randall ellis

I like the minimalist feel of this - it gives just enough of a sense of place without giving too much. The line of the ropes adds some interest and makes what would otherwise be a very mundane image far more interesting. Nice job with this one.

 

- Randy

Overall I kind of like this one, but it feels too heavily weighted on the left side and the bright sky in the upper right pulls my eye away from the subject. I like that there is some in focus texture in the metal, and I'm intrigued by the line of the smaller metal pipe at the far left edge - it works well with the horizontal lines of the barbed wire. To my eye, this seems like it would be stronger if it were a little tighter in on the foreground object, which would reduce the background and throw it farther out of focus. I'd also like to see a bit more detail in the main object there if possible, maybe a little fill flash to bring it up just a bit and emphasize the details, but that's just how I would have taken this one.

 

Keep it coming. Your rust never sleeps folder has some good stuff in it...

 

- Randy

This is a fresh view of aspens, at least for me. I'm used to seeing them presented in the more abstracted black and white print (Ansel Adams, Brett Weston, etc.) The clean whites of the bark really pops and the simple color scheme, white and green, really works well. Nicely seen.

 

- Randy

The classic, and rarely seen now days, oval window bug. I like the more intimate view you presented here - it gives a nice sense of the whole without revealing any more than necessary. The license plate light housing balances the oval window nicely, and despite presenting a vertical line off center, the curve of the window and the flare of the engine vent balances the heavy left side quite well. This brings back memories of my youth. Thanks for sharing this one...

 

- Randy

I can see why. Great sense of depth and fascinating repetition of form here. The overly white sky does distract my eye, pulling it from the wonderful line and form in the rest of the image, but it's still quite strong. Very well seen indeed...

 

- Randy

Fred,

 

Thanks for the thoughtful comments on this one. I have not looked at this print in some time, but I've always kind of liked it for many of the reasons you've pointed out. This site has lost a lot of it's character as the owners have attempted (unsuccessfully) to market it over the last few years. I visited here three or four times, working on getting the feel of it before I started photographing, trying to understand the story behind the ruins, and this particular view kept catching my eye. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to let me know how you saw it. Having the opportunity to see through the eyes of others almost always expands my own vision.

 

- Randy

Nice. Very nice. This one really caught my eye when I was scanning the images on the critique list. I love the point of view, and the placement of the 'horizon'. Coupled with the very shallow depth of field and you're choice of black and white, this makes a very powerful image. I'd love to see a print of this one in person.

 

- Randy

I like the textures and colors here, as well as the balance between the brighter right side and the darker left. The shadow area at the bottom anchors this as well. When I look at this image my eye is drawn to the gauge, but the brightness of the left side pulls it away so that I move from side to side. Nice work with this one...

 

- Randy

I've always thought of this point of view as one of the best for this subject. I find it interesting that you positioned yourself such that the legs do not appear offset, as they really are, although it does add to the symmetry this way. Very interesting feel, but I tend to agree with the other comment - the brightest part of the sky draws my eye and keeps me from exploring the rest of the image. If it were on the far end of the arch it would create a nice balance between the heavier right side and the light left side, but as it is it makes the right side of the image very dominant. Nice work just the same.

 

- Randy

I like the image in general - there is good detail in everything shown, some interesting lines and textures, and I like that we can get the impression of the whole by being shown only a small part, yet there is still some mystery as to what the whole might be. The line of the wood is countered by the line of the chain, which creates a pleasing balance. That said, I think that there are some things that you might consider here to see what you think.

One of the first things that pops in my mind when I look at this image is that the chain is so bright that it pulls my eye strongly away from the rest of the image, and leads me to the piece of paper (?) in the top left of the frame and on out, rather than keeping my eye in the frame. If the paper were removed, I think that the chain would work much better and balance the line of the wood rather nicely (as mentioned above). I think that more detail in the chain might serve this image well. As it is now, it is rather washed out in the highlights and in real life our eyes would see the detail if we looked at it first hand, so it is somewhat distracting. Generally speaking, I feel that unless you are doing strict documentary work it is fine to remove a distracting bit of something from what you are photographing - in this case I would have removed the paper mentioned above. The other trash, though, adds to the feel, and I think that it should remain.

