dean_cookson

Amy,

I've been a fan of much of your people photography since I first saw your POW. Your B&W landscape work doesn't seem to have the same richness though. Most of these images feel underexposed and over developed as a result of the high contrast and blocked up shadows. Are you developing your own film or sending it out and are you rating it at what the box says or have you done speed tests?

Outstandingly executed. I think I'd like it better with the ripple cropped out of the bottom. I think the proportions would be better too.

The highlight on the left side seems just a little blown out. Could just be the scan, but I'd really like to see a little detail over there. Otherwise it's an excellent shot.

This is a wonderful portrait. You've captured the mother's love for her child and the child's curiosity about the world perfectly. The only thing that could have improved it would be a reflector off to the right of the frame to lighten her face a 1 zone or so. (Yeah, I know we don't always have that luxury, especially with kids.)

Ooooo that's nice. The boat really gives me a sense of scale that would be lost otherwise.

Like so many of your photos, this beautifully exposed and composed. Also like so many of your photos, I wish the scan were larger so I could actually see some of the detail that's obviously there.

Spooky.

I'd like this better with *either* the walking or flying birds. Having both and having them on the same side feels unbalanced to me.

The obvious grain in this bothers me. I'm not an "any visible grain is bad" type, but it doesn't work for me here.

Given the film and format, I'm surprised at the low level of detail. Is it the scan?

Looks like a page from Tolkien brought to life.

It's an excellent composition, but it's too dark. All of the black on the right side is too heavy.

Simply outstanding.

If you got a shot this good after your first 2 rolls ever of bird photography, you really should stick with it. Bird photography is tricky. They move around a lot, they startle easily and typically the lenses you need start at 400mm and go up...

 

Keep at it, this is a great result for a first outting.

I uploaded a version of this from a print I made in darkroom class. I think the right pillar looks better a little burned in.

Yeah, tripods don't help as much on a boat, huh?

The pose and the lighting both give me a sense of reverence and quiet dignity. Beautiful photographic definition of "matriarch"

Couldn't have asked for better lighting. Clearly "the decisive moment."

I love the composition. It makes me think of some illicit meeting on a business trip or in the office. I just wish there was a little texture in the highlight on the toe of the shoe that's on the desk. It's just a bit too contrasty.

I dunno, Tom. It's hard to beat velvia for sunsets. I do wish the horizon was level though.

Tom,

I like her looking up into the lens but something about the way she's holding herself makes me think she'd been holding that pose for a little while. She seems almost a little stiff. If she had been holding it, I wonder if having her put her head down for a few seconds to relax and then shooting just as she picked it back up would have made a difference?

I think the thing the pose and DOF does for me is give a sense of the model reaching out of the picture to engage with the viewer. Superbly done.

This is your back yard!?!? Man, I've got to move...

Outstanding lighting job. I just wish the petal didn't fade back into view at the top center, that's the only thing keeping it from seeming perfect...

Fantastic shot. I think the suggestion about cropping it square does improve it though. Well done.