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:
• 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. NOTE: New size limitations restrict attachment sizes to 300kb for jpegs. If you need help sizing your image for the web see THIS pdf.
• 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.
What's a Guest?
A guest is a participating member of the thread who does not need to post a picture. The guest is an exception to the guideline that states all participants must post an image. Guests provide criticism just as the other participants do. Guests are also encouraged to act as moderators, to encourage elaboration, to guide discussion and examine latent concepts brought about as a result of the discussion.
Note: Not all threads will have a guest. See the title/subject line for the '+Guest' designation.
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
If you need help sizing your image for the web see:
dcsang's pdf
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. NOTE: New size limitations restrict attachment sizes to 300kb for jpegs. If you need help sizing your image for the web see THIS pdf.
• 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.
What's a Guest?
A guest is a participating member of the thread who does not need to post a picture. The guest is an exception to the guideline that states all participants must post an image. Guests provide criticism just as the other participants do. Guests are also encouraged to act as moderators, to encourage elaboration, to guide discussion and examine latent concepts brought about as a result of the discussion.
Note: Not all threads will have a guest. See the title/subject line for the '+Guest' designation.
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
If you need help sizing your image for the web see:
dcsang's pdf
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
***
I'm in --- David
dazedgonebye
Veteran
I'm in please (my gallery is so slight that "open" is my best theme).
mrtoml
Mancunian
I'd like to join.
OurManInTangier
An Undesirable
I'll give it a go, my first one!!
shiro_kuro
Charles Bowen
I'll give this one a go
dazedgonebye
Veteran
That looks like 5.
Here's mine.
An alley in Flagstaff Arizona. Bessa R3A. Ultron 35mm.
Face on the Wall
Here's mine.
An alley in Flagstaff Arizona. Bessa R3A. Ultron 35mm.
Face on the Wall
mrtoml
Mancunian
OurManInTangier
An Undesirable
formal
***
shiro_kuro
Charles Bowen
formal
***
Steve
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I'm surprised at so much snow in Arizona. The composition draws my eye to the far end of the ally and the people. They look as if they are having some difficulty walking on the snow. At first I didn't read the title and I discovered the face "by myself". Good composition and exposure, and an interesting picture to "explore".
Perhaps it would be better if the street furniture at the bottom right wasn't there.
Mark
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A great environmental portrait. I particularly like the engagement with the subject and the overall composition.
There is good detail in his shirt and the sewing machine, but other parts of the image look overexposed. I don't know if you could have moved to your right, but I find the garment behind his head a bit distracting.
Simon
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This is an excellent "decisive moment" shot. Did you have to wait long for the girl to appear? The composition and shadow led the viewer's eye to the little girl. The exposure maintains detail in the shadows and there are no blown highlights.
As soon as I saw this photo I remembered a photo by HCB - "Island of Siphnos, the Cyclades", Greece, 1961.
Well done.
Shiro
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This is good street shot. All of the elements, girl with phone, girl looking left, snarling dog, smiling man, writing, ... make this another interesting image to explore.
I find the slant a bit off-putting and I think I might have cropped the writing at the left.
Regards,
David
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I'm surprised at so much snow in Arizona. The composition draws my eye to the far end of the ally and the people. They look as if they are having some difficulty walking on the snow. At first I didn't read the title and I discovered the face "by myself". Good composition and exposure, and an interesting picture to "explore".
Perhaps it would be better if the street furniture at the bottom right wasn't there.
Mark
-------
A great environmental portrait. I particularly like the engagement with the subject and the overall composition.
There is good detail in his shirt and the sewing machine, but other parts of the image look overexposed. I don't know if you could have moved to your right, but I find the garment behind his head a bit distracting.
Simon
--------
This is an excellent "decisive moment" shot. Did you have to wait long for the girl to appear? The composition and shadow led the viewer's eye to the little girl. The exposure maintains detail in the shadows and there are no blown highlights.
As soon as I saw this photo I remembered a photo by HCB - "Island of Siphnos, the Cyclades", Greece, 1961.
Well done.
Shiro
---------
This is good street shot. All of the elements, girl with phone, girl looking left, snarling dog, smiling man, writing, ... make this another interesting image to explore.
I find the slant a bit off-putting and I think I might have cropped the writing at the left.
Regards,
David
dazedgonebye
Veteran
Mark
You don’t look to be entirely welcome as you take this shot. Congratulations on taking it anyway.
I like the high contrast look and have no problem with the whites being blown in spots. The subject’s face is perfect and the overall feel is very appealing.
6x6 camera I assume?
Simon
The little girl makes the shot…all the more so since she is in silhouette. When I see shots like this, I wonder, “How did that little girl come to be there at just the right time? Great planning, great patience or great luck?”
In any case, she makes a good shot great.
