★ Wed C&C (No Theme) Thread, Ed. 153, Mar/16/2011 ★

Claus A

Veteran Member
Messages
6,527
Reaction score
9
Location
Berlin, DE
Welcome to the Wednesday Comments and Critique (No Theme) thread!

We’re continuing the great tradition of this C&C thread because we’re convinced that looking at and talking about images is vital for better photography, and also useful for understanding and appreciating our gear.

The idea is simple: you post an image and get critique on it, and in return give other people your opinion of their images. Or vice versa: you give others your honest feedback, and in return deserve the right to post your own picture for C&C.

Generally, you should post only one single image for C&C. As an exception, you can post two pictures resulting from one shutter release but with different treatment (for example a colour and a black & white version, or a different crop) for us to choose from and comment on.

TWO RULES:

1. If you post an image, you critique at least one other image.

2. Keep your comments honest but polite; if you don’t care for an image, try to explain why. This is neither a “Good shot!” nor an image-bashing thread.

Any style, any camera. It is a peer-to-peer photography workshop!

Feedback is guaranteed (for up to 48 hours after the thread has started)! Though keep in mind that the thread tends to be busiest during the first 24 hours or so, so later image posts may get little feedback.

HOW TO PLAY:

1. Turn on "Threaded view" and reply to this post with a web-sized image. Change the title so we can sort different images out easily!

2. Get back to this thread in a minute, an hour or a day or so, and…

3. …still in threaded view, look at one or more pictures of your choice, click reply and critique it.

4. Remember to add the EXIF if your image doesn't embed it as this may help

5. Image posters: please consider telling us what your own opinion on your image is. What prompted you to click that shutter button? What did you see? Why do you like the result? You don't have to explain, but it might be interesting.

6. You are very welcome to post a group reply to the feedback you have gotten. This could include a new version of your image, taking on board the comments received. Please try not to reply individually to every comment so as not to fill up the thread on your own.

IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME, WELCOME! AND BE SURE TO READ THIS:


-► The critique you give (point 3 from the above list) is vital. What was your first impression? What catches your eye about an image? Why? What do you like, and what distracts you? What would you change?

-► Fiddle with the image in your head - composition, perspective, colour balance, exposure. If the poster of the image does not object, you may even consider downloading his image and fiddling with it for real, to illustrate your point.

-► More general feedback is also welcome. Do you know something about taking the same sort of image that would make matters easier - share your own as an example in your reply. Encourage - it is a scary business putting your work up for other people to judge!

-► Finally what is the verdict? Waste-bin? Snapshot? Could be better? Family Album? Frame on wall? Poster-size frame on wall? Billboard? Reuters? World Press Photo? National Geographic? Museum? (pick your own superlative here)

Here is last week's thread:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37928595

One of the first replies is “The Related Post”. This is the place to post your general, not image-specific musings about this great enterprise called the C&C Thread.

Another of the first replies includes a link to all previous threads. This is called "Our Archives Vault".

Best Regards,

Claus.

--

... when the photograph annihilates itself as medium to be no longer a sign but the thing itself...

 
This is a placeholder for anything related to the C&C threads. And we do mean anything: feel free to start a discussion about the threads, or how you felt when your image was trashed by some mean know-it-all (probably not in this thread, though), or how it feels trying to say something polite about a cr @ ppy image posted for review (tough one).

This is also the place to make arrangements and share ideas for keeping this thread alive and kicking. Or for starting a new "Photo Essay" or "Series" thread, as has been suggested in the past (plenty of “Weekly” this-and-that threads around, so why not?).

The C&C group will be more than happy to consider all input.

--

... when the photograph annihilates itself as medium to be no longer a sign but the thing itself...

 
Here is the list of all recent editions of this wonderful experiment: our weekly exercise in ruthless peer-to-peer coaching for better photography; a refuge from gear discussions.

