Critique #76 *Open Theme* 5 Participants

[RayPA]

Welcome to this critique thread. Please read the purpose statement and the guidelines/ground rules regarding participation.

Purpose
The primary purpose of this thread is to provide a forum where photographers can give and receive constructive criticism on one another's photographs. By setting up some basic guidelines we hope that this thread will provide a forum where the give and take of honest constructive criticism can help us become better photographers.

Guidelines/Ground Rules
The thread has very specific rules regarding participation. The one basic rule is that you cannot provide criticism on an image or comment in a critique thread unless you also have an image posted. To post an image to this thread you must be a participant. Participation in this thread is limited. Here are the guidelines and ground rules for participation:

• Participation in this thread is limited to 5 photographers
• Participants join the thread by posting their intention. You can simply reply with your intent to join by posting something like: "I'm joining," "I'm in," or just state your name
• Joining is on a "first come, first served" basis. The first 5 to reply become the participants.
• Please, only join this thread if you are able post an image within 24 hours of joining.
• Once the thread has 5 participants, no other photographers can join or participate in the thread
• Once the thread is full of participants all photographers will upload their image(s)
• Please abide by any thematic requirement (e.g., landscape, portrait, etc.)
•The number of photos for each participant is limited to one
• Photographers attach photos as thumbnails (no inline images or links)
• Photos should be standard screen resolution (72~90) and the longest side of the image approximately 10 inches in length. NOTE: New size limitations restrict attachment sizes to 300kb for jpegs. If you need help sizing your image for the web see THIS (http://www.chang-sang.com/ftp/SavingForWeb.pdf) pdf.
• Photographers post their images supplying titles (if any) and other pertinent information (the amount of information should be minimal)
• Photographers can only comment on their own images and reply to comments only when everyone else in the thread has posted their comments on the image
• Every participant must comment on every photo (except their own—initially)
• Every participant must make at least two comments, one positive comment, and one constructive criticism (which is actually two positive comments)
• Once every photographer has commented then a free flowing discussion begins. It is at this point that every photographer can comment on their own work and reply to comments, ask questions, etc.
• The participants decide when the thread closes.

What's a Guest?
A guest is a participating member of the thread who does not need to post a picture. The guest is an exception to the guideline that states all participants must post an image. Guests provide criticism just as the other participants do. Guests are also encouraged to act as moderators, to encourage elaboration, to guide discussion and examine latent concepts brought about as a result of the discussion.
Note: Not all threads will have a guest. See the title/subject line for the '+Guest' designation.


If you'd like to participate in a critique thread and need some ideas about how to proceed with viewing images critically, you may find this thread helpful:

How do you look at photos (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26459)

You can also provide feedback on critique threads here:

Critique Feedback Thread (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26611)

If you need help sizing your image for the web see:
dcsang's pdf (http://www.chang-sang.com/ftp/SavingForWeb.pdf)

Remember: Please do not provide criticism on an image or comment in a critique thread unless you also have an image posted.

This thread is now active, please follow the guidelines if you'd like to participate! Have Fun!



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[RayPA]

Back by request! Time to look at photos again.


:)

[ClaremontPhoto]

How can I not say 'Yes' to this.

Thank you RayPA.

Count me in.

[iml]

OK, count me in.

Ian

[mrtoml]

Me too, please.

[formal]

I'm in please.

[ClaremontPhoto]

Room for one more.

[.JL.]

I'm in as well

[ClaremontPhoto]

The Dream Snack Bar:

[iml]

The South Bank, London

http://www.adweb.co.uk/ian/photography/London/Images/_EPS0985.jpg

Ian

[.JL.]

I am weak on portraits. Grateful for any suggestions for improvement

Links to larger version.

Edit: image replaced for now. I need to re-scan that portrait.

[.JL.]

Here's my entry:

Knox College, University of Toronto, Canada, 2007

[mrtoml]

Here's mine. Water spring, Tinos, Greece.

[formal]

Ireland's Issues.
David
http://www.formal.ie/web/71-0112.jpg

[ClaremontPhoto]

Thank you RayPA for getting this asset of RFF up again.


iml
The South Bank, London

I like the photo as it evokes that district very well and shows a variety of people. The body language and expressions are wonderful.

I think that if you had perhaps moved to your right ,and perhaps thereby lost that busy background the photo would have been stronger.


.JL.
Knox College, University of Toronto, Canada, 2007

Isn't this a great viewpoint that shows the angular balustrade contrasted with the curved vaulting. The range of tones is very nice too.

Would it be even better with one person somewhere? Or a group of students running up the steps.


mrtoml
Water spring, Tinos, Greece

Nicely seen and well composed to make a charming detail photo. Iconic of Greece and would make a great photo in a tourism brochure or a great postage stamp.

If it was a little more white (less grey) it would say 'Greece' to me even more clearly.


formal
Ireland's Issues

Wonderful composition, the off center subject and horizon tilt make it very dynamic indeed. This would make a great publicity photo for the magazine she's holding.

As for my suggestion for making it better: Do it again in color as I can imagine so much color there in her clothing and in the location also such as the buildings in the background.

She's likely there every day selling her magazines so you can go back.

[iml]

Jon

I feel I've got to know the area where you live quite well through your postings. This picture's real strength is as part of that overall series of pictures, revealing the many small-scale features that make a particular place unique.

I would be tempted to either crop the awning on the left edge, or move in a bit closer to exclude it.

.JL.

