rjacksonphoto

Excellent composition gives the impression of the truck peering out of the frame at the viewer. Full of personality.

My first impression is one of sadness-- I think because this looks like a memorial of some sort. But on further viewing, I suspect these shoes were placed there to dry. I can't tell if the shoes on the left are smaller, (i.e. a child and his father) but the shorter planks give that impression. An intriguing shot.

Well-done. Subtle and suggestive.

Otherworldly and strange. What might just look like a muddy river is saved by the brown tone of the bridge and the steel-colored sky, not to mention the spikes in the foreground. Very interesting shot.

I have to agree that cropping improves the image. Well-executed. Did you try it with her eyes focused on the page as if she were reading? I'm guessing it wouldn't be as effective but might be worth a shot... Good job!

Your compositions continue to improve and this is one of your best. The cool light is not as flattering as warmer light would be and the colors are not as saturated as I would like. The shot might benefit from a polarizer and a warming filter. Carl is right about the white sky but I don't think it would be as much of a problem if the foreground was a bit brighter and more saturated.

 

 

Keep shooting-- your images are showing remarkable improvement.

Another nice detail shot, Carl. I like this a little better, I think, than the peeling paint picture you posted earlier, mainly because of the color and the increased features in terms of paint cracks. I'm a little ambivalent about the inclusion of the hinge, though. It's a good detail but it is intrusive in terms of the abstract nature of the composition (in that it is recognizable as a hinge). Overall, another well executed shot.

Wonderful pattern of repeating geometry. It really took me awhile to get any kind of handle on what this was and I'm still not sure. I do recognize the boards, columns, and light bulbs. The boards seem to overhang each other-- was this under a stadium? Also, has this been desaturated and then sepia toned in PS?

 

 

One problem, for me, is that this seems to overall lack sharpness, although, I guess this contributes to the obscurity of the subject.

Great shot! The composition, lighting, exposure-- everything. The red lifesaver really anchors things. Good use of DOF. A scene as full of possibility as a spring morning.

Beautiful photograph. The compressed perspective and shallow DOF work well. Exposure is well-done for such varied light. I would consider cropping just a small amount of the out of focus grass at the bottom, say maybe 8%. Not enough to give the impression that the impala's feet would have been cropped had they been visible. Capably executed, though.

Excellent and revealing portrait. Well-composed and exposed-- the blown areas are not a problem for me. Conveys a sense of dignity and sadness. Skillful execution.

Nice shot! Works as an abstract, as well. I wish there was a little more context to the shot but your caption helps. I have a similar shot from the front in my "Black and White" folder.

Great subject. Atmospheric setting accentuated by the overcast sky. I think the contrast and tonal scale are fine. The leaves in the upper right hand corner almost look like the result of IR film...

 

 

I agree with previous posters about the composition. It seems a little tight and I'm not sure I care for the straight on view in this shot. I'd be interested in seeing some alternate compositions from the same roll if there are any. And, while the sepia look is OK, the whole shot might need a touch of USM.

 

 

These things aside, still quite effective. Desaturated Elite Chrome seems to work for you.

I think this is framed just about right. Exposure and DOF are great.

 

 

I feel, however, that I need more context, something to anchor the image. The tower is not recognizable to me as indicative of Bunker Hill (although it probably is). I guess I mean that, without your title, I have no idea of the significance of this figure or the tower.

 

 

In the same vein as Carl's comment, maybe an even wider angle lens would maintain almost the same relationship between these two objects and still allow some other objects in the background or on the ground to give some contextual meaning to the image.

 

 

On the other hand, it works fairly well as an abstract.

 

 

Thanks for your contributions to the circle-- both comments and photos.

I like this. The flags appear to be hovering in the air, similar to the kites in the sky, yet the vertical orientation of the flags contrasts with the horizontal orientation of the kites. The sky contrasts with the clouds. Overall, a pleasing effect. I do kind of wish the people and other distractions weren't in the background but they in no way ruin the shot. Nice job, Carl.

Well-seen portrait. Clean lines (although the walls seem to keystone some, this is a secondary consideration in this type of shot) and contemplative expression. The tonal range looks good and the almost blown white siding adds to the ethereal quality of the shot. Keep up the good work.

In terms of cropping, taking a little off each side might help but this is an excellent photo as it stands. Good setting, wonderful expressions, and the tonality is great. Might need to burn the right foot of the girl just a little. Superb portrait!

