Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: martin-images on August 26, 2008, 02:48:49 pm

Title: Magical light
Post by: martin-images on August 26, 2008, 02:48:49 pm
Another PS worked image, the early morning light excentuated, not what the camera captures, but inner vision.

Martin
www.digital-monochrome.com (http://martinimages.photium.com/)

(http://martin-images.smugmug.com/photos/247771402_i9c4B-O.jpg)
Title: Magical light
Post by: russell a on August 26, 2008, 05:07:10 pm
IMO the "Winogrand tilt" doesn't often work for landscapes.  Your image is a case in point.  As a viewer, I'm too busy trying to keep from sliding off the edge of the planet to contemplate the image.  And, if you tell me "that's the way it was", I will respond that what is communicated is a tilted horizon and that a bubble-level would be a handy accessory.  

And, by the way, the term is "accentuated", in spite of the frequent appearance of "excentuated" in current semi-literate practice.
Title: Magical light
Post by: martin-images on August 26, 2008, 05:14:53 pm
Quote
IMO the "Winogrand tilt" doesn't often work for landscapes.  Your image is a case in point.  As a viewer, I'm too busy trying to keep from sliding off the edge of the planet to contemplate the image.  And, if you tell me "that's the way it was", I will respond that what is communicated is a tilted horizon and that a bubble-level would be a handy accessory. 

And, by the way, the term is "accentuated", in spite of the frequent appearance of "excentuated" in current semi-literate practice.
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I would not try to tell you anything as it seems you know all, maybe a tilted tree and a straight horizon might keep you in your seat, so IYHO only straight horizons work for landscape, will keep that in mind and  buy a spirit level for my next picture

Thanks
Title: Magical light
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on August 26, 2008, 05:50:02 pm
The picture works for me quite nicely as-is. Whether the apparent horizon is tilted or no, by mistake or intentionally, is not that important for me. The impression I get (and like) is of a gently sloping hillside. It also clear (to me, of course) that the image is not meant to be documentary, but rather an interpretation, and as such is allowed to use artistic license, including tilting the horizon (if that was intentional).

And for the record, I use quite often a bubble-level for my own landscapes, when it would be glaringly  clear that tilted horizon is a result of me being sloppy, not terrain sloping   Now that I know there is a bubble-level police out there, I will be twice as careful.  
Title: Magical light
Post by: DarkPenguin on August 26, 2008, 05:51:46 pm
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I would not try to tell you anything as it seems you know all, maybe a tilted tree and a straight horizon might keep you in your seat, so IYHO only straight horizons work for landscape, will keep that in mind and  buy a spirit level for my next picture

Thanks
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Can I assume from that response that the picture is to be seen and not critiqued?
Title: Magical light
Post by: martin-images on August 26, 2008, 05:59:23 pm
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Can I assume from that response that the picture is to be seen and not critiqued?
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Of course it can, it was the response and answer to a question that was not put by me,

 "And, if you tell me "that's the way it was", I will respond that what is communicated is a tilted horizon and that a bubble-level would be a handy accessory.

Critiqued is a good way of seeing other points of view, not always to be agreed but food for thought, if my response seemed wrong then I apologize to the OP

Martin
Title: Magical light
Post by: Colorwave on August 26, 2008, 08:22:22 pm
IMHO the shot might be a little nicer with less tilt, but it doesn't jump out at me as "wrong".  I really like the way the light works on the foliage and ground.  The leaves look like they are full of sprites, or some sort of pixie dust.   What created the lighting effect on the ground?  Was that all post work?  I don't see what would have cut the light to create that shape in the landscape itself.
-Ron H.
Title: Magical light
Post by: francois on August 27, 2008, 03:19:42 am
I was not shocked by the tilt. A bit less tilt (very little) might improve this photo, but I'm not so sure.
Title: Magical light
Post by: Rob C on August 27, 2008, 04:34:31 am
Nice shot, with or without tilt, and as the main tree is pretty vertical as it is, then it works. Had the trunk been tilting a lot, naturally, as well, then it would have been another matter. But good; like it. Another reason black/white is so useful: helps remove from life and in turn opens up many possibilities that wouln´t do in colour.

Rob C

PS Mr P is absolutely right about posting images: if you post, there is tacit invitation to comment, in both directions. The trick is to accept that and not take it too seriously. After all, if it pleases the photographer...

On the spelling thing, I agree with the point made: I suffer from shocking typing skills and it takes a lot of time on PREVIEW to correct myself. I think it only a matter of courtesy to other readers to do the thing to the best of one´s ability. And that includes using I instead of i when referring to the first person singular.
Title: Magical light
Post by: kaelaria on August 27, 2008, 02:06:44 pm
Some of you need to go back to school!  The shot isn't tilted - trees grow almost perfectly vertical, and this is simply a shot of a hill!

