vincetylor

One reason why some may like the idea of cropping (so I think) is that the original image is so large you have to scroll to view it all. The cropped versions are smaller and therefore you can view the entire scene at once. Therefore then, it *appears* somewhat more effective than it really is. When viewing your latest attachment Harry, you can see the entire image on the page without scrolling for the first time. This puts the capture in a better, more honest perspective, so I think. I believe the uncropped version is far stronger than any crops offered. The entire eagle, the blue framing above give the image something more appealing than the crops offer. However, before actually seeing this attached smaller version of the entire image, I was not quite as convinced as I am now. Also, by cropping at all (and especially with the very significant crops) you also begin focusing even more attention to the problem area, the talons and other half of dinner, where depth of field is limited, that portion of the image is a bit too soft and where things could be improved somewhat. Why then focus even more attention on this weaker area by cropping then?

 

I do agree with many others that Harry has some fabulous work. But when I also read how many cannot believe you are not professional, on the surface I might tend to see their point. However, when digging a little further and seeing even minor issues such as this limited DOF problem area here, I can see the difference (although somewhat minor) between what an experienced professional such as Moose Peterson, Andy Rouse or a few others might come up with verses what is seen here. A "professional" trying to get something published, or wishing to market his work, or looking to capture the best possible images available, would know how important it is to take advantage of such an opportunity as this. Is this a knock on Harry's work then? Not at all. Harry has clearly clarified that he is not a professonal. Though I believe some of your work IS of the highest quality. An established professional with time and experience on his side would know the value of getting some of these smaller issues taken care of. Something in time, I am sure Harry will also have under control. Is nice to see you accept critical suggestions too, rather than simply wanting the fluff variety. This IS the way to improve.

Thanks for stopping by Bart. Always nice to see you around. I just read in todays Honolulu Advertiser that a man drowned kayaking to the left of these islands yesterday. Water was much rougher than seen here though. Be safe. Aloha.

I must have cross-posted with you Harry. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. This is how we all learn. Like i said, I probably would have dropped my camera from excitement after witnessing all of this. Guess you have to go back again. Poor guy. Aloha!

With the eagle flying and perhaps attacking, I can easily see why the 500 shutter speed would be needed here. However, once this big bird sat down to begin to actually eat his prized dish, as he is doing here, I believe the photographer could then have safely chosen to stop down some and take advantage of the extra depth needed to get more of the subject in focus. The eagle's talons and the other half of the fish are somewhat difficult to distinguish at first glance. It looks just a bit too soft down there. I do believe the image overall would be stronger with that lower portion of the shot as sharp as the head. I also agree with Greg that f/8 and 250 shutter would probably have been plenty fast to maintain sharpness, and, would have delivered all of the depth needed as well to deliver a near perfect capture. I know Harry uses the same camera I use, the Nikon F-5. Adjusting that aperture is perhaps one of the easier things you can do. Just rotate a knob with your thumb to the aperture (or shutter speed) desired. If you choose to change your f-stop, the camera of course automatically adjusts the shutter speed accordingly as well. Anytime I shoot wildlife with a longer lens, depth of field is of course is always a concern. So, anytime there is an opportunity to gain some added depth then, I try to jump on that as soon as possible. This is still a great capture however, even as is. Though there is a measure of room, I believe, for improvement. Although I can honestly add that if I had something like this in my viewfinder, I'd probably end up dropping my camera altogether. So getting the settings just right is obviously easier to say than do...

Excellent scene with some strong colors and dramatic lines. The eagle's head and especially his eye are just so vividly sharp which really makes this one work for me. I too have enjoyed many of your images over the last couple of years.

 

One suggestion here: Tech details say you were able to take this at f/5.6 with a shutter speed of 500. Why not give up some of that shutter speed for a smaller aperture, and gain a little more depth here? This way the other half of the fish and the eagle's talons would also be a little sharper? In my opinion that softer portion of the image takes away just a bit from the quality of this overall.

