RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
Welcome to this critique thread. Please read the purpose statement and the guidelines/ground rules regarding participation.
Purpose
The primary purpose of this thread is to provide a forum where photographers can give and receive constructive criticism on one another's photographs. By setting up some basic guidelines we hope that this thread will provide a forum where the give and take of honest constructive criticism can help us become better photographers.
Guidelines/Ground Rules
The thread has very specific rules regarding participation. The one basic rule is that you cannot provide criticism on an image or comment in a critique thread unless you also have an image posted. To post an image to this thread you must be a participant. Participation in this thread is limited. Here are the guidelines and ground rules for participation:
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• Please, only join this thread if you are able post an image within 24 hours of joining.
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• Photos should be standard screen resolution (72~90) and the longest side of the image approximately 10 inches in length.
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• Every participant must comment on every photo (except their own—initially)
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• The participants decide when the thread closes.
If you'd like to participate in a critique thread and need some ideas about how to proceed with viewing images critically, you may find this thread helpful:
How do you look at photos
You can also provide feedback on critique threads here:
Critique Feedback Thread
Remember: Please do not provide criticism on an image or comment in a critique thread unless you also have an image posted.
This thread is now active, please follow the guidelines if you'd like to participate! Have Fun!
.
Purpose
The primary purpose of this thread is to provide a forum where photographers can give and receive constructive criticism on one another's photographs. By setting up some basic guidelines we hope that this thread will provide a forum where the give and take of honest constructive criticism can help us become better photographers.
Guidelines/Ground Rules
The thread has very specific rules regarding participation. The one basic rule is that you cannot provide criticism on an image or comment in a critique thread unless you also have an image posted. To post an image to this thread you must be a participant. Participation in this thread is limited. Here are the guidelines and ground rules for participation:
• Participation in this thread is limited to 5 photographers
• Participants join the thread by posting their intention. You can simply reply with your intent to join by posting something like: "I'm joining," "I'm in," or just state your name
• Joining is on a "first come, first served" basis. The first 5 to reply become the participants.
• Please, only join this thread if you are able post an image within 24 hours of joining.
• Once the thread has 5 participants, no other photographers can join or participate in the thread
• Once the thread is full of participants all photographers will upload their image(s)
• Please abide by any thematic requirement (e.g., landscape, portrait, etc.)
•The number of photos for each participant is limited to one
• Photographers attach photos as thumbnails (no inline images or links)
• Photos should be standard screen resolution (72~90) and the longest side of the image approximately 10 inches in length.
• Photographers post their images supplying titles (if any) and other pertinent information (the amount of information should be minimal)
• Photographers can only comment on their own images and reply to comments only when everyone else in the thread has posted their comments on the image
• Every participant must comment on every photo (except their own—initially)
• Every participant must make at least two comments, one positive comment, and one constructive criticism (which is actually two positive comments)
• Once every photographer has commented then a free flowing discussion begins. It is at this point that every photographer can comment on their own work and reply to comments, ask questions, etc.
• The participants decide when the thread closes.
If you'd like to participate in a critique thread and need some ideas about how to proceed with viewing images critically, you may find this thread helpful:
How do you look at photos
You can also provide feedback on critique threads here:
Critique Feedback Thread
Remember: Please do not provide criticism on an image or comment in a critique thread unless you also have an image posted.
This thread is now active, please follow the guidelines if you'd like to participate! Have Fun!
.
formal
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I'm in.
David
David
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
I haven't been in one in a while. I've got some new work. So...I'M IN!
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venchka
Veteran
Me too
Me too
Add me to this list.
Me too
Add me to this list.
jonasv
has no mustache
I'll play, I'm enjoying these!
rncamero
Established
I'll try this one!
jonasv
has no mustache
That's 5, let's post. Can I cheat and post a series? If you don't like that, just comment on the first image, if you prefer!
90 2.0 and 50 1.2, ilford XP2
background info if you'd like:
Interview session with Bob Cools, still known as 'the mayor' over here even though it's been over ten years since he was the mayor in Antwerp. He was in charge of the city from 1982 (five years before I was born) untill 1994, under his administration the city prospered. Just to name one thing, Antwerp became Cultural Capital of Europe in '93. He's a really interesting guy and has lots of stories to tell. He's over 70 now but that doesn't stop him: two years ago he got his PhD degree at the university, with a work that touches probably the most important problem in current West-European society: immigration and integration problems.
