* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #804 / Revived #024 on 2023 09 13 *

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!

LEUVEN VELODROME ON HERTOGENSITE

First, I need to apologize for my extremely limited participation last week.
I have been (actually still am) in the grips of a combination of too much work, fatigue and (not serious but exhausting) illness.
I'll aim to do better this week.

For this week, I'll show you again an image or two that have been submitted to the publisher for the Guide on Leuven.
That book will be in bookstores next week and will be festively presented in the Leuven City Hall on Sept 26.

The images both show a temporary installation on the big construction site of the "Hertogensite" where new offices, residences and public spaces will arise.
The installation on Brusselsestraat has the shape of a classic wooden velodrome, honouring the tradition of cycle racing in Flanders.
(I believe it was erected in 2021, coinciding with the UCI world championships in Leuven.
It will be taken down as the building site takes over the space.)

It can be used as a real (albeit small) velodrome, but is also a gathering place for cultural performances, open air cinema and other events.

I visited the site twice to present the publisher with several options : shots from different angles and in different conditions.
Both shots were made with my (old, first gen) E-M1 and the wonderfully versatile Zuiko 8-25mm lens, at its widest focal length (of course).

On my first visit, the velodrome was empty, but I convinced an eager passerby to ride his bike there, for some action interest.

On the second visit, the site was in use for a craft beer festival and the velodrome was a resting place to relax heads full of malt and hops.

Stromboli is in there somewhere,

Fantastic - love the simplicity here. A really effective and subtle image, with wonderful gradients and tones. Would be a very interesting image to play around with in terms of experimental post processing as well.

With the new TT Artisan 100 mm f/2.8 everyone is able to bubble to their hearts content... It's great seeing an old lens (the TT Artisan is an attempt at replicating the famous Meyer Optik Trioplan) being so unique and interesting that a modern manufacturer decides to copy it in 2023.

Hope it will inspire some real interest in older gear and the incredible skill which went into it and not just create a bubble which will burst after a short time...

Here's my take on it (with a completely different lens of course):

Running this thing into the ground by simple.joy, on Flickr

The Prayer behind the Power

No prizes for guessing where this was taken. Since I was a child I wanted to visit India and finally realised my dream earlier this year, and now, as fate would have it, I am heading there again on Friday. A trip to the Himalayan Region was booked in 2019, but Covid kicked it down the road until now, so after waiting all this time, I am going twice in a year, but after so many disappointments I won't really believe it until I am there. Not sure what my internet connections or schedule will be like, but I will try to post during the next two weeks. It cannot be much worse than my sporadic appearance over the last few weeks.

Pete

That is a very neat pair of photos. There is an obvious connection, but a second look shows they were taken in opposite directions, so the photos actually enhance each other.
The use of the velodrome could hardly be more different, than riding bikes around the boards at speed or drinking beer at a festival, but I suppose the connection is both activities can make you dizzy.
The leading lines of the boards seem to rush the viewer into the centre, which gives a sense of speed in the first and, together with the man prostrate in the corner, a sense of intoxication in the second.
Although the photos on their own are fine, they are so much better as a pair.

Pete

Totally agree. Will just add that the expanse of sea and sky, almost featureless triggers a sense of peacefulness and freedom and also a desire to find out what is beyond the horizon. The railings hold us back, but is that restrictive or protective?
I like the warm tones, which I think are responsible for the sense of comfort this photo exudes.

Pete

Another gem.
The beautiful softness is enriched by small areas of sharp pins, which gives the eye a focus point. Using the bokeh balls, which are attractive in their own right, to create a trail and bring movement to the compostion was inspired, and so too the choice for them to snake into the distance.
It is a very harmonious image and, with its limited pallette of warm tones, a comforting one too.

Pete

Bow

Great comparison between these 2 shots. Classic case of - provide the facilities and people will come...

Just fantastic visual treat. Well seen!

Very intriguing image. It draws the viewer to inspect the amazing details.

It's all about symbolism...

An Old Story

WhyNot

Intriguing and an image worth spending time with .. I can't add anything to the critiques already offered and confess that it was PeteS's critique that brought me back to spend the time with it ....

WhyNot

Shrimp Fleet At Sunrise: Pass Christian

I can never resist shooting right into the sun even when I know it's a bad idea.

Who said it was a bad idea ?
I like the rich colours and dark shadows (almost silhouettes) and all that reflected in the water as a bonus.
... shooting into the sun is one of my favourites too.