 

Except for that issue, this is a really nice capture and quite interesting to look at.

Beautiful composition with the two points of interest perfectly placed. The variety of colors and textures throughout the scene add interest. A complicated image in my opinon, yet made to look so simple. Terribly under-rated. I hope you do not allow the ratings to influence what their true value are.

 

Excellent work here!

I think Ivan's attachment very effectively illustrates the value of space up top. Very nice by the way. They added sky just allows the image to breathe and breathe again. THIS type of image needs that. Where otherwise, if there were no people, I'd probably suggest cropping as well.

 

Thank you for posting the original Michael. While I personally do still prefer this colored (warmer) version to the desaturated, your post-processing on the original was very effective. This new unaltered version looks rather flat (even with the added color) when compared to your originally posted version. In particular the added contrast and darkening of the sky gives this one that extra dimension and pop. Thanks again.

The fact that this was not staged, but candid, makes it even more impressive. In that case you really caught this one beautifully! I would like to see the unaltered version if you ever feel like attaching it here. Since you did catch this in real-time, I just cannot see then why you, as the photographer, would actually choose to desaturate this. For me, it makes the image seem quite cold by comparison. The boy almost looks dead. The image lacks warmth only because of the desaturation from my point of view. If you captured such a nice image candidly, then why not post/print it this same, unaltered way?

 

Perhaps I've been around Velvia too long...

Cropping the sky might *appear* like a stronger image technically speaking, since there is a slight imbalance to the image because of that sky. But it also changes the care-free, relaxing atmosphere here which is not something I would suggest doing. That "extra sky" does just that for me: makes it wide open and care free, extra room to breathe play and romp, which is what the kids are doing. Take a measure of the sky away it loses a greater measure of that feeling. Though to be fair to Michael, that was my initial thought too when I first looked at this yesterday. After looking it over a few times and trying to crop it out myself, I changed my mind for the reasons I just started above. It's a happier, better image with ALL of that sky.

 

The problem I do have here IS with the desaturation. I like many a B&W and plenty of times desaturataing works wonders. This, in my opinion, is not one of them by a long shot. Again, it is the wide open, care free, kicking-back and warm atmosphere here that works better with full color in my mind. Usually when we start desaturating we look for dramatic, emotional, powerful types of imagery. Often these types are rather depressing, sad, cold, capturing the struggles people have. Not always of course, but very often. This is not that type of photograph. It is happy and playful. It should have all of the color to make that stand out even more. The color warms up the image. Here is an attachment putting that color back. While the image itself breaks up to an unsatisfactory level, I believe the added color makes it even more appealing, charming, happy and warm.

My lab, which is in Mississippi, does not charge me for scanning since they get to do all of our printing. Generally though, scans that size are close to $80. So obviously this has been a pretty good deal for both sides up to now. However, because we need to fully develop the stock side of our business (and need to scan thousands) I just put a deposit on my own Creo scanner. I am hoping to have it shipped here to Hawaii, and up and running within the next few weeks. I would be happy to do a few scans for you for no charge Chris. Eventually, I *may* offer professional scanning for a very reasonable fee to the public to help pay for this bad boy. It's called the Eversmart Supreme. $48,995 new. Mine is a new demo unit.

Hi Chris. 24x36 at 300 DPI, 222 meg files are what I receive from my lab. I edit those and then resize down as needed depending on the application.

 

Yes I see you is getting squeezed according to your new bio shot. Perhaps you have found that potential mate on either side too. No more loneliness pal. Good for you...

 

Yep, my mug shot has been altered as well. I believe as a photographer, I will finally be taken seriously!! It's about time too.

 

Aloha.

This is really nice. Brings back fond memories from years ago. Would not change a thing. I really like how you can clearly see that the snow is falling. Great atmosphere as well with those evergreens completely covered. Nice work!

Aloha Walter!

 

As usual your composition is outstanding. The layers of rock and falling water are offered up to the viewer in a truly spectacular fashion! The green ferns add a really nice touch as well. Beautiful fall colors are the rule with your Autumn images. I look forward to more!

