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Author Topic: Ice Storm  (Read 8586 times)

John R

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Ice Storm
« Reply #20 on: January 06, 2010, 10:12:13 am »

Quote from: stamper
Quote

IMO, as reviewers we should try to ascertain and respect the vision of the maker and make suggestions to help the maker improve that vision and not impose our vision with crops or suggestions that completely alter the image.

Unquote

This seems like a contradiction to me? How do you distinguish the two? You can only alter the image if you suggest taking out or putting something in! A crop focuses attention on a part of a scene that is considered the focal point or the point of interest. Cropping - imo - is a perfectly valid thing to do. After all we are constrained by the aspect ratio of our cameras and are sometimes forced to include something we don't want  in order to get something we do want? Artistically Russ thinks his original is "best" but others "disagree". All perfectly good points of view. As long as the suggestions are reasonable then what is the problem?
I will try to be brief because this is probably not the place to discuss these matters. IMO, because of the nature and easy convenience of digital images, too many people are quick to drastically alter other people's images. I have been guilty of this myself. If these images were slides, it would be what you see is what you get. So a critique would involve minor cropping, alternate camera positions, time of day etc. But for the most part it would be simple minor suggestions to improve what was on the slide and not drastically alter the image. Otherwise, it is no longer the maker's image, but simply what the reviewer thinks he can do with the image. We all tend to do this and I think we should try not to radically alter the maker's vision, and that is my point.  And quite frankly, most suggested changes aren't necessarily better, just different views, crops or different formats. You can't walk into a gallery and say, this is no good, I would crop out this, increase contrast etc. You take it as it is and decide whether you like it or not. Of course doing so as an exercise is not an issue, and we do this consciously and unconsciously all the time.

I won't respond any more, because this thread is not for that purpose.

JMR
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button

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Ice Storm
« Reply #21 on: January 06, 2010, 04:22:22 pm »

Russ, this is a really good shot.  You've captured fantastic light and color here.  This is the kind of shot that I would love to so printed really large, not only to showcase the hues and tones, but to reveal the detail that I know lies in all that frost.  I feel cold just looking at it!

You've also nailed the composition.  There's motion from left to right, created by the leaning fence post, as well as by the implied vanishing point of the fence beyond the image's right margin.  The horizon is almost centered, but it works because foreground complexity keeps the eye anchored low.

Super strong.
John
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RSL

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Ice Storm
« Reply #22 on: January 08, 2010, 03:18:53 pm »

Quote from: button
Russ, this is a really good shot.  You've captured fantastic light and color here.  This is the kind of shot that I would love to so printed really large, not only to showcase the hues and tones, but to reveal the detail that I know lies in all that frost.  I feel cold just looking at it!

You've also nailed the composition.  There's motion from left to right, created by the leaning fence post, as well as by the implied vanishing point of the fence beyond the image's right margin.  The horizon is almost centered, but it works because foreground complexity keeps the eye anchored low.

Super strong.
John

John, Thanks. And thanks to everyone else who took the trouble to comment. Before I sign off on this subject, here's another one. These frost clouds went on for two days across the West Texas prairies.

[attachment=19282:West_Texas_1.jpg]
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« Reply #23 on: January 08, 2010, 03:33:55 pm »

Quote from: RSL
John, Thanks. And thanks to everyone else who took the trouble to comment. Before I sign off on this subject, here's another one. These frost clouds went on for two days across the West Texas prairies.

[attachment=19282:West_Texas_1.jpg]

I like the slight tension created by the right to left flow of the trees and grass against the centrally positioned house.

John
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Eric Myrvaagnes

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« Reply #24 on: January 08, 2010, 07:07:50 pm »

Another good one.
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-Eric Myrvaagnes (visit my website: http://myrvaagnes.com)

John R

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« Reply #25 on: January 08, 2010, 07:40:37 pm »

Quote from: RSL
John, Thanks. And thanks to everyone else who took the trouble to comment. Before I sign off on this subject, here's another one. These frost clouds went on for two days across the West Texas prairies.
I like this one even more than the first shot. I like the muted tones and colours, which allow the green of the roof and house to stand out The expanse of the sky really adds to the feeling that the house is an old character who stoically withstood the passing storm with his friends. Very nice.

JMR
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Shirley Bracken

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« Reply #26 on: January 09, 2010, 09:06:41 am »

That is a wonderful photograph.  I can even feel the direction of the wind.  Wind is constant in west Texas.  I like (I tend to want to center things) that you centered the house and then threw the balance back in with the trees.  Texas is an awesome terrain.  You have really captured the presence of it.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2010, 09:09:39 am by Shirley Bracken »
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RSL

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« Reply #27 on: January 09, 2010, 09:22:37 am »

Shirley, West Texas is awesome all right. In 1952 I went through advanced pilot training at Big Spring, and I have a love-hate relationship with that part of the country. It can be very beautiful, but as a cadet friend of mine said: "If it crawls it'll bite you. If it grows, it'll stick you. If it flies it'll sting you." I love to drive across it, but I don't think I'd like to live there again.
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Shirley Bracken

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« Reply #28 on: January 09, 2010, 09:34:14 am »

Russ, what a coincidence.  My FIL went to Bombardier training there in 43.  My inlaws met in Big Spring.  Yes, everything will get you in Texas.  My MIL grew up in Sylvester, just outside of Sweetwater.  Ever gone swimming in a tank or have to catch your drinking water off the roof?  We lived in Rotan too.

What are your plans for Fla?  Have a subject in mind?  I know you will take pictures no matter where you are.
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RSL

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« Reply #29 on: January 09, 2010, 11:09:18 am »

Shirley, My plan for Florida (as soon as it warms up) is  to get over to St. Augustine and down on St. George street where I can do my favorite thing: street photography. Like this:

[attachment=19303:Pizza.jpg]

St. Augustine is a street photographer's paradise. People are on vacation. They're relaxed. Most are carrying cameras. You can walk down St. George street with your D3 and a big lens and bang away and nobody notices you.
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Shirley Bracken

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« Reply #30 on: January 09, 2010, 11:20:09 am »

Russ, I spend a lot of time on Amelia Island over there.  We live in South GA.  You should go on up to Fernandina beach and photograph the shrimp boats.  I never tire of them and have gotten some amazing situation shots.  I'll find some and post them.

It's supposed to warm up next week.  Happy shooting.  I guess that is not a politically correct way to say that but anyway...
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Rob C

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« Reply #31 on: January 10, 2010, 04:56:40 am »

Quote from: RSL
John, Thanks. And thanks to everyone else who took the trouble to comment. Before I sign off on this subject, here's another one. These frost clouds went on for two days across the West Texas prairies.

[attachment=19282:West_Texas_1.jpg]





Hi Russ

This should have been an early warning for the sub-prime lenders; says it all most eloquently!

Rob C

stamper

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« Reply #32 on: January 10, 2010, 05:01:07 am »

Quote from: Rob C
Hi Russ

This should have been an early warning for the sub-prime lenders; says it all most eloquently!

Rob C

Should all of them be in Alcatraz instead of a house?

RSL

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« Reply #33 on: January 12, 2010, 09:36:15 am »

Quote from: stamper
Should all of them be in Alcatraz instead of a house?

Stamper, Nowadays Alcatraz is only used for Dirty Harry movies.
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