* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #809 / Revived #029 on 2023 10 18 *

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!

Encourage - it is a scary business putting your work up for other people to judge!

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

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!

DE PANNE

Two (iphone) images of the coastline in De Panne, the western-most village on the Belgian coast, at the French border.
Belgium does not have a long coastline. Many people want to live there or have a holiday home with seaview.
There was also the spirit that this should not be reserved for the (rich) happy few, but that any middle class family should be able to have such a holiday home.
This has resulted (especially in the '60s -'90s of last century) in a building frenzy with not the most appealing of apartment blocks.

This is a view on the result (it gets worse in other coastal towns, but I happened to be in De Panne last weekend).
Few remaining coastal "villa" type dwellings are under constant pressure of the higher buildings.

I wonder how the change in focal length (wider) and aspect ratio (16:9) affects the viewer's impression.

[]

This looks so weird and unnatural - yet very interesting as well! I prefer this one because of the image quality. I like the composition in both and the light on the building on the left is very beautiful, even though the apartment blocks aren't. The (almost threatening) clouds with a little bit of blue sky + the limited sunshine (I would probably name this image something like that) make for an ominous feeling. Excellent work capturing this!

Even squares like me can fly! by simple.joy, on Flickr

I was on my way back from walking my camera and dog when I sensed a shadow overhead. Looking up there was this brown falcon only 3 or 4 metres above me. After an initial shock that it was so close to me, my thoughts quickly turned to capturing it and then cursed myself for already having turned the camera off - not that I am any good at BIF anyway. It flew in an arc and landed on a small dead tree less than 20 metres away. So in haste I got a few average shots before it continued on it's way.

How I wish I had an imagination like yours...!

Tim

Between the rain falls
We had another weekend trip in the Hochkönig region,...
The weather forecast for our last day said it would start off cold and rainy, and then, at 3pm, the rain would come back again after a short respite with possible sunshine... Sounded promising !
I thought I might be able to get some shots of misty clouds hanging in the mountain peaks :-)

At exactly midday the rain stopped, just as planned, so we jumped in the car for a short drive, and our last hike.
Later, during that evening, we returned back home to Upper Austria again. Driving through the heavy rain!

So we managed to enjoy a last hike "between the rain falls"

Here's some shots
A view from near the bottom. The main peak here is called the "Taghaube"

Looking back to the hills in the east, with some light shining down though a gap in the clouds

These two huts at 1545m were the goal for today. Closed though, with the idea that no guests would be (stupid enough) to come in this weather ;-)

And this was the scene I was hoping for,... a nice warm and sunny foreground with a slightly darker, perhaps more mysterious, background with mountain peaks in the mist

Interesting!
Somehow I think the feeling you describe is best shown by the wide angle shot, but it has a lot of the (distracting) keystoning effect, making all the buildings slope in towards the middle. which IMO doesn't help in this case.
If you correct that (like in this quick 1 minute edit) I have more of the feeling that I'm "there on the beach", looking at the scene , instead of just looking at a photo of the scene.

Cobbled together enough internet via weak cell connection in the tiny hamlet of Alderson, West Virginia to try to post an entry, apologies if it doesn't work. This was taken yesterday at Cumberland Falls, Kentucky. Real camera, no computer. I think some of those with faster shutter/ less of a milky look will be better but getting one in the chute to post was a chore so I'll leave it at that.

Awaiting the Wind

Awaiting the Wind by Linda Shorey, on Flickr

Very effective example of the importance of focal length in telling a story.

This is a fascinating and depressing story of population and privilege. The closer shot is claustrophobic and uninviting. The wide angle showcases the spacious beach and now I'm interested in the ocean views and potential of the area as a vacation destination.

Apparently no one gets up early there except you?!

Ebony and Ivory

"Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony
Side by side on my piano keyboard, oh Lord, why don't we?"

[]

Another from my recent adventure in the Great Bear Rain Forest of British Columbia. These two bears worked the river for a long time. They were clearly aware of each other's presence, but perfectly content to keep their distance and fish in peace. Humans have so much to learn from nature.

Mike,

I assume that is a Kermode Bear (Wikipedia)?

Tim

Yes it is - also known by the Gitga'at people as a Spirit Bear.
-Mike

Looking at Me? #4

WhyNot

We all have a vision...

My preference is for this one. The buildings are more interesting, the light and the view. But again, it's personal.

Classic street shot: 2 owners , 2 dogs, 2 coffee cups, casual onversation...