 

All this is true. That said, however, I am going to have to share an honest rather "critical" opinion as well. From my experiences, the shadows in this photograph are beyond what I would consider acceptable. Because they are broken up throughout the image, rather than in one big place, it may not look like as big a problem as I think it truly is. It really takes the warmth right out of the scene for me. Almost appearing like black holes. Is there greater detail in the originals? Perhaps just a scanner issue? If the originals do look black like this, then I know of no way to save this without some heavy photoshop cloning. One of the reasons why waterfalls and streams like this do so much better in overcast conditions is because of what I see right here: shadows galore. If the original does offer greater detail, I will be receiving a Creo scanner within the next 30 days that should be able to pull all of that detail out. Let me know, I will scan it for you for fun. Aside from that issue, for me, this would be very special. And from the comments above, it already is to quite a few.

 

 

Here's the problem I have after reading some instructive insight above, a few very well expressed specific points of commendation, suggestions for improvement as well as putting up with the barrage of philosophical... um... thoughts.

 

I can see why the photographer that took this image above would take issue with a few others presumptuously articulating here, on his image, what the photographer himself was trying to do, whom he was attempting to emulate, what is inside his head, so on and so on when he did shoot this. Who wouldn't take issue? That said, at the same time it also seems somewhat reasonable to see why some might indeed make those points of view known, since Tony has clearly demonstrated his own appreciation for and influence from Cartier-Bresson and even gone as far as naming perhaps his best folder of work as "Poor imitations of Cartier-Bresson". Right there Tony, in my opinion, you have presented on the table, in front of all on this site to see, the proverbial and mostly unwelcomed and dreaded "can of worms". How can you expect others not to formulate those assumptions in mind then, if not also in print above? Nothing good, that I can think of, could ever come out of such a comparison made by the photographer himself. You are certain to raise the eyebrows of some of those looking on, and of course to add even more accolades for the name whose work yours (as you say) are a poor imitation of. Perhaps that IS the purpose of naming that particular body of work, to give credit to Henri Cartier Bressen, and help others not so experienced to perhaps delve further into this photographic icon's body of work and life. Actually, only after his recent passing last year did I come to know so much more about his accomplishments and influence on the photgraphic world. If this getting his name known is not your purpose though in that folder title, then any good that can come out of your doing so is lost (so I think), and I'd suggest naming it something different. Just a thought for the sake of peace...

 

He has very clearly articulated his much simpler approach to the making of this shot. Why not just believe him then?It is difficult enough to try to understand what we might have been thinking and whose influences are actually having an effect on us, when we go out shooting, much less trying to put into words what someone else is actually doing and thinking.

 

The other question or thought I have, has to do with the general feel one might get when looking at Tony Dummet's participation/posting and interaction on this site. I personally get the impression that you are retired practically and anything done photographically speaking now, is done almost as a secondary hobby. If your work 30 years ago can can garner such appreciation from so many people on this site today, and if you are clearly all that much the wiser and smarter now than you were then, then please share why you wouldn't be looking forward to the absolute best years of your photographic life? Your best work should be something many in the photographic world would be keenly anticipating. In other words, the journey should just really have begun. HCB died at the age of 96 you are just 51. That means you're just barely half way there...

 

Fire them twin diesels up Tony!

Don't fall for it Walter! I think there is a fuse in them there stogies...

 

Request muchos dineros instead.

Why did I say to myself, better hurry up and change that bio pic BEFORE you know who gets to it??

 

It's too late... he found it...

 

So much for doing the stud pose any more. I think I'm scarred...

 

 

Thanks Len for clarifying your thoughts. That was my misunderstanding of your suggestion. In other words you believe I could strengthen this by pointing up a little further than what we see here. I guess that is possible. The sky as we see it, in my opinion though, has very little to offer to the scene at this focal length we see here. Though having SOME of it in the scene does help balance the image quite a bit and is necessary. But adding more sky than what's posted here, at the expense of less foreground does not jump out to me as something that would improve this. That's just my initial opinion. I will take a look at this series of images a little later to just be sure. I do appreciate yours as well as all thoughts shared! Many mahalos for taking the time. It is the best way to improve.

