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"... unless it is an obvious critique of that affected superficiality".

As a viewer, I would say it obviously was, but that would be up to the photographer to confirm. Even the title refers to 'poseur-ing', so the concept has certainly been acknowleged, even without the title's reference! This is a photographic record of the oh-so-common teenager trying 'to be somebody' when they have not yet experienced much of adult life. The superficiality of poseur-ing is what makes this capture so familiar, with an element of charm (or fondness) and humour. Not that we are laughing at them, but we recognise this natural phenonemon from when we as adolescents also poseur-ed ...

Even if we weren't so brazen as to pose unashamedly so superficially, we surely still see this as part and parcel of humans developing their personalities and identities?

For those of you that prefer oblique angles or a bit of motion blur, try this one.

ps I must defend FLASH!! So what if a website uses it? If you don't have the software to view it then just don't bother. Having tested every available software for displaying pics, slideshows and webgraphics, I have wasted much time and money on various programs for display purposes. The quality of all of them sank without trace. Flash wins with me, and I hasten to add it wouldn't have survived otherwise!! What's the difference between having to have flash software to view, to needing browser to view? It's all the same ...

 

... Off topic, I look forward to your message Mary :)

LOL at the jeans ad suggestion ... jeans ads became trendy in much later years than this pic! So Tony was ahead of his time ...

I am really chuckling to myself over all these comments which contain contemptuousness, analytical philosophising and artsy critique ... not that I am beyond participating, just that they are so irrelevant in this instance. Art TRIES TO CREATE SOMETHING whereas street photography RECORDS SOMETHING THAT ALREADY EXISTS, albeit varying in style and standards of that recording.

This is a record of a time, place, people representing the era, and showing that innocent ego teenager pastime of posing - a human element that yes is timeless, as Lannie says. People of this age always have preened and posed (to attract the opposite sex) and always will. It's practically a nature shot!!! Nostalgia and fashion are relevant if you are into nostalgia and fashion, this picture contains an element of that and you can enjoy it if you so wish, otherwise forget the style v substance. Take it as it is, a record of something timeless, but something which has been portrayed in a most artistic way. Not fashionable art, not contemporary art, not even classic art, but in the art of the true street photographer. Be invisible to your target, compose it right, expose it right, but let the subjects do their thing without intervention.

Hat's off to you Tony. Philosophy and arid artsy discussion pales to insignificance when viewing as observatory witness to a naturally evolved moment. I don't even know why I am commenting. This is one of those pictures where discussion is not required. It stands alone way and above the vast majority of pictures. As somebody above posts "it just is".

Congratulations Marielou! It's been a long time coming. You have worked tirelessly and accumulated a vast portfolio of many diverse styles.

 

I appreciate this photo for the height of the shot, and therefore agree with Marc that a lower angle would considerably effect the overall appeal. I also support Stefan's comment that this is not a snapshot. The height of the capture has placed the yacht in the sea just below the horizon line and it sits nicely on top of those beautiful silvery blue layers in the sea.

 

It is a shame one man's head has been intersected by the shoreline, and the other with the rope, but these minor points do not detract for me. There is much to enjoy here.

Firstly, apolgies for not having had time to read the whole thread. I am sure I will be reiterating words already said ...

 

I enjoy this photo on a level rarely experienced. The feeling of solitude and standing against the universe, time, nature and so forth brings much impact, quiet peace and wonder.

 

The lens appears to have caused some distortion on the buildings but yet it doesn't bother me.

 

To those who criticise the level of the horizon - perhaps it is off-slant, but I assumed the ground not to be level. Land does dip and rise after all ...

 

Nice work Denis.

The flood filter! Great fun, but it is just a toy. I agree with comment above which says your picture is strong enough on it's own. The butterfly itself is fantastic. I would love to see the unfiltered version.

And here's the visualisation for the zoom factor and composition which I suggested in my earlier comment.

It's good to see your alternative approaches Lannie, but the reflection still lacks ooomph to me. The bottom half of the picture is still muddy-looking in all your proposed versions.

 

Here's my visualisation according to my above comment re definition/contrast.

Having looked at the rest of Patrick's portfolio as well as his website.. There are many of his shots I admire more both compositionally and content-wise.

 

The light is indeed beautiful here, as it is in other shots Pat has taken. But only on the tree itself. The refelection is very small and unbalancing set right at the bottom of the frame, and it is also cast in shadow, therefore lacking definition and vibrancy. Added to these problems there is a wisp of cloud streaking across the background and colliding with the twigs, and the branch itself does not lend itself to any 'special' pattern or compositional aspect except for the thicker trunk hanging nicely down in a 3rd placement.

