Activity for User 1820 - Keisha Becerra - kbecerra@xavierarts.com

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127 Comments / 20 Replies Posted

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5 Sep 24 Reply Thanks so much for your feedback! I really like both your and Richard's ideas. For this shot, though, I was aiming more for an old-school editorial feel rather than a soft, fine art look. Perhaps if I had toned down the vignette and highlights, it would've come across less harsh.

I like the adjustments you made to the man, especially with lightening his face. But I think cleaning him up too much takes away from the story of the moment. His smeared eyeliner and busy shirt kind of add to the feeling of a chaotic moment, and I wanted those imperfections to stay because that's what I saw in the moment.

I tried to follow some tips from an article I read on street photography (minus the sepia tone), Still a work in progress, but I'm really enjoying the process! :)

Thanks again for your suggestions-I'm having a blast learning from all of you!

Here is a link to the artical if anyone is intrested - https://www.picturecorrect.com/5-unique-tips-for-editing-street-photography/
Sep 15th
5 Sep 24 Reply Thanks so much for your feedback! I tend to make most of my street photos monochrome to give them more of a newspaper/editorial feel, with a strong focus on shape and structure. But if the color adds to the story, I'd definitely go with color.

The original title, "Watching Over Us," came from the feeling I got while observing the guy in the photo. He looked like he was down on his luck, but as he sat down and seemed to be singing into his phone, there was this sense of calm that caught my attention. (* Note I saw this man in several locations throughout the day looking a little agitated.) The way the statue is positioned made me think of an angel or a muse watching over him, offering a sense of protection or comfort.

I totally see your point about the title, though. A focus on the inspiration could definitely add another layer to the story, and I really appreciate you offering that perspective. It's given me something to think about for sure!






Sep 9th
5 Sep 24 Reply Hey Richard, thanks so much for the edits! I really like the direction you took with the soft sepia tone and the adjustments to exposure and contrast-it really adds a nice warmth and softens the overall feel. The slight Gaussian blur in the background helps bring more focus to the statue and the person, which works really well.

When I was originally editing the photo, I was going for an old editorial look. Thanks again for your thoughtful edits-I'm definitely inspired to experiment more with this style!
Sep 9th
5 Sep 24 Comment This is such a sweet moment . The expression on the child's face is priceless, and the focus on the popsicle really helps tell the story. The soft background makes the subject stand out nicely without any distractions, and the natural, soft lighting perfectly matches the mood of the image.

One thing I'm curious about-did you think about adjusting the angle to capture more of the child's face or the popsicle from a different perspective? For example, moving slightly in front of her for a quarter profile might have added some extra dimension. Overall though, it's a lovely and heartwarming shot!
Sep 4th
5 Sep 24 Comment I agree with Richard and Jays feedback but overall this is a lovely shot. The bee on the bright pink flower really stands out against the dark background, making the colors pop beautifully. I also love how you've captured the details of the bee's fuzzy texture and the petals-it's sharp and well-focused. Sep 4th
5 Sep 24 Comment This is such a great action shot! You nailed the timing on the jump, and the intensity of the game really comes through. I love how you captured the concentration on the players' faces, and the image is sharp enough to really focus on the action at the net. The colors are super vibrant, and the composition keeps all the attention on the players.

One thing I was wondering-have you thought about using a shallower depth of field to blur the background a bit more? It could help make the action pop even more and reduce some of the distractions like the banners and spectators. Overall, though, it's an awesome and dynamic shot!
Sep 4th
5 Sep 24 Comment Welcome to the group! I checked out your website, and you have some really wonderful images! After reading your bio, I noticed we have something in common-I moved to Tennessee from Silver Spring, Maryland. I still visit family in the Maryland/VA area often, and I'd love to connect with you and Oliver for a photo shoot next time I'm there.