I like the shot a lot.  The flair behind the leaves, the heavy contrast, the details in the clouds...it all works for me!
Title: Magical light
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on August 27, 2008, 02:48:44 pm
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On the spelling thing, I agree with the point made: I suffer from shocking typing skills and it takes a lot of time on PREVIEW to correct myself. I think it only a matter of courtesy to other readers to do the thing to the best of one´s ability. And that includes using I instead of i when referring to the first person singular.
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It wasn't a typing mistake. Have a look at his web site.

Jeremy
Title: Magical light
Post by: martin-images on August 27, 2008, 04:15:00 pm
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It wasn't a typing mistake. Have a look at his web site.

Jeremy
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Oh dear, the grammar, punctuation and spelling on my web site is to put bluntly awful, so busy taking pictures, lectures, exhibitions this side is rushed and never checked, the comments here have made look and realise how bad and rushed this important area is, thank you for pointing this out, I am about to rectify this embarrassment :-(

Martin
Title: Magical light
Post by: Rob C on August 27, 2008, 04:30:24 pm
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Oh dear, the grammar, punctuation and spelling on my web site is to put bluntly awful, so busy taking pictures, lectures, exhibitions this side is rushed and never checked, the comments here have made look and realise how bad and rushed this important area is, thank you for pointing this out, I am about to rectify this embarrassment :-(

Martin
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Yes, but the pictures shown here are pretty damn good.

Rob C
Title: Magical light
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on August 27, 2008, 05:48:21 pm
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Oh dear, the grammar, punctuation and spelling on my web site is to put bluntly awful, so busy taking pictures, lectures, exhibitions this side is rushed and never checked, the comments here have made look and realise how bad and rushed this important area is, thank you for pointing this out, I am about to rectify this embarrassment :-(

Martin
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I hope, although I'm not sure, that that response is genuine and not an attempt at sarcasm.

Your pictures look good, albeit rather small to judge properly. I assume from the price list that you want to sell them. People who look at the site and notice the awful grammar, punctuation and spelling are likely to come to one of two conclusions.

1. You are so busy taking and editing photographs that you don't have time to bother with such niceties. That's OK.

2. Your photo editing and production is likely to be as sloppy and careless as the English on your site. That's not OK.

You'll sell to those who come to the first conclusion but not to those who reach the second. I'm trying, perhaps in an inept way, to help you. It's no skin off my nose: there's so much appalling spelling and grammar around, both on and off the web, that your site won't make any noticeable difference. But why exclude a substantial group of sales prospects and harm your business?

Jeremy
Title: Magical light
Post by: martin-images on August 27, 2008, 05:57:03 pm
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I hope, although I'm not sure, that that response is genuine and not an attempt at sarcasm.

Your pictures look good, albeit rather small to judge properly. I assume from the price list that you want to sell them. People who look at the site and notice the awful grammar, punctuation and spelling are likely to come to one of two conclusions.

1. You are so busy taking and editing photographs that you don't have time to bother with such niceties. That's OK.

2. Your photo editing and production is likely to be as sloppy and careless as the English on your site. That's not OK.

You'll sell to those who come to the first conclusion but not to those who reach the second. I'm trying, perhaps in an inept way, to help you. It's no skin off my nose: there's so much appalling spelling and grammar around, both on and off the web, that your site won't make any noticeable difference. But why exclude a substantial group of sales prospects and harm your business?

Jeremy
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No sarcasm. genuine response  

My processing is meticulous I have been doing it over 40 years combined wet and digital

I have not put any weight in to the idea that bad grammar means bad workman ship, but could have a bearing as you have pointed out

Martin
Title: Magical light
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on August 28, 2008, 03:31:00 am
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No sarcasm. genuine response   

My processing is meticulous I have been doing it over 40 years combined wet and digital

I have not put any weight in to the idea that bad grammar means bad workman ship, but could have a bearing as you have pointed out

Martin
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Good. I shan't mention it again. I'd be happy to help you to proof-read your amended site, if you like.

Jeremy
Title: Magical light
Post by: Rob C on August 28, 2008, 02:51:03 pm
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Good. I shan't mention it again. I'd be happy to help you to proof-read your amended site, if you like.

Jeremy
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And while you are at it, Jeremy, why not drop a line to Mr Obama and tell him that but for an apostrophe and capital b he would have made the entire Kennedy love vote his own...

And to think I always imagined they were so hot on PR in the good old US of A!

Rob C
Title: Magical light
Post by: Justinr on August 29, 2008, 03:14:11 pm
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Some of you need to go back to school! The shot isn't tilted - trees grow almost perfectly vertical, and this is simply a shot of a hill!

Alas the trunk is tilted to the left, and the woods on either side too (which really gives it away). Try scrolling in the edge of the window and lining it up with the tree.

