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| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 96 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Hey Bob, man, I'm sorry to hear about your chronic pain. I can attest, it really messes with your head.
Gosh, I wish there was better focus on your flower. However, Robert's rendition actually works very well in camouflaging the focus problem. By introducing more light and reverse vignetting, your flower comes alive. Of course this changed the whole mood and look of your image - something that I'm often reluctant to do with someone else's vision - but I think you would agree that something was needed. The way you rendered the red tone in your photo gives it a very strong and aggressive feel. I might go as far a saying anger. Emily suggests between the lines that perhaps your pain is reflected in the way your image is presented. As she says so wisely, art is good therapy.
Technically, camera sensors react to warm tones - especially red - in a way that often come off looking harsh and blown out if not exposed correctly. I also think the harsh red amplifies the focus issue. Close review of the red channel on your histogram is advised.
Macro photography is a difficult challenge. Focus and composition don't come easy. They require close inspection after every shot. Then adjusting and readjusting. Photographing a good macro takes time. After several hours, it's difficult to maintain creative energy. However, it's almost always worth the effort. |
Oct 21st |
| 96 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Hi Emily, you have made another one of those images that most of us would simply not see.
I have not yet read the other comments because I did not want to be influenced before I wrote my review.
I like how you made the tracks appear out of the shadows. That's a nice touch. The lights within the silhouetted trees could be cloned out as they immediately bring my eyes to them. The sunset light and clouds are captured well and I like the red traffic light against the blue. That's a nice touch too
What I feel completes the composition is the vertical flag polls. They provide visual variety along with all the horizontal lines.
Incidentally, I just happened to glance up to one of your comments where you said you don't shoot in RAW. Your photography would benefit hugely if you were to start shooting in RAW. Then, you can begin to think of how you would process your image while making the capture. having RAW files to work with will open many doors for you. Consider it. |
Oct 20th |
| 96 |
Oct 21 |
Reply |
Thank you, Emily for your nice words. |
Oct 20th |
| 96 |
Oct 21 |
Reply |
Thank you very much, Cheryl. I too like lots of sky. I hope I don't come off as defensive; I think it might be useful to the group for me to describe my thought process.
I too thought the foreground was heavy. In test crops, I didn't want to put the horizon in the center. However, taking a look a your version, I should reconsider. It would be easy to extend the sky by enlarging the canvas and using the Transform tool, so your idea might work. The result would put that horizon Line in the lower third of the frame.
I like your ideas and will give them a try.
Thanks again for your insights. |
Oct 20th |
| 96 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Hi Bob, Welcome to Group 96. I hope you feel free to express your imagemaking as well as your thoughts on the other images posted here.
As I'm sure you see, our group is not exclusively landscape photography. Other 'scapes' are an important part of this group. We learn from how others see.
It's hard for me to add anything more to what's already been said. Your image is really made for the story that it tells. So often in my photography, I feel the story is missing. Here, I admire how you are able to see a compelling photograph out of what I would see as simply a statue. An entire essay could be written from your photo.
I look forward to seeing all your future images.
|
Oct 19th |
| 96 |
Oct 21 |
Reply |
Hey There Robert, Man, you have a keen eye! Thank you for your insightful comments. They really help.
I wanted to answer two of your questions:
1. Color is always an important factor in both the capture and processing of an image. In addition to color, I do pay a lot of attention to the complexity of a composition while trying to keep the number of elements at or below four. Much like how monochrome plays a big part in reducing the distraction of color, so does a limited color palette. These are things that I'm hyper aware of in my imagemaking.
2. Most people are unaware that reflections are almost always darker. However, you might notice in almost all my waterscapes, the reflection is slightly lighter. This is intentional. A few people might be bothered by this. You are right; it is not natural. So why do I do this? I like the un-natural, surreal feel of the image this way.
Thank you again for your keen observations. |
Oct 19th |
| 96 |
Oct 21 |
Reply |
Hi Haru, thank you for your thoughts. I appreciate your comment about the 'wide space at the lower right'. I did a number a captures while thinking about the framing, specifically the area you mentioned. I decided to go with this one because I liked how the offset interrupted what would otherwise be a very symmetrical composition. However, if it's calling too much attention to itself, perhaps I need to rethink it.
The contrast/clarity subject is a tough one for me. I often get pixel blinded and go too far. I will take a fresh look.
Thank you again. |
Oct 18th |
| 96 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Hi Cheryl. Art is subjective. For this reason, it's difficult to make a critique or offer suggestions on someone's personal vision. I have viewed the various versions that have been offered without reading the comments. I have to say, I really don't care for what's been offered. This is mainly because your vision has been taken in a direction that isn't yours. I understand that sometimes these types of images are experimental and the image maker would like and benefit from some well intentioned suggestions - as seen above. But for me, I prefer to sit back and enjoy your creation.
It's a unique image with an intriguing story. In a subtle way, your photo fits well in this Halloween season. It's mysterious, moody, thought provoking.
Visually, the white tree trunks work well for me. They provide the right amount of contrast that gives your image dimension. The visual conflict of the vertical trees with the horizontal lines on the trail is fascinating.
Creativity and imagination, in my opinion, bring an image to a higher level. With all the photos you have shown on this sight, you demonstrate a serious approach to making your images unique. |
Oct 17th |
| 96 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Hey there Haru, you submitted a good one! So not to influence my thoughts, I have not yet read the other comments. I have only glanced at some of the suggested crops.
Separation is an important factor in most photography. I pay a lot of attention to this particular subject during capture. The large root or branch on the left side is a very nice visual element in your photo. However it conflicts with the lower left side of the waterfall. To simplify your composition, I would have suggested shifting your camera to the right just an inch or two or moving forward by an inch. This might resolve the busyness, and to me, would make a world of difference.
I like Robert's crop and the way he brought out the water's highlights. But while looking at your image, his cropping may not be your vision. Cheryl's take is equally interesting but she looses the impact of that root.
Many people might see that jumble of rocks in the lower frame as distracting. But to my eyes, it makes for a dynamic/active image. I look forward to see what you produce with the autumn colors. |
Oct 17th |
| 96 |
Oct 21 |
Comment |
Very oceanic, Robert. Personally, I like your image a lot. Without yet reading the comments, I wanted to share my thoughts without any influence.
The overall blue is very pleasing. And the curves and lines of the lower part of the butte give me the impression of waves. The horizon meets the sky nicely like the sea.
If you were looking to give your image a little more pop, I would suggest a subtle amount of yellow/orange on the butte's top and left-side clouds to complement the blue tone. You might also try dialling in a little blue into the sky. Be careful not to darken the sky too much as that would completely change the nice mood you captured.
The moon works very well. I like it's subtlety and how it diagonally lines up with the butte. I admire how you managed to create wonderful movement within your composition - starting from the lower left, then zigging up to the butte, then up and to the left where the moon is found. Absolutely stunning, Robert. You really had a successful trip. |
Oct 17th |
6 comments - 4 replies for Group 96
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6 comments - 4 replies Total
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