* Wed C&C "No Theme" Thread #749 on 2022 08 31 *

RoelHendrickx · Aug 31, 2022

Welcome to the Wednesday Comments and Critique (No Theme) thread!

We are continuing the great tradition of this C&C thread because we are convinced that looking at, and talking about images is vital for better photography.

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.

Please post your image (or essay) in a reply to this very first message in the thread, and not in a reply to someone else's message. This keeps the thread tidy, with a sequence of images and then the comments on those images right under them. Threaded view of the thread is recommended to see what we mean.

THREAD GUIDELINES – THE SHORT & SWEET VERSION

This thread does not care about brands. It’s not about the tool, but the image.
Post one image that you would like to get comments on (exceptions: see below).
Change the title of your post to reflect the image’s title.
Look at the other images and give your comments on at least one of those.
For comments, try to go beyond a simple pat on the back or a short dismissal.
Do you like an image (or essay) ? Try to explain WHY it appeals to you.
Negative feedback is OK (we all want to learn), but be polite and constructive. Try to explain why the image (or essay) does not appeal to you and how it might be improved.

More detailed POSTING and COMMENTING GUIDELINES are in the FIRST REPLY.

In another of the first replies, the “Archives”, you can find the links (and cumulative links) to ALL our previous editions. Enjoy the time-travel!

Another first reply is “The Related Post”. Below that header is the place to post your general musings about the C&C Thread, or photography in general.

RoelHendrickx · Aug 31, 2022

Any style, any camera, any subject.

Feedback is guaranteed (for up to 48 h after the thread has started)! Though keep in mind that the thread tends to be busiest during the first 24 hours or so, and then again during the weekend. Image posts that arrive late may get little feedback.

TWO RULES:

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.
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.

NUMBER OF ENTRIES:

Generally, you should post only ONE SINGLE IMAGE for C&C.

TWO EXCEPTIONS and a VARIATION:

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.
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.
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.

HOW TO PLAY:

Single Images

Change the title so we can sort different images out easily!

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

Photo Essays

The idea is that the posted images should be related and together try to tell a story about a place, an event, a travel you made, a (group of) person(s), a hobby or whatever is fit for an essay.

Suggested number of images : minimum 3 and maximum 12 but numbers may vary.
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.
Individual technical data of the separate photos is not required, but you can of course give information that you deem relevant.
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

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

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?
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)
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!

RoelHendrickx · Aug 31, 2022

RoelHendrickx · Aug 31, 2022

This is a placeholder for conversations on anything related to these C&C threads.

Post your general comments as a reply to THIS post.

Specifically : the place to make arrangements and share ideas for keeping this thread alive and kicking. It is our own PSA system.

But also :

- discussion of our concept of aspects of it broader than a specific image,

- service announcements by the thread starter or anyone else;

- interesting links to other similar initiatives;

- links to something you really want to share with this particular group of people.

- frankly, anything that could be of interest to our group here.

Please post all of that as a reply to this post.

RoelHendrickx · Aug 31, 2022

Our discussion of last week, inspired me to make (and post) another one of those shadow selfies.

Here is one I made just this morning, in Matera in Italy.

(Matera is made famous by numerous movies shot there, including "Il Vangelo secondo Matteo" by P.P. Pasolini, Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ", and recently "No Time to Die", the latest Bond extravaganza with some exciting scenes that involve serious movie magic - because not all locations shown, are actually in Matera, and some of the city's architecture was modified to accommodate vehicular stunts. Our B&B owner told us some about that.)

I started the day early at 5.30 h, walking down the "gravina" to the river and back up on the other side of the canyon to catch sunrise on the city at around 6.30. Got some pretty great shots, if I may say so myself...

This one is from a bit later, when the upper part of the city was already fully bathed in light, and I was standing at the top of the cliffs on the other side.

The foreground shown here is that clifftop, still mostly in the shade, except the very edge of it, with the distant city of Matera behind it.

The canyon lies between the city and me, probably a hundred meters deep (I'll look that up. My watch tells me that I climbed the equivalent of 69 flights of stairs on my morning walk.)

I had to bend over a bit to get myself in the shot, because at around 1 hour past sunrise, my shadow was still too long to catch completely, when standing up. As shown here, the top of my head just touches the cliff edge.

The image is a full size iphone photo, so I suppose it will be possible to zoom in a bit on the city.