Beautiful tonality and geometry, the eye is drawn around the picture and the framing and positioning is spot on. I agree with Jon, a single figure somewhere would really make it something special, but then again I have a weakness for that particular approach.

mrtoml

I like the texture here, and the tint. I would be tempted to get in a lot closer and find something even more abstract, concentrating on just a couple of the lines and the rough texture of the wall.

formal

Strong portrait of an interesting face. You've caught a lot of character, and I like the fact she's smiling rather than dour. I'd be interested to see a tight crop, removing everything to her left and getting in closer on her face, which is the main point of interest. I reckon she'd make a good subject for a short series.

Ian

[formal]

First let me prefix my comments by stating I LIKE pictures of people, so I'm not very good with peopleless images.


Jon
------

I like the composition and the regular pattern on the RHS. I assume this was taken in Portugal, but I have seen many of brand names and logo in Dublin.

I find the LHS draws my eye out of the image.

iml
------

The composition and tones are excellent, but obviously the expression on the face of the man in the hat is priceless.

I get the impression that the lady and man (?) on the left are not particularly interesting, but the lady on the right appears to talking to friends. So perhaps moving the camera to the right might have added something more to the image. However, it is a very good image.

.jl.
-------

This is a lovely shot with great tones. Excellent composition. All the elements in the image lead the viewer's eye down the corridor and they are left to wonder what is beyond the central pillar.

mrtoml
---------

This is a well composed image, with great texture.

I think that some of the image in the centre is bit over exposed and some running water would be a good addition.


David

[jan normandale]

As usual, I've missed the boat. Only by 3 days though.

[formal]

I wouldn't worry, there'll be another one.

David

[.JL.]

Jon -
The Dream Snack Bar

I like how the posters and letterings reveal little piece of information about this place - not enough information for me to identify the location. For this picture, I would prefer a square format, shedding some space on the left and adding more depth by including more of the stone pavement.


Ian -
The South Bank, London

The man's expression arrests my attention, even though the lady beside him is positioned more prominently in the centre. The lady on the right side seems to be posing for a picture, but both she and the other lady on the left side are not adding much to the composition. Would rather have them not being there at that 'fleeting' moment, but such is life for street photography.


Mark -
Water spring, Tinos, Greece

The strength of this picture is the composition and texture. I also like how the angled light creates a 3-dimensional effect. There is no water flowing in this water spring (?), but that would disturb the stillness anyways.


David -
Ireland's Issues

I really like this photograph. The position of the subject, the angle you shoot from (waist-level, I think) and the tilted horizon combines to a strong composition. The background also reveals good information about the subject's environment, while not being too busy.

[mrtoml]

Hi. Here are my comments. Sorry it took a while.

Jon

I like this for the colours and the fact that as someone else pointed out I think, that it fits well within a strong theme you have been developing.

I think there is a little too much space on the left hand side. I would at least crop off the extreme left edge which has the slightly distracting details of the next store.

iml

I really like this shot. The expression on the man's face really makes it interesting. Was he surprised at turning and having his picture taken? Did you shout at him from behind to get his attention etc etc...?

Would a square crop improve the image? Not sure. I feel that the figures on the left are a little redundant whereas a square crop with the man in the centre would be nicely balanced by the two figures either side of him.

JL

I love this sort of shot. I think you have got a great composition here. It's really beautiful and nicely exposed. I don't like to see figures in this kind of shot and would keep it just the way it is as a strong graphic composition.

If I had a very minor niggle it would be to straighten up the shot (the right hand pillar is very slightly tilted inwards). If you were using a view camera then this would have been easy to fix at the time, but if you print it digitally this can also be fixed in photoshop.

Formal

This is a nice street shot. Is that the Irish equivalent of the Big Issue she's selling? The magazine for homeless people? She has a great expression and is nicely framed by the metal poles in the background.

Again a minor improvement, but I think in an ideal world you could have delayed the shot a tad until the two figures in the background about to cross the road were a little further to the right. Making a nice diagonal for the eye following the figures across the road to the person on the far right. Of course on the street this is not easy on the spur of the moment. Maybe for me there is a little too much going on on the right hand side of the frame and the seller is too far over to the left.

All in all a nice set of pictures.

[ClaremontPhoto]

Thank you everybody. That was most helpful.

I'd like to go back and photograph The Dream Snack Bar Again, and do it better. But it's changed ownership and the new people have cleaned it up on the outside and gor rid of the French impressionist prints inside too.

[formal]

I like all your suggestions. I have seen this lady many times around Dublin and I hope to get more pictures in the future.

Yes JL, this was taken from waist level. Normally my waist level shots are very poor, so sometimes I stand against a wall and waited for someone to approach me. This time I was very pleased with the result.

I also did two scans (one for the background and one for her face) and merged them in Photoshop.

David

[iml]

Thanks for the comments. I agree with everyone about how my picture would benefit from better framing and a less distracting background. It was taken very instinctively, I was framing a shot of the man because I liked his face, and then as soon as he made eye contact I knew I had to shoot straight away. I'm not yet nearly as fast as Winogrand :-)

Ian

[mrtoml]

Thanks for all the comments.

Jon
I would have made the shot more white, but I liked the texture of the wall and this version stood out better from that point of view. Of course it was much whiter in Greece!

Ian
I think you make a good point about looking for alternative interpretations by getting closer. This was a 645 neg so I guess I could experiment with different crops.

David and JL
Unfortunately the spring was not actually working so there was no running water. The island we were on was very dry so I guess the springs were all turned off. I didn't find one which was actually working.