It has taken me a while to figure this one out. Your composition is OK and the exposure is fine although the highlights on the left side of the middle figure are a little blown.

 

 

I think the problem I have with this is that the figures don't appear to be "watching" anything. Unless they are watching the plants grow. Figures like this would work well with a juxtaposed human element like kids playing in front of them. It would be preferable to include some of their faces to emphasize the "watching" aspect of their appearance.

 

 

As for the coloration, I don't understand what purpose it serves and, if it doesn't clearly serve a purpose, I consider it gratuitous.

 

 

Finally, the lighting, while not directly overhead, still seems kind of drab.

 

 

While this is a potentially interesting subject, it also is a difficult one, in my opinion. Still, probably worth some time sitting around with camera in hand, waiting for something to add to the scene.

Nice grab! Tones look good, composition is well-balanced. I agree with David on the clouds (altocumulus?)-- they add texture to an otherwise smooth and shiny scene.

 

 

A couple of things may or may not be improvements. A lower angle placing the man's reflection larger in the frame and distinguishing him as clearly the subject might be nice. Also, the image is almost too smooth for the subject matter. What was a great approach for shots of chrome became smooth once the man entered the scene. He looks like he needs more grain and contrast.

 

 

Neither of these things could probably be changed at the time and, considering the situation, you pulled off an excellent shot.

Between you and Jason, we seem to have taken a turn for the agricultural.

 

 

This is the kind of shot I never would have thought of taking and I think it is excellent. The composition is well-balanced, the colors are dramatic, and the contrast, with the deep blacks, adds a sense of mystery (I think someone alluded to this above). It certainly has an other-worldly appearance. I particularly like the detail in the ivy with the blue of the shadows.

 

 

I would definitely print this for the wall.

This is a late comment but I've looked at this image multiple times. It is a subtle composition that I've kind of grown to appreciate. The joint on the right is another optical illusion. My initial impression was "why did Carl shoot this?" but, after several visits I see why-- a well-composed detail shot. I think it works as an abstract but the detail, to me, is more interesting. Placing the raised area off-center works well.

 

 

My suggestions for improvement are really only two. First, the scan looks a little soft to me, which is a drawback for a detail shot. Second, I don't really like the blue shadow and, in fact, I think the whole thing would be better served by B&W with slightly higher contrast.

 

 

I've tried to critique this without reference to Jeffrey's cropped version. I think posting alternate versions can be very enlightening but has the drawback of biasing subsequent viewers. I'm trying to make an effort to first consider the original work on its own merits.

 

 

Having said this, I'll now admit I like Jeffrey's version a little better. I think it is because it is simpler, sharper, and appears to have a little more contrast. And the blue shadow is gone. I desaturated the original shot myself and made some curves adjustment and I like it the best.

 

 

To sum up-- subtle but effective photo that might benefit from some increase in sharpness and does not seem to benefit from the blue shadow.

This image has nice graphic qualities and I think "canyon" would be a fitting title. I like the symmetry although the white tree on the right does bother me some. The problem I have is that there just doesn't seem to be enough here to hold my attention. I agree with the comment above about there being no real focal point. And yet, there is too much detail for this to work well as an abstract.

 

 

The original image (in your folder) is much better with a startling optical illusion. I'd stick with it.

Here's what I was talking about.

Great patterns. Like the others, I would crop out the bars on the right. I would leave the blue in the lower left hand corner-- the darker blue with red highlights almost looks like it is invading the scene.

 

 

Every time I look at this I think of the American flag. It would be interesting to try cropping it in the middle, keeping the left half, and rotating it 90 degrees clockwise for a bizarre, alternate-universe American flag. Not sure what the message would be but I'm sure that the PN clientele could come up with plenty!

 

 

Very intriguing image.

I can imagine the contortions you went through to get this shot. I appreciate the angle and the composition that takes advantage of the converging lines from the 24mm lens. The colors are great as well.

 

 

I usually only tolerate flare when shooting into the sun at a subject with strong backlight (such as a backlit portrait) where it doesn't detract from the main subject and sometimes even adds to the sense of spontaneity of the photo. I normally wouldn't like it in an architectural shot but it really doesn't bother me here-- maybe because it is at night.

 

 

The blue light, however, does bother me. Unlike the flare, it does appear out of context and drew my eye immediately. I don't think it ruins the shot but it sure would be nice if it wasn't there. I don't PhotoShop such things out and would probably grudgingly make another trip to the location to try it without the light-- only because the rest of the shot is so good.

 

 

What was the light, anyway?