steven lundberg

Definately a little flat in contrast, and the upper highlights are a little blown out. The suggested edit posted with increased contrast is an improvement, but the crop doesn't work as well for me. The original is perhaps a little to centered, and I find my eye wanting to move from left to right. Maybe shot from a little further back to include more of the wall on the right, then cropped more landscape orientation than portrait, to contrast the vertical oreintation of the bricked up opening. Nice textures, especially with increased contrast, so a good fit with the theme.

I would have to agree with Dom... a little to centered, needing more on the right and less on the left side of the composition. Maybe even horizontally as well... I'm not sure the sky is needed for a good composition, as the reflected sky might be enough, and the water reflection is definately more interesting. So, moving the camera view down and to the right next time as an option worthy of consideration. A good theme fit, and a good subject. Regards, Steven.

An eye catching photo upon first glance. The longer I looked at it though, the less I liked it. The colors seem overly saturated and unnatural to me, as do the dodging and burning. Although not a huge concern, the composition seems a little more centered than I would like. In the end I get more of the feeling of a painted background from The Wizard of Oz movie than I do of a landscape photo... "follow the blue brick road...". Overly saturated and unnatural coloring seems to be favored by participants on this site, so you should do well with the ratings and critiques. I'm just offering a minority view, no doubt, in hopes you'll consider it with the shared goal of becoming better at our art. In return, if you would be so inclined, feel free to visit my portfolio and return the "favor". My skin is thick, as long as the critique is sincere. Regards, Steven.

A very nice shot, obvious theme fit, and well executed. I love the colors and reflected light. The only suggestion I'd throw out for you is to try cropping in some to remove the edges of the block. It might be interesting upon first look to not be as obvious that it was shot through a glass block... making the distorted little blocks inside the block the foremost interest instead of the block itself. I also would be tempted to have some fun with this in PS (although probably not for posting and critique purposes on PT) by making three more copies of this and rotating all of them around a shared center corner. Well done PT! Steven.

Nicely done Karina. I notice all your work is in black and white. Are you shooting film or digital? I'm interested in working more with B&W, but shoot mostly digital these days, and am interested in comparing notes on the best ways for conversion. In this shot I love the use of late day shadows to complement the overall perspective you chose. I'll look forward to watching your portfolio here as it grows. Regards, Steven.

Love this shot Michel. I've done a lot of moonlight shooting with film, but this looks very different from that. Is this actually by moonlight? Also, would you mind sharing the settings used, i.e. shutter speed, ISO, aperture, etc.? Regards, Steven.

Good theme fit, clever and interesting composition. I prefer the increased contrast of the B&W version, and feel it adds to the overall intention. Very nice idea and execution.

While this definately fits the theme, there is just not enough of interest in this photo for me to care for it as a composition. If I were to work on this subject I would want to try a much larger telephoto to increase the size of the subject suspended in the negative space, or perhaps find something in the forground to silohette against it. I'll revist this again in a day or two to see if that's still how I feel, and to view others opinions about it as well.

OK, ever the bull in the china closet, I have to come right out and say I don't think, from the definitions offered so far, that this is a theme fit. I like it fine, but would need you, PT, to explain to me how you felt this fit the topic at hand. Regards, Steven.

I'm thinking this must be a theme fit, but am no longer sure about the theme itself. Regardless, a wonderful photo, although more like brush work than a photo to my eye. It reminds me of when I used to watercolor, and would mask certain areas from the start to peel off and expose the white paper when finished. Very nice job PT.

 

Steven

I like it more than my first viewing/critique, do not mind at all the photoshop so adeptly applied, and feel as before it is very strong technically and in composition. While less so than my first viewing, I still can't shake the feeling of the model being overly posed and/or coached. There is nothing wrong with setting up or manipulating a shot, but IMO it shouldn't be obvious enough that the viewer's thoughts move that way in short order, unless that was the photographers none-to-subtle intent. Here my thoughts went quickly to the photographer carefully folding the arms and positioning the head just so, and asking her model to "look angry... now sad... now look bored... etc." I do like the photo for the reasons I've mentioned, but not as much as several others from this very same portfolio. I suspect those mischievous little Elves had trouble agreeing on this one themselves, and thus felt this would make a perfect POW.

