dseltzer

I like this image a lot. And FWIW, the first thought that came to mind was that it's fortunate you could capture this creature before it walked away on its many legs! Never thought I'd think of a dead tree as being so alive!

Beautiful, magical, and entirely awesome!

When I saw this, I thought of you (honest, I did!) and thought you might approve of the interposed diagonals of the wing and the street lights. I'm quite certain I saw this in part because of studying your work. So, it's especially nice that you found it *and* that you like it. Thank you for the inspiration and the affirmation!

Thanks Rachel... it is you, isn't it?

Pnina, An airplane turning for final approach is exactly what I thought of when I first saw this frame. I'm glad you like the angle (worked on that) and the DoF. I'm glad to know your reaction to this, and you know how much I appreciate when you stop by and give me feedback. Thank you!

You know musicians, and you know O'Malley's, and I dare anyone to find anything in this image that isn't just right! BTW, does O'Malley know you're transforming his pub into an art gallery? ;-) Warm regards...

What occurs to me as a lead-in is to play off of A.K. Sircar's comment that you're lucky. Not to be critical or cheeky, but I think there's luck, which is a matter of chance, and serendipity, which is, IMHO, more accurate. To be sure, there's much that goes into this shot that's a matter of chance... like you getting into photography; like having the right lens and knowing how to set the camera for such a complex lighting situation; like the chance of seeing children at a zoo; or that little boys love to climb onto and/or into things and touch them. Yep, all matters of chance. Actually, I think of this (besides thinking it's a drop-dead great shot) as a matter of serendipity: being at the right place at the right time and knowing what to do. Congrats, my friend. So very well done! Warm regards...

Thank you very much. Your comments are greatly encouraging and affirming. I certainly hope I have some natural talent, but I also have to thank you and others here on PN, from whom I am learning new things all the time!

like a party favor! Thanks for the chuckle... now I keep thinking of these guys partying at the (flower) bar. Of course, it's BYO favors! :-)

 

Thanks very much for the very kind words... much appreciated!

All the neighbors with all the week killer they like still can't make a dent in these prolific and hardy plants! It's one of the bazillion or so bits of nature that amaze me... that such tough and tenacious (and very pretty, too!) plants can come from such delicate beginnings.

 

I'm glad this works for you. I wasn't sure how best to do it, and hoped isolating one parachute would help distinguish this from just another dandelion seed head shot. Thanks!

The new border is a very big improvement. It gently bounds the image with very little presence of it's own, allowing the image to be defined and to shine. One could quibble about the thickness of the line or the shade of gray, but I think that's getting too picky.

This is a great example of how using the histogram leads to recovering data. I can't explain why I didn't check it on this one, and having this image refreshed in my mind will certainly help me remember! As always, I so appreciate your interest and your help!

All aspects of this photo are wonderful: the angle, colors, DoF, composition, and I especially love the contrast between the two children. The older one engaged with you and having fun, while the younger one seems entirely unaware of what you and the older brother are doing. Delightful.

The way I'd amend what Rachel said would be to say this is not only a photograph, and I couldn't agree more about it being art. I gotta say I understand the comments about the subject matter, but I don't either, in the sense that I think there is very rarely any subject that is really new. As Fred's said, it's the vision and how we see that's ever changing and new. And I have to add that the length and richness of this discussion is proof a plenty that this is anything but cliche.

 

Just a note about the border... too heavy for such a high key image. A thin gray line would do it for my eye.

I can see the potential for "baleful," but before I read your back story, I was thinking he was saying/thinking, "You know you're annoying the tar out of me. So, just how long do you plan to continue this foolishness?!"

 

Your crop is so spot on, and I think the bit of his left eye is essential to conveying his expression, especially the very slightly knitted brow. It's a wonderful portrait of a wonderful fellow. Give him my regards, and tell him his patience (although stretched) with you was well spent!

To my eye the color version is much preferred, and I have to agree the b/w seems just a tad too dark. What's most captivating is, of course, her expression, which to me says something like, "I'm quizzical, maybe amused, biting my lip, and are you *sure* you want to do (or say) that?!"

 

I'm also impressed with how the background reflects the angle of her head, and the color is so nicely complimentary. Your crop is just perfect for bringing one's eye into her face and keeping it there. This is a very strong image that I like very much.

As you correctly guessed in what you wrote on my seascape shot, I've been scarce here and far too present at the office! But, at last, here I am to join everyone in enjoying your artistry. I love this whole series, and have spent some time with each of the images. Next to this one, I like "The Misty Zone" next because the dancers look to me like blooming flowers just awakening.

 

Most anything I could say has been said, but I can certainly agree about how wonderfully this is captured. I can't imagine the light being any better, and I must thank Markku for pointing out the shadow line on her left arm. I'm also very fond of the diagonal shadow from her left shoulder down to her right arm, making a nice triangle of it's own, while completing one with her right clavicle that's just lovely. I must also agree with you about the anatomical correctness of her nipple, and I'll add that for me, it completes the image in a way that gives it much greater reality and depth.

Busy, busy is putting it mildly! I'm just now getting back to spending some good time here after being inundated by work the last couple weeks. I'll be heading over to your folio in a few minutes.

 

As for this shot, It was definitely improved by the horizontal flip... left to right just seems right, at least for this one. And I always thought something was still missing, but didn't think to adjust the contrast !?! I really like your version. It is much more vibrant and alive. Thank you very much for taking the time to work on it!

So glad you stopped by and that you like this one. I thought I'd captured one of nature's great compositions, especially because of the lines and the depth, and you've seen the same which is very encouraging. I'm not botanically knowledgeable enough to know the genus and species, but maybe this shot will help you make the ID. Whatever the name, they're such pretty flowers, and I especially like the precision of the buds.

Richard - I'm really glad you like this so much. I had fun chasing these little guys around, and they are quick! I'm pleased with the light and the shutter speed and how it shows the wing motion, but my favorite part is that curly tongue all rolled up and ready. Thanks for stopping by and commenting... much appreciated.

S - Thank you very much!

Thanks, Lesa. Glad you like it!

Cy Decosse's work is amazingly beautiful... breathtaking. One can't miss seeing the rich textures and multidimensionality of Decosse's vision. He is so much the master, playing the light and composition like a very fine violin! I also very much admire how skilled and adept he is in PP. Thank you for introducing me to his work!

Your suggestions are interesting, and I'm eager to work with them and see what comes out. If the result/s improve on the original, then I'll post. As always, I much appreciate the thoughtfulness of your comments, and that you've taken time to look and write. Thank you, Fred.

This isn't off topic, is it ;)

 

How would you like to have a name like Horney?! Do you think it would limit your career options???

That's because Siggy was quite sexually preoccupied, and much of his work on infantile and juvenile sexuality has been discarded. That said, his writings have left an incredibly strong impression on us. Sometimes I wonder if we'd see sexual references in images the same if not for what Freud said...?

Hey Rachel! I'll be interested to know what you think once you can see this larger. I just think the eye lashes on Giraffes are amazing.