|
| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 26 |
May 25 |
Reply |
Thank you, Tony! I totally agree - my idea was that it was the pattern of dirt marks on the window surface in focus that would have provided an anchor for the eye, in front of the blurred dreamy flowers. It may not be enough to serve the purpose! |
May 31st |
| 26 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Hi Arabella, what intriguing shapes and lovely colors! I think that the narrow depth of field gives a very beautiful blurred background. It would be nice to have the foremost flower in focus, but I love the way the sharp one peeks from behind it. - I wonder if cropping a bit off from the left edge and maybe from the bottom and bringing the flower in focus to the thirds grid cross-point might give it the starring role in the image? |
May 26th |
 |
| 26 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Thank you, Arabella! I love your version - it brings out another view of the flowers. It is a great lesson to see that flaws can actually be turned into strenghts when you stop fighting against them. |
May 18th |
| 26 |
May 25 |
Reply |
Hi Mervyn! The group is absolutely right, so it is back to the drawing board. Luckily I have now several new tricks to try! |
May 11th |
| 26 |
May 25 |
Reply |
Thank you very much, Terry! Frequency separation did not come to my mind at all although I have learned to use it in portrait retouching. I think that it might actually work, at least as part of the rescue process. |
May 11th |
| 26 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Hi Terry, my first guess of the location would, also, have been Budapest. - I think that smoothing the water was a great idea. It adds to the calm mood of the night. I also love the color of the river that repeats the hues in the sky and makes a great background to the warm lights. |
May 6th |
| 26 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Mervyn, I can see myself on the bridge with the people, looking down from the heights. I especially enjoy the rhythm and the perfect balance in the composition: even the trains are just at the right spot, just entering (or leaving?) the city. That also makes the image very dynamic, even if the movement is not evident. |
May 6th |
| 26 |
May 25 |
Comment |
What a lovely Nature story, Tony! I especially admire the way the light defines the shaggy heads of the chicks against the smooth plumage of the mother. I agree with Jose about the crop: I don't think that the reflection adds much to the image, and the bright white areas and the strong orange in the reflection may draw attention from the birds? |
May 6th |
| 26 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Hi Bob! I like the color version very much, with the warm mellow tones of the walls against the bright blue sky with those dramatic clouds, and the palpable sense of history of the place. I think that I might be tempted to slightly reduce the contrast in the B&W version, and increase the brightness of the buildings a bit to keep that original mood. |
May 6th |
| 26 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Hi Jose! I love your colorful grid of the signs with all the different fonts and styles. That, plus the strict geometry and repetition make me think of Andy Warhol. I think that this is a fine documentary of the present culture and city life, and I like the way the tree tops anchor it in space. On the other hand, cropping off the lowest floor at the bottom might emphasize the abstract quality of colors and forms? |
May 6th |
| 26 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Thank you, Jose! You are absolutely right about the muted tones and less contrast. The present processing hides much of the flaws but also takes away most of the faded charm of the original. When I try to reduce contrast or saturation or color cast, the damned blotches reappear. - I lost my patience with first round of the cloning efforts, but I'll take your advice and go back! |
May 6th |
| 26 |
May 25 |
Reply |
Thank you, Bob! I don't have PS (however much I love Affinity, I cannot help feeling envious for all these new things PS can do). Our camera club has something we call "problem corner" for technical issues, and I think I'll bring this up and ask someone with PS to test that. |
May 3rd |
8 comments - 4 replies for Group 26
|
| 47 |
May 25 |
Reply |
Thank you very much, Douglas! I was also surprised about the powerful effect of the conversion. At the photo club meeting where I presented the image, there were a lot of questions about our family pets, so you are by far not the only one to be deceived by the snake! |
May 26th |
| 47 |
May 25 |
Reply |
Thank you very much, Barbara! - the square crop works well, too, and I think that darkening the shadow even a little bit also does the job! |
May 26th |
 |
| 47 |
May 25 |
Reply |
Thank you, Robert! He is a such a delight to photograph. |
May 26th |
| 47 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Hi Douglas, you certainly were at the right spot at the right time! I think that you have captured so beautifully the mood of a moment that is both solemn and joyous. - I agree with Jeff about the photographer: he would have added a lovely angle to the story, if only a bit more of him had been included in the frame. I can see the image of just the two girls, maybe with a slight vignette - that might actually be close to what the primary photographer had in mind. |
