twmeyer

Thanks, guys... t

perhaps I'll try this again, with a longer lens. Thanks for your thoughts... t

It wants to be a square... t

The direct gaze, unconcerned. The confidence in the erectly held head, even while sleepy eyed and serene.The warmth of tone and softness of light. The tight framing and bemused, self deprecating title.You found a good collaborator in this... t

"Isn't this how all men see women?"... apparently not... t

"sometimes the lack of perfection makes things better"... I concur

now *that's* adventure photography... t (good use of the square, too)

The most interesting thing about this image is the gesture to feel the rain (I guess that's what it is). But otherwise, there is nothing to hold my attention beyond the first minute. There is nothing in the photo that makes me care about these guys, who just appear to be college boys determined to have a picnic.

I have some slight curiosity about where the photographer was standing to stay dry, but that's because I am a photographer who uses a not-waterproof camera, and it has nothing to do with the photograph itself.

Beyond an initial glimpse of recognition: "yep, I've been there, done that", there is nothing to make me want to continue inspecting the image. Just consider the story... frat boys who will brave the rain to drink beer. Not a epic theme, really.

It's a family photo album sort of image: valuable enough to include in "what I did this summer", only if one of those guys is you... or your uncle. The photographer has much better images their photo.net portfolio... t

you might enjoy this article:

 

http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2009/08/onthebeach.html

 

Made with an 8x10 camera, Misrach prints these images on 72 inch paper. When viewing the prints, the tonal subtlety, palette and amount of detail is wonderful... t

Perfect... t (the scan is rough, but the image/moment is great)

I like the layout, and your interpretation... t

Mary, please delete all of my posts from this thread. Editing has removed some of their context and altered their meaning. I'd rather not contribute at all than have my words so completely changed. Really, I promise, I won't be back. But please take what remains of my posts completely off this page. Thank you... t

and what if there were unintentional errors made at the moment of exposure? that out of a series of images made, this was one of the first when getting the moment was more important than getting the perfect exposure. That subsequent "correct" exposures lacked some other critical element that was present in this imperfect one? Shall we dismiss the technically flawed photograph of the perfect moment, or celebrate the techically perfect, yet emotionally sterile photograph made 3 minutes later, after the tripod was set up, the proper exposure determined, and everyone was called back to perform?... t

Doug, obviously your crop doesn't work for me. In this case, I agree with Florian, though I don't think you intended disrespect. (Isn't there a famous road somewhere that is paved with "good intentions"?) I've seen many of your thoughtful critiques throughout the years and been happy to have some great dialogues with you. That being said, I think such a severe change to someone's photo sets you up for a severe critique yourself (ahem . On some other forum, perhaps? ). I actually think you've crossed the line of critique and instead have simply created a new photo, imposing your vision for the photographer's. I don't like your photo near as much as I like the original. I, too, think you were eyeing the photo from your own perspective only and you missed the point the photographer was making. A good critique helps a photographer achieve his goal and doesn't move the goal post to the other side of the stadium. In very, very rare cases a good critique will help completely redefine the goal. This isn't one of those cases."

Close quotes... t

 

"just about any photo can be cropped"... that doesn't mean that every photo should be cropped.

I prefer the original composition. It nicely fits into a frame laid out according to the Golden Mean.

The square frame is also nicely balanced, but it contradicts the nature of the subject (and the subtle effects of gravity on the water droplets). The suggested new composition is non-sensible (disconcerting) and requires the subject to be considered primarily as an abstract form, which works against the startling authenticity of the image... t

"Technique is not drudgery, at least to me. It is magnificent. " I think you and I are in a minority in this regard.

"... photo being about the woman and her instrument -- a relationship made strong by their close proximity to each other and stronger by the seeming vastness of the surroundings " Here you express well my feelings about the image. I cannot agree with those who want more details and less space. I love the details such as they are... The spindly flowers hung inside and outside the windows, the unfinished planking of the floor. The age and style of the restaurant (striped canvas roof and awnings) I imagine a sea air. All this, and her clothes makes me think Eastern Seaboard USA, but it is the coast off Tuscany where the temperature is probably similar... some day I simply must go.

I also think that some people who have posted here haven't read the discussion carefully and think that you mean the photographer has communicated with us (the "viewer") in some ethereal way through this photograph and not as he has... in the actual discussion. His command of this language exceeds some of the native tongue contributors.

And Andrea I want to thank you very much for the effort to write in English. I have friends in Italy who I have never met, so I know the Google translator does not work very well. I'm afraid they think I'm just stupid. Thanks for posting this image that you do not like.... t

(p.s. Andrea, I used your phrase "walk through the menus" just yesterday, to great effect. Thanks.)

 

I think you're right, Fred. But it doesn't bother me much (at all), as the highlights on the chair and cello case are so rewarding, as is all the detail/texture in the window frames, wainscoting, and the rolled awning/flowers, etc, where flare would have been an issue with more exposure.

I wonder how this would compare with something like TX or PX exposed with the same exposure bias?... t

I am so glad Sheryl responded as she did... all this talk of death seems so... morbid (ha).

That people read fear and death into this image is not to be unexpected. Many people fear old age and are afraid of old people, because I think they themselves fear death.

I hope to god that I am able to practice what I love well into my old age, and at the end of each performance, sit and be comfortable in a restaurant (by the ocean?) as I wait or make plans for whatever may come next.

I think the exposure is perfect; open, bright with no flare, full mid-tones and strong rich blacks... t

(and I love the comment "i had no time to walk in the menus" and will begin using that phrase myself. The moment is much more important than the camera settings... f8 and be there)

All well and good. Executed with great control. And that's my issue. I love the flaws that make us human, and these images seem to be of mannequins or really pretty robots. If I was able to make money doing it, I would. I don't consider it art, I consider it artful.

I like people's idiosyncracies too much to find this homogenous treatment appealing (personally), except as a commercial venture.

Hopefully you can find lots of clients that want this treatment and you can earn a good living with your skills (maybe you are, already).

Congratulations on the refinement of your technique and for whatever value you can derive from this recognition on photo.net... t

This is a great picture for the parents of these children. This is a great picture for baby photographers or for those who aspire to be such. This is a great picture for anyone who might want to take pictures of their own kids. But for me, who is none of the above, it is soporific... t

I would not have recognized this as a photograph. I think a painter's tools might have been more appropriate to achieve this result, as photography's attributes seem to contribute little. Perhaps size is at the root of this perceptive issue. I can't think of anything else that is appropriate to contribute as criticism, or even as a useful observation... t

love, trust, loyalty, companionship... all that dog stuff. I have a little dog now that is a has all theseattributes, but she doesn't really like the rain. But she has different skills (taught me how to play ball) andis the best dog I have ever lived with.

This image illustrates a bond that is strong enough to weather hardtimes, without recrimination. I want a "dog" like that. And when I say "dog", that's an iconic representation ofthe highest order of friendship, simpler than and exceeding even the bonds that are possible between humans.There is a capacity for forgiveness in dogs that is very rare among human beings... t

It's still a effective work for me (I want a dog like that).

I'm willing to continue the suspension of mydisbelief, despite this technical (not aesthetic) issue, because I still want a dog like that (I think it's RatTerrier)... t

I still want a dog like that... t

I hope, when I am that old, I have a little dog who so wants to be with me that she will sit on my shoulders as I

walk in the rain. For such a dog, I would fashion a little coat... t