--
Roel Hendrickx
lots of images: http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com

minniev · Aug 31, 2022

Alas, by the time I got to Lubec I had lost use of my camera and had only my cellphone to take photos with. I did the best I could but am not a skilled phone camera user. Lubec is the last town in the US going east. It was once a bustling herring and sardine fishery but with those industries gone, the town is part ghost town and part borderline tourist business, though only visited by folks who stray from the usual landmarks. Some of the old fisheries have been kept standing, one outfit as a museum, another as a hotel, another as a restaurant. Lobstering has replaced herring and sardines as the primary industry.

Fox328 · Aug 31, 2022

P3T3S · Sep 1, 2022

I decided to follow Roel's lead and post a selfie.

A few days ago, we visited the Willy-Brandt-Haus in Berlin. It is the HQ of the SPD, the party he represented as a politician, as Mayor of Berlin (at the time the Wall was built) and as Chancellor (i.e. Prime Minister) of West Germany. It is not only a centre of politics, but also puts on free exhibitions, of their own collection of art and guest artists.

It was a Sunday, so only the parts of the building relevant to the exhibition were open and lit, so there was an interesting mixture of natural and artificial light. The photo was taken at the T-junction of three corridors. To the left, the corridor was closed and unlit, except by indirect sunlight, whereas to the right, the corridor lead to the exhibition and the lights were on. The glass doors at the entrances to the two corridors gave an interesting infinity reflection effect, which I had noticed earlier, when I was about to follow my wife down the corridor, only to realise I was about to follow her reflection!

Pete

RoelHendrickx · Sep 2, 2022

The entrance to the Cimitero Monumentale in Alberobello dates from the period in European history when architecture was fascinated by recent discoveries in ancient Egypt (1880s-1890s).

This is from a visit at opening hour (8.00h) when the shadows were still quite long, after an overcast start (my walk there from Coreggia was downright rainy).

--
Roel Hendrickx
lots of images: http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com

P3T3S · Sep 3, 2022

Fox328 said:

Your series really highlights the beauty of this building and B&W bring out the best in the stonework. I think the high key B&W conversion in 3, 4 & 5 works exceptionally well and I would prefer that on 2 and 7, and maybe 6 a touch lighter too. This would make the conversion consistant throughout the series.

Your choice of subjects is good and I like the way you start with the whole view, come in closer for the details and then upwards. Well almost. #2 seems out of sequence, and I think, if it was at the end, the flow would work very well.

Pete

P3T3S · Sep 3, 2022

minniev said:
Alas, by the time I got to Lubec I had lost use of my camera and had only my cellphone to take photos with. I did the best I could but am not a skilled phone camera user. Lubec is the last town in the US going east. It was once a bustling herring and sardine fishery but with those industries gone, the town is part ghost town and part borderline tourist business, though only visited by folks who stray from the usual landmarks. Some of the old fisheries have been kept standing, one outfit as a museum, another as a hotel, another as a restaurant. Lobstering has replaced herring and sardines as the primary industry.

You have succeeded in capturing what you describe in the text. Substantial structures from a different, wooden, age, which are no longer the centre of industry and are now sleeping and hopefully afforded protection.

The weather was your friend, and the way the wooden structures remain in sharp focus in the foreground, whilst the mist gradually blurs and hides their life blood, the boats and the sea, is delightful. The mist was supported by a busy spider to make a lovely droplet covered web to provide another symbol of disuse.

Sorry to hear you couldn't use the camera, but this is another case where a phone filled the gap reliably.

Pete

P3T3S · Sep 3, 2022

RoelHendrickx said:
The entrance to the Cimitero Monumentale in Alberobello dates from the period in European history when architecture was fascinated by recent discoveries in ancient Egypt (1880s-1890s).

This is from a visit at opening hour (8.00h) when the shadows were still quite long, after an overcast start (my walk there from Coreggia was downright rainy).

Here your shadow forms a more traditional leading line and the shadow's line of sight follows the line where the wall meets the pavement, so it has a double emphasis to lead into the frame.

I like the mixture of diagonal shadows, vertical pillars, diagonal structure on the ceiling and the lines of the paving. It is a shame that all these good lines lead to nothing more interesting than a door, but it is still enough to enjoy the photo.

Pete

P3T3S · Sep 3, 2022

RoelHendrickx said:
Our discussion of last week, inspired me to make (and post) another one of those shadow selfies.

Here is one I made just this morning, in Matera in Italy.

(Matera is made famous by numerous movies shot there, including "Il Vangelo secondo Matteo" by P.P. Pasolini, Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ", and recently "No Time to Die", the latest Bond extravaganza with some exciting scenes that involve serious movie magic - because not all locations shown, are actually in Matera, and some of the city's architecture was modified to accommodate vehicular stunts. Our B&B owner told us some about that.)

