright atmospheric conditions and high ISO, 1/2500 sec may have offered a more clear capture, while neutralizing the exposure.
Lance A. Lewin
PSA Black & White Photography Mentor
PSA South Atlantic Area Membership Director |
Oct 22nd |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 78
|
| 83 |
Oct 21 |
Reply |
Hi John! So we are clear...I did not say it is too "artistic", which of course would be a nonsensical appraisal of any type of Art.
Instead, I suggested this type of work is best illustrated and discussed within the "Creative" or "Fine Art" rooms, per PSA definitions that includes a great amount of digital post-production creativity that actually places the work more accurately within Photography Mixed Media.
In this way, "DD-General" discussions can remain more within the confines of traditional photographic techniques. Actually, this has been a big topic I have recently brought up at the Membership Directors meetings and also to the DD and DSG groups Directors. Thank you, John.
|
Oct 24th |
| 83 |
Oct 21 |
Reply |
Yeah, I was thinking that....well, I thought we had so many participant turnovers, that it would be new for most....I'll make it up with two, new images next month.
Thank you, Jose. |
Oct 23rd |
| 83 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
A very nice artistic statement: Both a contribution of your position, lens choice, dramatic weather and the luck or patience to have no one in the background. Love it! |
Oct 12th |
| 83 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Love this, Jason! My only comment is, perhaps a wider Flash could have been used, as it looks too much like a post-production vignetted frame. Otherwise, absolutely love how the subject is getting attention, on the clearly, continuing fallout from a struggling economy, that unfortunately seems still to be lingering for everyone around the world. |
Oct 12th |
| 83 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Gee, that looks like a very exciting event - heard so much about Carnaval from around the world and hopefully I get join in the fun someday.
Great shot!! The smoke, the lead dancer hands are moving and balanced by the the dancer to his right (photo-left) bending over....I love it!
However, the 5x7 crop is not working because of the people lined up watching on photo-left: all I did was re-crop as an 8x10. (In stead of trying to Delete the people, as so often I see in PSA groups and local clubs, instead its all about checking the background and having patience before triggering the shutter-release, or in this case, choose a different crop).
|
Oct 4th |
 |
| 83 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Happy Monday, Dirk! While I think you're "creative" skills are amazing in being able to produce these fantasy landscapes, perhaps this would be more appropriate in another Digital Dialogue group (e.g. "Creative" or "fine Art", as defined by the PSA).
Otherwise, as a group, we are sliding too far past the scope this particular DD-Group investigates. Thank you, Dirk. |
Oct 4th |
4 comments - 2 replies for Group 83
|
| 87 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Very Dramatic composition, Will! Well conceived and captured!
One of a few times you will see me vote for color...LOL!
All thinks considered...I do not see an issue with the trees being part of this comp...and surely unavailable to capture this dramatic scene. Lovely!
On a unrelated note: as a child looking out my 10th floor apartment (Apartment 10K, to be exact) I watched as the landscape changed when the first Tower went up...my apartment was 12 miles from the bridge! Fond memories living in ENY from 1958 to 1963 - near Pennsylvania Blvd. |
Oct 9th |
| 87 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Gee, another fun image this month! Well captured, Jennifer! |
Oct 9th |
| 87 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Cindy...how clever and creative! This is a project I hope you continue to work on, as in my opinion, can result in some very engaging work...
However, as other comments noted, the background is definitely a distraction. And all this means is re-working the project until a favorable result/s come into play.
"Points to Ponder":
However, I posted a (low-resolution) alternative by way of cropping your featured piece: in this example we have all but eliminated the "distraction" saving it as an Abstract. |
Oct 9th |
 |
| 87 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Hi Dale, my reaction is similar to Will's....very delightful composition, and indeed fun to view. Likely lens bokeh has a lot to do with the lovely blurred aesthetic. A fine example of photographic work that needs to be presented in color.
Great work, Dale! |
Oct 9th |
| 87 |
Oct 21 |
Reply |
Hi Will! Well, a slightly slower shutter speed (could) still offer the sharpness, but I would have to Pan perfectly. I go back to the 24 Hours of Daytona in Jan 2022 and will seriously play around with this. Appreciate your comments, Will...thank you! |
Oct 9th |
| 87 |
Oct 21 |
Reply |
...and thank goodness you confessed!
But lets talk about this wonderful capture: Perfect! Panning done to perfection, and in this case, to completely STOP the action to reveal the details. Well done, Steve!
"Points to Ponder":
Back to that sky: Another means of creating more interest in this particular work, may be on what type of paper it is printed on. Perhaps a 100% cotton rag with texture would off-set your opinion of the original boring sky. Another possible dramatic view may be achieved through a Black & White rendering. In these (two) examples, we are placing a firm grip on photographic technique, thus maintaining an authentic canvas. Of course, alternatively, the artist can admit about changing the sky (as you have) and thus place the work a bit closer to a "hybrid-genre" of photography, and that is fine with me. (I am giving a talk about this subject to a group of Fine Art painters and photographers on Oct 18th.). |
Oct 9th |
| 87 |
Oct 21 |
Reply |
Yes, agree, from the standpoint to bring more "action" to this supposedly, action footage, I need to bring in a perspective.
As usual, appreciate your insights, Steve. |
Oct 8th |
| 87 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
...well, it suppose to reveal that...motion. Perhaps I should have used a bit slower shutter speed.
However, I was hoping the slight wheel blur and fading near-field fence helped reveal this was a moving object.
But your observation goes very well for this discussion on panning: that is, it is important to experiment for optimum results. |
Oct 3rd |
5 comments - 3 replies for Group 87
|
29 comments - 11 replies Total
|