May 11th |
| 47 |
May 25 |
Reply |
Thank you, Jeff! I am glad if this works. The shadow is a good point - I'll try to darken it. |
May 8th |
| 47 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Hi Al, it must be rare to be able to capture such a special moment of tenderness and companionship. The direction of the light is perfect to define the pair, and shows every sharp hair and whisker. - On my monitor the image looks a bit dark. I wonder if it is possible to brighten the lions slightly? |
May 7th |
| 47 |
May 25 |
Comment |
What a fine landscape, Robert! The composition lets the mighty mountain rule the scene, the foreground and mid-ground offer interesting layers, and the sky is lovely. - I wonder if it is possible to tease out some details in the brightest highlights? |
May 7th |
| 47 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Hi Barbara, I love the image so much! The original captures a perfect moment, and I think that the new sky really creates a very special mood and elevates the birds almost to a mythical status. The clouds frame them very effectively. |
May 7th |
| 47 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Jeff, no wonder that you want to return to the site. I think that the low camera angle makes the most of the shadows that show the textures of the sand, and of the sky. It is just wonderful to see how your post-production brings out all the hidden drama in the scene. I love the way the tuft of grass in the foreground and the cloud formation complement each other. |
May 6th |
5 comments - 4 replies for Group 47
|
| 54 |
May 25 |
Reply |
Thank you, Brad! I don't know if it was just a trick of that special light, but for a moment on that beach I could see the image that I later tried to reproduce. I pressed the shutter, and then the colors were back and the child laughed and continued her play. I am so happy if the image conveys the atmosphere. |
May 15th |
| 54 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Thank you very much, Maria! I did not notice the arms at all - I think that the problem comes from the original B&W conversion, as the sleeves and mitten were of a slightly different shade. That will be easy to correct. |
May 13th |
| 54 |
May 25 |
Reply |
Thank you so much, Alan! I made the adjustments, and reduced contrast and clarity in the tire tracks as Matt suggested. I think that the subtle changes do improve the image. - I had not heard about "Daisy Ad" before, and I am so glad to have learned about it now - just talk about touching people and impact! I feel very proud that my image was able to bring it to your mind. |
May 7th |
 |
| 54 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Hi Matt, this certainly works! I love the placement of the tree: there is a feeling that the viewer approaches the house and sees it behind the frame, and it also adds a lot of depth to the image. To me the cool tones give a strange foreboding mood that is enhanced by the circling birds. The lovely rainbow oddly adds to the effect. - I agree with Melissa about the outbuilding. - How did you do harmonizing the colors? |
May 6th |
| 54 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Hi Maria! This is another of your scenes I am ready to step in, with the depth and textures so lifelike. I agree with Alan and Matt that you could do with only one person in the image. Both the reader alone, and the girl with the balloon + the airplane would make very nice stories, with different moods. |
May 6th |
| 54 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Alan, I am always trying to figure out by which means you create these intense atmospheres. This image feels like a still from a movie that immediately draws me into another time and place. There is such tension between the lonely dignified gentleman and the threat that radiates from the half-hidden swastika, and the door left ajar. The gleaming wet stones in the pavement, the shadows in the tunnel, and the color palette complete the mood. - Thank you for the directions for opening a door: I'll start practicing. |
May 6th |
| 54 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Hi Brad! To me, the image conveys a feeling of two different times present simultaneously. When I blink, I can see the old rural scene complete, and when I blink again, it is replaced by the brick wall and stone paving. I think that it is very much the partial opacity of the brick wall that produces the shimmering sense of change. I just love the image and the idea. |
May 6th |
| 54 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Thank you, Matt! I am so glad that the emotion comes through! In my mind the tracks make another element of the memory of war, like left by a ghost of a tank that rolled over the beach decades ago. I think that you are right about their prominence: I'll reduce the contrast a bit. |
May 2nd |
6 comments - 2 replies for Group 54
|
19 comments - 10 replies Total
|
