|
| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 35 |
Jul 17 |
Comment |
For me, the symmetry works well. Overall, I feel the image is just a little too bright, so I would pull the highlights down some. Also, I might try to add some detail to that lovely foliage covering the arch. The blues seem to be on the blue-green side so one thing to think about would be to adjust the hue to a more pure blue and see if you like it. I like Stuart's suggestion of having a door open to invite the viewer in, but I realize that is not always possible. |
Jul 15th |
| 35 |
Jul 17 |
Comment |
The sky really sets the mood for this image. Somehow, to me it looks ominous! It took a few minutes to figure out the diagonal lines coming from the bull's nostrils, but I presume that is water? I too would like to see more of the sculpture and see where that water goes. I think the glow effect works well here and is not one bit overdone. |
Jul 15th |
| 35 |
Jul 17 |
Comment |
I like the shape of the pool which, for me, has an organic feel. I keep wondering where it goes when it disappears behind the gazebo. The colors work well for me as does the contrast between the rough surface in the foreground and the smoothness of the water in the pool. |
Jul 15th |
| 35 |
Jul 17 |
Comment |
They say that if you ask 100 different people to comment on an image you will get 100 different opinions, so here goes...I like this one better than last month's. The reason I say that is I like the perspective better and I like the fact that a see a small bit of what is behind the structure. It does not seem to me so posed precariously on the edge as the other one did. In my opinion, the tall trees need to have some depth. That could be accomplished by a little selective dodge and burn work on the foliage to give the viewer the sense that they are not so flat. |
Jul 15th |
| 35 |
Jul 17 |
Comment |
This looks to me like a very inviting place that I would love to visit. It's a pastoral scene and it gives me a restful feeling. What I like most are the strong vertical lines of the rows leading my eye up to the tree. I believe a little selective dodge and burn work on the tree would focus the viewer's attention there. I like the composition up to the poiont where the angled rows begin. Cropping there would, in my opinion make a more balanced composition. |
Jul 15th |
| 35 |
Jul 17 |
Reply |
Actually, it does have double white lines which means no passing in either direction. However, it might be more visually pleasing without any lines at all. Thanks for the suggestion. |
Jul 11th |
5 comments - 1 reply for Group 35
|
| 52 |
Jul 17 |
Comment |
We were lucky enough to catch this kind of behavior in south Texas a couple years ago. We didn't know they did this so were quite surprised. Since alligators like these "reedy" places it is difficult to get a good background. I agree with removing the two green reeds sticking out from the top of the head. My only suggestion would be to darken the background. |
Jul 17th |
| 52 |
Jul 17 |
Reply |
I zoomed in on this one and also went back to the full resolution image in my catalogue, and I honestly do not see a halo, so I am not sure how to explain what you are seeing. The black rock formation is basalt. The geology of this area is fascinating. |
Jul 15th |
| 52 |
Jul 17 |
Reply |
Wow! I just saw what happened and will fix it immediately! Also I do not know why those ? artifacts are appearing in the descriptions. |
Jul 15th |
| 52 |
Jul 17 |
Comment |
I can't seem to enlarge your image to get a better look, so please take my input with "a grain of salt." To me, the larger spoonbill looks over sharpened, and it appears to have a slight halo around it. Since you have not done much too it, this can't be a result of post processing, so I assume it is refraction. I have found that the best way to eliminate a halo is to use the clone tool in PS on the darken mode. Adjust the opacity as needed then just brush around the edges. You don't even have to be real carful as it only seems to darken the bright pixels.
I am envious of your close proximity to Ding Darling. We are in a "dead period" for subject matter here in Arkansas at present. |
Jul 15th |
| 52 |
Jul 17 |
Comment |
This looks like a pretty little waterfall. I like the colors and the diagonal lines in this image. The loss of detail in the lower left is, for me, a detracting element. A slight crop on the left, but not enough to eliminate that sweet little rock with all the detail around it, might help. I am thinking that you might try a luminosity mask to adjust the highlights in just the water. Also, a tiny bit of glow on the water fall might, in my opinion, add interest. |
Jul 15th |
| 52 |
Jul 17 |
Comment |
The soft colors really work for me, and the bokeh your have achieved separates the insect from the background nicely, in my opinion. Overall, I think the wasp is too soft. Reading above I see that you have already gotten lots of suggestions on how to attempt sharpening this. I agree that a mask would be required, and I get the best results in On1 Effects, so I will not go into that process as you do not use it.
Two things that can reduce camra shake when using the tripod are a remote shutter release and mirror lock up. If you shoot in live view the mirror is automatically locked up. That usually is not possible with fast moving birds, but wasps - at least the ones on my porch - don't move that fast, so it may work. |
Jul 15th |
| 52 |
Jul 17 |
Comment |
The projected image (PID) division is probably the place to enter this image as, not only are captive animals acceptable, but you are permitted to make any kind of adjustment to the image that suit you. I compete often and I believe this image would do well. I am sorry for mixing up your descriptions - I thought I had it straight. If you would send me just the text you want with this image I would be glad to repost and alert members to the change.
I think you have done a fine job shooting through glass. The only suggestion I would make pertains to a repeat effort - I wish the adult's paw in in the front was not cut off. Sometimes in attempting to fill the frame we just get a bit too close.
|
Jul 15th |
| 52 |
Jul 17 |
Comment |
The first thing I notice is the colors, which for me are restful and pleasing. I think you have a done well in isolating your subject - there is nothing in the background that I find distracting. The drops are a bit soft. Several years ago I worked on water drops for weeks in the summer and found that it is really difficult to get then in focus, but the best images I have seen show them tack sharp. Perhaps focus stacking would help.
The diagonal line of the foliage or whatever the drop is hanging from adds strength to the composition, but the drop itself causes me "cognitive dissonance." Given the laws of gravity, I feel like it should be penpendicular, not shooting out toward the bottom right corner. Although you have not told us, I am guessing you turned your camera at an angle, which normally works well, but for this image it is problematic for me. |
Jul 15th |
| 52 |
Jul 17 |
Reply |
Thank you, Lisa. I see what you mean and may do that when I print it for a different competition. For this one it must be 8X10 or 8X12 and if I crop the top that way I lose parts of the image on the sides. I think that would take too much away from the scene. Generally, I like the more panoramic view though, so that will work for future competitions. I appreciate your suggestion. |
Jul 8th |
| 52 |
Jul 17 |
Reply |
The Palouse is anything but flat. Millions of years ago when ice dams melted enourmous amounts of water rushed through there scraping the top soil from an area that is now called "Scabland" and depositing it in southeastern WA. So it is mostly rolling hills, but where the rivers cut through there are canyons. This river flows to the Columbia. That falls actually drops 200 ft.
I am not sure what you are saying about the sky. You referred to something Mike said, but I do not think he suggested cropping the sky. Can you tell me what you interpreted from Mike's comment, and if you cropped my image please feel free to post it so I can see what you have in mind. I have a competition to enter in the next few days so I am anxious for all the input I can get. |
Jul 8th |
6 comments - 4 replies for Group 52
|
| 72 |
Jul 17 |
Reply |
Hi Sarah, I am Sharon Prislipsky - Vic's wife. I am also the Assistant Managing Editor of the PSA Journal so I thought I would tip you off that in the upcoming August issue there is a very good article on photographic loons. |
Jul 11th |
0 comments - 1 reply for Group 72
|
11 comments - 6 replies Total
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