He had a tiny bureau in a tiny apartment in one of the worst blocks in a not-so-cool neighbourhood of the city: his career certainly hasn't spoiled him. A true socialist. I have some other pictures from before and after the interview, but I think these go kinda well as a series.
90 2.0 and 50 1.2, ilford XP2
background info if you'd like:
Interview session with Bob Cools, still known as 'the mayor' over here even though it's been over ten years since he was the mayor in Antwerp. He was in charge of the city from 1982 (five years before I was born) untill 1994, under his administration the city prospered. Just to name one thing, Antwerp became Cultural Capital of Europe in '93. He's a really interesting guy and has lots of stories to tell. He's over 70 now but that doesn't stop him: two years ago he got his PhD degree at the university, with a work that touches probably the most important problem in current West-European society: immigration and integration problems.
He had a tiny bureau in a tiny apartment in one of the worst blocks in a not-so-cool neighbourhood of the city: his career certainly hasn't spoiled him. A true socialist. I have some other pictures from before and after the interview, but I think these go kinda well as a series.
Attachments
rncamero
Established
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
venchka
Veteran
formal
***
formal
***
For what they are worth, here are my comments:
jvx
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Excellent set of images; composition and timing are very good. In 1, 3 and 5 I would like to see more of the subject's left eye. In 4, the bright spot in his left eye doesn't look natural.
rncamero
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I find this image very difficult to read. At first sight the lady's pose suggests that something awful has happened, but my eye is then drawn to the calm man and baby. My confusion is resolved by the title, but then I just don't understand the woman's reaction.
On my monitor it is a bit dark and I would like to see more detail in the father's face.
RayPA
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I like the positioning of the various people and their interaction with each other and you. My eye is drawn to the girl looking at the camera, the sign and her shadow. I appreciate the difficulty of taken these types of shots, but I would have liked more foreground and perhaps, all of the lady on the left.
venchka
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There are lovely tones and textures in this image. Perhaps it is a bit too fussy - there is no main subject. Would colour not be better for this type of image?
David
jvx
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Excellent set of images; composition and timing are very good. In 1, 3 and 5 I would like to see more of the subject's left eye. In 4, the bright spot in his left eye doesn't look natural.
rncamero
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I find this image very difficult to read. At first sight the lady's pose suggests that something awful has happened, but my eye is then drawn to the calm man and baby. My confusion is resolved by the title, but then I just don't understand the woman's reaction.
On my monitor it is a bit dark and I would like to see more detail in the father's face.
RayPA
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I like the positioning of the various people and their interaction with each other and you. My eye is drawn to the girl looking at the camera, the sign and her shadow. I appreciate the difficulty of taken these types of shots, but I would have liked more foreground and perhaps, all of the lady on the left.
venchka
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There are lovely tones and textures in this image. Perhaps it is a bit too fussy - there is no main subject. Would colour not be better for this type of image?
David
venchka
Veteran
jvx:
You rule breaker!
That's ok with me.
You could have followed the "rules" and stopped with #1. It's the best. My old untrained eye can't see anyway to improve on it.
rncamero:
A nice intimate moment. You've captured the child well. I would like to see the adults (parents?) better. Vertical perhaps. Lower camera angle. A touch more exposure for the adults.
RayPA:
As the kids would say: "Wasssssssssssup?" Everything is correct. I'm not sure I understand the meaning and purpose. I'm not saying that's bad. Maybe it's just me and I'm in "one of my moods." On the other hand, as a slice of life Kodak moment, it certainly works.
formal:
Great use of the 24mm lens. The wee girl by the window steals the show. I like that. I am undecided about the window. If I had an enlarger, I might try burning it in a little. Maybe a lot. On second thought, if I did that I might find the window too distracting.
You rule breaker!
