|
| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 3 |
Nov 23 |
Reply |
Thank you! |
Nov 11th |
| 3 |
Nov 23 |
Reply |
Ruth, thank you for your comments. To answer your question, I often work by trial and error, trying different effects until I find something that seems to work. In this case, I first applied a negative vignette and it just seemed too claustrophobic for the poor butterfly - almost as if he were to fly away, it would be into darkness. When I applied the positive vignette the entire image just felt lighter, while still calling attention to the subject. The only other times I've used a positive vignette is in high key images with white backgrounds where I wanted to fade out one of the subject elements. I'm glad you like my image. |
Nov 6th |
| 3 |
Nov 23 |
Reply |
Can't wait to see some of those images! After much resistance, I finally embraced using the Zebra function on my camera (all modern cameras have it) to monitor the highlights. I previously had found Zebras distracting but in the end, using them to shout at me when my highlights are about to be overexposed has really helped. Keep up the good work! |
Nov 5th |
| 3 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Hi Kieu-Hanh. Your image certainly evokes the season. Nicely exposed and great DOF - even the price tag is in focus! I love all the subtle shades of orange, white and green. No suggestions for improvement. Thanks for sharing this fun image. |
Nov 5th |
| 3 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Robert, I think you've done an amazing job with capturing this little guy in mid-flight. The composition is lovely as is your editing. The bee is tack-sharp against a lovely, blurred background. The flowers are also slightly soft, which for me works well, drawing my attention back to the bee.
I do have one small suggestion for you to consider: I find that the leaf jutting out from mid-frame left seems overly bright and momentarily draws my attention away from the bee. It would be a quick fix with a localized adjustment. Regardless, you have crafted a beautiful image about which you should be proud! |
Nov 5th |
| 3 |
Nov 23 |
Reply |
David, thank you for your comments. Fortunately it held still for me! I was using my old camera. My new camera has a dedicated setting for insect tracking that I'm eager to try out. |
Nov 5th |
| 3 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
David, so nice to virtually meet you. WELCOME TO OUR GROUP!
Your image ticks all of the boxes I look for in a well-crafted image. I love it! You've captured "the decisive moment" with a great composition. I don't know if it was intentional, but the subject has some motion blur - an effect that works well for the overall feeling your image evokes for me. What a great story it tells! Additionally, your edit and gritty, monochrome rendering are particularly well suited to the subject matter in my opinion. Congratulations on a job well done.
In our group we have traditionally indicated the camera, lens and settings info in the description. Would you share that with the group?
Lastly, I just have to say I'm jealous that you get to live in NZ! We visited for a month last February and fell in love with your country and its people. If we were younger, we'd move there in a heartbeat! …and SO many amazing photo opportunities! I look forward to seeing more of your work. |
Nov 5th |
| 3 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Hi Mary Ann. You have captured a stunning image of Autumn color. Good on you for stopping to get the shot (obeying signs isn't one of my strong points…). As to your comment about f/stop, I really don't think it's an issue. Although you didn't say what focal length you settled on, it appears that the entirety of the scene is at infinity and your f/6.3 has worked just fine.
My only suggestion would be to do a more aggressive crop up from the bottom in a 16:9 ratio to eliminate the road completely. I think it detracts from what is otherwise a lovely composition. Nice job. |
Nov 1st |
| 3 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Hi Ruth. What an absolutely gorgeous scene! You've done an amazing job, not only with the capture itself, but the editing makes me feel as if I'm standing right there. No suggestions, as no improvements needed. Well done, indeed! |
Nov 1st |
5 comments - 4 replies for Group 3
|
| 5 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Mark, what a stunning image!!! Well planned and well executed in every way. Marvelous, simply marvelous! |
Nov 11th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 5
|
| 17 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Hi Glenn, what a phenomenal capture! Nice and sharp; good composition. Only one suggestion: the framing of the subject gets lost due to its black background against the black background of the PSA Digital site. A subtle stroke would help define the frame for presentation here. |
Nov 11th |
| 17 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Hi John. I love the simple composition and primary colors. Well conceived and executed. It's a very fun image. |
Nov 11th |
2 comments - 0 replies for Group 17
|
| 20 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Hi RH! The only thing more remarkable than your exceptionally well-rendered, high key capture / composition, is the fact it was taken at Heathrow and there were only two other people! When does that ever happen there?….like NEVER. Congratulations on a very successful image. |
Nov 11th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 20
|
| 27 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Renee, WOW! Thanks for introducing me to the concept of Zombie Walks. Never heard of them before. Well…you certainly captured the essence of "zombie" with your amazing portrait and creative edit. Nicely done! |
Nov 11th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 27
|
| 77 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Hi Linda. Your image caught my eye whilst perusing this month's photos. It is a really great composition and capture. You did a great job in post with obscuring the background landscape, which is a bit distracting in the original. And a nice job in enhancing the appearance of fog - it really makes the trees stand out. I love everything about it…except the color. This image shouts monochrome to me. What do you think? |
Nov 11th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 77
|
| 83 |
Nov 23 |
Reply |
Mark, I don't ever view other members' comments as criticism and I hope that they don't take my comments as such either. I appreciate all feedback, even when it might not be what I hoped to hear. I'm not looking for praise, just honest feedback as to how my images are resonating with other group members. As photographers, we all have had the experience of our images falling flat - can't be all things to all people. So...never hesitate to say what you feel. It's all good!!
|
Nov 27th |
| 83 |
Nov 23 |
Reply |
Hi Mark. Sorry my image misses the boat for you vis-a-vis seeing more of the whole. Having used close-up photography daily in my profession for 36 years, I do have a tendency to crop in close, often at the expense of context.
