randall ellis

Well, if it had been me taking the photo I would have thought about what it was that I wanted to show, and then moved around so that I could get just that and nothing that did not add anything to the image. So that you have something with which to judge my comments, I'll tell you now that I like abstracts, form, line, shape, etc

 

I would have gotten in close to the badge, showing the grille and the badge, with perhaps the triangle of the radiator, or not. I would have gotten the headlight certainly, almost full frame, showing some, but not all, for the circumference. I might have gotten some of the interesting curves, very close up, and perhaps some of the other areas which are not featured here. Keep in mind that seeing the photographer's reflection in a car finish is usually distracting...

 

In many cases, a head-on shot lacks depth and is not very dynamic in general, but in this case I think that if you wanted to show what you have shown here, a head-on shot with very shallow depth of field would have resulted in a nice image. The shallow depth of field would put the emphasis on the areas in focus and blurred out the rest of the car.

 

Hope that gave you some new insights...

 

- Randy

I like your vision here, but I think that it would be stronger if the leading handle were in focus and those at the very back were soft. This might also blur out the pole (bottom right) somewhat as well as lessen the attention grabbing sharpness of the wall in the background. You might also consider what this look like if it were somewhat lighter overall - I think that there would be more texture visible in the handles and the overall image would have more impact. Nice work just the same.

 

- Randy

Very nice control of light in this one. The placement of the diver really adds a sense of place and visual interest.

 

- Randy

This is a good example of how breaking the rules (rule of thirds in this case) can be very useful. I really like the sense of depth created by the long shadows in the foreground, and the stark contrast created by the lighting. Very nice work with this one.

 

- Randy

I like it in general - the flower stands out against the very flat colors of the building drawing my eye, but it also gives me the feeling that I should be looking at the wall rather than the flower. You've provided a great sense of place by showing a lot of the wall, without which it would be difficult to tell that the flower was growing in the wall itself. I also like the texture of the wood, although the colors seem a bit unrealistic (a little too warm for weathered wood). You might consider what it would look like if the left edge of the image was cropped in such that the post near the base of the flower was just off center, while keeping the right edge as you have it here. This would put more emphasis on the flower while still keeping the sense of place. Just a consideration.

 

Thanks for sharing this one.

 

- Randy

It takes a little effort to consider the abstraction created by the loss of color. I find it difficult at times to move back and forth in my mind between color and black and white, but I find that, depending on the subject, the removal of elements that don't add to the concept I have in mind (like color in some cases) will really boost the impact. I still like this shot in color though.

 

- Randy

I love the feel of this one, but the floating frame is very distracting. The shallow depth of field works well to isolate your subject, and the softness really adds to the sensation created by the warm tone. Nice work.

 

- Randy

This has a very interesting feel to it. I like the balance and the detail in the surroundings. I also like the way the water drops on the lens insert some mystery. Nice job with this one.

 

- Randy

Great composition here. I really like the of the frame and the worm drive gear at the bottom of the frame. This one is another that I think would be very strong in black and white. Great stuff. I'd love to hit some of these places with you - you've got great material to work with.

 

- Randy

This one really caught my eye. I only picked up on the handles on the wheel to the left when I went to leave a comment. I'd love to see more of this subject, especially some tight close-ups of the gears and wheels. While the color of rust is always interesting, I think that this would also be very strong as a black and white. Nice work - I'd love to see more.

 

- Randy

I kind of like where you are going with this one. The wires work well, but I think that you could crop such that there was little of the main support structure and it would have more impact - the lower left part of the image doesn't really add anything as I see it, and it leads my eye away from the more interesting parts of the image. Since your working for an abstract image here, you might also consider what it would look like if you ran the contrast up even more. Maybe something like this, just to see what you think.

 

- R

This one caught my eye as well - I like the point of view you chose and that tonal values in the upper surfaces of the gears. I think that, at least to my eye, it would be stronger if the values in the shadow areas between the gears were higher, to provide some detail in the interesting textures there. These are great visions, thanks for sharing them with us.

 

- Randy

This is a very interesting image. I love that you didn't present to the viewer the whole of any of these gears. Presenting only sections of them really adds to the impact. The light background is the only thing that detracts from the experience for me on this one. It is light enough to compete with the main subject, and in a composition like this the negative space should be subordinate to the subject, at least in my mind. Still a very nice shot.

 

- Randy

This is very dynamic, and a great matching of presentation and subject. I really like that you moved in so close on these. The abstract feel created by this approach really adds impact to the image. I'd love to see this print in person - very nice.

 

- Randy

Looks like a VW Beetle. I like your treatment here, and your point of view really accentuates the impact. Nice work.

 

- Randy

I agree with Scott's assessment - for a more powerful image framing so that the chairs themselves were not evident would be very effective. The high contrast nature of this really works to isolate the chair shadows and give a powerful impression of form.

 

- Randy

I love this composition - the repetitive curves and the framing really create an eye catching image. I particularly like that you can pick up the surface texture of the metal in all of the objects. Really strong image.

 

- Randy

This is a better treatment of the subject that the other view in my opinion. I am drawn to the feeling of depth in this one, and the interesting feel the textures in the surface create. I'd like to see this print in person - very nice work.

 

- Randy

This is a strong shot, but I agree with the previous comments - the tonal values to too high for the subject matter. It has a very interesting feel and I like that there are a number of different textures, but the values are distractingly high.

I like the composition of this one better than the image titled 'Cascade' because the splash pool is framed naturally by the subject rather than by the edge of the frame. This has less sense of place than the other, but I think overall this one is stronger because of the way you framed it.

 

- Randy

This is an amazing place to visit by the way. I'm constantly drawn to your use of geometric pattern in your images - you have a real eye for this sort of composition. Great choice to use high contrast in this setting - I think that the coffered ceiling would have been a distraction if it had been any higher in value, and the burned out highlights really balance this out. Another very nice image, thanks for sharing all of these.

 

- Randy

The repetitive pattern of circles here is very compelling - the longer I look at it the more I like it. The contrast created by the square frame really sets of the circular theme - nicely done. I do agree about the sky though, it's probably the only element that detracts from this image but there is some balance provided by the burned out plate at the bottom, so it is not as distracting. Very nice work you have here, really.

 

- Randy

I really like the pattern of the drain pipe reflected in the arrangement of lights, and the warm tone works very well with this image. I'd like to see this one in print in person - very nicely handled.

 

- Randy

I like the contrast of the man and his setting - respectful, well dressed, traditional man in a disrespectful, shabby, modern world. The tonal values are very well controlled here to create a great feeling that works well with the subject matter. There is a secondary theme going on as well; a vertical (let) and horizontal (right) contrast which compliments the overall feeling very well.

 

It took me a moment to see you in the glass by the way. Very nicely handled - very pleasing image.

 

- Randy

This seems slightly overexposed, but the composition is very strong, very compelling. There is a great sense of place and action in this one, and the contrast of colors doesn't hurt either. I like this one quite a bit - nice work.

 

- Randy