Critique #25 *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
• 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)
• 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.


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

You can also provide feedback on critique threads here:

Critique Feedback Thread

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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[nico]

Count me in!
Bye
Nico

[sleepyhead]

I would like to be in - will upload a photo in about 12 hours - sorry for the delay.
Yaron

[raid]

I am in too.

[nico]

Bump!
nico.

[raid]

Here is my image.
Camera: Bessa L
Lens: CV 25mm/4
Film: Fujicolor 100

[ampguy]

do you folks need a 5th?

[sleepyhead]

Hi ampguy - YES, we need a 5th!
Yaron

[sleepyhead]

Hi Raid, is it possible to see a bigger version of your photo? Perhaps 1000 pixels across?

We still need ampguy to confirm that he's in.

Here's my photo. No title. Taken with a Minox 35ML.

[nico]

Here's mine:
"when she passes by"

Bye.
Nico

[ampguy]

Will need a few hours before I post.

Originally Posted by sleepyhead

Hi Raid, is it possible to see a bigger version of your photo? Perhaps 1000 pixels across?

We still need ampguy to confirm that he's in.

Here's my photo. No title. Taken with a Minox 35ML.

[ampguy]

attached, hexar, fuji 200 neg. film.

[raid]

Originally Posted by sleepyhead

Hi Raid, is it possible to see a bigger version of your photo? Perhaps 1000 pixels across?

We still need ampguy to confirm that he's in.

Here's my photo. No title. Taken with a Minox 35ML.

I would need to find this photo and scan it again.

Raid

[ampguy]

Raid,

This photo is very interesting, took me a minute to figure out that the guy was not in a swimming pool. The blue swirls, rope, and shadow lines all indicate a swimming pool, but of course the guy in the suit makes it clear this is not, plus the chairs.

I'm guessing that the overhead roof is a big blue skylight?

Originally Posted by raid amin

Here is my image.
Camera: Bessa L
Lens: CV 25mm/4
Film: Fujicolor 100

[ampguy]

Great buildings on both sides, this can be a great photo as is, and I think it would be great without the lady's head in it as well.

I am not sure of the significance of capturing only the woman's eyes and noce and not mouth.

Perhaps you subcionsciously do not want to hear the voice of women??

Originally Posted by sleepyhead

Hi Raid, is it possible to see a bigger version of your photo? Perhaps 1000 pixels across?

We still need ampguy to confirm that he's in.

Here's my photo. No title. Taken with a Minox 35ML.

[ampguy]

Very high contrast moody photo. It's not clear what the guy is doing, just waiting I guess. The bench looks a little more modern than the huge pillars.

The guy looks like he could use a shave.

Originally Posted by nico

Here's mine:
"when she passes by"

Bye.
Nico

[sleepyhead]

Input From Sleepyhead On The Other's Photos:


PHOTO BY RAID AMIN

This a lovely photo - I also thought it was a swimming pool at first glance - and like I said I would have loved to see it bigger because there are so many interesting details to explore. Technically the photo is very good - good exposure and colours, it's sharp.

Compositionally, I would have liked to see more of those red cones, as they contrast so nicely with the blues. And the top left-hand corner is a bit distracting. Perhaps a vertical shot might have acheived what I'm asking for.



PHOTO BY MANGO

ManGo, your photo is a good example of how a simple subject can be turned into a striking composition. I like the fact the everything is lines and rectangles except the round shadow shape. The tonality is perfect - there are details on the wall and in the shade of the sign. It's difficult for me to suggest any way to improve on this photo, except perhaps to try to crop a little off of the right side and bottom in order to make the round shadow more centrally placed. Nice work.



PHOTO BY NICO

I like the photo for it's simple composition (i.e., lack of distractions), and because the naive viewer wonders "what is he watching?" The exposure has retained good detail in the bright part of the wall, but I would have liked to see more shadow detail around the guy's neck. The photo also seems alittle soft to me. See attached sharpened version. The sharpening to my eyes, seems to sharpen what the guy is intently looking at, if that makes sense!



PHOTO BY AMPGUY

Ampguy, I admire you for trying to capture this. It is one of those situations in which the subject would have caught my eye, but for the demanding technical and compositional reasons i wouldn't have even attempted it. The photo is a little too busy in my opinion, and may be improved by converting it to B&W. Moving the camera more to the right and down might have cleaned up the cluttered left edge and gotten more of the front wheel of the bike in.

[raid]

Originally Posted by sleepyhead

Hi Raid, is it possible to see a bigger version of your photo? Perhaps 1000 pixels across?

We still need ampguy to confirm that he's in.

Here's my photo. No title. Taken with a Minox 35ML.

The face should not be cropped like this. I wouldn't know how to improve this photo after it has been taken.

Raid

[raid]

Originally Posted by nico

Here's mine:
"when she passes by"

Bye.
Nico

Nico,

This photo improves when you crop it from the left.

Raid

[nico]

Raid:
great effect, the colour is brilliant and the character makes the photo. A lot of interesting details to look at. The shot is ok for me, at least a little cropping on the right, in order to decentrate the man and on the left to cut out the upper left corner. A great shot.

ManGo:
this is the classical shot you like it at all or nothing at all! I belong to ones that like it. It's essential, well composed and exposed. It's very difficult to suggest something about it.

Ampguy
I think it's a funny shot (it makes me smile) but maybe a little more oof for the background and a little cropping would help cutting away some distractions.

Sleepyhead:
Intriguing shot, building and sky make me think about a rainy day in an industrial town. Imho, the "half" head adds sort of mistery to the shot, who's she? where she going? or thinking about? even for this one is very difficult to suggest an improvement ....

Bye
Nico

[raid]

This was my first roll of film with the CV 25mm/4 lens on a Bessa L. I was with some people taking photos from above (at street level), when I saw possibilities for shotting downward. The architectural structure of "Oasis Live" was in the center of the city of Nagoya (3 million pop) and it serves as an oasis to relax and enjoy the view of flowing water on the ceiling. Somehow, the effect was a nice blue on the basement floor. I was not at liberty to stay much longer here due to having a group of people with me.

Raid

[nico]

Raid, you're right I slightly cropped the shot, but it doesn't change the whole composition.
This guy is looking at some turist (2 pretty girls and 1 guy) passed few moments before.
Ampguy, what to say about the bench .... I didn't buy them , the major of Lucca did so I don't like the both ... I mean, the bench and the major !
Sleepyhead, I like also the sharpened version.
Thanks for your comments guys,
bye
nico

[raid]

Nico,
My wife and I still recall how relaxing Lucca is. One day we will travel back to Lucca during an Italy trip by car. I don't know the Mayor!

Raid

[nico]

Originally Posted by raid amin

Nico,
... I don't know the Mayor!
Raid

You lucky guy!!!

I'm glad you have a nice recollection of Lucca, I'll wait you here, I'll prepare for you nad your family the best italian meal you may have!
Bye
Nico

[raid]

Thanks, Nico. Now that's Italian welcome for tourists.

Raid