Another very nice Fall scene sir Walter. You do not know how to take a poor one do you? I do like the reflection, the colors, the little bit of blue sky up top and an excellent composition in my opinion. The fallen leaves scattered throughout this scene though are what really give me that Fall atmosphere that I have always enjoyed. I must say that Fall is the one thing that I absolutely do miss about living on the East coast. Last October I was in the Blue Ridge mountains for almost two weeks all alone, shooting locations similar to this. What a wonderful time and experience. Of course we all know what follows Fall however...

 

 

I would have possibly preferred to see the sky portion on either side of the image, rather than centered. But based on the reflection and foreground composition, I can see why you have it the way it is. Plus the bit off blue sky is off to the right. That is only a very minor thought too. On my monitor Walter, I do see a fair amount of a magenta cast, especially in the rocks. It could be Velvia, your scanner or even MY monitor. Though I do try to keep that in check. Here is a version pulling out some of that cast. Just a thought. Even with the strong reds though, it's a winner!

 

PS- How's the shoulder doing by the way?

 

As a 2x1 ratio somewhat panoramic version, it's always interested me. Though I must add, I actually like the darkness of the full framed version as well. A nice problem to have sometimes...

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to share your thoughts. No, I never really considered a crop on this version Len. I do have a very wide-angle shot at dusk that I have cropped a bit of foreground, but thought ths one was fine. Another reason I do not like to crop --unless it really does help the image-- is because I do shoot in 35mm, and we do print very large when requested. Also, because our mats are all the 1x1.5, 35mm ratio if I do crop the top or bottom, I also must crop an equal amount of the sides. Eventually we will also be adding a panoramic version in our print line, which will allow more opportunities, I believe. Here is a cropped version anyway LM. I must say I do like it. Do I like it enough to use this version in the print line? I will have to look it over some more and possibly print both to see how they look side by side. Either way, the idea is certainly a valid one from you here, and as always, very appreciated!

 

Actually the bio pic's days are numbered. Was having some fun... thats' the stud pose when we were younger, that over the course of years, has changed into the dud pose...

 

Thanks again.

POW, POW, POW....

I've seen this a couple of times now, and each time I think I like it even more. I agree that Tony recognized the potential this offered and hence worked it successfully. What makes it work for me is that this scene has a variety of interesting characters all in one local, all doing their own thing, almost oblivious to the others next to them. It's also made even more interesting, I think, because time has moved ahead as well, leaving behind a distinct 70s style that is no longer around today. I would guess even back then, this would still be a nice image, though probably not much more than that. However today, thirty years later, it's refreshing to look back in time and remember what things were like when I too was young and seemingly invincible... had few worries... just wanting to be with my friends... and have a good time. Life was simpler then...

 

Very well captured Mr. Tony.

Nicely composed with a beautiful variety of colors. Locations like this can be difficult to expose and you have handled this one very well. Regarding the people: I must agree with Stephen word for word. They do not belong here. The red is very distracting to the rest of the scene. Also the fact they are disjointed so to speak by facing different directions only makes it even worse. Easily cloned out however. You might also try going to selective color (choose black) and then add a point or two of black to those blacks for a little more richness. Just a thought. A very nice location, well captured.

I tried to make the people surrounding this location work to my

advantage. Any thoughts or opinion are always appreciated. Thanks.

I too have seen many examples where breaking the rules worked in favor for an image. However, the broken rule here, where the front part of the animals face is not sharp is not one that helps this image, at least in my opinion.

 

The National Geographic image links I pasted by the way, had less to do with being great images as they had to do with showing how close-ups showed sharp details throughout the face portion of the subjects. There were many spectacular images on their site. I just selected closeups of similar types of animals.