billz
Senior Forum Member
Posts: 827
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Post by billz on Feb 12, 2020 21:52:39 GMT
Thanks for the theme Alex. This was taken this morning in Portland, looking across the Columbia River into Vancouver, Washington. The vessels – an old tugboat and the former U.S. Coast Guard cutter Alert from the 1920s - are in the river just west of the Interstate Bridge. They are both privately-owned. It was pretty hazy (which is fun along the river) so there were few discernable clouds at the time. BW conversion in Adobe Camera RAW, dodging/burning in PS.  |
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Post by tonyw on Feb 14, 2020 21:39:54 GMT
Another old farmhouse that has seen better days. Converted with a standard B&W profile (BW12) in Lightroom  And here's the original colour version - another example where I think it looks better in B&W  Tony |
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Post by Peterj on Feb 14, 2020 23:57:36 GMT
This is a relic from the Ruins of Pompeii  |
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Post by Peterj on Feb 20, 2020 5:11:00 GMT
Our club went on a photo shoot today to Tumacacori National Park. This mission dates back to the 1700's All adjustments made using On1
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alexr
Established Forum Member
Posts: 555
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by alexr on Feb 22, 2020 15:05:46 GMT
Thank you everyone for posting your images so far. Some potted musings of mine as I look through them, please don't be offended by anything I may say, just my thoughts for whatever that is worth, and I am in no way setting myself up as being any kind of expert or able to do better: hmca It's strange; when I first saw this some days ago, I thought I would be commenting that, although it is a lovely image, the dark patch below the circular window took something from it. But I've come back with a bit more time and it now doesn't bother me at all. I think it is because I now see just how much great detail and texture there is in the rest of the image that I don't notice that area any more. I particularly like the pediment around the doorway and the edging stones definitely come out more. Also the ruin now seems much more separated from the sky and the clouds all add to the atmosphere. pontiac1940 What a fascinating place, thanks also for sharing the background information. For me the second of the two images is the stronger, I think simply because of the shadow detail adding so much depth and interest. On the first, although I love the leading in curve the facing slab of rock dominates and doesn't add as much as the rest. For me, I'd crop up to somewhere above your logo, which also gets the horizon off the centre and nearer to a third. But the second image is lovely, I really like the smooth transition of grey in the sky, which complements the subject beautifully. Peterj When I look at the colour image it looks an obvious candidate for a great mono conversion, and the wall itself has come out magnificently, with the detail of the blocks and gaps really coming out. What I struggle with slightly is that I now find it harder to distinguish between subject and background branches, if you see what I mean. I suppose, artistically, you may have wanted to show the ruin being reclaimed into the wood, in which case I'd say bravo and job done. Peterj This works so much better for me. A great image, really well composed, and the treatment brings out some stunning detail such as the zig zag roof struts. I really love how the general dereliction increases the further along the line you travel. kdcintx Great sepia work; that really suits the subject matter, better than a straight greyscale, and not something I ever really think of doing so thanks for showing how well it can look. In terms of composition for me it feels a tad cramped, I'd love a bit more added to the top to let the left hand structure breathe, but I'm clearly in a picky mood today. tonyw Again a sepia tinge and again it really works. I do love the undulating lead in lines that the wheels create. You have made the wheels really stand out from the foliage, but still let the leaves add their own interest by keeping them bright, which is a great way of maintaining interest across the whole frame. Peterj Lovely composition, even the cloud line is nicely positioned and the encroaching tree top left helps create a frame. There seems a fair bit of noise either from the original or from the scan which is a slight shame, but many would consider this creates an aged feel to the image as if grain. But I don't see the 1980s as being long ago. Fauxtoto What I really like about this image is the choice between what is the subject matter here. Is it the ruins or is it Mount Vesuvius? The ruins take up just a quarter of the image, yet many people focus just on them so I like how your wife is showing the context of how the volcano dominates the town, particularly knowing how it all turned out. I was sure I had taken a very similar image so looked back to 2011 and did a quick conversion in Silver Efex. I clearly was aiming more for the ruins; I think your wife's is the cleverer image: 
Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius by AlexR!, on Flickr |
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alexr
Established Forum Member
Posts: 555
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by alexr on Feb 22, 2020 15:21:50 GMT
And now my thoughts on page 2 (so far): billz You say it is hazy, but your conversion has really cut through the haze which is great. I love what a great subject the planking makes, and it may be heretical of me to say so, but for me this is the star, not the boats. I really like how the poles mirror the stanchions of the suspension bridge (if that is what it is). tonyw I agree this works better in mono than colour, although the colour is still a beautifully lit and handled image. But the mono takes your attention away from the blue blue sky and back to the face of the building with its lovely droopy window sills. Peterj Great use of complete black to isolate a single object. What was it? some form of pot or decoration? I like how you have left the inside jet black too. The temptation for me is always to try to pull stuff out of the shadows but in this case a simple stark separation is really powerful. Peterj Wow that really makes the sky pop; I'm thinking armageddon is on its way  . The stark, almost high key, treatment may not be everyone's cup of tea in terms of realism but I love it; it makes the facade look so imposing and almost graphic. |
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Post by Peterj on Feb 22, 2020 15:41:58 GMT
alexr Thank you! The item is small and obviously broken; it's a piccolo lacremata (roughly translated small jar for tears).
Bravo to you for critiquing all entries!
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pontiac1940
CE Members
Posts: 6,350
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by pontiac1940 on Feb 22, 2020 18:17:07 GMT
alexrThanks for your in-depth critiques. Good comments and observations. Was a fun challenge. Clive
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Fauxtoto
Established Forum Member
Quebec, Canada
Posts: 440
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by Fauxtoto on Feb 22, 2020 21:10:31 GMT
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Fauxtoto
Established Forum Member
Quebec, Canada
Posts: 440
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by Fauxtoto on Feb 22, 2020 21:20:10 GMT
Thanks for all your comments Alex. Much appreciated. I have passed to my wife the ones concerning Vesuve-Pompeii.
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Post by hmca on Feb 23, 2020 2:46:57 GMT
Alex, first off thank you for your comments re. my image. I went back to look at it with your critique in mind. You made a good point about the deep shadows. It is good to have someone who is willing to point out the strengths and weaknesses in an image.....especially someone
who's opinion is valued. So I just want to join the other members in thanking you for taking the time to thoughtfully critique our work.
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. The stark, almost high key, treatment may not be everyone's cup of tea in terms of realism but I love it; it makes the facade look so imposing and almost graphic. 