The trouble with this sort of shot is that it is an attempt to improve upon the wonder of nature, something which is very often tried, sometimes successfully (Capability Brown springs to mind) and sometimes not (all those tedious golf courses). To my mind this image falls into the latter category, it is far too OTT and is more suited to a sci fi movie than a study of the natural world.

An image that works for those that like this sort of thing, I can't say I'm one of them but I'd hate that to put you off.

Justin.
Title: Magical light
Post by: martin-images on August 29, 2008, 04:06:32 pm
My last post here no more to follow

I can honestly say that I have never been in such a depressing place as this, full of so many well educated    boring people, more interested in grammar than the art, the C&C received has been in parts not only rude but nonsensical, the post above is typical of this, from where I am its quite obvious that 3/4 of you would not recognize a good picture from a bad one, you have no inner vision or feel for artistic representation. bye from me and pity on the next new member.
Title: Magical light
Post by: kaelaria on August 29, 2008, 04:11:51 pm
Sorry to hear that, I really like your images   Do me a favor and email me links to anything new you put up on your site.
Title: Magical light
Post by: Justinr on August 29, 2008, 05:24:21 pm
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My last post here no more to follow

I can honestly say that I have never been in such a depressing place as this, full of so many well educated    boring people, more interested in grammar than the art, the C&C received has been in parts not only rude but nonsensical, the post above is typical of this, from where I am its quite obvious that 3/4 of you would not recognize a good picture from a bad one, you have no inner vision or feel for artistic representation. bye from me and pity on the next new member.
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So up stumps and run away.

If it's any consolation many photographers hate my stuff too, but I don't give a damn. My style is documentary rather than artistic, what skill I have goes into capturing a moment not farting about in PS. My customers like what I do and that's all that matters. Each to his own but as a lad born and brought up in the country this particular image does nothing for me. I'm sorry, but there it is.

We've all had our work trashed at some point, live with it and learn. It's the best way forward.

Justin.

edit. Just looked at your galleries and was impressed. just don't like this one at all.
Title: Magical light
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on August 30, 2008, 07:43:05 am
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My last post here no more to follow

I can honestly say that I have never been in such a depressing place as this, full of so many well educated    boring people, more interested in grammar than the art, the C&C received has been in parts not only rude but nonsensical, the post above is typical of this, from where I am its quite obvious that 3/4 of you would not recognize a good picture from a bad one, you have no inner vision or feel for artistic representation. bye from me and pity on the next new member.
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I don't really see that you have any cause to react like this. You have posted several shots. Some of us have liked them, others haven't. That's the way of things. If what you want is uncritical adulation to provide a boost to your ego, you'll have to go elsewhere. To suggest that someone who doesn't share your "inner vision or feel for artistic representation" can't tell a good picture from a bad one is arrogant and implies that your motive in posting your images here was merely to educate us all.

As to the point on your grammar, I hope I made it clear first, that my objection to it was secondary to my liking for your work and second, that I was, perhaps ineptly, trying to be constructive. You wouldn't expect to go to gallery and see the prints stuck on the wall with Sellotape: your site is, as ever IMHO, the equivalent.

So toddle off home if that's what you want to do, but it seems an extraordinarily childish and thin-skinned reaction.

Jeremy
Title: Magical light
Post by: michael on August 30, 2008, 07:43:36 am
Seemed like an eminently reasonable conversation to me.

Martin seems to have thin skin. Too bad – some nice work.

Michael
Title: Magical light
Post by: Rob C on August 30, 2008, 01:01:08 pm
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. If what you want is uncritical adulation to provide a boost to your ego, you'll have to go elsewhere. To suggest that someone who doesn't share your "inner vision or feel for artistic representation" can't tell a good picture from a bad one is arrogant and implies that your motive in posting your images here was merely to educate us all.

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Or, he could go MF digital and all will be well. The investment makes everybody very careful, happy and positive, as you might have noticed.

For once, I use one of those symbols that I hate:  ;-)

Rob C
Title: Magical light
Post by: Justinr on August 30, 2008, 04:10:59 pm
Yo Rob me old mucker, how's it hanging?

Yep, you should try it as well. dMF is streets ahead, knocks DSLR into a cocked hat image quality wise (wasted on the newspapers though), but not as suited to some jobs such as events where reliability is the key. I know I know, I ain't posh but there is no 'upmarket' around here so we struggle on producing fancy snaps whilst dodging the jibes and sneers of others who haven't a clue as to quite what the situation is. Even our old mutual friend is still at it, muttering on elsewhere in his usual inconsistent way. But if there is one thing that I have leant the hard way from one or two of the grizzly old pro's that hang around the fora it is never, ever give a toss about their opinion, especially if they can't come out with it up front.

Justin.