In this case, I felt by limiting what the viewer could see to only reflections that it would make the image more engaging and perhaps keep them interested. Even though you are neutral in your reaction, the fact that you stared at it for a period of time, makes me think I succeeded, at least in part, with engaging you on some level or another. Nevertheless, thanks for your comments - I welcome any and all feedback. |
Nov 26th |
| 83 |
Nov 23 |
Reply |
Thank you for your comments, Debasish. I had a lot of fun that day, taking mostly street images. It's a genre I'd like to do more of. |
Nov 11th |
| 83 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Adi, by now you know I'm a fan of high contrast in monochrome. Your use of contrast here gives the scene drama and a certain almost-abstract quality. It's gritty and your processing gives it a decidedly film-like look. Nicely done. |
Nov 11th |
| 83 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Hi Margaret. Quite the fun image! I can really feel the excitement of the spectators as they watch the water-spout-guy take off. A perfect example where breaking the "rules" ("never center your subject in the frame") works to one's advantage. It is a great composition. I like the triangles: the audience is in a triangular arrangement; the dude in the foreground is in a triangular stance which mirrors the guy on the water spout. Lots to like here! |
Nov 11th |
| 83 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Hi Margaret. Thanks for your comments. Hence the title. It was like a reverse hall of mirrors. (No one noticed, or chose to comment, that as presented, it is not a mirror image. In post processing, I flipped the image so the text would read as normal. I did this just to see if anyone would notice!) |
Nov 8th |
| 83 |
Nov 23 |
Reply |
Thanks, Adi. Glad you like it. |
Nov 8th |
| 83 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Mark, a great example of how serendipity is often the maker of a great photograph. So often we read about photographers who persistently return again and again to a place, waiting for the perfect preconceived conditions until they get "the shot" - sometimes after years of trying. Then there is your image. While persistence is admirable and comes with its own satisfaction, for me anyway, being in the right place, at the right time by happenstance, makes getting "the shot" all the more magical.
It's a stunning capture, well composed and well edited. The multiple layers of light, shadow and texture combine to make this image successful. I particularly like the dome-shaped "hat" at the top of the peak. Nicely done! |
Nov 6th |
| 83 |
Nov 23 |
Reply |
Thank you, Lance, for your comments. I find that I am drawn to photographing reflections of all sorts. Up until recently, I was of the mind that if a person entered the scene I was attempting to photograph, the shot would be ruined. Now I am going out of my way to include a human element in many of my shots and the images are all the better for it.
As an aside, I invite you to visit Group 3 and check out the monochrome image submitted by our group's newest member. I think it is fabulous. |
Nov 6th |
| 83 |
Nov 23 |
Reply |
Indeed! |
Nov 5th |
| 83 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Hi Debashish. Looks like we both chose a reflection shot for our images this month. I'm particularly drawn to reflections and I actively look for opportunities to photograph them.
Your image is particularly enjoyable for me because of the multiple buildings in the reflection. Superb job on the edit and conversion - lovely tonality and contrast. All together your image forms a lovely abstract that holds my attention. Nicely done! |
Nov 5th |
| 83 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Hi Don. We all could learn from what you did here! So often, the best shots are not found where everyone else is, and I'd say this is one of those "best shots".
I think this is an exceptionally well-crafted image in all respects. Also a good example of breaking the so-called rules to great advantage with the house dead center in the frame. I love how the grass seems to envelope the house and forms a frame of sorts that really works to draw attention to the subject. Additionally, the angle of the dramatic clouds forms a leading line that keeps my eye in the frame. It is an impressive image. |
Nov 5th |
| 83 |
Nov 23 |
Comment |
Lance, I love the combination of tone and texture in your intriguing image this month. At first I was bothered by the narrow DOF, but quickly realized you used this with intent (I should know better by now that nothing you do is "by accident"!). The strong leading line of the vine combined with the out-of-focus top and bottom draw the eye immediately to the center of sharpness to appreciate all the details.
The other thing I noticed and never before contemplated, is how you used DOF blur at the top of the frame to negate the brightness. Normally, the eye goes to the brightest part of an image, but in this case the blur stops the eye to keep focus on the portion of the image that is sharp. I think if the bright area were sharply in focus, the brightness + sharpness would draw the eye out of the frame. A clever technique indeed!
As to your lament about modern cameras not being able to preview DOF, you are only partially correct. Most higher end mirrorless cameras have what is called "Live View" where the DOF can be previewed. My new Sony a7cR has that feature. I do miss, however, the tactile experience of pushing that DOF preview button and feeling the iris close or open. |
Nov 1st |
7 comments - 6 replies for Group 83
|
18 comments - 10 replies Total
|
