GerrySiegel

I don't agree. You can lay out the still life in a way that is dynamic, without making it a joke. I mean, you don't need to be all that original to be interesting. Right now,the array is just ready for mama to cut it up. If you "posed" it a little off in a crooked line that would be enough to draw viewer in. As to peppers, well we don't need to invoke Edward Weston the Peppersnapper. Keep shooting, try the crooked line thing. Just like in group portraits, not all faces aligned. For this one a sprig of spice,like fresh oregano or dill, could have been a nice add-on. Thanks for the opportunity to comment on your still lifes.

Javier, the model is exquisite. I have had a lot of trouble using hats as props. Most of the time I fail. Once in a while I feel it adds to the portrait. I like the Model 2 (your other) very much more, with the exception of the out of focus rock on the right. Next time have a plant handy to move in front of distracting rocks. Having a model off center is good, even very good and I will have to remember that in my hobby portraits. Good luck. Gerry

Very nice. I can taste the crunch. That big negative really shows the quality. Not to take away from this good photo, but I can see it with a little shading from foreground to background. Bet you could do that in your imaging software program. Not me until I learn PS Elements, but its nice to go back and fool around. And now one can. What a great thing is photography.

Did you do any shooting without the hat? I would love to see that face framed with just hair. And if it were a hat, I'd be happier with a yellow straw with a multi-colored fiesta like band. (Gut reactions, but that is acceptable kind, huh?)GS

How often do we stop and photograph our daily bread. I did once or twice. In the case of the bread, there was this really directional light of the morning sun from the window that was warm and beautiful and so I ran for the 50mm... Anyway, if I had to offer any thoughts on the spaghett, James, I would suspect that you have to light a tomato as directionally as a person's face. From what I have read, food lighting is a whole deal on its own, with backlight, spots, sprays and the like and is probably work too. But it can be fun and worth a few exposures just popped off. Next time you can work out a lighting plan and the like. Bon appetit,paisan. Also use some purple onions half cut. Everyone goes for purple onions :-)Gerry

I will toss in a photo of the Multnomah Falls Bridge, just a snapshot, but it's easier to see what I mean about illumination of the subject. Which is more the bridge than the falls...

Let's say someone asked me to do a picture of this bridge. If I had the day to plan, I would find out where the sun rises and get the bridge when it was lit from a lower angle on the side where you photographed it. Then it would highlight the bridge, which is one heck of a piece of construction over that awesome gorge. It is a very respectable picture, but if you want critique, I think it could be better by planning your sun angle. I believe nature photogs have gizmos and data on sun angles for such a purpose. As a tourist, you may not have had that luxury (as I probably would not). Consider the work of the outdoors bunch here and see if they have some suggestions vis a vis lighting by sunlight, altitude of..composition is fine, as noted.(I suspect they get up very early or stay out very late.) Hope this was leetle bit constructive,even from a mostly people pic shooter :-) GS

I agree and wish there were just a little more shown of the human partner in suggested vertical composition. Why, I don't know, but the contrast in scales would be more interesting,at least I think. That's quite a tail!. Kitty could be leading a group of Asian vistor tourists(:-)-- see we DO get humor in pictures. (I refer to some other posting elsewhere about durn seriousness of photography nowadays).Constructively yours, Gerry

This one needs to be a vertical composition. I think anyone would agree on that point. Who gives a shit for the velvet curtain. I also don't see whether the rope is hanging or what. It leads my eye to an undetermined place. And finally, I would like to see a little more of the subject's face. It sort of sends a mixed message: I'll let me get tied up but I am also a demure lass. Hell, I don't know how to critique this type of subject matter because I have not done naked bodies yet, but I offer these comment chitlins because you do NOT deserve a rebuke for trying something a la the above. (Anyway, I still think Harry Houdini could have got out of this pickle (that's a joke, no offense intended, honest) Gerry

Above not to say I dont like roads in photos with misty effects.

The moody atmosphere is fascinating. The road below sort of brings it back to the real world. Point of view. Did you get it from some angles where state highway is not there at all? Makes me remember the times I was too tired to walk far from my car with my tripod is all I am saying..Constructively, Gerry

The texture of the old volcanoes comes out when it chooses not when the photographer is ready Eric. Bright sunlight often doesn't help. Go back and look for the magic time of day. And as you can see the palms, cut off at the base are too many and add little to the main subject. That's my honest thoughts, but I am not a nature photog... not patient enough. Aloha.

I enjoy this kind of pastoral scene where the almost monochrome look is so appealing. Something about the location of the wooden fence on the frame sort of detracts, and I think this could be improved by cropping. Obviously you will want to keep the framing tree boughs. Maybe a different lens focal length could have achieved more but its sure a good picture from here. Brrr though..GS