Luminous Landscape Forum
The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: Isaac on February 26, 2012, 09:44:28 pm
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...trying to nail down what it is that makes subjects like weathered wood (and rusting metal) attractive in the first place.
I'd like to know whether others would even bother photographing a lone fence post like this one; and if you would, how your approach would differ?
(I don't think I ever figured out what such a photograph could be about.)
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Based on your three photos, I'm inclined to go macro on the stringy quality of the moss. But then, I'm a macro person, through and through. That said, I like #1 because it gives definition to the space that this one, lonely fencepost inhabits.
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And I'm quite the opposite of shutterpup - while I do love macro, I would prefer to see the fencepost set in its environment. So, go wider than photo 1 and give us some context. Perhaps even a horizontal format with a wideangle, the fencepost being a dominant foreground element to get the wonderful detail that's there. How about a black and white and/or with lower angle to reduce the area of bright grass behind.
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Terry basically said what I was going to post. :)
I'd like to know whether others would even bother photographing a lone fence post like this one; and if you would, how your approach would differ?
(I don't think I ever figured out what such a photograph could be about.)
Issac, if the post is indeed all on it's own, emphasising that aspect would seem to make sense.
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One way.
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I would photograph an old fencepost. Maybe it is because my mother used to tell me that I would argue with a fencepost. LOL. Seriously, I love looking at old things such as these fenceposts. They spark my imagination and I think about how long ago the post was put there etc. It is sort of a portal into the past for my imagination. As far as a full shot or a macro, I am on the fence on that one. ::)
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One way.
Very nice shot.
Basically, asking questions about whether one would or would not photograph such subjects is pointless, and perhaps the only comment it really makes is about the person posting such questions. Not that that has to be a negative comment at all - simply that as with everything in life, some things appeal to one and not to another. Look at couples. People, not posts; posts generally appear better-suited one to the other.
Rob C
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Basically, asking questions about whether one would or would not photograph such subjects is pointless...
Pointless to you, but to me the replies were interesting.
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One way.
I think that's a great example, because it's a fence post connected to other fence posts - so we have those nice intersections of horizontal wire (or in other situations horizontal wooden rails) with the vertical post.
There's so much less going on with a fence post that's not connected to other fence posts - not even notionally as a line of fence posts.
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I agree. I find the varying opinions interesting. The only pointless (stupid) question is the question not asked! Actually, I find it pointless to describe this particular inquiry as being pointless. ;)
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Pointless to you, but to me the replies were interesting.
Indeed? And what did you gain from them that's made you a better snapper than you might otherwise be?
Rob C
P.S. Isaac, where can we look at your photography?
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I'd like to know whether others would even bother photographing a lone fence post like this one; and if you would, how your approach would differ?
(I don't think I ever figured out what such a photograph could be about.)
Agent provocateur?
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Agent provocateur?
Yeah, but the interesting one of that name, for me, was an exotic lingerie chain... was, because I'm not sure if it's still around. That's what happens when you lose your interest in fashion...
By the way, I've just spent the past while this evening looking through Jennifer's website again: boy, is she gifted!
;-)
Rob C
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Agent provocateur?
Troll (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_%28Internet%29).
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@shutterpup @luxborealis @jjj -- Yes, trying to make something of the very fact that this is a left-behind decommissioned fencepost should have been possible.
@luxborealis -- Yes, black and white! What seems to have interested me was the contrast in tone and the contrast in texture, so it's a bit strange to keep the colours, although this conversion is a bit heavy-handed ;-)
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Sorry folks, suggesting wider, tighter, left, right, sideways or backwards ridiculous. You don't know what the OP was trying to convey with this image (nobody asked), therefore you cannot possibly know how to make it "better".
So I'll ask the only relevant questions: what were you trying/hoping to say with this image? What peaked your interest in this particular fencepost? Which of your images most closely realizes that interest?
Look, I'm all for critiques and such, ask Rob (we've argued over it many times) but when someone asks "should I?" or "how can I make it better?" we really need to be asking questions more, and stating personal opinions less. THAT is how to help someone.
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It has been my feeling for many years that lone fence posts don't get the share of photographic attention they deserve.
I even considered starting an NGO or a fundation focusing on this topic.
Cheers,
Bernard
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Single fence posts rock.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6nxnnqGCMCc/T0weYyPlvaI/AAAAAAAABEQ/dQB95tboIh4/s1600/fence_post.jpg)
Cheers,
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Poles rock!
