Shadow Patterns

If you give me a 3, please give me a comment also.

 

Now the flower petals connect with its stalk...intricate lace of a lady's long black glove.

Hmmm,,, bland and out of focus, but I think you have potential. Keep working at it!

Oh, by the way, if I were you I would invest in a better camera.

Thanks Thomas!

 

I choose to shoot B&W film with the Argus because it belonged to my step-father, not because I can't afford a better camera. If you check out my portfolio, you'll see my digital work.

 

Oh, as for the out of focus comment, look at the posts, you'll find them to be tack sharp. Shadows are often out of focus.

 

Thanks for looking.

The decomposing of light into these patterns was.. well, a well chosen composition. Why would one need a better or new camera, when it's the glass behind the eye that really matters?

I am glad you are using that camera. I never heard of it before but did an internet search and it looks like a beauty. I am a great fan of old cameras myself. If you like look at some of my images taken with a 50 year old Agfa Isolette.

Now, back to your image. I think that in general, your B&W images could benefit from the use of a more carefully selected contrast. It is not an absolute rule, but the human eye likes to see strong blacks, specially in very graphic compositions like this one... That is of course me but, if I where to print this image, I would have used a harder contrast, even if that means loosing some shadow details, and then burn the sand with a lower contrast to get some texture back. I also burned the hexagonal net a bit, to direct the attention of the viewer towards the end of the bridge. The forms already do that, and I believe that is part of your motivation for choosing this composition. I only think that burning the front of the image reinforces your idea.

Have a nice day, Alejandro

Thanks Alejandro and D Are. I understand exactly what you mean. I'm just beginning to learn to process my own B&W film so the contrast isn't what I'd like every time. As D Are said, this picture is about light and contrast. But, sometimes I'm hesitant to change the contrast too much for fear of getting that "over processed" look that's so common on PN.

 

I appreciate your suggestions, and will try some of them on the original to see if I can improve the picture.

 

I'm in Alejandros camp-- my usual routine is to print for the blacks, then let everything else fall where it may, then adjusting locally to suit (lower contrast filter burning, etc.).

Different images require different variences for me, but the one posted here is all about the blacks IMHO.

Interesting shot and I don't have any problem with your camera.

Yeah, get a better camera.

 

Send that C3 to me and I'll take it off your hands!

 

:)

You can find old, very good, manual cameras on Ebay for less than $25 every day. This one was found in a closet 20 years after my step-father's death, in absolutely pristine condition. The leather case strap had rotted, but the camera looks, and shoots like new.

 

I wouldn't part company with if for $1,000,000.00 ;-)

 

Wait until I get my antique 2-1/4 X 2-1/4 TLR into shooting condition. There'll be more B&W pictures here for you to criticize. ;-)

 

 

My very first camera was a C-3 with the added bonus of the 100mm tele that came down through family. my love of photography was born of that camera. back when the only computer was the human brain photographers had to focus and expose, something that is lost in the digital age. I've read your forum posts and agree with you that there is more ego stroking than criticism on PN. I've only been a member for two weeks and see where you are coming from. Flashy, near pornos, rule the day. not to say there aren't countless pieces of art on PN, but the subjectivity seems to be tilted to "eye candy".

Bravo for getting into the darkroom and learning. I love digital, but the joy of making a print can't be replaced by photoshop. Hang in there Charles, there is hope. best regards. James York