Fits the theme, good use of B&W, and interesting composition. I also like all the interesting reflections created, even the unintentional self portrait(s). I find my eye being a little distracted by the furthest glass stem being so soft focused. I'd like to compare that to a shot with a larger DOF and everything very sharp. I also prefer the second crop over the original. Regards, Steven.

While technically well done, to my eye the subject looks overly posed and lacking substantial connection or emotion. Among a group of good portraits I would likely pass this one by in short order to view others for that very reason. With so many other glowing critiques in this discussion, my opinion must be errant somehow... perhaps it's just the way I feel today or something. I'll have to revisit this again another day. Regards, Steven.

Love it!

My first reaction to this shot, a very nice composition by the way, was that it was not quite a theme fit. After reading the various definitions in the other critiques I'm no longer sure, and am even less sure what makes up negative space in regards to photographic composition. I'd like to see further discussion on this before this theme is left behind by the next round of topics. This is where the real learning happens. My first thought with this photo was to suggest trying techniques to take the statue to more of a silhouette, but now I'm not so sure.

Nice use of shallow depth of field. I like the way the rim of the glass cuts a fine line through the blur to draw your eye towards the bfly, and the relatively sharp edge of the other glass to stop it and hold it there. Love the melding of colors as well.

I like the sharp cracks against muted background, and the colors work well, but I'm very distracted by the hot highlights. Is this reflected indoor lighting, or is it from use of a flash? If the later, I might have tried a long exposure on a tripod without the flash, and possibly tried to increase the amount of light behind the glass somehow, or just changed the angle of the flash. Regards, Steven.

I like the photo, but the subject isn't well definded enough for my little brain to tell if it's a good theme fit or not. At any rate, it was interesting enought to capture my attention for a long while... a sure sign of a good photo. So, PT, what is it? Steven.

I love the colors and the light refracting through the figurine (sp). I'd have to agree with most of the critiques so far... I prefer the portrait orientation, the increased contrast, and I'd really like to see the hand all in the frame. Definately nailed the theme, and technically well done.

My second favorite for this topic so far (sorry, love the glass pendant shot)... although (yes, Knicki, if there's not always a but, then there's an although) I found myself cleaning off my reading glasses and searching for something in sharp focus. The challenges of shooting off, on, through or of glass I guess.

 

Steven.

Very good idea, on subject, and color/contrast are wonderful. I might have tried a version with the light source at a lower, and different angle to increase the length of the shadow and add a feeling of depth. After I looked at it for a minute, I kept wanting to see two more progressively smaller pieces of blue in the background somewhere, kind of randomly placed, to create more depth and/or perspective, and give my eye somewhere else to go... probably just my AADD kicking in. Nice work.

 

Steven

This shot caught my eye right off. I suspect a long exposure, due no doubt to the amount of available light, and really like the soft edged, moody effect it creates with the silhouette and the backlit area. Definitely on assignment. Was this the actual size of the exposure, or did you create an extended black background to position your subject in? I really like your idea, and the way you executed it... so much so I'm filing it away as a theme to experiment with variations of in the future. Hey, they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery you know.

 

Steven

Hmmm, I tried with the water cropped out as suggested, and really perfer it with it. Perhaps less of the water would work, but for me it adds a certain balance, and adds the feel of a real windy day. Anyway, a very nice shot, and nicely converted... did you use channels, in monochrome, for your conversion?

Your long work day definately paid off. You didn't list the equipement you used, and I made the inaccurate assumption you were shooting digital, then converting to B&W. I do that often, using the PS channel mixer in monochrome to simulate the various kinds of B&W film available, both past and present. Of course, that could have made your 12 hour day in to a 24+ hour one.

Wonderful shape and use of light... I hope you didn't make her hold this position to long! Bonus points to the model. I find myself wanting to see a color version of this, but suspect the b&w is the better choice.