Rob C
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So I'll ask the only relevant questions: what were you trying/hoping to say with this image? What peaked your interest in this particular fencepost? Which of your images most closely realizes that interest?
While I agree with your emphasis on being more interested in discovering what someone was trying to do, than in offering our own approaches; in-this-case I explicitly asked for others to offer their own approaches, so we can't really beat them up for doing so.
The first problem is that I never did figure out what I was trying to say with those images - that's where I wanted to be very open to other peoples ideas.
The second problem is that although the thing that piqued my interest in the scene was the tonal/textural contrast, colour detracted from that and for reasons unknown I hadn't checked what the photos could be like in b&w. Doh!
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Careful, everybody. Straining this hard can result in a hernia.
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Careful, everybody. Straining this hard can result in a hernia.
Not to mention the risk of a pile of haemorrhoids!
They'd look cute on a pole; I wonder how many of them can dance on the head of the standard fence post?
Rob C
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Not to mention the risk of a pile of haemorrhoids!
They'd look cute on a pole; I wonder how many of them can dance on the head of the standard fence post?
Rob C
6.3
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6.3
Is that figure based on their aperture or diameter?
I was also moved to wonder whether, since it appears possible to quote a figure, that it therefore means all haemos are born equal.
Rob C
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6.3
I guess I'm on the fence about this one.
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6.3
Combined IQ ?
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Is that figure based on their aperture or diameter?
I was also moved to wonder whether, since it appears possible to quote a figure, that it therefore means all haemos are born equal.
Rob C
It is purely an estimate based on the frequency of gaseous clouds around Uranus.
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I guess I'm on the fence about this one.
Careful, Eric, scientific studies have shown that prolonged sedentary life-style, especially sitting on the fence, will get you what Rob was talking about.
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It is purely an estimate based on the frequency of gaseous clouds around Uranus.
It's a pity that you hadn't told this guy!
Rob C
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Careful, Eric, scientific studies have shown that prolonged sedentary life-style, especially sitting on the fence, will get you what Rob was talking about.
I only sit on single fenceposts. Isn't that what this thread is about?
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As Slobodan just reminded people of this thread again, why not add a cat? After all everyone knows the internet is run by felines.
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Sorry, jjj, but I had to alert PETA. That horrid toning constitutes animal cruelty.
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It seems to be a study of shape and form so BW might work better. I played with the tonal values as well.
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Not bad, Alan. I'd say the best so far.
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Thanks. I was going to add vignettes and other stylistic stuff as those might add to the shape and form concept. But the OP can play with that himself.
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Thanks. I was going to add vignettes and other stylistic stuff as those might add to the shape and form concept. But the OP can play with that himself.
If you have a recipe for digital cyanotype that version might be fun to see.
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If you have a recipe for digital cyanotype that version might be fun to see.
Lightroom has a preset for that.
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I no longer have LR -- Adobe stopped providing 32-bit trials ;-)
I'm quite liking RawTherapee.
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I no longer have LR.
What about a camera? ;)
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What about a camera? ;)
http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=94724.msg779934#msg779934
http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=95233.msg782571#msg782571
http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=96735.msg791815#msg791815
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How did this 2012 turkey get revived?
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http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=97353.40;topicseen
It seems like Isaac has posted some images about two years that he is a bit coy about admitting. Slobodan seems to have outed him.
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... Slobodan seems to have outed him.
Not my intention. Just wanted to point out, matter-of-factly, that he did post one image in the past. Those requests to show his photography are becoming boring and annoying. I also said on another occasion and I want to repeat it here:
I think it is time to retire this request. We all asked for that at one time or another, some of us repeatedly, with no apparent result (other than thread closing). At this point, I can only assume there is a good reason for his reluctance. As a minimum, I've come to see it as a free will (to post or not to post) that should be left alone as such.
If Isaac decides to post his photography in the future, I am sure there will be a good deal of teasing, as usual, and I can not promise I wouldn't be a part of that. I can also promise, however, that I will try to help and offer whatever "constructive" criticism I can.
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I'd like to know whether others would even bother photographing a lone fence post like this one; and if you would, how your approach would differ?
