* Wed C&C "No Theme" Thread #613 on 2020 01 22 *

1. You may post two pictures resulting from one shutter release but with different treatment (for example a color and a black & white version, or a different crop) for us to choose from and comment on. You may also post in a single post, two images that are closely related in subject or style.
2. The thread is also open for the contribution of a Photo Essay of three or more images that should be viewed as a whole and that tell a specific story.
3. If you want to submit to C&C more than one image (while they do not form an essay or are not closely related), please submit the different images each in their own separate sub thread. This new rule has been created in order to have a greater variety of images in “slow” weeks with few participants. In a “busy” week, please limit yourself to a single submission (image or essay) in order to give as many participants as possible a change to participate.

1. If you post an image, you should critique at least one other image. If you post more than one image, please make an effort to post comments on at least a few images of other members.
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.

1. Change the title so we can sort different images out easily!
2. Remember to add the EXIF if your image doesn't embed it as this may help
3. 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.
4. You are very welcome to post a group reply to the feedback you have received. This could include a new version of your image modified in response to the comments.

1. Suggested number of images : minimum 3 and maximum 12 but numbers may vary.
2. It is allowed (and encouraged) to include some verbal narrative IF you think that helps explain the essay, but text is not required. You can choose to let the images speak for themselves.
3. Individual technical data of the separate photos is not required, but you can of course give information that you deem relevant.
4. If you post a series, you commit yourself to critique at least one other series (if there are any; if not critique at least one image...). To make a distinction with the C&C of single images, we feel that comments should not focus on individual images, but on the series as a series. This can cover multiple angles :

• do you think the series tells the story well?
• how about the sequence and pace : would you sequence the images differently, and if so, why?
• is there enough consistency in cropping, angles, PP treatment : does it really feel like a series or is it just a collection of shots?
• do you think one image is a real highlight, or are there one or more images that would better be removed to prune the essay to a leaner and meaner series?
• do you think a certain angle of the place/event/... is sorely missing from the story?
• et cetera

• The critique you give 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, color balance, exposure.
• It is understood that unless the original poster specifically states that they do not want an altered image posted that you are free to alter the posted image and repost it in a reply for C&C purposes (no use for other purposes!). That reposted image may remain permanently or you may remove it after a short period of time if you prefer. No copyright disputes here!
• 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)

WhyNot said:

This is a picture that does tell it's own story …. A fisherman and a photographer who got out of bed before sunrise to catch that first fish and first rays of sunshine... .. The only question I had with myself about this composition was the placement of the fisherman's head – get down for a lower angle and put his head in the clouds, stand on a bench and submerge him in shadow … Actually after a brief argument with myself I believe you found the right place for him. He is definitely the subject and doesn't have to compete with the sunrise itself ….

WhyNot

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RoelHendrickx said:

An image from a trip to Düsseldorf last summer, where we went to see the Ai Weiwei retrospective exhibitions in K20 and K21 (the City's "Modern Art" & "Contemporary Art" galleries):

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WhyNot said:

I think that this is an interesting picture that needs the narrative to have meaning for me … Since I know nothing about the artist that the narrative says was the motivation for showing this wall or the Russian language I cannot appreciate those words that I might see on the wall or understand their significance if I did. … My ignorance limits my appreciation of the picture ... If I did have more knowledge I suspect I would complain that a different angle would have made the words more impactful, as they seem secondary to the scene itself, Most graffiti is more outrageous in color and design than I can perceive here. I suspect this is meant as a J'Accuse moment but again my ignorance is on display, I fear ... …

There is a problem with this thread. It has seemed to be implicit that a single picture stand on its own or tell its own story. As I rarely take such pictures I often have problems participating, as my pictures mostly require or are part of a narrative and I think this picture, for me, requires that narrative. …

I'm not sure this is a proper critique or one that is desired but it my thought on seeing and reading this entry ….

WhyNot

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P3T3S said:

Arbat Street in central Moscow has been renovated and repaired almost to a fault. The bourgeois residences are still there but many house souvenir shops and restaurants now. Not far from the house where Pushkin once lived and loved, is a small lane running off Arbat Street and with this graffiti covered wall.

I will write the background story below the picture, as it will probably change how you look at the photo, and I think it would be interesting to analyse the photo before and afterwards. (OK, you can ignore me if you like!)



Background story

Kino was the most popular rock group in the last years of the Soviet Union and their protest songs provided a soundtrack to the Perestroika of the time. Viktor Tsoi was their charismatic singer, guitarist and song-writer and one song in particular, Changes, became more than just a hit, and from what I was told, has a status similar to John Lennon's Imagine.

Despite his fame and money (although the earnings of a Soviet rock star bear no comparison to that of a rock star in the West), he continued to work in the boiler room of the block of flats where he lived, and ploughed his revenues back into the upkeep of the band. This endeared him even more to his fans, who revered him as one of themselves, an ordinary worker.

In August 1990 Viktor Tsoi was killed in a car crash. Somebody wrote "Viktor Tsoi has died today" on the wall, and this was quickly followed by "Tsoi is alive!" and then messages from his fans, lyrics from his songs, portraits and so on. The graffiti covered wall inevitably met with a mixed reception, and there have been many attempts to have it removed, but so far either the plans have been succesfully countered, or the graffiti is quickly replaced after its removal.

Viktor Tsoi remains hugely popular today and, like Buddy Holly, John Lennon and Kurt Cobain, his early violent death did nothing to harm his popularity. His fans leave broken lighted cigarettes in an ashtray by the wall, although unfortunately there were none to be seen when I was there. (It was raining!)
Moscow does not like graffiti and it is usually removed quickly, well in the centre at least, but the graffiti on this wall remains the only one tolerated by the authorities.

If you are interested, here are a couple of links, including videos.

Kino performing Changes

The lyrics of Changes

Viktor Tsoi's protest anthem

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