sprouty

Jason, this is exactly what I was talking about in my comment on your Flower Girl. This is a great portrait, nicely lit, well composed and its dynamic. The only nit-pick I would offer would be for the next time: move a bit left to move the strong vertical away from the plane of the face.

 

Regards,

 

Stunning colors, dramatic lighting, similar compositional themes, look here. A better treatment of the subject by all accounts in my opinion.

I'm sorry, (I know that's always a bad start to a critique), but for me this image can't rise beyond it's subject, which is essentially bird sh*t on a brown rock. I see none of the stunning colors or great atmosphere mentioned above, in fact to me the lighting looks somewhat flat or at the very least even, but hardly dramatic. Yes I can see the visual trick of perspective (not knowing if Im looking at sky or water), but beyond that there is nothing here that interests me.

Now before I get taken to task for my negative comments I will at least say that I have looked through each of Bob's folders and found some very exceptional images, competently executed, with great color and interesting subjects and it's this work that deserves more of our attention.

Regards,

This is a nice series, the soft light and muted tones plus blurred leaves gives it a dream like appearance. My only nit-pick might be that the tree on the right might be excluded from a different perspective and strenthen the image if you were to shoot it again.

 

Regards,

I think the first critique offered (by Joe) was quite reasonable and thoughtful. The only alteration I might make would be to the comment it's a lot easier to get great results from a beautiful subject than a plain one. I might change the word results to reviews. At least that appears to be the case around here (find any image with a pair of exposed breasts and praise is sure to follow, no matter how poorly executed).

 

Of course that does NOT apply here. This is a very well executed image and is interesting on many levels.

 

As for the background lighting? Well I find it to be perfect for the theme (including the shadow (lack of highlight) on her cheek).

 

Regards,

Typical V. Bice.....(as in excellent!). Your work is engaging and always flattering to the subject. Nothing else to be said, it just works.

 

Regards,

Very few images that are shot from behind are this compelling. Very well done.

Very sweet. I like the perspective and how the blown out background doesn't offer any distracting elements to compete with your intended subject.

 

Regards,

Have to agree Beau, this just has a great look to it, though I'm not entirely sure what it is about it. Maybe the muted tones and the single bright element? Soft focus, combined with the clouds, smoke? Not sure but it really caught my eye. By the way, any filter used?

 

Regards,

I really like this. I'm just wondering if there might be a way to have the busses a little larger yet at the same time keeping all the over-head cables. Maybe a lower perspective and a wider lens to allow you to step in closer? Not really sure, just thinking out loud. Good work.

 

Regards,

 

Well composed and very surreal. The clear sky behind the tree is important as I think with out it this may not have been as strong. Good eye.

 

Regards,

The arrangement of the trees, the buildings and your chosen perspective all add up to a great shot. I also like the fact that you chose to shoot this during a fog as opposed to a clear day. I think you took a scene that may have not been entirely perfect and made a great image out of it. Well done.

 

Regards,

 

Mark, I think all of these night shots are really interesting and this is my favorite. The yellow tone is just great, fall colors at night.

 

Though I would have to agree with Lou about the streak and bright patch. Regardless shoot more!

 

Regards,

 

Very well done. A favorite subject of mine: night details (though I've yet to put anything up). I think you nailed it with respect to color, composition, and exposure.

 

Regards,

Looks like a full print and if so I can't imagine how you could have composed it more perfectly.

 

Regards,

Great perspective, and though I typically don't use it, I have to agree about the flash fill.

 

Regards,

 

and his sister looks like a poorly dressed shop dummy

 

paid models... no doubt from the Ugly Agency

 

"...mentally sick"

 

...trio of English hillbilly's

 

You guys are a tough crowd. I shudder to think what you think of the photos of my kids!

 

For what its worth I actually find them charming, and even, dare I say itattractive. And regardless of what your idea of physical beauty is its endearing how the father is holding the sons hand.

 

Regards,

Come on Birgit, Are you saying that if you ran across this group posed the way they were minus the guy(s)in back that you would have WAITED for someone else to appear? That seems a little far fetched to me.

 

But hey what do I know about your aesthetic, right? And not that it matters much but I think even you might have to admit that you're in the minority with respect this?

 

 

Regards,

"...if the photo is genuine..." And why would you suggest it's not? This is as real as it gets my friend.

 

Regards,

The question of cropping is simple for me: the image as presented demonstrates that it was well composed and requires no further modification. Having said that, I do feel that suggestions of cropping are healthy, they promote a discussion (potentially about many things but at least about which elements are most important and therefore accentuated) and after all isnt photography about generating discussion?

 

Personally, Im moving away from cropping. There is a history and tradition associated with the 35mm format aspect ratio that Ive decided is both aesthetically pleasing and important enough to respect. Im not asking anyone to agree or disagree, but I do wonder about those of you that consider the notion of printing everything full frame as too restrictive. Since Im guessing youre also not promoting the idea that ANY aspect ration is appropriate. Surely octagon, or triangular shaped formats are not what you had in mindor are they?

I like the images in this folder a lot, but I think some of them could benefit from a slight adjustment of contrast/brightness. Along the lines of what you are doing with "unexpected help" in the Travel folder.

 

Regards,

 

This is great, makes me wonder why I bother focussing!

 

This is the second image I've found in the last few days that is just so odd that it becomes tremendously compelling. (here is the first: http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo.tcl?photo_id=1237451)

 

 

And Doug, I see what you mean about being able to identify the car and hydrant but I'm not sure it hurts the image. I actually think it helps to pull it back from being a complete abstract. They sort of provide a context. By revealing themselves they allow me to identify the subjectuh oh, I think I feel myself slipping into art-speak. Sorry about that, hmm, is it past noon? I need a beer

 

Anyway, I would hang this with pride on my wall. Great vision.

 

Regards,

 

I like this, just colors and shapes. Simple, but it works. Good eye and good Job.

 

Regards,

 

Great perspective! I think composing so her head is missing was perfect, it immediately sends your attention to the crowd. Of course, as mentioned above, having decided on the crowd as the subject they probably should have been the sharpest area in focus. But the whole idea works none the less.

 

And finally, in regards to the comment by Stephane Johnson, he really got me thinking. I mean are we in the US really stereotyped as having lots of cultural baggage? I always thought I was pretty liberal. But I have to admit one of my first thoughts was "Hmm, those guys watching sure look young".

 

Though now that I think about it, maybe that wasnt so much prudishness as envy at not having seen a stripper at 16?

 

Regards,

 

I like this shot a lot. I think it was well seen and well captured. The idea of seeing yourself going in the opposite direction is intriguing. I especially like pose of the man in the right his body language is perfect. He's just standing there flat footed, drooping shoulders, arms down, its as though he just made the connection. I also like the tilt of the horizon it gives a sense of imbalance that goes along with the idea.

 

Regards,