|
| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 3 |
Apr 23 |
Reply |
Joan, thank you for your comments. I'm glad you like my image. Yes, please don't waste your time going through the LOTR series to pick out Mount Doom! The scenery is highly edited and the mountain appears quite differently from the real deal. I do feel fortunate to have been able to do the hike and even more so to do it on one of the rare clear days. |
Apr 21st |
| 3 |
Apr 23 |
Reply |
Ruth, I think there's a trap in creating an image for other people. Kind of a double edged sword. I'm constantly torn as to whose opinions I should listen. It's particularly tricky for me - according to my Meyers-Briggs profile, I share a world view with only 2% of the population! There are some images I have created that I really love, but which have received Luke-warm reception when shown to others (i.e., in camera club or to one of my mentors). Similarly, I have been gobsmacked when an image I considered to be good-but-not-great has garnered Best of Show. Maybe one day I'll figure it out, but until then, I'll just keep producing images I like. |
Apr 21st |
| 3 |
Apr 23 |
Reply |
Ruth, I think your re-crop works. The strong vertical-ish of the tree intersects with the diagonal of the hill at the left third of the frame which makes for a pleasing composition and great leading lines. I like it! |
Apr 20th |
| 3 |
Apr 23 |
Reply |
Thanks so much. I appreciate your comments. |
Apr 18th |
| 3 |
Apr 23 |
Reply |
Hi Ruth - a belated Congratulations on your Kestrel image being featured in the Members' Showcase. Nice capture! |
Apr 17th |
| 3 |
Apr 23 |
Reply |
As always, LuAnn, I appreciate your perspective. Thank you. |
Apr 11th |
| 3 |
Apr 23 |
Reply |
Hi LuAnn. Thank you for your comments and crop suggestion. I can't believe I totally overlooked the sensor spots! I do often struggle with how much "extra" to include in a photograph. It all boils down to artist's intention about what s/he wants the viewer to take in.
The original image included a bit more on the right side as well as a bit more sky. In cropping as I did, I wanted to convey the sheer vastness of the landscape and impart to the viewer the sense of awe and wonder I experienced without including the portion of the scene that had relative less interest. Because of this, I feel your crop is too tight and does not represent my stated intention. I do, however, like the warmer tones... I had originally edited it similarly but in the end decided to tone it down a bit given my tendency to over-do color saturation. |
Apr 10th |
| 3 |
Apr 23 |
Comment |
Hi Joan. I love art museums / exhibits as places to photograph people. There's something compelling about how you created a piece of art (your photograph) from subject matter about patrons contemplating a piece of art. Art perpetuating itself.
I like your composition and how you diminished the negative impact of the harsh overhead lights. As to the crop... your version gives a bit more context to the scene and the viewer more easily sees the art piece is suspended from the ceiling and hence, it is more three dimensional. The tighter crop that eliminates the strong horizontal line that some found distracting also works. Artist's decision.
It is my observation that the white balance seems a bit too heavily slanted toward the incandescent (too warm). I'm wondering if changing it such that the background is a more true white (I'm assuming that's what your eyes saw) would improve the image? And, given the relatively monochromatic (except for the purse!) tones, I'm wondering what the image might look like if converted to pure B & W.
Regardless of all that, your image is a good composition that tells a good story.
|
Apr 10th |
| 3 |
Apr 23 |
Comment |
Ruth, I really love how you have captured the tree against the expressive sky. The tire swing adds interest and your conversion into B&W was, I believe, the right decision for this image. Your exposure is spot-on and the image is sharp, detailed and in focus throughout.
When I look at your composition, I'm curious to know your thought process vis a vis how much of the surrounding landscape to include. This is something I struggle with all the time. I think it boils down to how much context is appropriate to tell the story we/you/I want to tell.
For me and, as your title suggests, the tree is the subject and focus of interest and I think it should take center stage. It is so beautiful and so well-captured and that's where I want my eye to land and to linger. With your crop, my eye is drawn away to the barn in the distance and then again by the leading line of the hills at the upper left of the frame. I, too, feel that a vertically oriented crop is most appropriate for your subject as LuAnn and others have suggested. Crop aside, it is a captivating image. |
Apr 10th |
| 3 |
Apr 23 |
Comment |
Hi Ruth. You've captured a beautiful close up of this colorful butterfly. Nice focus and detail. It looks totally in focus on my screen but some added sharpness would benefit here. Your composition works well with all elements well-placed.
While your image is well-exposed given the lighting conditions in the butterfly house, I do agree with LuAnn that the lighting is a bit flat. I very much like your image and LuAnn's edits bring it up to the next level. But, rather than commenting on WHAT she did, I'd rather focus on her thought process and the WHY of what she did.
An observation leads to an evaluation followed by a question. Is this observation something I'm happy with (i.e., the flat lighting)? If yes, no action needed. If no, another question: What can I do to enhance/improve it? This leads to an action - an edit.
Making objective observations about our own work is often difficult but asking ourselves a series of questions about the technical and artistic aspects of our images during the editing process can, I think, help us all elevate the level of our photography.
Keep up the good work!
|
Apr 10th |
| 3 |
Apr 23 |
Comment |
Hi LuAnn. Your image this month does give me hope that Spring might actually arrive in the PNW. We are still quite cold and the plants and trees are weeks behind normal.