 

It's a pleasant enough photograph, but not one I would say especially stands out, particularly in comparison to Patrick's other work. I imagine with some issues addressed this could be an outstanding shot; if the sky was less polarized and with a pattern of cloud which offered a more interesting backdrop (and therefore reflection too), without the obvious darker areas top and bottom of the frame, zooming in for more of the reflection in the composition, and capturing more detail, contrast and colour in that reflection etc

 

Congratulations on the many other photos which I prefer Patrick, you have an impressive collection of work and a wonderful eye!!

Somebody earlier up suggested cropping the building at the top - PLEASE DON'T TOUCH IT!!! I really feel the height and position of the camera, combined with foreground and middle subjects give this picture a massive appeal with regard to distance and dimension. There are many more characteristics of the photo which I admire, including the dusty atmosphere, action and of course technical handling such as exposure and composition.

To be honest, this photo took my breath away. It had a strong impact, and not a temporary one! Congrats and well done Kenvin.

"Whether the talent in question is unrefined, or unrecognized, the result remains unsightly. Artsy rhetoric is ineffective, IMHO." - Alasdair

I understand that the style is not to your taste. That's great because you are relating your view. However, John Kelly made a judgement/assumption of the style choice seemingly reflecting an "early-stage technical skill".

I'm not saying that the style makes the picture a masterpiece, or even an outstanding picture, but I do like it and it works for me. The point I failed to make clear, is that just because one doesn't enjoy the style choice it does not automatically mean the end result was unintentional and arose from error or skill lacking.

Very sensitively shot imo. The simplistic composition allows the picture to easily carry off the texturising treatment without the subject being drowned by too much complexity.

John Kelly said it was a bad scan further up the thread - it made my day! I laughed out loud at the assumption that it must "reflect his early-stage technical skill"!

One improvement that would enhance for me, would be a little more lighting contrast to give slightly more distinction between subject and background. Otherwise, at least for me, a beautifully enigmatic and austere result.

Wonderful portfolio - this was my favourite. Superb!

Well well, I always thought Doug B. was on another planet, but finally I think I grasp where he is coming from.... he is most certainly spending too much time looking inside his fridge.

Congrats on this POW Leigh. You have many brilliant photographs and this one is just superb. The feeling of open space and fresh sea air really conveys itself well in your capture. Even using an ND Grad I am still astounded by the exposure working so well shooting into the sun. My guess is that film really does have a latitude advantage over digital [which I am more used to working with].

I gave the composition some thought, particularly the unbalanced aspect which Dave N. observes, but I ended up thinking much the same as David Estlund; that the overriding feeling is the meeting of dark and light, postive-negative. The rock is positioned between the 'two worlds'. Also, I think any uncomfortableness of the centered rock is offset quite well with the smaller rock to the right, which helps the balance considerably.

Incredible, fascinating and beautiful all at the same time. One of the best photomicrography shots I've seen on the site - congrats - I'm off to view the rest of your folders! Amazing.....

It works for me. Very refreshing, particularly in B&W.

Lovely distribution of colour, shape and sharpness. Almost entering another universe - great macro shot!

A view to take your breath away - and it certainly does that. Would still prefer to view a LF print though - not much you can do there unfortunately...

ps What mm lens did you shoot this with? Just that the beautiful gold light on the horizon seems a little convex. And what is that golden band anyway? Is it pollution? Just interested as I have never viewed the world from such a height ;)

Stunning result Gerard. It's a glowing star! Nicely saturated with excellent dof and sharpness.

Reminiscent of an etching for me. I love the flow here, as if the object has just been shifted sharply, or as a veil would drift in the wind.

Nice job with the repair Ilkka!

Ah, cheers Doug.

I always liked this picture Glen, congrats with your POW photo and discussion.

This picture stood out for me the first time I saw it, similarly to Dave Nitsche's reasons, it does bring you in close detail to the wonderful mystical nature of nature :) Your lighting endeavours certainly enhance the overall aesthetics for me, but I do agree with some of the compositional concerns. The trouble is there are little formation on both left and right side which do intrude on the frame. It's a shame as you surely couldn't wipe them off, and cropping either in cam or after would impinge on the edges of your chosen ice formations. Personally I like the crop offered up by Michael Seewald, and I also considered the square suggestion, which works on it's own level but with some heavy and to me too blunt cropping of the overall natural shapes.

What I like most about this image seems to be what most people have criticised, it does not intend to carry too much of a deep message. Hey we all have our preferences with photography, but even though I enjoy simple and pretty designs I still wouldn't call it eye candy, because this is a natural phenomenon and it is amazing, and you did get creative shooting it. Plus I just like looking at it, it makes me wonder if you could place the glass outside to form the ice, and bring it under the microscope for even more magnification!

.... I can't deny those that have mentioned jpeg artefacts, as they certainly do detract for web display. But it's few pics that make me think "Oooh, I would love to see this in LF print".... UV inks on archival art paper....Hahnemhule Photorag ;)

Fab pic Rienk! Great story too. A rebel with a peaceful cause ;)