• Members 1185 posts
    May 26, 2023, 8:26 a.m.

    I agree Linda.
    Number one especially. The notion of showing what might be the wormholes within an apple is very clever. There are all kinds of allegorical interpretations implied here. The twisting pattern of the "holes" curves nicely to follow the shape of the fruit, without being too blatant in the matching.

  • Members 1185 posts
    May 26, 2023, 8:36 a.m.

    Thanks minniev. You picked up on what I tried to do with the selection. I wanted something of the range of excitement cross Naples. There were many more to choose from but I thought four were enough. The foods were tempting though. Double blue pizzas and pastas required some cheffing ingenuity but they found ways. Cakes and canolis were easy. As were remarkable hair dos. A major series could be done on Maradonna treatments. Many seemed to suggest he is now the Pope or the patron saint of Naples. At the very least he has been beatified by the city and I gather that he is still on the field with the lads.

  • Members 663 posts
    May 26, 2023, 2 p.m.

    Thanks for looking and commenting. The top rim of the planting pot can just be seen at the bottom. It's not readily obvious in the shadow, right away. I think there's just enough there. No reshooting the scene now!

    Rich

  • Members 861 posts
    May 26, 2023, 2:11 p.m.

    Thank you for explaining this image's unexpected appeal. Soon hopefully I can get out there again with something wider and really show off the landscape.

  • Members 523 posts
    May 26, 2023, 2:31 p.m.

    MinnieV and MikeFewster, I greatly appreciate your detailed responses!

  • Members 1104 posts
    May 26, 2023, 3:37 p.m.

    Good idea.
    I am open to any suggestions and yours is very appropriate. Thanks for commenting.

  • Members 1662 posts
    May 26, 2023, 4:24 p.m.

    I second the idea of @MikeFewster - I think there‘s a lot of potential there, to make it more effective by cropping!

  • Members 1185 posts
    May 26, 2023, 4:47 p.m.

    The problem I have with this shot is the positioning of the two figures on the left side close to the frame edge, especially the largest closest to the camera. We can see just enough of the band uniforms to be confident that the two figures are part of the performance. The remoteness of the two, especially the man with his back turned to the conductor and musicians, is what gives the shot its bite. The trouble is, as shown, I can't believe it. Being so close to the left edge, we can't see what is in front of them. My head makes the assumption and fills in the dots that something/someone is before them. and cut off by the left edge. While this may not be so, it feels to me that this is what's happening rather than that they are performing and involved with those behind them at that distance.

  • Members 1737 posts
    May 26, 2023, 5:24 p.m.

    Like this better?

    2022-08-11 15-02-33 (B,Radius5,Smoothing4)-Edit gen.jpg

    And lose the cars?

    2022-08-11 15-02-33 (B,Radius5,Smoothing4)-Edit gen2.jpg

    2022-08-11 15-02-33 (B,Radius5,Smoothing4)-Edit gen2.jpg

    JPG, 436.0 KB, uploaded by JimKasson on May 26, 2023.

    2022-08-11 15-02-33 (B,Radius5,Smoothing4)-Edit gen.jpg

    JPG, 440.4 KB, uploaded by JimKasson on May 26, 2023.

  • Members 1185 posts
    May 26, 2023, 7:59 p.m.

    Exactly what I had in mind. IMNHO it now works better because the somewhat wacko relationship of the front performer to the group is now apparent. With or without the cars doesn't seem an issue but I really like the conductor's extended arms in the new versions. The energy he is pumping in underlines the remoteness from the closest performer.
    How do you see it Jim?

  • Members 1662 posts
    May 26, 2023, 8:24 p.m.

    Truly excellent - love both shots.

    The first is a wonderful creative idea and really well done. The look seems perfect... a bit like an X-ray.

    I like the lighting in the second one and the color contrast is very effective.

  • Members 1662 posts
    May 26, 2023, 8:42 p.m.

    I like this version better as well, but of course it depends on the message you want to convey!

    I view it as a kind of "Wild West duel scenario" between the conductor and the performer in the front, so I would emphasize that and make it more dramatic:

    JimKasson_edit.jpg

    But of course I can see how that would be totally detrimental to the image if your idea is different! 😅

    JimKasson_edit.jpg

    JPG, 784.3 KB, uploaded by simplejoy on May 26, 2023.

  • Members 1737 posts
    May 26, 2023, 10:04 p.m.

    I feel a little guilty about using AI to create the part of the image that wasn't captured on the neg.

  • Members 49 posts
    May 26, 2023, 10:12 p.m.

    Doesn't bother me, as long as it's clear from the context that the photo is artistic -- I file this in the same image manipulation category as dodging and burning; part of the creative process.

    Obviously it would be completely inappropriate, dare I say unethical, in journalism, documentary, or scientific photography. But of course that's not what this is.

  • Members 1737 posts
    May 26, 2023, 10:17 p.m.

    The current Ps beta makes it easy to do.

  • Members 49 posts
    May 26, 2023, 10:20 p.m.

    Yes, I've been playing with it -- with mixed results, but some results have been remarkably good. Extending the edges of the image seems to be something it usually is particularly good at.

  • Members 677 posts
    May 27, 2023, 12:26 a.m.

    No. No. No.

    The guy in the band uniform in front is signaling that the field goal is good.

    The guy in the coat and pants with back to us is signaling that the field goal is no good.

    The guy in the band uniform closest to the cars is telling the crowd to calm down.

    😊

    Steve Thomas