niels olson

I know an almost identical vista in the US: coming down from Sequoia Nat'l Forest in California, heading south.

A higher quality JPEG might get a higher rating Vertical lines are distracting.

Work on in-the-camera framing. Consider a Red 25 filter if you want Ansel Adams skies. Even critics can find out what you used, so , if you want to maximize response, tell us the facts: shutter speed, f-stop, tripod or hand-held, filters, lens, film (with ASA/ISO/DIN), body (the biggest thing with body is format size, but body name conveys that and a few extras.)

fishing for ale? Is that a fish?

Tripod mount, smaller aperature and longer exposure would do this well.

Lovely, and the grain is good, but maybe a bit to much. Where did it come from? Some from 3200 to be sure, but is it cropped? Did the scan enhance the contrast? Did you posterize it? If there's a way to clean it, you might see a 7. Something of a Degan-like perspective.

Agree with the other comment: a bit to soft. Was it atmosphere, a filter, focus, lens?

I've never seen the aurora, so I don't know if it's hard to image or not.

Even if the framing was intentional, it remains awkward.

Interesting idea, but it seems the subject offered more.

Original? yes. Hang it on my wall? No.

Excellent image, except more resolution would be nice. Assuming the resolution doesn't conceal any flaws, I'd buy a picture like this. I'd like to take one like this, but I think I'd have to suffice with buying it.

You almost got a 3 on orginality, but if you didn't use a ND filter, it get's an extra point for adaptability.

The rare 3 picture that rates comment: I can see myself taking this picture, congratulating myself on choosing the fractal web of black branches juxtaposing the human order of the white building, and a government building at that. And, like the amatuer I am, I'd completely forget about the orange-leaved obstruction in the lower midground and the black, out-of-focus husks of leaves near the top of the frame interupting the criss-cross of their branches. Would I pay to frame this? No. Good opportunity to reflect on my own faults, absolutely. Thanks.

These are normally white, where's the color from?

Mohamed, it seems to me that Chris has posted a number of shots which all have a few (two or three) small regions of intense contrast which steer the viewer over otherwise finely graded larger tonal regions (120 helps). Sometimes these steering regions are black (Pablo, Angel), sometimes white (What about poets, untitled red car, Chad) and occasionally in color (Temptation). I'd say this is an extreme example of a larger pattern.

 

He's catagorized his work along certain themes on his website, so we can probably couple this technique with the beauty theme; tie in his comment in the technical detail field and we can make a stretch the original shot was part luck, part experienced eye. Who carries a Hassleblad to a party? Was he on commission, doing a favor? How much of what's presented here was prospective planning and how much was retrospective editing? I'd be interested to see what was cropped out and how much wall was left on the right side. I'd like to see the ones he didn't post.

 

Chris, I like the Jean Kerr quote.