dseltzer

Hey Gord,

This critter is exquisite and so is the capture. Perfectly presented with almost unbelievable light, detail and clarity. So, what is it? Is it some form of anemone? Whatever it is, this shot is totally top drawer!

Best,

David

Gail and Richard: Thanks so very much for stopping by and looking. I'm so glad you like the pic!

Best Regards,

David

Just wonderful geometry and symmetry! Well seen and captured. I think the shadow is natural and fine but I'm not sure the image needs it to be anchored. This is really a tiny and picky point, but... I wonder what it'd look like if the shadow were adjusted out, though I'm not at all sure it'd be worth the time and effort, and it might be hard to do without having it look "photoshopped."

Too many words to simply say I like this image a lot and I think it's stunning.

Best,

David

Remodeling, disarray, tarps all over and who's the best at making the best of it? Well, here he is, soaking up the sun in a simply perfectly comfortable place. Photographically I don't think this is anything special, but I couldn't resist taking it and posting it. As always, any and all thoughts and comments are welcome! Thanks for taking a look.

Relaxed, sunny regards,

David

This is gorgeous and so well executed! I'm not sure I'd fool with those catch lights... I'd be afraid either one would be in the wrong place without the other. It could be interesting to eliminate one and move the other to about midway between the two. I think that might provide a better balance for that part of the image. Otherwise, and that last was truly one teensy weeny point, I don't see how you'd improve on this!

Regards,

David

Gord, You worked hard on this one, didn't you?! I'm first taken by the selective lighting. It's so very precisely illuminating only what needs to be. The coloration is (IMHO) perfect. To have this in color would be terribly distracting... well, it'd just be a whole different photo. As you've presented it it has wonderful detail, depth, and many possible meanings and/or messages. This is one of those images that just stands very tall and so very strong. Great work!

Warm regards,

David

Fred identified and described most of this image, but I'll add my 2¢ worth anyway, of course! To me, this showcases just about everything one might cite as important to good B/W work. The contrasts, sharp and soft lines, multiple and complimentary textures, and excellent lighting all collaborate to make this an outstanding photo.

It looks like you may have dodged the plant material at the bottom just a tad, and the sheen off its texture is a wonderful balance for the soft but bright moth. This image really caught my eye and I've wanted to spend time just experiencing it and wandering around in it. It's been a delightful journey!

Warm regards,

David

Butterflies are just beautiful in nearly any pose. This one looks like it had battled others before, having lost most of its right under-wing in some earlier encounter. Then there's ole Spidel who's in rather an interesting pose itself. Along with the excellent technique, beautiful and delicate bokeh and just right DOF, I'm fascinated as it appears the two critters are becoming one... which they are, of course, in sense, but the image has generated a silly and fun fantasy of the spider climbing inside the butterfly and flying it away! Like a said, silly.

All that aside, I like this image a lot. I'm especially taken by the blossom in the upper right. Probably reading in way too much, but it seems like it might symbolize something lovely coming from what's happening below. Overall, a most intriguing celebration of life and its seemingly contrary or contrasting elements.

Best regards, David

Hi Richard! Thanks so much for stopping by and for your thoughtful observations. It's very encouraging to know you like this, and even better that you described the exact elements of the image that drew your attention. It's so helpful to know what and how others see and think about images, so I really appreciate your detailed descriptions.

Warm regards,

David

I would have to argue that to have movement in the duck could only serve to diminish the striking clarity of the feathers and the intricate pattern they've followed in growing just as they are! BTW, it can also be argued that the duck *is* in motion, else the surrounding water would be still and clearly is not.

What I think is possibly described about this photo as "unreal" owes to the completely striking, sharp, distinct, intricate colors and patterns of the feathers and the nearly painted look of the feather shapes and colors designs. Lots of possible angles, distances, lighting, shutter speed, perspective and other factors could have been tried, but it'd still be an extraordinarily marked and strikingly colored bird on wet, but otherwise lackluster greenish-brown background!

Details aside, I think this is an outstanding shot that really pops.

Regards, David

This image has the effect of looking layered, as if the golden bicycle had been placed over the rest of the image, but the reflections match showing this is all one exposure with wonderful timing and position that includes the bicyclist and the statue of the horse and rider. In that sense the image is layered with the older form of transportation, horseback, then the man on a bike, topped off with a shiny, golden image of a modern bicycle. So, I love the story this image tells, as well as the image, itself, for how well it's been captured and rendered.

Regards, David

Terrific clarity and intensity of color. A really great capture of an incredible critter! Nice work. David

This is an image that could be out of a dream... not only the sepia, but the faded lower right corner and a band along the left side in which everything is faded and less distinct up to about the horse's nose. The overall effect for me is of a really old photo that's dreamy and interesting. Nice pic and nice PP.

Thanks! I'm very glad you like it!

Best,

David

All thoughts, comments, reactions, and suggestions welcome! I'd be glad to know your responses to this as a whole and to the various elements. Always a strong subscriber to the idea of always trying to improve, so any input is likely helpful as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!

David

Gord - Speaking of not being home... I've not checked on this one for awhile (obviously!) Glad you like the re-re-do! I do, too.

Pnina - I'll try working with the levels and/or curves a bit and see what happens. Certainly worth trying. Thanks!

Good suggestion. I'll have a look at the original and see how much more of the flower bottom is there... can't remember how I cropped it. If there's enough, I'll work with it and post the new edition.

Thanks, Bela!

Thanks, Bela!

So nice to see you here! And thank you so much for the very flattering critique!!

I am trying to return here and do more photography again. I'll probably be irregular for awhile, but I hope to become at least reasonably active... which reminds me I haven't had a peek at your latest, so I think I'll head over there now!

Fred - Here it is with what I think you were describing restored along with the adjustment of the rock. See what you think. BTW, in addition to smart sharpen, I adjusted the levels, too.

David

Fred,

Thanks for stopping by! I think the difference may be the smart sharpen filter... on in the original and I'm pretty sure not in the re-do. I'll check it and get back to you.

Regards,

David

My last post was supposed to have the re-do attached, but I got an error message (505... something about the server not finishing or something), so I'm going to try it again. If it doesn't work this time I'll try just posting it as another image in the folder.

Regards,

David

Gord and Pnina,

Funny how something can be so obvious as to be a distraction, yet one doesn't see it until someone else points it out! What's that you say about "hyper-focusing?" on something less than the image as a whole?!

So, here's my first go at trying to de-emphacize the sunlit rock.

Lemme know what you think.

Best Regards,

David

Gord,

Hadn't been fully aware of the brilliance of that white rock and you're quite right! I'm going to work with it a bit and see if I can't de-emphasize the rock without giving away that it's been modified... so, basically, keep the brilliance while decreasing the intensity... I think. I'll work on it.

Is quite a regal looking fellow, and I did for certain respond to what looked to me like the lizard equivalent of gray/white hair, along with the stance: "My domain. I am Lord of all I see." This Sr. Lizard Citizen was on St. Thomas, and sure looked like he'd been there for a good long time.

I'll see what comes of working on the bright rock and let you know.

David

Hey Gord,

Thanks for stopping by... you know the door is always open for you! And thanks for the very thorough review. Your way of describing what you see as your eyes travel around the image nearly always either helps me see something I hadn't appreciated (or overlooked!) and/or have words to put to aspects I couldn't describe so accurately and economically. Very glad you like the image, and thanks for teaching me the botanical name. I've always loved these little guys, but never found out what to call them!

See ya next time you poke your nose in the door!

David