Think about what you want to say to the viewer, or what you want to present to them. Consider what the message of this image is, or what drew you to this subject. The viewer will not always get the message - we all see differently, and we all have different life experiences from which we form our own way of seeing the world around us - but you should have a reason for making an image, else it will not have the same impact and will often fall flat, even to you, the photographer, when you look at it again later.

When you photograph, try to keep in mind what specifically you like about any given subject and try to emphasize that in your images. Think about what else is in the frame before you release the shutter and consider whether each one of these additional things adds or detracts from what you liked. Somethings can be cropped out by using a different point of view or a different lens, while others cannot. Try to look past the initially interesting aspects to what else is in the frame - you may be surprised to find things that you never noticed before.

Shooting like mad and never considering what you have created will not teach you anything (except perhaps how much batteries cost). Taking a lot of photographs while considering them each thoughtfully is the only way to really learn. And, lastly, always have fun!

- Randy

I too like the texture of weathered wood. There's something about it - each example is similar, yet unique. I like this idea - you have a shallow depth of field (although there may still be too much detail in the background), a sense of place created by the old barbed wire and the field behind, and some interesting lichens in there to add some color. That said, the flowers in the foreground pull my eye away from the post (they are both brighter and closer to the point of view) and I stated above, there may be too much detail in the background still.

 

Everyone has a different vision, so I can only comment from my own way of seeing, so here is what I am thinking when I see this image. I would like to see this closer. I would like to see more detail in the wood (a closer point of view). I think that a very tight, sharp shot of the rusty lichens near the top of the post would be really strong. I think that the old knots have a lot of potential in the same way.

 

Don't get me wrong - I like the shot the way it is - but I think that it could be stronger if you worked with this subject a bit more. Perhaps exploring some other points of view, pulling back more as well as getting in closer, to present both a more intimate view and a wider view with a stronger sense of place (like the first 'scary' image in your collection).

 

Thanks for sharing this one

 

- Randy

The lighting is good here - giving us a good view of the texture of the post, but my favorites are the first and second titled 'scary' in this folder. The first gives a fantastic sense of place, with the post as part of the scene rather than the main focus, but it still hit me with more feeling that this one. The second image, from a low point of view, is a more unconventional image, giving a very different feel than all the others, which is interesting, but I think that the first one is still the best.

 

- Randy

When I look at this image my eye follows the leading line of the path between the crops up to the darker trees in the center. The brightness of the sky seems bounds the upper part of the image, keeping my eye on the trees. I like the idea of what you have here - a pleasing landscape - but the sky seems too saturated and it balances with the brightness of the foreground to keep my eye stuck in the middle of the image.

 

You said that you felt that this was the first image that you felt worthy of requesting a critique on, so think about what you see when you look at it. When I compose a photograph, I try to think of whatever it is that draws me and then emphasis that element as much as possible to the viewer. I consider what other elements are there in addition to that which drew my interest and then I weigh each one to see if it adds or detracts from emphasizing the main interest. If they don't add to the impact, I consider how I could remove them so that there are only elements that add to the impact.

 

This is a nice view. It's a nice day, plenty of clouds that add interest to the sky, lots of colors, but it seems (to me) that it needs something more. If the crops are the key idea here, try moving in on them to emphasize what it is about them that attracts you. If the sky is the key, try placing the trees at the bottom of the frame so that they provide a sense of place without overwhelming the main idea. If you are interested in a wide, sweeping landscape then look for some way to provide a bit more detail in the foreground, or eliminate the foreground completely.

 

I think that you're off to a good start here - keep at it! Remember, working more and more is the only way to advance your skills. Keep posting and asking specific questions for critiques (it helps people know what type of comments you are looking for)

 

- Randy

Great work with the Time Zero film. Your technique plays to the strengths of that medium. It was a real shame when they stopped making it. Thanks for sharing these...

 

- Randy

It's been decades since I was at Old Man's Cave, but this really speaks to the feel of the place. I wish you had done this with your 4x5 - this seems to be lacking some of the sharpness and pop of the others, but I'm glad you shared it just the same.

 

- Randy

Nice. I thought I might be the only one stumping around up there with a wooden camera, but apparently not! You really captured the feel of the Smokies in the Fall. The place is absolutely magical then. You're making me homesick with these wonderful shots.