That's ok with me.You could have followed the "rules" and stopped with #1. It's the best. My old untrained eye can't see anyway to improve on it.
rncamero:
A nice intimate moment. You've captured the child well. I would like to see the adults (parents?) better. Vertical perhaps. Lower camera angle. A touch more exposure for the adults.
RayPA:
As the kids would say: "Wasssssssssssup?" Everything is correct. I'm not sure I understand the meaning and purpose. I'm not saying that's bad. Maybe it's just me and I'm in "one of my moods."
On the other hand, as a slice of life Kodak moment, it certainly works.formal:
Great use of the 24mm lens. The wee girl by the window steals the show. I like that. I am undecided about the window. If I had an enlarger, I might try burning it in a little. Maybe a lot. On second thought, if I did that I might find the window too distracting.
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
jvx:
Nice series. Nice exposure. Intimate cropping and DoF. As a study of the man, I'd say that the shots depict one dimension. A serious side. It would be nice to see some other emotions from the man, something that gives us more about him. A fews of these would work if they accompanied an essay on the fellow elaborating a serious mission or goal he was undertaking. The one image of the book (pamphlet?) makes me think that this is the purpose. If this is not the case, then I would edit that one out and pick three images to present as a series.
rncamero:
Good catch here. It reads well. Even without knowing the title, I think there is enough detail to "explain" that this is a church and that the baby (in white) is our focus, therefore a christening. The woman's gesture seems is one of disbelief, but upon closer inspection it is obvious that that is a misread. She is very pretty and seems like she has a smile on her face. So maybe this wasn't the best capture of her. The man appears very proud, and I wish I could see more of his face. It's a little dark on my Mac, and usually my mac shows lighter and less contrast. I think this could use a Levels bump. I might try to crop out the fellow in the back and the person on the left.
venchka:
Very nice tones and textures. For me the subject of this image is the central plant with the flowers and the long thin leaves. It feels a little busy. I think you might be able to play with levels and cropping to make that plant stand-out more.
Formal:
Nice subway shot. Really good exposure. I find that the two centralized figures attract my attention the most. The one appears to be daydreaming. I would probably try to crop the left side to the woman who is looking over her shoulder, and I might even crop the right side to to make the image a vertical losing the partial body of the woman on right (although, I find her less bothersome than I do the information on the left side).
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Nice series. Nice exposure. Intimate cropping and DoF. As a study of the man, I'd say that the shots depict one dimension. A serious side. It would be nice to see some other emotions from the man, something that gives us more about him. A fews of these would work if they accompanied an essay on the fellow elaborating a serious mission or goal he was undertaking. The one image of the book (pamphlet?) makes me think that this is the purpose. If this is not the case, then I would edit that one out and pick three images to present as a series.
rncamero:
Good catch here. It reads well. Even without knowing the title, I think there is enough detail to "explain" that this is a church and that the baby (in white) is our focus, therefore a christening. The woman's gesture seems is one of disbelief, but upon closer inspection it is obvious that that is a misread. She is very pretty and seems like she has a smile on her face. So maybe this wasn't the best capture of her. The man appears very proud, and I wish I could see more of his face. It's a little dark on my Mac, and usually my mac shows lighter and less contrast. I think this could use a Levels bump. I might try to crop out the fellow in the back and the person on the left.
venchka:
Very nice tones and textures. For me the subject of this image is the central plant with the flowers and the long thin leaves. It feels a little busy. I think you might be able to play with levels and cropping to make that plant stand-out more.
Formal:
Nice subway shot. Really good exposure. I find that the two centralized figures attract my attention the most. The one appears to be daydreaming. I would probably try to crop the left side to the woman who is looking over her shoulder, and I might even crop the right side to to make the image a vertical losing the partial body of the woman on right (although, I find her less bothersome than I do the information on the left side).
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rncamero
Established
jvx: Love the tones in this series. His facial features look the best in #1, but I would prefer less "shoulder". Like glow on the book in #2, but would like to have him more in focus - just seems a bit too distant. Overall, I think these are great shots, you've captured his face well!
