think27

Klaus - I used the Dali story merely as an example of how we can complicate things by over-intellectualizing. And, it actually ties into Doug's question.... of images that one works so hard on that don't work and others that are wonderful "accidents". I have an image of a dress in a window, for example, that I gave no thought or care to and it is my highest rated image! I must have seen on a gut level that it worked. I have had quite a few surprises that way. Other times I can shoot two rolls of film and come out with one or no images that are inspired. I do believe you can overwork or overthink an image. Sometimes I just have to trust my innner instinct.

In painting or drawing it is not quite the same as the works are created rather than captured. Still, some works are passionately inspired and others are too contrived or mechanical.

Haven't you ever met people that know so much about photography or art and tons about technique or the mechanics of a camera - yet they can't create or take a good picture? Maybe there are no "accidents" -- Perhaps artistic ability comes from within unmarred by thought. To me it seems that there are some that have it, develop it and trust it and others that just don't.

Trust me Matt.. It was a farce and after the conference it all came out in the open. He didn't come out and tell me -- I saw and heard his snikering to his cohorts about how you can give people junk when you have a name and they'll pay through the nose and give it significance when none was there. It was all a big joke to him.

No Bob Hixon - you are not crazy - at least to me. I agree with you. I think it is an abstract and nothing more. As such, I like it for the texture, the simplicity and the warm rich color. It is not my favorite abstract by any means, however. I do applaud the photographer for making a very nice image from a simple set of steps. Good vision and imagination. Though it would not have been my pick for POW -- I have long ago learned that there are varied tastes in the world and just because I don't "see it" - doesn't mean that I'm right and the rest of the community is wrong. There are some people here I respect very much that seem to see something here that I don't.

I must say, however, that the comments have been very entertaining. Just some food for thought though..... Did you know that Salvidor Dali and some other artists occassionally would paint something really bad on purpose just to sit back and laugh while people would assign some important meaning or artistic genius to the art. I witnessed this myself with Dali. I met him, spoke with him and I watched him do it. He was absolutely laughing at his prank. It was at a press conference for a gallery that our company set up. I spoke to other artists there about this and found out that they do this sometimes just for fun. Clearly Phil didn't do this but I only bring up Dali as an example to demonstrate that when we view something, we can get a little carried away with intellectualizing art beyond what the artist intended or what is there. But I still respect that we all look at art with our own set of eyes and experience. To me - this is just a nice abstract.

Amazing~ Really unique shot and wonderful work with shadows and reflection. There is a seven here for creativity!! Well done..

Strong graphic image.. Great use of lines and patterns. I can't see anything I'd change. Unique way to treat a sunset.. Super reflections.

Ahhh. Now here is an image that really Wow's me. Beautiful rich color and so well composed! A 7 in asthetics which I don't often give... This is a beauty. Well done!

Thought I'd give you an example of the tones that I prefer. However - it is just a matter of taste. You and others may prefer the original...Actually I'd be really interested to know what you/others think... I certainly could be way off. ;-)

Very nice...Photojournalism shot. Tender. Natural. Memorable. Love the lights on the wall! I use 800 film too but don't like the red/magenta of the Fuji in their 800 film. Believe it or not - I use Kodak 800 Max - even though it is not pro film. Warmer/more bronzy orange.

Super angle.. I might steal this idea from you ;-)

Would like to see her hand in the shot though..

Nice shot! Natural and expressive... Why not vertical? Could be it was unplanned and a grab shot?

Very expressive and fun shot...! Full of life and joy. Would be a 7 if the girl in center had her eyes open and the girl on left upper had two eyes in frame as well as girl on right. Still hard to fault because it is wonderful. I especially like the two little ones in the front.

Very sweet and expressive shot! You've captured the impishness and personality of these boys. Great lighting and tones.

Hmm - Interesting and creative.. but .. I dunno - it just doesn't grab me. Sorry ;-) I'd loose the wire at the horizon of the scene beyond the fence cause I think it distracts..

I'd be interested to know the lighting - IE: was this outdoors? Indoors with flash? The skin tones are a bit red... I use the same film but for indoors with flash only.. It may be the scan/color correction.

Due to the grain here I would not use a soft filter. To my eyes it looks slightly soft due to focus or movement rather than filtered. It may be the scan though..

Meanwhile - Congratulations on capturing all the joy of the moment. Very spontaneous and photojournalistic. One other suggestion would be to have done this as vertical to include tops of heads.. just a tad tight.. Yet it doesn't really bother me that much. Truly great candid capture on an emotional level.

