Life's a beach

we found an old party balloon washed up on the beach. Medium format film.

While especially for a medium format camera, the image quality here is lacking 'something' this is a well thought out photo, with the elements placed 'just so.

 

It is not so important that it is an 'old party balloon' or a washed up sac of ambergris or whatever, but that the shoreline is shaped just so with its curvature, the child has something overhead with a cross and the distance from each is in excellent proportion.

 

You may think of it as your 'old party balloon' photo, but I see it as just a good photo, well thought out by someone who has a good eye for proportion and capturing (or recognizing in post processing) a good (if fleeting) moment, and just being able to recognize and pick out that moment is a high skill.

 

Image quality definitely comes second, unless you're exhibiting . . .. when it comes to an impromptu photo like this, in my opinion, though others may definitely nit pick and downrate for that. I wouldn't personally except to point it out because this is, after all a photo site and one to point toward 'improvement' (you doubtless knew its shortcomings but posted it anyway). If you recognized an 'image quality' issue but went ahead and posted it anyway, then especially good for you; show independent judgment rather than kowtowing to ratings or a 'herd mentality' Produce lots of photos so well done, and I'll be back.

 

Not rated

 

John (Crosley)

Well, I'll be....I feel as if I have finally 'arrived' on PN. I have received a critique from THE John (Crosley)!!! Thank you very much. Of course you are correct, I recognize the photo has many short-comings, yet as I think back on that day, the photo came out nearly as I had intended. No mean feat when you consider I was manhandling a Hasselblad 500C with 50mm lens in not the friendliest weather conditions. I think very few contributors here would recognize the quality of the photograph within it's own limitations. I posted it because I like its surrealism. I think only an old film shooter like yourself, or some very artistic young people who are, like yourself, attracted by the other elements beside the 'quality' of the image which, put together, make a good photo. Once again, John, thanks for taking time to give me some feedback. I appreciate it.

Ooo, that why I like it! With a Hasselblad. Hope you have fun with it!

 

Excellent shot. Image quality is perfect. Everything in this frame contributes to the overall impact.