portfolio sample Late Fall Milkweed - late afternoon

Robert, one of the great things about the POW, which maybe you are unaware since you don't generally participate here, is that people tend to show respect for each others point of view and not resort to childish name calling. Most, instead, concentrate on talking about the image and may further discuss/debate each others point of view--no one expects compliance or agreement as it is our disparate points of view which help us move forward, each learning from the others thoughts.

So, I suggest if you would like to discuss issues with respect to this image you delineate those or compose a question you are wondering about, folks here are great about helping people understand, or at least explaining, their point of view. Appreciating another point of view is not a sign of weakness nor does it require any change to our own but it does provide a greater sense of perspective.

Hope this helps...

I want to add my voice to what John just said. It's important.

Also, you can, in general, like pictures in a certain genre without necessarily liking all pictures in that genre (in fact, it would be kind of unlikely that you would).

I also want to add my voice to what John just said. Yes, it is very important.

"This is all good and having the image selected as photograph of the week results in significantly increased comments and I could not ask for more".
I am quite amazed at the volume and quality of the comments - indeed, I could not have asked for more. The only thing I can add is a few thoughts as I prepared to capture this image.
I was concerned with the type of bokeh I would get in the background - I did not want to get too much that would distract the viewer from the milkweed. I could choose a wide-open aperture to get a smooth undefined background but that would reduce my DOF to which I could adjust my camera angle to try and get everything equidistant from the lens (I did that on another milkweed image in this folder) but that would compromise the specific composition i have here. So I closed down a few stops (gives me a bit more DOF) which is closer to the optimum aperture for this lens and also an optimum for what I call 'digital sensor diffraction'. The positive for me is that it gives me some circular bokeh patterns (checked before capturing the shot) which I felt aesthetically balanced with the other circular elements in the main subject. I was also trying to get a slightly darker background at the bottom of the image because I knew I was dealing with white strands.
So once more let me express my sincere gratitude,

I would like to offer my very sincere congratulations.

This ia a very good example of how I believe Tony approaches photography. It is as if each snap of the shutter is precious. He shows his deep understanding of how photography works and doesn't iterate his way to a result. The results are inspirational. This image is an example of why patience is a virtue rather than a vice.
This is the second time Tony's work has been up front on the PN homepage. His collection of photos on ice were profiled when Tony was chosen as the featured photographer. If PN is about working collectively to improve our abilities as photographers, I'm very glad that Tony is contributing to the site and that his work has been brought to our attention. Thanx Tony!

Beautiful image, great work on the lighting, simply stunning.

My apologies if I violated the forum's protocol. I simply reacted viscerally to comments I considered to be disrepectful to the photographer. Stating an opinion that a photograph lacks something technically or artistically is common in the POW (which I do read regularly), but to state that an image is not a serious type of photography and then to refer to it as cartoonish is another. I fully realize that we are all entitled to our opinions but in this case I was motivated to state my reaction in this outspoken manner as I felt that the comments were uncalled for. Again, I think this photo is an outstanding piece of work and if I have stepped over the line with my comments, I do apoligize.

Hi Tony
Just returned after a lengthy time away to find this incredibly beautiful and inventive image of yours. Shooting the sun behind gossamer masses of autumn plant tissue might be commonplace... it matters not... it's the originality of the approach that matters. I've never seen anything quite like this. It doesn't that all other aspects are so perfect - exposure, crop, processing. Awesome, dude.

Hi Tony, congratulations for the POW. Simple but great idea!! Best regards, Antonio

Tony, congratulations on your POW selection. I personally think that you have better works, but the judgement of photos (or any art) is always very subjective. Landscape photography has an extremely high bar; most people, including myself, would be proud to have this photo as part of their portfolio and you are well deserving of the recognition.

Robert, I don't think it has to do with protocol but rather decent and productive human interaction. If you felt that I was disrespectful to the photographer, just call me on it.