All threads of 2008: (Jonas started this thread on April 2, 2008)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=30596254

All threads of 2009:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=34168706

All threads of 2010:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37375543

Recent editions:

Week 152 (March 9, 2011 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37928595

Week 151 (March 2, 2011 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37866928

Week 150 (February 23, 2011 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37807305

Week 149 (February 16, 2011 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37747603

Week 148 (February 9, 2011 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37684498

Week 147 (February 2, 2011 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37621221

Week 146 (January 26, 2011 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37561168

Week 145 (January 19, 2011 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37501138

Week 144 (January 12, 2011 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37439942

Week 143 (January 5, 2011 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37375531

Week 142 (December 29, 2010 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37313790

Week 141 (December 22, 2010 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37258041

Week 140 (December 15, 2010 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37194732

Week 139 (December 8, 2010 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37130864

Week 138 (December 1, 2010 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37064641

Week 137 (November 17, 2010 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37005837

Week 136 (November 17, 2010 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=36943204

Week 135 (November 10, 2010 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=36879058

Week 134 (November 3, 2010 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=36812965

Week 133 (October 27, 2010 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=36748770

Week 132 (October 20, 2010 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=36682235

Week 131 (October 13, 2010 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=36612989

Week 130 (October 6, 2010 – by Claus)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=36547303

--

... when the photograph annihilates itself as medium to be no longer a sign but the thing itself...

 
Energy



E3, 7-14mm at 14mm, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/400, cropped to 16:9

Thanks for looking & commenting,

Regards,

Claus.

--

... when the photograph annihilates itself as medium to be no longer a sign but the thing itself...

 
Two shots, only a few seconds apart, on an evening near dusk in the Var region in the south of France (hills above the town of Vidauban).

Both shot with ZD50-200 (at 117 and at 112 mm) for the compression.
Both with E-3, at F5 (resulting in 1/800 or 1/640 respectively)

And I am wondering in particular which orientation you feel works best (if any of the two appeals at all). I know landscapes are most often presented in landscape orientation, but for some reason I keep trying portrait orientation too.

Please help me with your feedback to find out which works best and why?





--
Roel Hendrickx

lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com

my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
 
Let's resume last week's discussion
( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37949043 )
on cross-posting/hosting this thread in mFT as well as Oly Talk.

For this week I've posted an invitation not only on the Oly Talk ( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1008&message=37984286 )
but also on mFT Forum
( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=37984288 ).

When I started with the invitation on Oly Talk two moths ago we indeed attracted some users to post here. Let's see if if we win some users from mFT this week a s well.

What are your thoughts?

Cheers,

Claus.

--

... when the photograph annihilates itself as medium to be no longer a sign but the thing itself...

 
I instantly liked the first one (landscape orientation) better. I think the looping of the wires with more repetitions and the perspective of the background hills are more appealing at a subconscious level. I think that there is more rhythm in it. The portrait version, while good if not in comparison, has also a slightly blurry foreground that I find distracting. Both are great images, but my preference is the first if I have to choose.
 
Like them both ways, like the first slightly better due to a bit more brightness and detail in the trees.

Henry
 
Let's resume last week's discussion
( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=37949043 )
on cross-posting/hosting this thread in mFT as well as Oly Talk.

For this week I've posted an invitation not only on the Oly Talk ( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1008&message=37984286 )
but also on mFT Forum
( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=37984288 ).

When I started with the invitation on Oly Talk two moths ago we indeed attracted some users to post here. Let's see if if we win some users from mFT this week a s well.

What are your thoughts?
I am totally in favour of inviting other forums and trying to attract new people.
Great effort, Claus !

(Let me take the opportunity to point out that you have been starting this thread longer than anyone has ever done before, and to thank you for your continued effort. Cheers to you!)

--
Roel Hendrickx

lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com

my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
 
Some relatively minor adjustments - saturation and vibrance bumped up a bit plus a small curves adjustment.

e510, ZD50mm, f/3.5, 1/80

What attracted me to this was the difference in textures on either side of the water, the very small reflection and the green and grey tones that added to the image.

 
Two shots, only a few seconds apart, on an evening near dusk in the Var region in the south of France (hills above the town of Vidauban).

Both shot with ZD50-200 (at 117 and at 112 mm) for the compression.
Both with E-3, at F5 (resulting in 1/800 or 1/640 respectively)

And I am wondering in particular which orientation you feel works best (if any of the two appeals at all). I know landscapes are most often presented in landscape orientation, but for some reason I keep trying portrait orientation too.

Please help me with your feedback to find out which works best and why?



Rowel - first off, I feel the attraction to capture this scene. I like in the first exposure the balance achieved. It's an unusual and appealing perspective on the vanishing road, with the power lines filling in the receding curve we can't see. In the 2nd it feels more constrained, for some reason I'm drawn out of frame to the right. In the first that area has a more definite boundary that keeps the eye in play in the frame (but I don't feel I'm describing that as well as I might).

It's not an easy composition, but I do appreciate what you saw and fashioned from it.

