* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #791 / Revived #011 on 2023 06 14 *

Welcome to the Wednesday Comments and Critique (No Theme & No Brand) thread!

We are dedicated to continuing the great tradition of this C&C thread because we are convinced that looking at, and talking about images is vital for better photography.

Our tried and tested concept (15 years and running!) is a weekly "peer-to-peer" photo comments & critique encounter, in which you GIVE and RECEIVE.

The idea is simple: you post an image and get critique on it, and in return give other people your opinion of their images, or vice versa.

Any Theme, Any Camera, Any Style, Any Subject.

We are still figuring out how to create the convenience of threaded view on this new forum. For now, let us agree that you post an image with a title and short explanation, and that all comments include the image as a quote. Replies to comments may or may not include quotes.

THREAD GUIDELINES – THE SHORT & SWEET VERSION
• This thread does not care about brands. It’s not about the tool, but the image.
• Post one image that you would like to get comments on (exceptions: see below).
• Add a clear title to your post to reflect the image’s title and distinguish your entry.
• Look at the other images and give your comments on at least one of those.
• For comments, try to go beyond a simple pat on the back or a short dismissal.
• Do you like an image (or essay) ? Try to explain WHY it appeals to you.
• Negative feedback is OK (we all want to learn), but be polite and constructive. Try to explain why the image (or essay) does not appeal to you and how it might be improved.

We will start with single images. Re-establishing our C&C for essays will be a next step.
Please limit any individual contribution to a single image. This avoids confusion.

The critique you give is vital.
What was your first impression? What catches your eye about an image? Why?
What do you like, and what distracts you? What would you change?

Fiddle with the image in your head - composition, perspective, color balance, exposure.
It is understood that unless the original poster specifically states that they do not want an altered image posted that you are free to alter the posted image and repost it in a reply for C&C purposes (no use for other purposes!). That reposted image may remain permanently or you may remove it after a short period of time if you prefer. No copyright disputes here! * More general feedback is also welcome.
Do you know something about taking the same sort of image that would make matters easier - share your own as an example in your reply.
Encourage* - it is a scary business putting your work up for other people to judge!

And finally, here are some useful hints for navigating and familiarizing yourself with the forum mechanics of DPRevived:
• Unfortunately, there is no threaded view (yet). We can’t simply keep images and their related comments together like we used to. So please make clear about which image you are commenting.
• To do that, you may make good use of the “quote” feature. This allows you to keep the image in your reply. Excess content can be deleted. The “preview” button allows you to look at what you are going to post.
• There is a difference between the “reply” button that sits at the top of the forum, and the reply buttons under every post.
• A few threads in this new forum with useful navigation information:
dprevived.com/t/how-to-use-this-site/387/
and
dprevived.com/t/how-to-embed-photos-into-your-post-directly-from-flickr/456/
(this applies also, with modifications, to other photo hosting websites)
and
dprevived.com/t/how-to-quote/1014/

Have fun and let’s stick together!

SKATEPARK LEUVEN

I think I have already mentioned that in May I have been busy shooting images for an upcoming book on Leuven (my alma mater).
I've rediscovered familiar places wiht fresh eyes, and have gotten acquainted with numerous new interesting spots.

One of those was a skatepark near the reconverted area of a former Philips factory.

The below image will most probably not be considered or used for the book
(because that skatepark, like most items will probably need an image in landscape orientation;
portrait orientations are fairly rare in those books: most images are combined with text and don't fill a full page).

So I am free to share this new image here for viewing and critique.
(But just in case I MUST ask you to NOT download the image.
You can view and enlarge it, but it should not be downloaded,
for the possibility that the publisher of the book still would like to licence and use this image)

Time of the year, no title, it speaks for itself 😎 I gues.

enlarge and then click the down arrow, thanks.

Great shot! Like the composition and the interaction of the rider and his shadow. His positioning towards the edge of the shot makes it feel like he's about to drive up the border of the image, which is great as well. The yellow faces/suns can be interpreted as the mix of emotions most viewers our age (if we assume that most here are well above 30 😉) feel, when watching extreme sports, particularly when they're practiced without any protection or even a shirt on. I certainly feel like my days of doing extreme sports are over, any time I watch something like that (even though I'd secretly still love to try it at the same time) and view it with a mixture of happiness (that there are more possibilities for these things now, than there were a couple of decades back), appreciation, awe and fear!

I enjoy the image and processing. Works very well! The only thing I'd change is the three ships... I would use only two, make them different sizes, and put one a bit further into the background and headed in the other direction (to mimick two people).

Double P's in apple... by simple.joy, on Flickr

If it's not obvious... (some people said, it isn't) these are of course peas, who might dream of being apples, when they grow up! 😉

For me, the well defined shadow is the punchline of an already fine image. It is dutifully following along behind the skater, hoping to catch up.

Eulogy At A Dam Bird Funeral

I do several types of images of these birds: documentary, artistic, creative, and storytelling. This one is the latter. (Those always involve anthropomorphization).

Last weekend I sadly found a departed dam bird who died on his perch. These deaths are usually from birds swallowing a fish with a hook and line in it. I have also seen deaths from diving head-first into the tumultuous rock filled water, but those bodies are usually found on the rip rap lining the river below. This entire week there has been a congregation of blue herons and great and little egrets that has stood around the dead great egret. They are not fishing or fighting or displaying, just congregating. These are very competitive birds who defend their perches aggressively so the behavior is unusual. I could add a flying dam bird in front of the blank post, but apparently, the funeral site is a no-fly zone so I'm undecided.

Graffiti composite.

I love the macro work you're doing!

I think this is great. The short lens makes you feel part of the action. The shadow emphasizes the air. The background gives context. The only thing that bothers me is the eye magnet in the lower left corner. If it were my image, I'd lose that.

Special that the funeral place also contains two public toilets with a drain to the river, in short, it seems completely complete. You see that if you describe it narratively you come across all kinds of angles to tell something about. However, your story keeps me firmly in the history of the Dambirds and that counts. 😀

Lou

Birds ....

WhyNot

Speaking of anthropomorphizing...endless stories and humorous headlines can be conjured here. Your delightful photo charms me!

Using the advice to click the down arrow (which places the photo on a separate page and fills the screen), I see a few things I might try to tweak, but primarily I would like to adjust the lighter leaves to make the mockingbird stand out better against the busy background. Here is one example.

I'm in awe of those who not only master the technical aspects of macro and studio photography, but who make the result memorable. You're like American cartoonist Gary Larson ("The Far Side"), if he were a photographer!

I loved exploring every bit of this complex creation, the depth of which seems infinite. My minimal knowledge about light vs. dark and cool vs. warm colors helped, along with the sturdy and large center attraction. So much to learn and enjoy here!

Mike's description of the shadow is delightful! The angle of the skater and all those curves of colorful concrete...mesmerizing!

I think it was Roel who mentioned last week that playful processing needs to have a reason for being (will go find that exact quote shortly). The curvy beach with shadow detail and the sharp lines & colors of the left side figure grab my attention immediately.

Then I see the identical triplets (sailboats) in precise military formation, which further emphasizes the fanciful nature of the image. I love the aqua-colored details on the stylish and self-confident left side figure vs. the drab attire of the one who doesn't like to draw attention to himself. Each looking out of the frame suggests their reasons for being there are as opposite as their personalities.

Love it!