I am always very careful as to how I word things and I don't think I said anything that was disrespectful but rather expressed (and owned it individually) my opinion. Notwithstanding my later suggestion that "serious" might not have been the right word, I stated very clearly that "I just have a hard time taking them in as serious photography in most cases." I didn't proclaim that this photographer wasn't serious or any genre of photography isn't serious, I just said that I don't generally take this kind of photograph (the kind utilizing this device/technique/gimmick should have been understood from the discussion) seriously most of the time.

As an aside, anyone with 80 minutes to invest might want to follow this link to a 3 part series on Sally Mann. One of the best documentaries I have ever seen that explores the soul of an artist.

As to the cartoonish comment, again, this was clearly just my own opinion and it followed a short analysis which brought me to that conclusion--for me. There was a comment in the original comments about that this had a halloween/pumpkin/hob goblin feeling to it and part of the context of my comment. My own reading was that the orange light seemed much more solid (my incongruous comment) than I would expect in these cases. Tony had posted something about fill flash and that seemed to explain the loss of some expected rim light and the more ethereal sense I would normally associate with the sun in such a position. So, with these in mind, the solid orange ball with the other elements just took on a cartoonish, jack-o-lantern quality to me. Again, I think I owned that and didn't make it a categorical statement about the photograph.

Hope this helps...

Tony this is a very well composed image that attracts attention for its colors and texture. Len Marriott said it very well. Congratulations and thank you for sharing your wonderful passion!!!

I am a bit overwhelmed with the discourse and number of comments but I am also appreciative of the time it took everyone to visit, comment and in some cases rate this image. Like I said - it is 'all good'.
"John A" - I don't take exception to anything you said. With photography it is highly subjective and the whole area of aesthetics is a daunting exercise in a global environment. Having attended a one day seminar that my former camera club put on with a professional photographer, he described certain elements that have an appeal but in the end, i believe that our aesthetic sensibility is shaped by our life's journey and maybe even our genetics. Grow up in the tropics where plant life and other elements are very brightly colored you may have a propensity for vivid colors. Grow up in the snow bound far north and you life experience of colors may be quite subdued. In the end, it is the rare image that everyone likes so i am OK with this lively discussion - that is part of the photographer's journey.
For what is worth, I saw the Sally Mann documentary and her photographic journey about a year ago and I highly recommend it. Thanks for placing the link here for others to enjoy.
I was not sure what more I can add to the discussion but I will check in again and respond if i am able.
Christmas is just around the corner and I take this opportunity to wish every one a very "Merry Christmas'.

Enough is enough.

Forum has to be sanitized.

I suggest one point plan:

-contributor posts once,

or more restrictive two point sanitization plan:

-contributor posts once,

-contributor refers to the photo and not to the opinions of the others.

Matters of art and aesthetics are not as subjective as we often make them out to be. Or at least I'm cautious when subjectivity is invoked.

Yes, our tastes are bound to vary.

I'm not saying Tony is doing this by any means. I think he's been gracious and open in this thread and has addressed people solidly.

But many photographers simply dismiss critiques with "it's subjective." Someone may get ten similar criticisms and still claim artistic subjectivity in order not to actively engage those criticisms by discussing their merits or why they don't apply. One man's subjectivity is another's denial.

The hard part is that the criticized lone photographer could be onto something that no one else is yet prepared to recognize. He could be the one true artist.

Deciphering all this is difficult, and I'm not prepared to offer any clear cut solutions. But it's probably worth considering aspects of photography that are not so subjective.

Fred - Thanks for you kind comment. I believe that a constructive comment is the vehicle by which I can alter the 'input' or the 'process' and as a consequence improve my skills as a photographer. This is the main reason why I cherish all comments but instead of discussing their merits at length or ignoring them, I tend to carefully consider all of them. And at the end of the day, I must make a decision whether to change the existing image or tuck away the advice for a future photo opportunity. Thanks again for stopping by,

Simply beautiful. The Bokeh is superb, the red highlight on the plant just makes the photo so mysterious. Amazing capture.

Two words, just awesome.

Everything's been said. What else could I ad...

An Outstanding work Tony  !!!

rating number 45 is a seven!  best, j

Where you able to catch a ray of sunlight? How did you make the the milkweed lite?

Very interesting directonal lighting Tony. Love the balanced composition and the warm colours of the background.

All my best,  Bill