I started the day early at 5.30 h, walking down the "gravina" to the river and back up on the other side of the canyon to catch sunrise on the city at around 6.30. Got some pretty great shots, if I may say so myself...

This one is from a bit later, when the upper part of the city was already fully bathed in light, and I was standing at the top of the cliffs on the other side.

The foreground shown here is that clifftop, still mostly in the shade, except the very edge of it, with the distant city of Matera behind it.

The canyon lies between the city and me, probably a hundred meters deep (I'll look that up. My watch tells me that I climbed the equivalent of 69 flights of stairs on my morning walk.)

I had to bend over a bit to get myself in the shot, because at around 1 hour past sunrise, my shadow was still too long to catch completely, when standing up. As shown here, the top of my head just touches the cliff edge.

The image is a full size iphone photo, so I suppose it will be possible to zoom in a bit on the city.

The village was well camouflaged and blended well with the surrounding rocks, but the warm sunlight was still weak and even though it was pushing the cold night aside, the shadow crept towards the houses and took what was his. A photo.

And a fine photo at that.

Pete

Fox328 · Sep 3, 2022

P3T3S said:
I decided to follow Roel's lead and post a selfie.

A few days ago, we visited the Willy-Brandt-Haus in Berlin. It is the HQ of the SPD, the party he represented as a politician, as Mayor of Berlin (at the time the Wall was built) and as Chancellor (i.e. Prime Minister) of West Germany. It is not only a centre of politics, but also puts on free exhibitions, of their own collection of art and guest artists.

It was a Sunday, so only the parts of the building relevant to the exhibition were open and lit, so there was an interesting mixture of natural and artificial light. The photo was taken at the T-junction of three corridors. To the left, the corridor was closed and unlit, except by indirect sunlight, whereas to the right, the corridor lead to the exhibition and the lights were on. The glass doors at the entrances to the two corridors gave an interesting infinity reflection effect, which I had noticed earlier, when I was about to follow my wife down the corridor, only to realise I was about to follow her reflection!

Pete

There are several reflections which makes this picture look as if several pictures are layered over each other. The different lighting, the infinity effect and one central person, it really makes the picture. And the camera is carefully hidden. Well done!

Fox328 · Sep 3, 2022

minniev said:
Alas, by the time I got to Lubec I had lost use of my camera and had only my cellphone to take photos with. I did the best I could but am not a skilled phone camera user. Lubec is the last town in the US going east. It was once a bustling herring and sardine fishery but with those industries gone, the town is part ghost town and part borderline tourist business, though only visited by folks who stray from the usual landmarks. Some of the old fisheries have been kept standing, one outfit as a museum, another as a hotel, another as a restaurant. Lobstering has replaced herring and sardines as the primary industry.

A misty series where only the last picture is completely sharp. I like the atmosphere of the pictures and think the third one with the spiderweb is the one which is the most creative. The fourth one is the most active one with the bird in landing position. The first two ones give us an overview. There is not much to see but the created atmosphere makes these one suitable to be hanged on a wall.

Fox328 · Sep 3, 2022

RoelHendrickx said:
Our discussion of last week, inspired me to make (and post) another one of those shadow selfies.

Here is one I made just this morning, in Matera in Italy.

(Matera is made famous by numerous movies shot there, including "Il Vangelo secondo Matteo" by P.P. Pasolini, Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ", and recently "No Time to Die", the latest Bond extravaganza with some exciting scenes that involve serious movie magic - because not all locations shown, are actually in Matera, and some of the city's architecture was modified to accommodate vehicular stunts. Our B&B owner told us some about that.)

I started the day early at 5.30 h, walking down the "gravina" to the river and back up on the other side of the canyon to catch sunrise on the city at around 6.30. Got some pretty great shots, if I may say so myself...

This one is from a bit later, when the upper part of the city was already fully bathed in light, and I was standing at the top of the cliffs on the other side.

The foreground shown here is that clifftop, still mostly in the shade, except the very edge of it, with the distant city of Matera behind it.

The canyon lies between the city and me, probably a hundred meters deep (I'll look that up. My watch tells me that I climbed the equivalent of 69 flights of stairs on my morning walk.)

I had to bend over a bit to get myself in the shot, because at around 1 hour past sunrise, my shadow was still too long to catch completely, when standing up. As shown here, the top of my head just touches the cliff edge.

The image is a full size iphone photo, so I suppose it will be possible to zoom in a bit on the city.