RayPA: I really like the spotlight on the woman in black, the shadows on her face and her silhouette are perfect. At first I thought the fellow walking towards the couple was out of place, but I think now I like him there. Assuming the woman on the left is glancing to her right, everyone has their eye on someone. Perhaps the only thing missing is something to balance out the silhoutte of the overhang and doorway on the right.
Venchka: Love the look a DR delivers. I think this shot would be delicious to look at on a large print. I like the flow of these very white flowers through the middle of the composition. They seem a bit lost on my screen though, I think bringing down the surrounding leaves a bit would help?
formal: Nice grab, I like that I can make out the scenery in the window. I'm curious, were you framing any one person or item in this one? The ring is awesome. I guess the only thing I would do is crop out the masking notch on the left?
RayPA: I really like the spotlight on the woman in black, the shadows on her face and her silhouette are perfect. At first I thought the fellow walking towards the couple was out of place, but I think now I like him there. Assuming the woman on the left is glancing to her right, everyone has their eye on someone. Perhaps the only thing missing is something to balance out the silhoutte of the overhang and doorway on the right.
Venchka: Love the look a DR delivers. I think this shot would be delicious to look at on a large print. I like the flow of these very white flowers through the middle of the composition. They seem a bit lost on my screen though, I think bringing down the surrounding leaves a bit would help?
formal: Nice grab, I like that I can make out the scenery in the window. I'm curious, were you framing any one person or item in this one? The ring is awesome. I guess the only thing I would do is crop out the masking notch on the left?
jonasv
has no mustache
rncamero: Nice shot. Technically I'm not so sure on a few things - the framing is a bit awkward and it seems to have been underexposed, but... sometimes technicalities don't matter that much. The wondering look on the baby's face, the happy father, the tired (?) mother (all just my interpretation, of course)... Intense emotions and overall a very pleasing image to look at. Thanks for sharing this intimate moment..
Ray: classic street shot, well-executed. They say these shots are mostly about the relationships between the people in it.. and that works here - from the boy with the white shirt looking at the old lady, who's in turn looking at the guy coming up from the back, who's looking at the camera and at (what seems to be) the main subject of the photo, the two people up front, two people who know each other and stop for a chat when they meet each other in the street going to their office... lot's of stories, interesting capture. The ray of (reflected?) sunlight on the lady is a very nice touch. I don't really like what it does to the contrast on the lady itself (almost completely black/white) but the shadow on the wall behind her is wonderful, wonderful. Sometimes simple things like a bit of light falling on some bricks and a plate with "Cresalia Jewelers" can really hold a photo together... Splendid capture all in all!
Wayne: b&w flower shots do indeed look very busy, as others have mentioned, and it's hard to find a focus point. I don't think it works that well in a small jpg, but, with a big 'but', I think it would look gorgeous when enlarged 12x8 ft and hanging on a wall in a modernistic house, or an office. When you don't really need a point to focus on but you can just enjoy the tonal range and the overall feel-good aspect that's definitely in this image.
Format: nice metro shot. Technically it's very good, I gave up on TMY cause I never got it to look this well - how do you develop it? Exposure is perfect, impressive how the image holds detail from the black jackets inside to the bright world outside. Too bad the lady in the center of the picture has her eyes closed, but the girl next to her, sitting at the window, does make up for a lot of that with those dreamful yet piercing eyes. I can't help but feel that these two persons, as they seem to be the point I always keep focussing my eyes on automatically, are too much in the center of the image. The lady on the left looking outside, and the lady on the right looking inside the image add interest away from the center as well, but I think I might have liked a slightly different framing. Don't worry about it though, it's a great shot.
Ray: classic street shot, well-executed. They say these shots are mostly about the relationships between the people in it.. and that works here - from the boy with the white shirt looking at the old lady, who's in turn looking at the guy coming up from the back, who's looking at the camera and at (what seems to be) the main subject of the photo, the two people up front, two people who know each other and stop for a chat when they meet each other in the street going to their office... lot's of stories, interesting capture. The ray of (reflected?) sunlight on the lady is a very nice touch. I don't really like what it does to the contrast on the lady itself (almost completely black/white) but the shadow on the wall behind her is wonderful, wonderful. Sometimes simple things like a bit of light falling on some bricks and a plate with "Cresalia Jewelers" can really hold a photo together... Splendid capture all in all!