David
Repeating the theme from Simon’s shot…it seems that one very small element can really elevate an image. In this case, it is the young woman who has noticed that you are taking this casual shot.
I wonder what she’s thinking?
Shiro
The woman on the phone is casually walking in to a strange situation. She’s being watched by the girl on the wall, growled at by a wolf/dog, and bombarded by written advertising. But, none of the attention getting has gotten to her. She’s in her own world, centered around her phone.
Nice job of waiting for this to come together.
You don’t look to be entirely welcome as you take this shot. Congratulations on taking it anyway.
I like the high contrast look and have no problem with the whites being blown in spots. The subject’s face is perfect and the overall feel is very appealing.
6x6 camera I assume?
Simon
The little girl makes the shot…all the more so since she is in silhouette. When I see shots like this, I wonder, “How did that little girl come to be there at just the right time? Great planning, great patience or great luck?”
In any case, she makes a good shot great.
David
Repeating the theme from Simon’s shot…it seems that one very small element can really elevate an image. In this case, it is the young woman who has noticed that you are taking this casual shot.
I wonder what she’s thinking?
Shiro
The woman on the phone is casually walking in to a strange situation. She’s being watched by the girl on the wall, growled at by a wolf/dog, and bombarded by written advertising. But, none of the attention getting has gotten to her. She’s in her own world, centered around her phone.
Nice job of waiting for this to come together.
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OurManInTangier
An Undesirable
Ok, here's my two penneth...
Steve - I must admit to having a 'thing' for alleyways and back streets - especially run down ones. I think you've captured this well using the vanishing point effect well by placing it off centre. The girls are good for not just a human element, but also in the stances you've captured to emphasise the weather and icy conditions. I wish the girls could have been walking towards you. We could then have seen their expressions as they struggled along the road - thats why there's so much luck involved in photography though I guess
Mark - The eye contact and composition make this image stand out. It's hard to withdraw your gaze from those eyes. I agree that you didn't look entirely welcome but this has led to an energy within the image that serves it well. It is sharp and generally has good tones but I must admit to finding the blown whites a little distracting, the only other comment is about the OOF - a chair seems to be in better focus than the edge of the table/cloth that he's working on despite it being farther away.
David - A great bus shot, something I seem incapable of pulling off, which has incorporated a nice low angle and a wide enough perspective to show the foreground woman and the gaggle of women further back. The throw between the unaware woman in the foreground and the, only too well, aware woman further back is a nice balance. To capture the moment of recognition shows great timing and the expression is priceless. By taking a low angle and using the wide has led to quite alot of ceiling being in shot - I'm nitpicking here but we're supposed to be critical - losing that for some feet on the woman at the front would have been perfect ( for me)...but then the expression may have been lost in that time......
Shiro - Excellent compostion generally and great framing of the woman within that composition. The arrow, the advertising girls look and the wolf all make a wonderful backdrop to the oblivious passing girl. It has an elemental feel with all of these components that sit so well together. As if advertising has taken on a life, an awareness of its own whilst we are, all too, blissfully unaware. I also like the fact that you have the cheeky, slightly humourous look of the advertising girl contrasting with the salivating and dangerous wolf - still she cares not. I could ramble on but I won't. Suffice to say its a contempory image with a timeless quality and humour - and well timed. If there's one small niggle, its the slight skew. I don't know how you feel about straigtening & cropping, personally I'll only crop marginally but you may be against such things.
Steve - I must admit to having a 'thing' for alleyways and back streets - especially run down ones. I think you've captured this well using the vanishing point effect well by placing it off centre. The girls are good for not just a human element, but also in the stances you've captured to emphasise the weather and icy conditions. I wish the girls could have been walking towards you. We could then have seen their expressions as they struggled along the road - thats why there's so much luck involved in photography though I guess
Mark - The eye contact and composition make this image stand out. It's hard to withdraw your gaze from those eyes. I agree that you didn't look entirely welcome but this has led to an energy within the image that serves it well. It is sharp and generally has good tones but I must admit to finding the blown whites a little distracting, the only other comment is about the OOF - a chair seems to be in better focus than the edge of the table/cloth that he's working on despite it being farther away.
David - A great bus shot, something I seem incapable of pulling off, which has incorporated a nice low angle and a wide enough perspective to show the foreground woman and the gaggle of women further back. The throw between the unaware woman in the foreground and the, only too well, aware woman further back is a nice balance. To capture the moment of recognition shows great timing and the expression is priceless. By taking a low angle and using the wide has led to quite alot of ceiling being in shot - I'm nitpicking here but we're supposed to be critical - losing that for some feet on the woman at the front would have been perfect ( for me)...but then the expression may have been lost in that time......