 

- Randy

I like this one better than the black and white shot because you balanced the subject with a small amount of negative space above and below. In the black and white shot you have a lot of space below the lighthouse that detracts from the image because it has nothing to add. This would be an awesome shot if you could get up about 6-8 feet from your current height (I know, far easier said than done!) because it would show us more of the open water, which adds to the feeling of place. Nice work here.

 

- Randy

Great use of leading line here to pull out eye into the scene. This one is my favorite of what you have up right now because of the sense of mystery (what's around the bend?) and the great lines. Nice one.

 

- Randy

I think that there is a lot of potential here, but I'm getting mixed feelings when looking at it. The tree in the foreground closes up the image and prevents the feeling of a wide, sweeping space, but the background suggests that that is what we are supposed to see. However, I like that you didn't darken the sky overly - the darker ground grounds the image nicely and prevents the sky from being the subject.

 

From a technical standpoint (since you asked) there is not a lot of detail in the shadow areas, which prevents my eye from lingering anywhere for long. In general, this looks printed down a little too much (overall a little too dark). Lightening the entire image might liven up the trunk of the nearest tree, and give some detail to the shadows, but the message that you are trying to send will still not be overly clear.

 

If you want to give the impression of a large, open area I would consider taking a few steps forward from this standpoint to put the tree behind you. This will remove the 'frame' created by the two trees that focuses the viewer's eye in the dead center of the image and allow it to roam a bit more. If you are interested in the tree trunk (it's got loads of potential) I would move in on that and try to keep the shadows from getting too dark.

 

Don't give up on this subject - keep working it, and think about how to show us what it is about this place that draws you to it...

 

- Randy

This one works very well - I particularly like the motion and depth. In my opinion this one works far better in black and white than in color. Great vision in this one!

 

- Randy

I like your subject quite a bit, but there is a lot of extra space in the left half of the image that does not contribute, at least to my eye, to the overall impact. If you are interested in the colors of the lichens on the wood (and they are very interesting), I would consider moving up closer and filling most of the frame with the center part of this image. The closer position will make the lichens more prominent, and allow the background to fully blur, which will remove the tendency for the eye to migrate there.

 

As it stands right now, I start out by looking at the stump, and then the line of the wood leads my eye into the background where it stays. This movement is enhanced by the line of the dried grass or pine needle that is just below the stump and the lack of shadow detail in the stump itself. Again, moving in, and perhaps using a little fill flash (weak flash) to bring out the details in the wood would really help bring up the colors and keep the viewers eye on the intended subject.

 

You've got a great subject here - keep working with it and sharing the results!

 

- Randy

 

 

First, thanks for asking for something specific from reviewers. It really helps to know what someone wants from a critique and what they don't want.

As to the image, my immediate thoughts are that the light of the wall is overpowering, drawing my eye to that part of the image rather than the shapes, which are what I think were the main purpose of this image. The turbine certainly has appeal, but the strong negative space above it really prevents my eye from lingering. I like what I think you are trying to do here, but the values are so strong that they detract from the impact, at least for me.

I find the turbine portion of the image very compelling and I think that you could get a number of interesting images out of it by moving a lot closer and working right up on it. If you are working on presenting form there is quite a lot to work with in the detail of the turbine alone that would, I think, yield more powerful compositions.

Please don't take my comments too harshly though. I picked only two images to comment on today, and this was one of them. I like your vision here and I think that if you continue to work with it you will continue to get strong images. Just keep in mind how the eye is drawn to both positive and negative space, and that tonal values change the way people view an image.

Remember too that the point of art is to present the image you have in your head, not theirs, to viewers. Don't change how you do things based on what others say unless you feel that they have presented something to you that changes the way you see...

- Randy

I'm intrigued by that face you captured here. Good eye on this one.

 

- Randy

I love the balance of this one - man/nature, top/bottom, side/side. Great values and textures in this one too. This is another that I'd love to see in person.

 

- Randy

This is very dynamic - with interesting repetitive elements. It reminds me of a lot of the work done by some of the West Coast photographers of last century. Great control of tonal values too. I'd love to see the print in person - nice work.

 

- Randy