I love the clean lines and wonderful angles in this shot. I love much of Jaap's work and am a lover of velvia and saturated color. However, I see too much green in the tree trunk and though it was the artists choice -- which I respect -- I would like to see the color tweaked a bit for my tastes. Some would argue that this is his vision and we can accept or reject that. I think it is interesting to see different "tastes" and versions. For instance - I love the black and white for instance! I actually like it better and for different reasons..

The best part of this image for me is the mood, composition and converging lines. If I had seen this place I think I would have been so excited I would have shot about 10 rolls of film! Except for the green cast -- Jaap did it justice! Jaap's images of Holland are so wonderful and effective that it makes me think it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I want to go there. The tourism industry should snap him up and use his images for their advertising!

Outstanding color and skin tones. Like her arm position better here than in the black and white. I'd have stepped back as to not crop off his hands though. And, yes, that detail that especially a women would object to is that her bra is cutting into her skin. She could have taken it off - or position his arms/hands to cover it. But the expression is great and I don't mind her head leaning back.. I don't think it is a problem at all! Love it.

Wow Tom... I have not been to your folders in a long time! I see some great people shots here! Hope you are doing more of it as you have something here - especially with your lighting... I really like the subtle glow of light on the right of the girl... Her arm - a little stiff - in the color one - the couple looks more relaxed - but this composition works better. Nice work.

I love this image... (although I've been crossing my fingers and waiting for a "popping" great color image ;-( -- just for a change of pace~?

I've been watching this debate regarding cropping and I've been withholding comment while I watch with some amusement. I'll contribute my "opinion" for what it's worth.... Doug's is the best rendition... (in my opinion) Don't crop out the two most outstanding "complimentary" aspects of this image which is the wonderful strip of window on the right and the dark negative space in this square image at the top and left side - with the slight hint of the man and woman behind...(Although I could see the image without the woman)... Such balance - such mood... Strikes the gut.. Well done.

Sometimes I think we can "overwork" an image - "intellectually" hmmm. Happy holidays..

Don't agree at all that the light is harsh... It is wonderful warm glowing late afternoon magic light and exposed perfectly. Love it!!! I do wish the tree was not exactly where it is though. Notice how the giraffe's leg ends up lining up exactly with the tree - that is the only flaw in the image. Think moving angle to the right with the tree to the Mom just slightly to the right of her rear would have made an absolutely perfect shot. Nice capture Fred!

Very good.. This also reminds me of an Ansel Adams. Composition perfect - Sun in the sky makes it outstanding.

I have to agree with Marc here. I'll bet that even the photographer himself is surprised to see this image at the top of the list. Sure it isn't a "studio" shot or one that you can control the lighting/background etc.. It is a good shot of a bear but not a great one... Clearly the frontal lighting was just not available. You see a little light in the bear's eyes.. but still the shadows are pretty dark. If this was a shot I took of a person -- It would end up in the circular file... (garbage)

I shoot quite a bit of uncontrollable images. Candid - "real moment" work. I can't interrupt to move people or move people out of the background.. or, stop a ceremony to get people positioned correctly --- I''ll go so far as to say I refuse to interrupt a couple by re-positioning a hand or turning a face to a different angle because as soon as I interfere -- there is an element of self-conciousness that neither the couple nor I wish to see. I have to make do with what is presented. Then comes the process of editing...That is when I disgard at least 6-7 out of every roll of 36. Shots with bad lighting -- don't make the cut for me. Not all the shots I keep are "perfect" and I know it. But every once in a while - there is magic...

I'm sure this is the case with shooting bears and other wildlife.. A little serendipity comes into play. You just have to be patient -- shoot lots of film and pray for that perfect shot to present itself. One day, this photographer will be in the right place at the right time for a frontal close-up shot of a bear in great light and all the elements will be lined up for a spectacular shot.

Usually not a fan of soft images...but once you open this thumbnail it captures your attention.. At least it did mine.. The girls form a very appealing triangle and the expression and movement is wonderful. Just that one girl - with shadows in her face.. Yes, tough lighting but still and entrancing image.. The more you look at it - the more you like it.

Monitor Calibration Click to calibrate your monitor for color/brightness and contrast.. This is a site that guides you through a step by step process.

No question. A superb bird image. Thumbnail does not do it justice. Once I clicked on this and saw the detail, the lighting etc.. I appreciated it's perfection in this genre. Easily could be in one of those upscale bird - coffee table books.. Well done.

Hmmm -- I actually think the lampost is an important element. I took it out - just for fun and will post it. I took a hard look at it without the lamp and still feel I like it.. It does seem to lean a bit - but I think it hads balance and perspective as well as it is a beautiful shape in the image... Curvy and delicate in contrast to sharp angles and edges.. What do you think?