Critique #57 *Open Theme* 5 Participants

RayPA · 12-04-2006

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.
• 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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ClaremontPhoto · 12-04-2006

Yes, I'm in.

venchka · 12-04-2006

Haven't played in awhile. Got something new. I'm in.

ampguy · 12-04-2006

I'm in.

..................

ClaremontPhoto · 12-05-2006

Bump.

We've got three Yes's so there are two places left.

DMG · 12-05-2006

me....me...<shooting hand up in the air>

ClaremontPhoto · 12-05-2006

One more place free.

nico · 12-05-2006

Ok, I'll be the fifth.
Ciao
Nico

nico · 12-05-2006

the last to join and the first to post ....
"the ties that bind" - Portugal
bessar+nok50+hp5

Ciao
Nico

venchka · 12-05-2006

It's not everyday you find a Buddhist Temple in Texas.

M5 : 28mm M-Hexanon : Agfa 200

I am eagerly awaiting your insights.

Thanks for looking.

Gabriel M.A. · 12-05-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by venchka

It's not everyday you find a Buddhist Temple in Texas.

M5 : 28mm M-Hexanon : Agfa 200

I am eagerly awaiting your insights.

Thanks for looking.

Let me see: a Buddhist Temple, in Texas, taken with a black lamb M5, shot through a Japanese underdog with Super Can powers, on an endangered-species film...

Yeah, it finishes well on the palate

Gabriel M.A. · 12-05-2006

OH CRAP! It's a critique thread! I'm so sorry!

Ray: delete or leave at will.

(I am so sorry).

ClaremontPhoto · 12-05-2006

Here's my photo...

40/60.

Part of an old stone road sign on what used to be the main road from Lisbon to everywhere else.

ampguy · 12-05-2006

rd1 with rokkor 40/2, soft focus and crop in picasa.

venchka · 12-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabriel M.A.

Let me see: a Buddhist Temple, in Texas, taken with a black lamb M5, shot through a Japanese underdog with Super Can powers, on an endangered-species film...

Yeah, it finishes well on the palate

No worries, mate! Good chuckle!

DMG · 12-06-2006

Hi sorry for posting this later than I should have (work was a b*tch today)

Leica Cl
tri-x

the subject, is The Jam (keyboard player from Uncle John & Whitelock, novelist and good friend)

ClaremontPhoto · 12-06-2006

nico: the ties that bind

A nice snap of a man and a cat. You've got a very good expression on the man and although he's clearly aware of you being there he's still playing with the cat as if you weren't present. That's a good social skill on your part. Of course you could only photograph what was there so we don't see the cat's tail, and we do see some distracting vehicles. With the tail and without the vehicles it would be much stronger.

Venchka: Sitting Buddha

It's very good for showing a religious statue in an everyday setting with a weathered plinth and bowls in front too. I wonder if it couldn't be improved by having the viewpoint a little higher and so placing the top of the head against the tree or the sky.

ampguy: turtleneck

Wonderful. Really stunning. The color, the composition, the selective focus, and her expression make this a very special photo. But do rename it as something else (her name?) as it's a photo of her not what she's wearing.

DMG: The Jam

It's a good informal portrait in difficult light. You have done well to show a relaxed and fun moment, and they guy is clearly at ease. If you made his face lighter we could see him better, but then his hand may be too light and distracting.

nico · 12-07-2006

Hi,
here my thoughts about the photos:

Jon,
I like it, it has an interesting abstract quality. i also like the contrast between the gorgeus blu on the right and the white on the left. The red spot on the upper left side balances the composition. I like this one "as is" so I would not change anything here.

Venchka,
I always have a strange feeling I cannot explain - even to myself

- when I see modern statues or painting on religious subject, maybe because I use to see and imagine them as something "ancient". What i like here are the colours, and a sort of quietfull happiness mood. As a possible improvement, as Jon, i'd like to see the head against the tree or the sky.

DMG,
I like this strange pose, it makes me wonder if it's a joke on the photographer or something else I cannot understand? Jon is right, the guy is having fun with you taking this shot but maybe the light, maybe because is not looking at you it makes me think he's shy in some way. The only thing i'd like to have different is a less tight crop on the hand.

ampguy,
i like this portrait, not easy to shoot if the light - as i suppose - was coming from the ceiling. The expression you caught shows a great character. I also like colours and dof even though I'd be curious to see something more of the environment.

Ciao
Nico

ampguy · 12-07-2006

Nico - I like the b&w photo of the man with the cat a lot. Not too contrasty, or grainly for a good b&w photo. I wish the white truck in the background were blurred more or the wheel were in a different position. Would have been very clean to have the brick bldg. back there without the truck. very nice.

Venchka - not really sure what to make of this. In many ways it's like a big version of the little statues in tucked away silicon valley thai mall restaurants. Very skinny buddha, am used to seeing ones with huge stomachs and big smiles. Interesting pink color there too. The expression and eyes on this guy are wild. Is it for real, or a tourist attraction (or both?)?

Jon Claremont - from the thumbnail, it looks like some kind of test pattern or crop. Larger, it looks like the white part is some kind of sign or door panel, and the right is very 3d-ish, like the game Tetris. Is the R side digitally manipulated? What is the brick/rust patch rectangle in the upper left corner? Are the 40 and 60 distance markers?

DMG - I brightened up the controls on my monitor, and it still seems a little dark. I think this might be interesting if cropped to just cover the face, and maybe hand and portion of shirt.

venchka · 12-07-2006

I am slammed at work & I have to go out of town over the weekend. I'm not much of a participant in this. I am sorry.

The Buddha is very real as is the Temple in a rural setting on the outskirts of Houston. I'll share the other photos when I have time to breathe.

My apologies. Thanks for the ideas. I really appreciate them.

DMG · 12-11-2006

Sorry for the late reply been busy at work (still here) and was dog sitting over the weekend...

Nico : Like the interaction and then tension created here (as it seems more malicious than playful to me). I would have shot it slightly to the left to make the string more clear but this was probably a spur of the moment shot.

Venchka : Colours are nice and bright, would have liked to have seen the imact of shooting low to high

Jon Claremont : Love the graphic quality of the image, would trim the bottom to remove the brickwork and further enhance the graphic nature of this pic

Ampguy : Nice soft portrait with muted colours. I would like to see the original as I think the crop is a little tight

again guys these are just my opinions, no offence intended

ampguy · 12-11-2006

A couple of you mentioned that my crop might have been too tight, so attached is the original (reduced from the 3.x MB JPG), would appreciate your feedback. This was the 8th photo I took on the RD1, so it's likely the settings weren't tweaked for optimal color/wb etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMG

Sorry for the late reply been busy at work (still here) and was dog sitting over the weekend...

Nico : Like the interaction and then tension created here (as it seems more malicious than playful to me). I would have shot it slightly to the left to make the string more clear but this was probably a spur of the moment shot.

Venchka : Colours are nice and bright, would have liked to have seen the imact of shooting low to high

Jon Claremont : Love the graphic quality of the image, would trim the bottom to remove the brickwork and further enhance the graphic nature of this pic

Ampguy : Nice soft portrait with muted colours. I would like to see the original as I think the crop is a little tight

again guys these are just my opinions, no offence intended

ClaremontPhoto · 12-12-2006

Thank you all for taking the time to look and to comment.

Nachkebia · 12-12-2006

Space left? I want to be in

ClaremontPhoto · 12-12-2006

Nachkebia: I'd like to see another of your photos and would value your comments about one of mine.

These critique threads appear about once every week, and we're just about due for a new one now. See you there.