randall ellis

I think that if the values of the snow on the far back were all high, like the one rock out in the stream, it would impart more of a sense of depth. I'm also not sure that the foreground adds a whole lot to the overall print, but those are just my thoughts. I still like the shot.

- Randy

This one is a little stronger than the other that I looked at. You have a better sense of depth in this one, and the cool tone adds to the feeling your subject creates.

- Randy

I like the vignetting of the corners and the tonal values of the plant. They combine to put strong emphasis on the subject and keep my eye inside the image. I'm not very fond of the border, but other than that, nice work with this one.

- Randy

I like the strong line of the arch and it's reflection in the water. You also have done a nice job with the tonal values, lots of shadow detail, nice separation of the stonework... Very nice.

- Randy

Jim,

Yeah, I hear you. I just can't get the computer-related aspects of photography sorted out, so I don't put a lot of effort into something that I can already do in the darkroom. Most of the time I end up scanning the prints themselves because I just can't get the negatives to look right after scanning. I'd love to see this print in person, it is really well done.

- Randy

Jim,

I like the coposition of this one - the foreground has interesting elements and the tree and rock outcropping keep my eye in the photograph, but the contrast seems a bit low. I fiddled around with this on my computer (I'm not good at this type of thing) to add contrast only, which I think adds overall depth and some details to the rocks near the waterfall. I also think that the darker shadows in the foreground elements allow the eye to travel into the shot a bit more. These are really nice shots, please keep posting them. It's been 12 years since I was in the mountains and these really remind me of what I'm missing!

- Randy

Alpo,

Thanks for the additional information! Now that you said that, I can see the details for what they are. Like Robert, my first reaction was to think smoke or clouds, but the edges didn't fit either of those. You did a superb job - very creative.

- Randy

Jim,

Thank you for posting these great shots - they're making me homesick!

- Randy

This is a nice image. Don't worry about how many times others have made similar photographs - there is a lot to learn from doing work similar to what others have done. If you like this type of image, check out "Flora" by Imogen Cunningham. She did a lot of work with plants and flowers that you might find inspiration from.

- Randy

The tonal values and the warm tone really work well with this subject. I also like the way the vignetting of the corners adds emphasis to the main subject. Very nice work with this.

- Randy

The shadows create a really facinating image. I think that the area above the top of the hill could be cropped out to make a stronger and more abstract image, but that's just me. Nice work.

- Randy

I love your point of view, but the blue tone just doesn't work for me. I think that if you kept the sepia, but only applied it to the high and mid tones it would work better, but that's just me. Looks like a superb place to visit though!

- Randy

It's been a while since I saw Ben. I always felt like the pigeon was attacking me when I sat there.

- Randy

I can't really help you with the digital side of things, but I can tell you what I would consider doing differently.

First, since the stream is the main subject here, I would move in closer and find part of it that has some interesting detail that you would like to draw attention to. The way you have it here, there is a lot of area on the left side that doesn't add anything to the scene, but does create a visual distraction. Don't be afraid to move in on your subject to remove distracting elements. When you look in the viewfinder, think about what you want to showcase and then think about what adds to that and what does not. Sometimes you need to establish a sense of place by leaving in part of the surrounding view, but in this case a stream stands by iteself pretty well.

Next, I would consider the tonal values. The way it stands now, the highlight areas appear grey, so you should consider what you need to do to get them to be as light as you want them to be. Not all highlight areas have texture, so don't worry about things like sparkles on the water, but try to find areas with detail, like the reflection of the sky in a pool or the snow on the rocks, and make them as white as you can without losing their texture. Then, work on the shadows. You want to see something in the shadows in many cases, except in the deepest dark areas, but not at the expense of the highlights.

I think your point of view is fine, about head height when standing, but sometimes you can gain something by getting a lower, or higher, point of view. Take a look at other images of similar settings to get some ideas about how other people work this type of subject. Most importantly, keep on shooting - practice is the best teacher. This is a great start by the way, so please don't take my suggestions the wrong way.

- Randy

Nice balance, both top to bottom and side to side. I would like to see more detail in the shadow areas, and some of the highlights seem burned, but other than that, I really like this image. It certainly does give me something to think about...

- Randy

Your treatment of the sky gives it a very surreal feel - almost like it is boiling. The heavy treatment of sky areas is often overdone these days, but I like the way you used it here - that element works well with the rest of the subjects in the image. You've also done a good job with tonal values in general, and I really like the level of detail in the small building on the water.

- Randy

I love the abstract feel that this image has - I get a distinct three-way feel with the sky, light, and dark areas each being very distinct. What is that on the left side? It has a very fractal pattern and really works well with the ice covered branches.

- Randy

Very skillful! The art of in-camera double exposure is certainly on the wane, but your example of that technique is outstanding. Very nice work - it's a real treat to see someone do this well.

- Randy

The horizon line is tilted, which is a bit distracting, but I like that you can see the water inside the boat. I also like the detail that you can see in the wood. I would consider moving in a bit more to remove some of the background behind the boat, even if it means cutting off the stern. I think that our mind would fill in the missing section of the boat and that it would place more emphasis on the boat itself by removing the distracting background.

- Randy

I like the contrast of textures you have here, and the crispness of everything. Nice details in the shadow areas of the cloth too.

- Randy

The sky treatment works well with this subject, but the large whitish are in the lower right is very distracting (It looks like the results of film no being loaded on the reel properly). Other than that, I like the detail in the building and the way they interact with the sky.

- Randy

This subject was a good choice that particular camera. I like the effect that the vignetting creates as well as the soft focus in the center. I can just make out that those are leaves, but only after a moments observation. Very effective use of the tool you chose. Nice job, really.

- Randy

You've established a great sense of place here. It's amazing how much this speaks of a theater without seeing anything other than the booth. This one conveys a strong sense of feeling for me - lost potential, fogotten times, etc... Very strong.

- Randy

The angle of this is just perfect - looking at this gives me strong impression of this bus having just pulled in to pick up passengers. Nice sky details too - without the clouds the blank sky would be distracting, and with them over-darkened, as is the current fashion, they would also be distracting. Another one I'd like to see in person (both the print and the bus!)

- Randy

This reminds me of Xanadu "Home of the Future!" (long story - real 'house' though) or the Buckminster Fuller dome houses, but not as well designed. This must have been a real eye catcher driving down the road!

- Randy