As always, you have captured a technically excellent image: Spot-on exposure that's tack sharp and full of detail and beautiful subtle color variation. The softer back portion of the flower head fades into the green background bokeh, the combination of which really makes your subject stand out.
Some observations and questions: To my eye, the brighter, yellow area, top right, and, to a lesser extent, the other flower cluster, tend to pull my attention away somewhat from the subject. This might be less of an issue if a different (square?) crop ratio had been used. So, I'm curious what led to your decision to use a portrait-ratio crop and one that is so tight on the left and right?
Your camera has amazing resolution capability as your image so well displays. How could you even better highlight that fact to create an alternate composition of this same image - one that might better draw the viewer's eye to appreciate all that beautiful detail, depth and color? |
Apr 5th |
4 comments - 7 replies for Group 3
|
| 62 |
Apr 23 |
Comment |
Bunny, your image popped out at me whilst I was perusing various Groups' offerings. I love it - the shapes, the depth, the tones. At first glance at your mono version, I wasn't sure what I was looking at. My eye followed the beautiful curves and held my attention for quite some time. Only by looking at your original did I see it was snow! Your image would make a lovely print! I see others have given visual feedback on their "take" of your image. I don't think it needs one thing done to it - stunning as-is and I honor your artistic vision. |
Apr 17th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 62
|
| 99 |
Apr 23 |
Reply |
Thank you for sharing your artistic perspective. I believe when we understand what goes on in each other's minds, we can better appreciate the art!
|
Apr 11th |
| 99 |
Apr 23 |
Comment |
Hi Barbara. I appreciate the composition with the center of the flower off-center in the frame. At first I was thinking a square crop would work better but I changed my mind. The black, negative space at the lower right helps to define the flower and draw my eye up to inspect the lovely tones and finely detailed center. The image is much more impactful in monochrome. And, thank you for setting it off with the thin white stroke. Nicely done. |
Apr 10th |
| 99 |
Apr 23 |
Comment |
Linda, all I can say is WOW. Wow for the awe and sadness over the destruction and wow for your capture and rendering of the scene. It's documentary meets Fine Art. The image is well exposed, tack sharp and exhibits superb detail. I think your treatment of the sky really sets the mood and gives depth to the image. Very nicely done indeed! |
Apr 10th |
| 99 |
Apr 23 |
Comment |
Hi Kathleen. First off, I love the perspective and camera angle of your photograph. You have done a good job of positioning. Two sets of leading lines emanate from the lower left of the frame. The converging lines lead my eye to the tree while the line of the bench leads to the woman. The image appears well-exposed and is in focus throughout.
But I do find the image confusing. Is the subject really the tree (trunk), the platform or the woman? In my opinion, the tree and the associated jumble of wires detract from the overall impact of your shot. I suggest you consider eliminating the tree trunk altogether and allow the beautiful leading lines to draw the viewer over and down to the woman (but be mindful of photographic leg amputation surgery!).
Lastly, an observation and a question: I notice Kathleen, that you render many of your images in sepia tones (Absolutely no judgement on whether sepia is "good" or "bad"!). I'm just curious what draws you toward sepia and how you see the concept of toning an image (beyond strictly B & W), enhances your image and/or conveys something you want your viewer to experience? |
Apr 10th |
| 99 |
Apr 23 |
Comment |
Yes, Peter, the flip works very well indeed. Thanks for the suggestion and visual feedback. |
Apr 7th |
| 99 |
Apr 23 |
Comment |
Thank you, Gerard. Yes, your tighter crops works as well. I particularly like how your crop divides the frame into three groupings of trees: Lower right; horizontal center and upper right. My intention was to show the broader picture. My image, as posted, was cropped down somewhat from the original frame. Also thank you for sharing the image from von Riesdail. I am not familiar with his work and he's certainly worth a look at |
Apr 3rd |
| 99 |
Apr 23 |
Comment |
Thank you, Gerard. Yes, your tighter crops works as well. I particularly like how your crop divides the frame into three groupings of trees: Lower right; horizontal center and upper right. My intention was to show the broader picture. My image, as posted, was cropped down somewhat from the original frame. Also thank you for sharing the image from von Riesdail. I am not familiar with his work and he's certainly worth a look at |
Apr 3rd |
| 99 |
Apr 23 |
Comment |
Peter….another stunning portrait! As far as I can tell, you have achieved all around technical excellence in your lighting, exposure and post processing. The crop is perfect, as it is all about the hair! And while the color version is "nice", the monochrome version is superb to highlight this model's unique look. Very well done indeed! |
Apr 1st |
| 99 |
Apr 23 |
Comment |
Hi Gerard. There's a certain beauty to things in decline and your image captures that well. Your mono processing forces my eye to appreciate the intricate patterns in the wilting flower and gives the image a graphic, ghost-like appearance. From a technical perspective, I notice the original image is quite soft, but you seem to have overcome that in your post processing (with the structure adjustment?) I'm wondering if the softness might be due to your use of f/25? Given it was a studio set up with a macro lens, rather than using such a high f-stop, perhaps you might try shooting at f/11-ish with focus stacking. Lastly, a slight border would help define the image when presented against the black background of this forum. Nicely done. |
Apr 1st |
8 comments - 1 reply for Group 99
|
13 comments - 8 replies Total
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