davecollopy

Carsten, maybe you could post the rest of the shots before the stitching. I think people would find it interesting to see how the software redrew the lines to pull this image together. I think it would also be interesting to compare this with a typical fisheye shot because this is handled completely different. The more I think about it the more significant your image becomes. People typically use Photoshop to emulate the darkroom process or correct issues that couldn't be corrected in camera. But here we have something that couldn't be achieved in camera or created in the darkroom or pulled off in Photoshop. You've combine various tools to create a very unique kind of image. Or at least I don't know anyone else who is doing this kind of thing.

First of all congratulations Carsten on your well deserved POW. Most all of what I really like here has already been covered so I won't waste space. I would only add that having the "umbrella arm" exit the top center of the image was a spectacular choice setting the tone for the rest of the image. So any resulting tilt is no problem for me, rather it is a masterful composition choice.

 

Generally speaking I like straight shots that are very busy, but I like composites to be simple, seamless. But this really isn't a composite, at least not in any traditional sense. This is something new. If I understand Carsten correctly, software handled all the stitching. I personally find that fascinating. Last night Nova did a program on a hundred mile race through the Mohave Desert in which all vehicles were manned by computers and software had to handle decision making on the fly.Some of the vehicles performed spectacularly. A few did wonder off into the desert.

 

Anyway, I should probably mention a couple architectural anomalies I find distracting, the result of the stitching. One is the right side of the white building which has one more floor on the top than the left side does. I think a floor could simply be added to the left or the top floor removed from the right to correct this.

 

But all in all it is a really excellent image.

This is the first POW I've clicked on in several months and was instantly glad I did. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was one of Michael Ging's photographs because I have been a fan of his work for some time and I honestly would not have recognized it as one of his. It's a different style. But I disagree with those who say this isn't one of his best photographs. I believe it is. Congratulations Michael. You are at the top of your game. And congratulations to the Elves who chose this as Picture of the Week. I only wish this had been shot in a larger format. It would look superb in a huge poster size print.

 

The stroke of the clouds at the top are repeated in the twist of the wood grain in the tree on the right. And the limbs of both trees seperate same as the earth seperates to form the canyon. To remove or crop any of this makes absolutely no sense at all.

 

I think the only mistake Michael made here was letting anybody know this was *the* Grand Canyon. Everybody wants to see a big hole in the ground and it seems that's all they want to see.

This is beautiful. Your choice of toning works very well here with the lighting. I sure would like to know what you shot this with.

This pic reminds me of John Boorman's film Excalibur ..because of the saturated greens and naked bod. It's interesting to note that this picture predates Excalibur. So I have to wonder if Boorman came across this photo and was influenced by it. Anyway it certainly is a photo ahead of its time. Congrats Juan

Nice job! The tones and comp are very good. Btw I bet they do do this every morning.

Very well realized. Love the sky, the reflection as well.

First of all, this is the best POW in over a year. Congratulations Jean-Baptist and thank you Elves.

 

As to the subject of cropping: every single photo is a crop of the landscape surrounding the photographer. So there is nothing inherently wrong with it. When HCB made the desicion not to crop during printing, it wasn't because of some aesthetic crusade he set out to establish. It was because in 1930 35mm was new and a very minature format, the film real estate was 1/50th the size of the more common 8x10, and people back then weren't use to seeing film grain the size of golf balls. To get any decent size print from 35mm you had to use every millimeter of film available to you. And that still is just as true today as it was then. In 35mm the less cropping the better. So it would follow that no cropping is optimal.

What I like about this is the way you've sorted the material in this shot into the shadow and highlight zones.

I love this. I think your decision on DOF was the correct one. A bug in the system won't let me rate it.

It is. It looks like a memorial to steamboats or something. I grew up in Cincy but I don't remember anything like this. Anyway, fine image, Anthony. It certainly grabbed me. Very well realized.

D&D, you might have averted this unpleasant ordeal by posting the country as well as the date which this photo was taken directly in your title. I too clicked on this image thinking the children had emerged from the water after losing their entire family. Fortunately, though, they are both a thousand miles away and a few years older by now.

 

Also, when raising funds, it is always a good idea to give the specific breakdown of the donations you will be recieving as well as a breakdown of the way the aid organizations will be distributing this relief. If it is a reputable organization they will make that info readily available. People show their generosity in a crisis such as this one and it is unfortunate that there are some people who capitalize on that. The breakdown reassures those folks who do not know you personally that you are indeed legit and protects you if you are ever investigated. I applaud your efforts here and wish you the best.

 

BTW it is a very good photo.

This is a very powerful image. The way you handled this shows you have that rare talent that can't be taught or learned.

Mike,

 

Wishing you and your family the very best this holiday season; and health, and prosperity in the coming New Year.

Thank you Kristian and Joseph. Happy holidays to you and yours.

Thanks Tommy. I agree. I knew something had to go but I couldn't decide which.

Comments always appreciated. Thank you.

Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks!

Great composition! DOF is perfect!

Hi Doug

 

To answer your question, being somewhat pressed for time, I'll simply refer you to Dino's post. He said it better than I ever could.

 

P.S. I'm not being dismissive about technical merit or even textbook standards, I just feel in those very rare instances of true greatness, such matters become secondary, or of no concern at all.

 

Best Regards

No offense, Doug, but I think your septic treatment of the background kills this image. However it also underscores why several here don't care for this week's POW: in contrast to your perfectly smooth gradation the boring nature of the subject matter really stands out. In the Elves' statement the term 'portrait' was used. The photographer's treatment of the background should always compliment the characteristics of the portrait's subject, not detract from it. This photographer has achieved that.

 

If I was a client and wanted a photo of cinnamon this one would make me very happy. And I'm a hard person to please. As a matter of fact I don't think I have seen a better photo of cinnamon anywhere, ever.

 

In terms of the POW process, it really is a difficult call because even though there are a lot of very good photos here at PN, there are very few truly great photos. And the best photos of all usually tend to have little technical merit. So to produce a new choice every week is a compromise in a no win situation. IMHO I think this week POW choice is one of the better ones in a while.

Excellent! Lighting, tones, grain. If this is a self portrait you get extra points for staying in the tire tracks and getting to the stool on time. Everything about this shot is excellent.

You have a great eye for composition. I'm amazed you did this with only a 180mm, and the dof to boot!

Paul

 

I like this. Didn't mention it before but the background in this image really works for me, even with the window break. A lot of interesting stuff in the bokeh. It emphasizes the contrast between the institutionalization tolerated by those who conform to society and the lack of a safety net facing those who don't.

 

I don't know how you cropped this but if you can put anything back at the top of this image that is what I would do, the more the better. Place all your strong highlights up there and as Dave said dark shadows in the jacket. This creates a vertical gradation from light to darkness. Keep the rest of the crop tight just the way you have it now. But it's a very good image as it is. BTW I just bought some PanF Plus this week. Never used the stuff before. Hope I get results as good as this.

Hi Dave. The lighting is good here and there is a lot of tonal values in the face to work with. Paul`s made a good capture of a strong expression that stands up very well on its own. Depending on the treatment the anguish we see becomes open to interpretation. I think despair is the operative word and it can be communicated effectively here in low contrast. On the other hand we already have blown highlights in this treatment. If we then block up shadows we`ll end up with solid black breaking directly on white on the subjects face. Hardening the contrast will intensify the expression. IMHO you`ll end up communicating something more akin to the subjects final death throws rather than his despair. I will agree with you that shadows on the jacket and in background could stand some darkening. But I think the face should be treated with less contrast.