Wayne: b&w flower shots do indeed look very busy, as others have mentioned, and it's hard to find a focus point. I don't think it works that well in a small jpg, but, with a big 'but', I think it would look gorgeous when enlarged 12x8 ft and hanging on a wall in a modernistic house, or an office. When you don't really need a point to focus on but you can just enjoy the tonal range and the overall feel-good aspect that's definitely in this image.
Format: nice metro shot. Technically it's very good, I gave up on TMY cause I never got it to look this well - how do you develop it? Exposure is perfect, impressive how the image holds detail from the black jackets inside to the bright world outside. Too bad the lady in the center of the picture has her eyes closed, but the girl next to her, sitting at the window, does make up for a lot of that with those dreamful yet piercing eyes. I can't help but feel that these two persons, as they seem to be the point I always keep focussing my eyes on automatically, are too much in the center of the image. The lady on the left looking outside, and the lady on the right looking inside the image add interest away from the center as well, but I think I might have liked a slightly different framing. Don't worry about it though, it's a great shot.
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
Thanks everyone for lending a critical eye to my image.
The image is presented full-frame, and I was primarily attracted to the light on the woman and the wall behind her. I did give it a little bit more exposure than I would have liked, so I agree that her face is a tad hot. As far as "whass-up" I agree with jvx, that often something like a highlight can be a nice entry point into an image, and can often carry it. I don't think I caught the light as I saw it (I'll mess with PS a little more), and I'd rather that the woman wasn't looking into the camera (that's something I need to work on when I shoot). I think I can crop the left to exclude the woman walking out of the frame. Thanks again!
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The image is presented full-frame, and I was primarily attracted to the light on the woman and the wall behind her. I did give it a little bit more exposure than I would have liked, so I agree that her face is a tad hot. As far as "whass-up"
I agree with jvx, that often something like a highlight can be a nice entry point into an image, and can often carry it. I don't think I caught the light as I saw it (I'll mess with PS a little more), and I'd rather that the woman wasn't looking into the camera (that's something I need to work on when I shoot). I think I can crop the left to exclude the woman walking out of the frame. Thanks again!.
rncamero
Established
Thanks for the critique guys, I appreciate all the comments.
Jvx, yes - I think she was a bit tired. I think they had driven 100+ miles earlier to get to this church. And yes, it was very underexposed. This was an early attempt using an Industar-22 indoors with subdued natural lighting. RayPA, I'm on a Mac too, it was pretty tough salvaging the shot - I think I'll try LightZone on it.
At the time I did try a vertical look, but the horizontal view was working better for me - I wanted to keep the pews in the background, and I thought the floor had a nice texture to it. Couldn't find a way to crop the guy on the right, so I included the hand on the left to balance it out.
thanks again, this was a cool batch to be in
Jvx, yes - I think she was a bit tired. I think they had driven 100+ miles earlier to get to this church. And yes, it was very underexposed. This was an early attempt using an Industar-22 indoors with subdued natural lighting. RayPA, I'm on a Mac too, it was pretty tough salvaging the shot - I think I'll try LightZone on it.
At the time I did try a vertical look, but the horizontal view was working better for me - I wanted to keep the pews in the background, and I thought the floor had a nice texture to it. Couldn't find a way to crop the guy on the right, so I included the hand on the left to balance it out.
thanks again, this was a cool batch to be in
formal
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Thanks for the comments. Perhaps I will crop it!
rncamero
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I was trying to get the group of 3 women on the right. Obvioulsy a hip-shot, so I was pleased.
jvx
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T-Max 400 developed in Ilfortec LC29.
David
rncamero
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I was trying to get the group of 3 women on the right. Obvioulsy a hip-shot, so I was pleased.
jvx
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T-Max 400 developed in Ilfortec LC29.
David
venchka
Veteran
Thanks everyone. The flowers are busy. My first B&W in eons and my first roll with the Summicron. I was still "seeing" in color. They were gorgeous. I think I shall return with some Vlevia or Kodachrome. I appreciate all your comments. jvx: 12 feet x 8 feet???? Wow! That would be awesome.