It's a very creative but somehow strange picture. Two pictures in one actualy. But the most curious thing about this picture is that the stony mountain is transforming in a city. I had to look twice to found out what we see.

minniev · Sep 3, 2022

This is an excellent image, selfie notwithstanding. (It isn't a selfie, it is a fine art image). It's one of those I am jealous of because it is so very excellent. The sequence of doors stacked like Russian dolls is dizzying, intriguing, and addictive to look at. The figure of the man carrying a case is hazy and semi transparent, as i but the repeating doors seem to grow clearer and sharper the further away they get. The doors might lead us to a clearer picture of who the man really is but inside them are only more doors. A modern day Willy Loman.

P3T3S said:
I decided to follow Roel's lead and post a selfie.

A few days ago, we visited the Willy-Brandt-Haus in Berlin. It is the HQ of the SPD, the party he represented as a politician, as Mayor of Berlin (at the time the Wall was built) and as Chancellor (i.e. Prime Minister) of West Germany. It is not only a centre of politics, but also puts on free exhibitions, of their own collection of art and guest artists.

It was a Sunday, so only the parts of the building relevant to the exhibition were open and lit, so there was an interesting mixture of natural and artificial light. The photo was taken at the T-junction of three corridors. To the left, the corridor was closed and unlit, except by indirect sunlight, whereas to the right, the corridor lead to the exhibition and the lights were on. The glass doors at the entrances to the two corridors gave an interesting infinity reflection effect, which I had noticed earlier, when I was about to follow my wife down the corridor, only to realise I was about to follow her reflection!

Pete

minniev · Sep 3, 2022

Beautifully detailed architectural images that give us a feel for the exterior of the structure with distant, mid range and close up images. Beautiful monochrome conversions. The first is my own favorite - I like seeing the extra context you've shared here. The image is nicely set off by the cyclist in just the right position to offer balance with the spire.

Fox328 said:

minniev · Sep 3, 2022

I love the creeping shadow selfies. The city is dramatic enough, perched on its craggy hilltop with what appears to be ancient architectural marvels. But the image is made by the shadow of the oversized beast steadily and stealthily ascending the rocks towards the city.

You and Pete have this week taken selfies to an entirely new level of art.

RoelHendrickx said:
Our discussion of last week, inspired me to make (and post) another one of those shadow selfies.

Here is one I made just this morning, in Matera in Italy.

(Matera is made famous by numerous movies shot there, including "Il Vangelo secondo Matteo" by P.P. Pasolini, Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ", and recently "No Time to Die", the latest Bond extravaganza with some exciting scenes that involve serious movie magic - because not all locations shown, are actually in Matera, and some of the city's architecture was modified to accommodate vehicular stunts. Our B&B owner told us some about that.)

I started the day early at 5.30 h, walking down the "gravina" to the river and back up on the other side of the canyon to catch sunrise on the city at around 6.30. Got some pretty great shots, if I may say so myself...

This one is from a bit later, when the upper part of the city was already fully bathed in light, and I was standing at the top of the cliffs on the other side.

The foreground shown here is that clifftop, still mostly in the shade, except the very edge of it, with the distant city of Matera behind it.

The canyon lies between the city and me, probably a hundred meters deep (I'll look that up. My watch tells me that I climbed the equivalent of 69 flights of stairs on my morning walk.)

I had to bend over a bit to get myself in the shot, because at around 1 hour past sunrise, my shadow was still too long to catch completely, when standing up. As shown here, the top of my head just touches the cliff edge.

The image is a full size iphone photo, so I suppose it will be possible to zoom in a bit on the city.

RoelHendrickx · Sep 6, 2022

minniev said:
Alas, by the time I got to Lubec I had lost use of my camera and had only my cellphone to take photos with. I did the best I could but am not a skilled phone camera user. Lubec is the last town in the US going east. It was once a bustling herring and sardine fishery but with those industries gone, the town is part ghost town and part borderline tourist business, though only visited by folks who stray from the usual landmarks. Some of the old fisheries have been kept standing, one outfit as a museum, another as a hotel, another as a restaurant. Lobstering has replaced herring and sardines as the primary industry.

The smartphone did just fine.

But mostly these shot are evidence that ANY image making device is just fine, ehen in the hands of a photographer who knows how to use the atmospheric conditiona (that fog is to die for) and who has skill in composition.

They are all very nice for their own individual reasons that should be obvious by now for all the usual suspects of this thread.

--
Roel Hendrickx
lots of images: http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com

* Wed C&C "No Theme" Thread #749 on 2022 08 31 *

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