The Fall Collection

This is silly. Of Kiet's portfolio this is by far the worst. Looking at his work I would think his camera accidently misfired in AF mode. He is that good - don't ge me wront. Not even close to his best work. You can do what ever intellectual gymnastics and rationalizing you want - this photo is a mess. Greens, rocks, multi-color leaves and water - in a scrambled egg mix. If you want to "pseudo" break rules than this may be something, but it lacks clear direction in this regard also. My thoughts are it is the most "staged" of his photos, the least interesting and the most likely to be a

mistake. Kiet thought to long about this one and tried to hard. I made my wife, not a photo

person, look through his entire portfolio and rank the best and worse - you know which one came

in last. A cruel joke to an excellent photographer.

...this picture doesn't work, IMHO. Kiet portfolio is one of the best on this site, and having this picture for POW is not fair.

 

And well, by thinking again, maybe the POW wizards are just using a simple strategy: "Let's create CONTROVERSY. This will keep people connected to us, writing how shocked they are regarding the bad choices we make, and keeping the audience high!"... just a thought.

 

Kiet, know that all your 1000's missed shots were not in vain! Your pictures are gorgeous. Keep on moving, bring on new pictures!

 

Abraços,

 

That is one of the most beautifull folders of all the POW winners I've seen, however I believe the elves could have choosen a picture wich was more representative of Kiet's skill. Kiet you have a great eye, I love close ups of nature the patterns and the feelings they envoke can be amazing, you enspire me.

Despite the opinion of the majority, this picture along with other two in Kiet's folder (Eve and The Sentinel), impressed me in a very particular way. All, or the most of his pictures are beautiful, but these three are special. Why? Simply because the subjects are common, but Kiet's aesthetic feeling changed them into pure art. And I find this "chemistry" being one of the most valuable artistic processes. Excellent picture Kiet.

Thank you for all the kind words and constructive criticisms. Bear with me as I ramble on about subject and composition selection. Michael Woods read my mind in regards to composition selection. The leaves were the subject but they were not the only subject. I wanted the audience to focus on them but also use them to as transitions to the other objects; all this to convey a sense of environment. I did try a tighter composition but elected not to use it because the leaves seemed larger than life and it took away from the essence of the surrounding area. Maybe I tried too hard maybe I didnt try hard enough.

As for subject selection in general, to over simplify, I think there are 2 types of landscape/nature subjects:

1) The grand vistas that jump out and smack you in the face. Half Dome at sunset, Bryce Canyon at sunrise, and Denali reflected in Wonder Lake are to name a few. You really have to try hard to miss these pictures; regardless of what equipment you use or how you compose, youre bound to get a good picture. Would it be the best picture ever taken? Maybe, maybe not. But people will be impressed nonetheless.

2) Things found off the beaten path. These are my favorites but they are few and far in between. I my prized image is Irresistible Forces. I found it when I had to go off trail. It was no more than 4-feet tall but completely captivated me. I shot all the 4x5 film I had with me then came back with an 8x10 and got a few more. I missed my destination that day (a grand vista) but I didnt feel I missed out.

Back to this image, there were no tripods holes before I took this picture and I doubt there were any new ones after I left. Does it make this image any less cliché? Maybe, maybe not. But its not another Sunset With Palm Trees.

When I first saw this picture I was not amazed...for the simple fact it was a simple subject. But I took a look thru the portfolio and saw his many other wonderful shots and it put this picture in perspective to me. It is a simple subject that would be passed up by many others, as stated earlier. But that is what sets it apart. It may not be a canyon covering hundreds of miles but it is a very well done picture for the subject that he chose. It is enjoyable to look at a small slice of a of a greater whole. Wonderful work. I'm envious. Keep it going.

 

 

I tried to think about this picture outside of the context of your portfolio, but I'd already seen it a while back so no such objectivity.

However, to say something other than this is the worst thing in a great portfolio, there are a few specific things that troubled me in this picture. I think the pine needles on the larger rock look tampered with, though I realize they probably were not, they seem that way. The grass drapes beautifully over the top and down the right side, and the rocks make a beautiful curve from the left to the right of center, but the leaves do very little to add to the graceful symmetry. They seem stuck and congested in an otherwise flowing almost Zen-like setting. I maybe would have tried one with fewer leaves or maybe just one type of leaf.

 

I agree with you that "Irresistible Forces" is amazing. Looks stereoscopic without the special glasses.

 

Keep these great shots coming.

 

Hey Kiet, I completely relate to your last comment, I just didn't want to be that harsh on you because I have nothing that even comes close to any of yours. You are right on about the tripod holes. I would have to give the credit for most of your pictures to Mother Nature. They will allways be there for anybody else to replicate and duplicate. You are right that it would be hard to take an unimpressive picture with those surroundings. The PoW however shows great artistic ability and a very good eye for making something interesting out of something "not so stimulating". For those who criticize it as being "too simple", mabey you are the one that is a bit "simple". Anyone who has taken a few art history and fine arts courses can see the complexity of the composition in contrast to the others pics in the folder. Good shot Kiet, keep looking for the "off the beaten trail" pics, there is a shortage of those (and a shortage of appreciation for them).

Kyle...if you read the third to the last sentence in my comment you will see what I mean by simple. Read the whole comment and not just the first couple of lines.