Well the first question is hard to answer. All I can say is that I would know it if I saw it. :)
In that case, if I thought a lone fencepost such as this one was worth photographing, my approach might differ in two ways:
1) Show the whole post, but give it more space to breathe. It should feel alone, but not crowded. Also, provide a background that does not distract. The background area in your photo #1 is too small and it consists of two contrasting values, the darker of which is too similar in value to the fencepost. So, for example, I would like this better if there was more room around the post and the background was a large field of light-colored grass (like is present in the bottom area) with a plain light-colored sky above.
or...
2) Move in for a close crop as in the third photo, but light the subject better and again, provide a background that is a different value from the subject. In this case that background should also be out of focus with no distracting bokeh.
(I don't think I ever figured out what such a photograph could be about.)
As time goes on, I find more peace and satisfaction in not analyzing, but just listening and going with my intuition.
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Not my intention. Just wanted to point out, matter-of-factly, that he did post one image in the past. Those requests to show his photography are becoming boring and annoying. I also said on another occasion and I want to repeat it here:
I think it is time to retire this request. We all asked for that at one time or another, some of us repeatedly, with no apparent result (other than thread closing). At this point, I can only assume there is a good reason for his reluctance. As a minimum, I've come to see it as a free will (to post or not to post) that should be left alone as such.
If Isaac decides to post his photography in the future, I am sure there will be a good deal of teasing, as usual, and I can not promise I wouldn't be a part of that. I can also promise, however, that I will try to help and offer whatever "constructive" criticism I can.
It was in fact three, but nothing to quibble over. Isaac could help himself more but it looks as he determined to carry on as he has always done. A shame because he can once in a while contribute positively to the forum but he seems it is only once in a while? I think he prefers to be a distraction. I shall do as you suggest and hope there is improvement in other areas. :-\
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I think it is time to retire this request. We all asked for that at one time or another, some of us repeatedly, with no apparent result (other than thread closing). At this point, I can only assume there is a good reason for his reluctance. As a minimum, I've come to see it as a free will (to post or not to post) that should be left alone as such.
If Isaac decides to post his photography in the future, I am sure there will be a good deal of teasing, as usual, and I can not promise I wouldn't be a part of that. I can also promise, however, that I will try to help and offer whatever "constructive" criticism I can.
That's a nice sentiment, Slobodan, but I must, respectfully, disagree. I respect a great deal of Isaac's research; he comes up with some quite worthwhile links, but I don't think it's at all unreasonable to ask somebody as active on LuLa as Isaac to demonstrate that he has some idea through practice of what he's talking about.
I doubt there'd be teasing if Isaac posted some of his photographs. I've seen some pretty strong disagreement -- even some pretty nasty disagreement on here, but the only teasing I've seen has been in a light-hearted vein. I think that most criticism -- yours and mine, as well as the criticisms of others has been intended to be constructive, no matter how inaccurate it might have been.
Come on, Isaac, you're pretty good at fence posts. Let's see more.
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Isaac...
As this woman is actively and with passion undergoing her disappearing, she wishes to leave a thought or two beneath her pen should you wish to consider them at some point. You are free man...should you so choose. The contemplation and the time set apart to pursue that contemplation becomes in effect a mirror of your freedom...the infinite revelation to oneself of ones soul...not, should you linger, and yes return often, through seasons and strength and ill, any longer a "fencepost", but a place/space for what "other" awaits your awareness and recognition...
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This looks like Isaac's first and last post ..... with respect to an image. I am left wondering if someone should have told him if he posted an image for appraisal then there didn't actually need to be a post in the image? Any subject would have been valid....with a few exceptions, legal, nudity or plagiarism. ;) ;D
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…but I don't think it's at all unreasonable to ask somebody as active on LuLa as Isaac to demonstrate that he has some idea through practice of what he's talking about.
When you open your own discussion forum, you'll be able to make-up and enforce whatever rules you like.
Meanwhile you have no authority to make-up rules for LuLa's discussion forums.
Come on, Isaac, you're pretty good at fence posts. Let's see more.
Asked interminably and answered repeatedly.
This looks like Isaac's first and last post ..... with respect to an image.
Wrong, as usual.
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This looks like Isaac's first and last post ..... with respect to an image.
To me, it looks like his best Post. ;)
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The last Post, or is that a bit Post hoc.
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The last Post...
Damn, for a second I thought...
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... it's inevitable, although Postponed.
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Isaac, do you realise that you that you weren't blessed with a sense of humour? ;) ;D