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| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 78 |
Feb 19 |
Reply |
Good point Alan, though I think also good to keep in mind whether you are an amateur photographer or a seasoned pro, the way you personally feel when looking at any image is a valid self-expression worth considering.
Along those lines, I've added some more of my ideas around the image (and photography in general) to the thread below. |
Feb 13th |
| 78 |
Feb 19 |
Reply |
Hi Alton, I've added some new thoughts (below) to the thread for your consideration. Feel free to discuss. |
Feb 13th |
| 78 |
Feb 19 |
Reply |
Thanks Richard for your comment and thoughts on the image. For what it's worth I added some more of my ideas about the image to the thread (below). |
Feb 13th |
| 78 |
Feb 19 |
Reply |
Thanks Dave / Brenda for your comment... I added some thoughts below to the thread summing up my ideas around this image. |
Feb 13th |
| 78 |
Feb 19 |
Comment |
Summing up the various comments (so far), I think we can all agree that a good image is a good image. Some photos just work. These images have universal appeal. Everything comes together, whether or not the photo conforms to technical "rules" or best practices.
Though part of why I chose this image for discussion is that I think we (in this group as well as photographers round the world) can have a tendency to get micro-focused on taking photos for a particular purpose, and doing so with some agreed upon level of technical execution - which may or may not be applicable for everyone in all cases.
Even a picture like this, the mis-focus was accidental, but the resulting image changed my thoughts about the "purpose" of the image from a horse photo (which I guess I should change my title if I was going for anything else!), to an image about being lost in a storm or blizzard.
That image has a different feel and different ideas. The "subject" becomes the snow and hazy perspective itself. Things are not clear and in focus. It can be barren and stark, like the empty branches. Those concepts can be communicated through the image either intentionally, or perhaps even after the fact as was the case of this "accident" where the image evokes a different feeling in the photographer (or viewer) than what was intended. When that happens, I think it is even more of a nudge to dig a little deeper and reflect on what that might communicate at a personal level.
Seems relevant to the discussion, I read a thought provoking blog post this week from Jim Kasson called "Why we photograph" which attempts to break down many different motivators for why we take pictures (not to mention what purpose those photos serve after the fact).
https://blog.kasson.com/the-last-word/why-we-photograph/
I think it's worth keeping in mind that everyone might have a different idea of what constitutes a successful photo, or a different motivation for why they took the picture they captured.
I don't think anyone of us would disagree with that - but bringing it up for consideration to be more conscious about what you are shooting and why. |
Feb 13th |
| 78 |
Feb 19 |
Comment |
Wow, magical architecture and a great composition on this one Brenda.
The shapes and fine metal work remind me of some of the Art Nouveau houses in Brussels. I like this design style and surely a treat to photograph as well.
I also like the way you framed the windows which act as mini-frames in the image, depicting something a little different for each one.
My only critique aside from some of the other discussions, is that some of the stuff at the top doesn't quite fit with the rest of the image somehow. Not that it is that distracting, but for a cleaner image you might try to crop or clone some of it a little differently (one of your rotated versions nearly removed most of it but still a bit of that right object remained)
|
Feb 5th |
 |
| 78 |
Feb 19 |
Comment |
This is a serene photo and I imagine a beautiful locale to revisit and photograph.
I also found the first B&W edit to be a bit too much wonderland (that kind of HDR B&W where things are a little unnatural to the eye) but the 2nd B&W was much better in that regard. I would almost be tempted to under expose a bit or add more black / contrast , even to the second one.
I like how there are 4 distinct layers and each provides a different texture to the image.
One element of this image that I didn't see immediately, but now my eye goes to every time I look, is there is a kind of X formed by the bushes and their reflection (near top 1/4 just right of center).
It looks to me like an exploding cloud. Or like that is a hole that the rest of the image is exploding out of.
If you find yourself back at this location with the same kind of foliage, might be worthwhile to explore that more and see what kind of compositions you could make from it. |
Feb 5th |
| 78 |
Feb 19 |
Comment |
This is a really cool location and works perfectly in this moody winter scene. I like the diagonal lines in the architecture as well as the fog or snow blowing around. Also very interesting is the cutout of the sky which is similarly shaped to the ceiling elements, all coming together very nicely in the way you processed and toned the photo.
I personally don't have much to offer in editing suggestions. I like the way you exposed the person in that you can see some details, like the texture of the jacket -- which adds to the kind of dystopian sci-fi feeling.
On titles, makes me think of some futuristic arena or setting, how bout "Post Apocalypse on the Promenade"
Congrats on getting this one selected on 1x. |
Feb 5th |
| 78 |
Feb 19 |
Comment |
You've caught a real moment of joy here Alan. Great timing to have the camera at the ready.
I like the lighted rope as an element in this image, though agree with Richard that if you had the opportunity to take a few pics, always good to remember to get a little higher or lower and see how that changes the relation of subject and objects in the frame. |
Feb 5th |
| 78 |
Feb 19 |
Comment |
Looks like the priest is gliding across the floor through the columns. Excellent composition and crop from the original.
I like the feeling of motion this conveys, almost like traveling through a portal with this holy man, onward into the temple. |
Feb 5th |
| 78 |
Feb 19 |
Reply |
Thanks Alan for your thoughts on the two images. What do you think about the feeling of each photo in terms of the emotions conveyed by each one? |
Feb 4th |
| 78 |
Feb 19 |
Reply |
Good question Brenda on the cold weather photography.
My camera and lens are supposed to be weather sealed, so I didn't do much to protect it other than keep my lens pointed down so it didn't get gummed up with wet snow. Though I have had issues in the past with stuff fogging up (going from car to outside or vice versa). It hasn't been too cold over here, just around freezing so that probably helps too.
Full disclosure though, in the case of this photo, I was indoors shooting from a window while this horse was out grazing in the snow.
|
Feb 4th |
| 78 |
Feb 19 |
Reply |
Thanks Sunil. I like your suggestion to make a print (something I don't do nearly enough). |
Feb 4th |
| 78 |
Feb 19 |
Comment |
Looks like we were both on a horse theme this month Abdo. These Arabian horses are truly majestic!
The light and movement in this image is perfect. I really like the warm sunlight coming through the lead horse's mane and tail.
I don't have much in the way of technical suggestions. I can see Brenda's comment about the pole could help things, and maybe if you were really being picky, could clone out the pole under the lead horse's throat and curve of his back. (though perhaps only for fine art or exhibition purposes and not really required for a documentary image).
I am curious if you snapped this one photo in the moment, or did you do a burst of pics and chose this one specifically? |
Feb 2nd |
| 78 |
Feb 19 |
Reply |
Thanks Alton for taking the time to share your impressions and insights.
I have some more thoughts about your comments but am going to hold off for a bit to let some others share their ideas before posting.
Also thanks for leading me back to your Group 77 and some excellent nature and wildlife pics within. |
Feb 1st |
7 comments - 8 replies for Group 78
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7 comments - 8 replies Total
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