* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #811 / Revived #031 on 2023 11 01 *

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!

LEAN

After our trip through India (more specifically: a large part of Tamil Nadu and a small part of Kerala) in the winter of 2016-2017, I made a few galleries of images: one with the "touristy bits" like all the usual sights of temples etc, and three dedicated to the colourful people we saw and quite often interacted with. Those galleries are divided into the themes of WORK, PLAY, and PRAY.

This is one image from the WORK gallery. A street scene in Madurai.

Indeed - quite a lot of work! And a great image reminding us how fragile and unstable things are in our globalized world where everything can be everywhere at once it seems... Well done!

A simple image from a simple man, trying to reach out from time to time...

Contact creator by simple.joy, on Flickr

I want to apologize for not replying the last few weeks. Have been a bit under the pump and the weather. There were critiques and other pics I fully intended to respond to and actually sat down to start but then needed to focus elsewhere or just got distracted... Hopefully I can apply myself this week..

Hello Roel,
I notice your photo this week and one previously were not clickable to view at a larger size. Is that intentional? And is it achieved by clicking the image icon as opposed to the upload icon?
I ask because I would like to explore this one to investigate the round tower. The layout of those windows / openings intrigue me. I am also intrigued by the lines within your pic. The top of the wall and the square building appear perpendicular (although not horizontal / vertical), but the round tower leans the other way. I think that could be from the small lens, but then I would think the wall would curve a little too. Could you explain what we are seeing there?
Otherwise you have captured a classic Indian scene where business / opulence coexists with the poor - financially not necessarily spiritually. The man who appears to be dealing in 2nd hand packaging can't find a few rupees for sandals...

On my way home recently, I stopped to snap this little country church (now in private hands) and was pleased to find a few Blue Faced Honeyeaters enjoying the new Jacaranda blossoms.

(1)
Hello, it is not intentional that you would not be able to enlarge the image.
This is just an effect of the fact that I do not upload the image to DPRevived, but that I link to it from my hosting site Zenfolio.
However, enlarging a bit should be possible.
Simply clicking on it does indeed not seem to work. Strange.
Right-clicking and then choosing the option to open in a new tab, does work.
I will try to see if I can retrieve the image on my hard disks and then post it in a larger version.
Thanks for making me aware of this issue.

(2)
As per your remark on the contrasting leaning verticals in the image: this is quite deliberate in this instance, as a continuation of the play present in the scene, where some Indian person (owner of the estate behind the wall) decided to build a replica of a famous non-Indian landmark in his garden or compound. I have not found an explanation for this strange phenomenon. This was just something I noticed while walking the street.

Canoe

One of the objects on the ArtWalk path in a new urban development in uptown Toronto. Public art program creates a sense of place in its parks, public landscapes, and the towers being build. The ArtWalk will provide a platform for the public to be actively engaged in the appreciation of various artwork, and to explore the vibrant neighourhoods being created.

Art of simplicity with manmade object. Brilliant.

First capture is a subject of a slowly vanishing world. Places like this are disappearing quickly. I am glad new owners will undoubtedly keep it going.
Second image contains amazing variety of colours. Well spotted.

Great shot capturing the world of contrasts, both from the architectual point of view as well as introducing a social element which is so evident in the foreground.

A messy post this week.
Two quite different subjects, although both are in Bologna.
I began to do a series on conservation work in a Bologna cathedral. Then I saw Roel's and had to do another of a brick tower in Bologna. The point being, we climbed this tower a few months ago and yesterday we heard that the climb has been closed for fear that the tower is now unstable. Conservation work on a major scale. This is another of Italy's incredible brick structures. It needs to be seen at max size.

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(1) R click noted.
(2) I always had a science mind and hated history. But I think I should have twigged it was a copy of the leaning tower of Pisa...

Thanks

Getting a little closer to our summit goal
The path to the "Torsäule" is an awe-inspiring hike. Last weekend, we only managed to complete the first part, as the higher elevations were already covered in snow and to be honest, going further was beyond our current levels of fitness.

The hike started with a drive from Mühlbach up to the Arthurhaus restaurant.
Hiking from there towards Mitterfeldalm, and then on and around the end of the Hochkönig range, you quickly enter into alpine terrain.

The "Torsäule" stands out like a massive rocky pillar, resembling a giant sphynx, it is a gateway marker on the path leading up to the summit of Hochkönig mountain. Perhaps, one day, we will reach that summit, but currently, I have my doubts. It seems like more time in the gym is required!

When you finally reach the point where the Torsäule is visible it seems desceptively close, but as you hike on, it hardly seems to get any closer.

Here's several photos from that tour,...
1
The path up to Mitterfeldalm was a bit foggy at times, with low hanging clouds passing by

2
Looking back to the mountain hut at Mitterfeldalm. This place will make for a welcome break on the way back :-)

3
Walking around the end, and looking up towards the Hochkönig mountain

4
"Out of the cold fog" ,.... and back onto the warm and sunny path

5
The intriguing stripy pattern here is caused by rows of autumn coloured ferns

6
never miss an opportunity for a sun star :-)

7
Looking to the right, here's a stitched panorama from 9 vertical shots at 37mm.
We came along the path you can see on the right in the shadow. Quite steep and slippery on the gravel in places

8
"A thin white line" of snow atop the mountain range.

9
Now it starts to get more like true "alpine territory"

10
At first I thought this peak was the Torsäule, but soon discovered that the peak we were looking for still lays further ahead ,...

11
finally a glance at the sphynx like peak in the distance

12
A little closer, but still far away. One more shot of the Torsäule, before returning back along the same route, and for that meal at the Mitterfeldalm hut :-)

I admire your stamina. You have to be in excellent shape to do this kind of hike.
Extremely beautiful scenery. Thank you for the superb tour.

My pick with the star.

Very good 2 conservation shots, but for me the last one is simply excellent. Like the subjects beautifully framed by the gate or opening. The structures are very imposing and captivating to look at. Great capture.

Foggy morning from the New River bridge in Alderson WV, a tiny village of 900 souls that's been here almost 300 years. Not the most dramatic shot from my trip but one I liked because I am a sucker for fog. Alderson was my favorite little town discovered on this adventure.