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| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 96 |
Jan 21 |
Comment |
Something I've noticed about your images, Dale, is that they don't scream at me. I'm not a name dropper but Jack Dykinga told me that the most powerful images are the ones that whisper, not scream. I only use his name because that statement - aimed directly at my photography - changed the way I see and capture photographs. It has so much wisdom that I feel it's worthwhile to pass along.
Personally, I need the peace that this image evokes. My emotional response is calming. It doesn't need a strong center of interest or high impact punch. It's taken from a place that I see myself sitting for a long time, simply watching the swans swim in a wonderful place bathed in Fall colors far away from the rush of an urban life.
I particularly like the Aspin, Alder or Birch in the center. I too wonder about how it's centered, but I'm not convinced that a crop which takes the tree off center improves the image. A crop sacrifices the visually pleasing left side trees. Does the tree as framed provide a compositional anchor against the changing colors of the other trees? Also, the lack of aggressive sharpening works in its favor too. I admire your restraint in this respect.
The only two things I would offer is to clone out the bench and sign and try to eliminate the fallen tree in the water that interferes with the swans. The cloning of the bench and sign is easy as Cheryl demonstrated, but the fallen tree in the water might be a challenge. Good luck, buddy. |
Jan 11th |
| 96 |
Jan 21 |
Reply |
Very well said, Gerard. You are a funny guy.
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Jan 11th |
| 96 |
Jan 21 |
Comment |
I think it was Art Wolff who said something to the effect that camera club critiques are one of the most dangerous things to an enthusiastic photographer. I believe that camera club critiques should be taken with a grain of salt. Measure the critiquers' opinions by how much you respect their work. This is the primary reason I joined the PSA and immediately got involved with a Study Group. My local camera club was driving me to mediocrity. I respect everyone's work in this group and trust their comments as honest, well meaning and coming from a higher degree of photographic expertise.
Gerard is so right. I too love your "Original". Put it back immediately! It might be a little elongated but why not? That is how the scene looked. Your magenta is brilliant. The colors seem to pop better in your "Original". This might be because the "Original" is without the Orton effect (?) I also like the 50/50 composition style. This is where the horizon or center line is in the middle of the frame. You might get some 'camera club' grief about it breaking the Rule of Thirds. I say, "To heck with them".
I have always thought that we should never be defensive or make excuses when being offered a critique. Let someone else do it for you. This is why I'm am so strong in my opinion that your "Original" is a terrific photograph. Let it be seen as it is. Very nicely done, Cheryl.
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Jan 11th |
| 96 |
Jan 21 |
Comment |
Hi Emily, This is taken from a moving vehicle at 1/125 sec.? Nice work in managing to take a sharp image in those conditions. I'm sure it's obvious to everyone the connection between the turbine and electrical lines flowing through your frame. Nevertheless, I wanted to comment on how I find it interesting. I appreciate how you demonstrate where some of our electrical power comes from and how it's transmitted.
From my own point of view, aesthetically, the poll and electrical lines don't work. They interfere with a nicely composed image of turbines and the mountain backdrop. This would be an easy clone-out job. On the other hand, I really like how you positioned your capture so the turbines line up so nicely. I notice how my eyes move from the back of the center turbines up to the front where it meets the mountain ridge. My eyes then travel up the ridge to the right. Nicely done. I wonder if you waited a bit for the light to change and the center turbines were better lit and the far back turbines on the left were in a cloud shadow. That means you would have to stop. Unless it were Sasquatch there, I wouldn't recommend stopping on the side of a freeway with fast moving cars.
From my short time with this group, I enjoy watching how you see. The fun you have in making photographs comes through in your images. |
Jan 11th |
| 96 |
Jan 21 |
Comment |
I think I might have finally found the secret to making successful waterflow images: Learn from Robert. I truly admire how you were able to make such a visually pleasing photograph of a subject that has always eluded me.
For one thing, Robert has shown us here that the real story behind this capture is the rocks - not the water. To me, the flowing water - though visually very powerful - is not the main subject. It's the rocks that the water takes its shape, light, shadow and reflective color from. So the rocks become the driving force from which everything else happens. I have never looked at a scene like this before.
Some of the more obvious attributes that should never be overlooked are the complementary colors of blue and gold; the three groups of rocks; the diagonal direction of the composition; and finally, the feathery flow of the water through a long exposure.
I like Cheryl's crop but not so much the added contrast. Perhaps just a smidge more contrast might help but my particular taste prefers the softer look which you achieved that works so well for the photo. There seems to be some kind of texture in the water that doesn't match the scene for me, especially considering that motion blur was added. As I've said in past comments, this might be the website or downsizing rendering and not the fault of the image.
Nicely seen and captured, Robert.
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Jan 11th |
| 96 |
Jan 21 |
Comment |
Hi Gerard, I too have recently extended my ISO for the exact same reasons as you stated. It's validating to see that others go through the same thoughts as I do. I am also with you regarding 'creating art with photography'. What you create is far more exciting than simply snapping a picture and presenting it as it is.
Now to your photo. Fog often give an ethereal look to an image. It makes for a more simplified composition. Personally, I prefer your "Original 2" over your main image. The gray feels more calming to me as a viewer. It simplifies the scene more for me too. But this is my personal taste that should be taken with a grain of salt. Go with what you like. Nevertheless, the Original 2 image has less noise. And to my eyes, the branches against the gray fog provide for a haunting feeling.
I appreciate the horizontal bridge against the vertical lines of the trees. Our eyes are attracted to intersecting lines. This keeps my attention in the center of your photograph.
Keep experimenting with this and your other images - both in how your capture your pictures and in your post processing. |
Jan 3rd |
5 comments - 1 reply for Group 96
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5 comments - 1 reply Total
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