Out of curiosity - were you in that FOV mindset at the time, or did you turn to the lens when the scene grabbed your eye?

--
...Bob, NYC

'Well, sometimes the magic works. . . Sometimes, it doesn't.' - Little Big Man

http://www.bobtullis.com
 


I am deeply sadened by what is going on Japan, as it stayed in my heart as one of my favourite travels.

So I decided to post a simple image of japan natural beauty (although blogger resizing made mush out of it).

E3+12-60+Aperture 2+Nik Color Efex

Thanks for looking,
--
BjornBudd was my computer games alter ego...
My name is João Afonso Ferreira, I'm from Portugal.
PhotoBlog: http://www.codaque.blogspot.com
Blog: http://www.atjaf.blogspot.com (in Portuguese)
 
Energy



E3, 7-14mm at 14mm, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/400, cropped to 16:9

Thanks for looking & commenting,

Regards,

Claus.

--

... when the photograph annihilates itself as medium to be no longer a sign but the thing itself...

Claus, thanks for the invitation offered.

The title throws me. The subject is dwarfed here, and all I can think of is this could be a play on a statement about limited renewable energy sources currently available. But I"m not convinced that was the objective.

--
...Bob, NYC

'Well, sometimes the magic works. . . Sometimes, it doesn't.' - Little Big Man

http://www.bobtullis.com
 
Part of the imposing st.Bavo cathedral in Haarlem Noord-Holland. Build in 1898 and showing a great deal of symbolic sculptures. In the town of Haarlem we got two St.Bavo's, so if you want to google on the subject look for the St.Bavo on the Leidsevaart. Style of this building from Arch. Cuypers is Jugendstill.

Bull on the roof



E520 14-42mm f9.0 This little lens is a miracle.
 
Out of curiosity - were you in that FOV mindset at the time, or did you turn to the lens when the scene grabbed your eye?
I will probably write a reply to your and everyone else's view on the image(s) in a group reply.

But I wanted to answer your specific question.

I was in the area to capture late evening sun in the pine trees a bit further south.

Images are in this gallery : http://roelh.zenfolio.com/p515558620 (images 10-21).
Sunrise in the same area was on another day.
Now for those foresty landscapes I had been using my ZD14-54 and ZD7-14.

I remember quite well that I mounted my ZD50-200 specifically for the dual image shown above, because I was certain that the telephoto compression would be crucial : compression in the cables and poles, and compression in the layers of hills in the background. At wide-angle, this would not have been worth looking at.
--
Roel Hendrickx

lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com

my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
 
Couldn't link to the DPR gallery this morning (Add Gallery Photo just shows a 'wait' while it tries to call up gallery images to select from), had to cut/paste the image URL from the gallery. . .

Been out at the beach a few times lately, for a change of subject matter. This was a stop while departing to toy with a longer exposure for the water. I wished I could have gained a bit more altitude for the sake of the piling layers, but seeing what might be had anyway. . . it's all practice, no?

E-P2, Lumix Vario G 45-200/4-5.6
15s f/9 ISO 200 97mm



--
...Bob, NYC

'Well, sometimes the magic works. . . Sometimes, it doesn't.' - Little Big Man

http://www.bobtullis.com
 
Out of curiosity - were you in that FOV mindset at the time, or did you turn to the lens when the scene grabbed your eye?
I will probably write a reply to your and everyone else's view on the image(s) in a group reply.

But I wanted to answer your specific question.

I was in the area to capture late evening sun in the pine trees a bit further south.

Images are in this gallery : http://roelh.zenfolio.com/p515558620 (images 10-21).
Sunrise in the same area was on another day.
Now for those foresty landscapes I had been using my ZD14-54 and ZD7-14.

I remember quite well that I mounted my ZD50-200 specifically for the dual image shown above, because I was certain that the telephoto compression would be crucial : compression in the cables and poles, and compression in the layers of hills in the background. At wide-angle, this would not have been worth looking at.
Indeed. As I said, curiosity about the mindset in the field I find interesting - sometimes choosing NOT to change lenses, sometimes constantly changing them, myself.

And I got it straight now (Roel, not Rowel). ;)

--
...Bob, NYC

'Well, sometimes the magic works. . . Sometimes, it doesn't.' - Little Big Man

http://www.bobtullis.com
 
From an "art filter madness" afternoon back in January. Is there any merit in this other than the fun that went into trying out the filter?

E-PL1 with diorama filter

Cheers
Christa



--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ch_cnb/
 

Keyboard shortcuts

Back
Top