You've chosen a fantastic subject for macro photography! The texture and detail on the pod really stand out. The lighting is nicely controlled, giving the image a clean look. I especially like how the dark background makes the subject pop, and the sharp focus on the pod is excellent!
Sep 4th
5 Sep 24 Comment I think this is a great shot, and I really like how the lines from the trains and the platform draw the viewer's eye into the scene. The way the natural light shines through and contrasts with the shadowy interior adds a nice sense of depth.

I agree with Richard, if this were mine, I might consider brightening up the shadows under the roof to bring out more of the detail in that area. That little boost in exposure could add even more texture to the scene. Overall, it's a well-balanced image with a great sense of place!
Sep 4th

5 comments - 3 replies for Group 5

64 Sep 24 Comment I gained a lot from reading Lance Lewin's articles and threads, especially one where he explained the difference between monochrome and black-and-white photography. Before that, I thought monochrome was limited to sepia or grayscale, excluding the use of single-color schemes.

For this image, I wanted to break away from the usual tones and explore how mood can be expressed through monochrome. Following Lance's advice, I chose one color and stuck with it. My process started with converting the image to grayscale to make sure I was working with only one tone. Then, I applied a blue overlay. (I used dodging to highlight the eye, creating more separation while keeping it within the same monochrome range.)

I chose blue because, according to color theory, it carries both positive and negative emotional associations. On the positive side, blue can evoke feelings of calm, relaxation, trust, loyalty, and authority, symbolizing honesty, commitment, and peace. However, blue can also have a more negative side, often conveying fragility, coldness, predictability, or even a sense of melancholy.

I thought the bird's eye might convey different meanings for viewers. Does the bird appear calm and relaxed, or maybe it looks melancholy? Who really knows what's going on in a bird's mind? It's probably just focused on catching a fish!ðŸ˜Å
Sep 15th
64 Sep 24 Comment Hey Jerry, your "Face in the Ashes" image really captures the essence of the Phoenixville Firebird Festival and its theme of "rising from the ashes." The partially buried mask draws me in, almost as if it's telling its own story amidst the gritty debris. The monochrome treatment works perfectly, highlighting the raw textures of the ash and clay, and it gives the image a powerful, haunting vibe. Sep 9th
64 Sep 24 Comment Hey Jerry, your "Face in the Ashes" image really captures the essence of the Phoenixville Firebird Festival and its theme of "rising from the ashes." The partially buried mask draws me in, almost as if it's telling its own story amidst the gritty debris. The monochrome treatment works perfectly, highlighting the raw textures of the ash and clay, and it gives the image a powerful, haunting vibe. Sep 9th
64 Sep 24 Comment Hey Stuart, this shot is awesome! The way the jets are positioned and the smoke trails swirling behind them really give a sense of movement and power. My eye naturally follows the curve of the smoke, and it creates such a cool dynamic in the composition. Sep 9th
64 Sep 24 Comment Hey John, this shot really grabs my attention with that incredible architecture! I love how the roof's patterns break up the vertical lines, adding some extra visual interest. The crowd at the bottom gives a nice sense of scale, making the whole structure feel even more massive. If anything, I think bumping up the contrast a bit might make the sky stand out more and give the building even more presence. Overall though, it's a really strong image that does a great job of showing off the grandeur of the cathedral! Sep 9th
64 Sep 24 Comment Looking at this shot, the symmetry and depth really catch my eye. I love how the columns create a strong sense of repetition. Overall, I think this is a cool image that plays with perspective and patterns really well. Don I think you took a great photo. Sep 9th
64 Sep 24 Comment The first thing that grabs my attention in this shot is how the sky looks like it's radiating from behind the lighthouse. I think the dark, sweeping clouds really pop against the lighter parts, naturally pulling my eyes toward the cliff and the structure. Perhaps the contrast could be bumped up a bit to give the darker areas, especially in the sky, more impact. Overall Chris, I think your photo has a solid composition with a great atmospheric feel, and you did a nice job balancing the natural landscape with the man-made elements. All from an Iphone! Awesome Sep 9th

7 comments - 0 replies for Group 64


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