I looked at the POW, and visualized it as a large (i.e., 30x40) print. In my mind's eye, I felt it would have "presence", that a viewer would actually feel like he was in the woods as he looked at the print.

 

Then I went and looked at his portfolio, and I about fell over. I'm blown away.

 

After about five minutes of looking at his work, I started thinking that maybe I should take up ditch digging or something instead of photographing landscapes.

 

The man has the eye for what he does, and the technical ability to pull it off.

Its got to be the JPG image; there's lots lost in the dark area. Still, the over-all composition, the bright fall colors in the water, and the bulbous, round shapes of the rocks contrasting against the delicate shapes of the grass make this a beautifully contemplative photo, a great one to sit and look at.

very disappointed with this POW....other pictures in his portfolio were so much better.

 

since the last few weeks, the quality of POW have been going south. I visit this site much less than I used to :(

 

come on elves, u can do better.

I like the colors, they really stand out, and nicely composed.

If this is going south from that motobike shot, then PLEASE, book me the next ticket as far south as you can!

I like it and I learn from this picture. Perhaps it is because I like this sort of "landscapes", another form of nature photography.

 

And besides, looking at all the discussion, I think it is succesfull in attracting an audience, wether they like it or not.

Not sure what the fuss is about this particular image. The portfolio overall, however, is as strong as they come; but this shot doesn't fit the bill when viewed along side the other images. But, again, an awesome collection in all.

You'll know there is something seriously wrong with PoW when one of my pix ends up there...

BTW: Well done Kiet!

I have to admit, when I first saw the POW this week I was not impressed. As a small image the POW does nothing for me. While reading the comments I took the advice of some of the other posters, and imagined the photo in about a 20x30 print. I must say I think this will work extremly well as a large print. Very Well Done.

This is the my first visit to Photo.net and the first POW I've seen. There is a quality in your work comparable to the Scottish artist Andy Goldsworthy (his most recent book of photos documenting his work is entitled 'Time'). It may, for you, open the debate of 'freezing the moment' vs. 'capturing an evocative sensation' (re: comments about altering the site from its original condition. You might also enjoy looking at Maya Lin's (architect who designed Viet Nam Memorial) most recent publication just as examples of modulating the environment and capturing the essence.

Wonderfull! I like the color composition of the image.

Needs cropping with focus on the colored petals

Hi, all, I truly love the fall color here, no question asked. however, the pic draws my eyes onto the big stones surrounding the leaves, nothing else, i don't quite like the feeling, ...

My theories.... 1) The "elves" are having fun with us -- they are bored and although they are picking the photographers that have great bodies of work, they pick one they know will generate controversy. Then they sit back and watch the dirt fly. 2) The elves are looking for a new elf and are putting out photos that will generate controversey and many comments so they can look for a replacement elf - based on the critiqes. The best thing about this photo is the color and quality of light. The light in this photo is golden and rich and beautiful. I'm not wild about the content, which is subjective on my part. It looks like beets and potatoes with leaves and green grass... It doesn't excite me. But, that is what art is all about. You can't please everyone - nor do you want to. As long as you are pleasing yourself - you are doing justice to your craft. What I did love was the rest of the portfolio and I recognized quite a few that I was drawn to while browsing new uploads. I found my favorite image. I went in and commented on it. Then I read the artists comment in this forum, clicked on the image he said he liked and found that it was the exact same one I had gravitated to immediately upon opening his portfolio. Check out that vertical waterfall picture. That is perfection.

OK I'm going to take a chance and be honest here. The reactions to my words will define for me the kind of forum this is and the types of people that come here. Kiet, you have an obviously excellent set of eyes, and you are certainly knowledgeable in handling your film and equipment. There are several nice images in your folder here. BUTI would like to know why so many photographers with such talent and skills choose such similar themes, subjects and lighting. It's unfortunate in a way, because I feel that it's because the publishers keep publishing these images, and therefore they have become a kind of "outdoor vernacular". Because (many of) you have strong talents, why not look at nature in a different way? In a more personal way? A way that defines you as a thinker and the unique individual you are, not just as a photographer? That is roughly the assignment I give those who ask me how to make better photographs. Sure, it's natural to hone skills through emulation at first, but then it's good to leave the "common nest" and strike out on your own, discovering your own unique visual voice. We ALL have this in us! We all love a beautifully exposed natural image, but what we remember and repeatedly stare into is the uncommon image of originality and brilliance. Your talent coupled with a more personal vision will achieve this. You are certainly quite GOOD, and I know that with a little more effort you can become truly GREAT. I am speaking here not only to this fine observer of nature, but to all of you who praise the natural image. NO, not all of my own images are great nor perfectly original, but I always ask myself this question before I load the film, compose the shot and trip the shutter when not taking what I call "documentary images". I ask myself "Is this worthy of an exposure and a print?" If the answer is "well... maybe not" then I think hard about my motives. Yes, I'm pretty tough on myself, creatively. It's just a method that works for me and for many artists I know and respect. You be your own judge and keep shooting and returning to the places you love. I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.

Well, I don't know him, and I can't speak for him, but it seems to me that it's pretty likely that the reason he took those pictures is because he likes 'em! One of the nice things about photography is that you get to do what you like (unless you're a pro, in which case you get to do what someone else likes).