randall ellis

Good stuff - you just don't see many photograms these days. I like the warm tone (sepia, or brown toner?) Also, I recognize the buttons, but what are the other objects? Great work with an old concept - very refreshing!

- Randy

I like your vision with this one quite a bit, but I would consider adding a bit more of the wall at the top and bottom to close off the image and to provide just a bit of sense of place. The dark walls and light glass work well with the subject, and I really like that you can see some detail of a tree outside in some of the panes, but keep getting hung up on by the feeling that the window is sitting on the bottom of the frame. Even so, this is a nice image. Good job.

- Randy

It simple, yet strong - I really like this and would like to see the print in person. Two things though; it could be my eyes, but it seems that the floor is slanted just a bit to the left, and there seems to be just a bit more wall on the right than the left. Nit-picky, I know, but in a shot like this, every little thing stands out. Smokin'.

- Randy

The facial expressions on these two are superb! Your timing was perfect (and if it's staged, you're supposed to say it wasn't, 'cause this is good stuff!). I think the tonal values might be a bit compressed (there is some detail loss in the higher values) but it could also be due to being viewed on a computer. I don't really like people photography, but this one caught my eye.

- Randy

The composition is great - the distant ship and the deck really create a nice sense of depth, and the mist really adds quite a lot to the photograph. I'm torn on the depth of the blacks though - I can't decide if they are too deep or if that look works better than having more details in the shadows. Either way, this one is really strong. I look forward to seeing the rest of this series.

- Randy

George,

This is very strong - I like it a lot. Is this infrared? It has a unique feel that really works with the subject to create a surreal feeling. Very nice details in the petals, and the tonal values are superb. Great stuff!

- Randy

This is fascinating subject, but the sky has been treated too heavily for my tastes. I would also try to tame the tonal values in the stonework, they are quite high and a lot of the detail is lost. I do like the inclusion of the open field to the right as it really give a nice sense of depth.

- Randy

Great facial expressions, but it breaks my heart every time I see a child with a toy weapon.

- Randy

This has an interesting hard/soft contrast to it. The sky and clouds are soft and cool, while the stone and wood are hard and warm. I like it except for the tilt. I think that this would be stronger if the building were level with the frame, unless it has begun to list, in which case a little more of the building should show to emphasize that it is falling, slowly.

- Randy

This *almost* looks hand-tinted. I like the way you portrayed the subject, but the lighting seems a bit harsh to my eye - much of the detail and texture is lost. Never the less, I still like it. I can't get enough of this type of subject, they are about the last things in our society with character anymore...

- Randy

Normally, I would find a lack of mid-tones distracting, but in this case I think it works with the subject to give a feeling of strength and solidity. I like your placement of the handle and hinge, it gives a sense of the door being larger than we can see, but doesn't limit the subject in any way. I really like all the detail you captured in the surface of the door - great textures! Very well done.

- Randy

Excellent movement and point of view! This really caught my eye as I was browsing the list. I really like the placement of the subject in the frame, and the lack of detail in the upper part of the stairs - it really pulls my eye in and is so nicely offset by the high tonal value of the wall immediately next to it. This is really good - I'd love to see the print in person. Very nice work.

- Randy

You have a great sense of depth, and nice tonal values, as well as a crisp, but not over-sharp subject. The only thing that bothers me is how heavily the sky is treated - it reduces the impact of the main subject by competing for my eye. Other than that, this one is strong. Nice work.

- Randy

If the sky is your main subject, I would consider framing this type of photograph so that there is only a little bit of land. With this type of shot you don't need much in the foreground to distract the eye from the sky area.

- Randy

It's a bit difficult to separate the subject from the background in places, and the highlight values in the foreground cable are too high to allow detail, but I like the depth of field and the line of the cables. The brackets seem a bit over-sharp to my eye as well, but it's still a good shot.

- Randy

I don't care for head-on shots very often, but in this case it compliments the subject. The tonal values in the sphere seem a bit low, but other than that I really like the interesting feel this one gives. The textures and contrast of the curve of the ball and the straight lines of the cracks really work well here.

- Randy

I like the feel of this - it's open and has great depth, and the softness of the sky really works well with the subject. The faint footprints are the real capper though. Very nice work with this one.

- Randy

I love the way that there is detain in the reflection that can't be seen in the real shell. I also think that balance is right on and the tonal values work very well with the subject. Very nice still life photograph.

- Randy

I like the feel of this, the tonal values are good and the light give good definition to the rocks, but I'd like to see it from a lower angle to give it more depth. The head-on perspective doesn't give you all that you could get from this subject.

- Randy

Yes, the black and white has more impact that the color version. I also applaud your decision not to make the sky all dark and brooding, it wouldn't add anything and it's been done so much it smacks of gimmick unless very artfully used. I would consider bringing the highlight values up quite a bit so the cotton really shines, and perhaps see if you can get it sharper since there is so much detail in the stalks. Really nice shot just the same.

- Randy

I like this one better than the full-on window shot - leaving part of the subject out often lends it more impact. I'm OK with the softness of this one, but I think that the highlight values need to come up just a bit. Otherwise, this is solid.

- Randy

I think that if you want to get the impression of destruction, it is important to eliminate all traces of anything suggesting normality - in this case the view out the window of an intact home with a nice lawn. I would move in a lot closer to the stuff on the counter and try to emphasize anything broken, water-logged, etc.

- Randy

I like the pattern repetition you have here, and the black background, which helps to give some punch to the subject. The high value edges look a bit odd (over-sharp almost), but it's most likely due to being shrunken in size. Nice work.

- Randy

I like where you are going here, but I think that you are a bit too far back for this to be abstract. I would consider moving in, probably on one side to that you have an nice curve. Go in far enough that there is *just* enough for the viewer to tell that it is a cactus, but no more. I would also bring the highlight tonal values up, a lot - they are quite grey here and it doesn't give anything nice to attract the eye. Keep working with it - this is a good subject, it just needs a little polishing to get there.

- Randy

I'll second the "Night" recommendation. I think I have two copies in my personal library...

- Randy