Shiro - Excellent compostion generally and great framing of the woman within that composition. The arrow, the advertising girls look and the wolf all make a wonderful backdrop to the oblivious passing girl. It has an elemental feel with all of these components that sit so well together. As if advertising has taken on a life, an awareness of its own whilst we are, all too, blissfully unaware. I also like the fact that you have the cheeky, slightly humourous look of the advertising girl contrasting with the salivating and dangerous wolf - still she cares not. I could ramble on but I won't. Suffice to say its a contempory image with a timeless quality and humour - and well timed. If there's one small niggle, its the slight skew. I don't know how you feel about straigtening & cropping, personally I'll only crop marginally but you may be against such things.
OurManInTangier
An Undesirable
I thought I'd hoof this one back up the board just incase Shiro's around somewhere?!
mrtoml
Mancunian
Sorry for the delayed response. Been ill.
Simon:
I think this is great. Very HCB. I think the figure at the top of the stairs makes the image sing. Even the pose of the girl is perfect. There is a strong graphic element with the interplay of shadows and stairs that makes the whole image fit together. If it were my image I wouldn't change a thing.
Formal:
This is a nice shot. I love the high contrast and the eye contact gives a sense of engagement that creates a tension. The veil is supposed to protect the wearer from attention. The contrast enhances the fact that the women in the back of the bus are wearing veils while the woman at the front is not. Again it creates a tension and distinction between cultures perhaps. I can't think of a negative thing to say about this one. The shot is perfectly composed with the off centre placement of the aisle and the leading diagonals down to the central figure.
Shiro:
This is also a nice street shot, but for quite different reasons. The play on stares is very clever. The woman not staring because she is engaged with her phone, the kid staring at her plus the arrow and then the wolf as well all make for an interesting composition. I think a crop to straighten the frame would make it perfect. It is a little distracting with all the parallel lines being at an angle.
Steve:
I like this shot because it is moody and the leading lines towards the figures make for an interesting composition. This is enhanced by the telegraph wires and the wiring along the left hand wall. It has a kind of desolate look to it. Although I'm not sure I would have noticed the face staring from the wall if it had not been in the title
Simon:
I think this is great. Very HCB. I think the figure at the top of the stairs makes the image sing. Even the pose of the girl is perfect. There is a strong graphic element with the interplay of shadows and stairs that makes the whole image fit together. If it were my image I wouldn't change a thing.
Formal:
This is a nice shot. I love the high contrast and the eye contact gives a sense of engagement that creates a tension. The veil is supposed to protect the wearer from attention. The contrast enhances the fact that the women in the back of the bus are wearing veils while the woman at the front is not. Again it creates a tension and distinction between cultures perhaps. I can't think of a negative thing to say about this one. The shot is perfectly composed with the off centre placement of the aisle and the leading diagonals down to the central figure.
Shiro:
This is also a nice street shot, but for quite different reasons. The play on stares is very clever. The woman not staring because she is engaged with her phone, the kid staring at her plus the arrow and then the wolf as well all make for an interesting composition. I think a crop to straighten the frame would make it perfect. It is a little distracting with all the parallel lines being at an angle.
Steve:
I like this shot because it is moody and the leading lines towards the figures make for an interesting composition. This is enhanced by the telegraph wires and the wiring along the left hand wall. It has a kind of desolate look to it. Although I'm not sure I would have noticed the face staring from the wall if it had not been in the title
shiro_kuro
Charles Bowen
Sorry everyone I have been bouncing around the world and find myself now on the beautiful isle of Maui and then off to Molokai ; ) !!!
@OurManInTangeir this is really a wonderful image and would or could not think of anything to change accept I would have liked to have seen it in a larger size ... it reminds me very much of the style of images shown in La Jette .. I guesse that is why I like it so much ... it would fit nicely into a series .
@OurManInTangeir this is really a wonderful image and would or could not think of anything to change accept I would have liked to have seen it in a larger size ... it reminds me very much of the style of images shown in La Jette .. I guesse that is why I like it so much ... it would fit nicely into a series .
shiro_kuro
Charles Bowen
@mrtoml I agree more to the right the object behind his head is a bit distracting ...I like the the photograph but I find his expression uninviting almost mean ,like he was disturbed from his work.I feel a bit like I am intruding ..and the blur around the photo draws my eyes to concentrate on him not so much on what he doing which I think is interesting ... something about the blur and his look keep me from being apart of this scene ...... and perhaps this is the point ....
shiro_kuro
Charles Bowen
@formal .... closer and a slightly different composition.... I made a slight crop to show what I was thinking... for me this is a good photograph I just would like to see more of the person ....she really has a strong presence and really pulls at me to look at her ........ I also like the two other women one looking out the window and the the other looking towards the back of the bus ...nice capture
Attachments
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shiro_kuro
Charles Bowen
@dazedgonebye I really like this photograph ..I too saw the face instantly without reading description or comments...... I like the icicles on the left side of the image also ...I think you could do a lot more with this image with sometime dodging and burning to bring all the subtle and interesting things in this image ......