* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #832 / Revived #052 on 2024 03 27 *

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.

PLEASE NOTE CLEARLY:
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!

HAVANA, 2016

This is an image made in 2016 during a week long visit to Havana, where I was photographing for a travel book "The 500 Hidden Secrets of Havana".
Under Barack Obama, there had been a tentative relaxation of the relations between the US and Cuba.
This image shows the US Embassy in Havana.

Lines and more lines

While downtown Toronto I came across this interesting roof structure ...

I remember The Rolling Stones having a concert there in 2016 (Havana Moon film was made about it) and Obama being "an opening act" (official visit). Both were historic events.

I like your building, the light, the posts and reflection in the water. Very moody shot.

Great shot demonstrating some drama developing in the sky and over the ferry in a distance. Very evocative capture.

In Lieu Of The Clinic -
My local guide on Roatan explained that Roatan folk are skeptical of doctors and clinics, and deal with health issues through plant-based medicines that have been passed down through the generations. Here is a place he pointed out that such things can be purchased - Noni juice and guiffity are the two best sellers. When I told him my husband was laid up with food poisoning, he suggested I get some papaya leaf extract, of just pluck some leaves and make it myself.

Yes, and he benefitted from the ship clinic and a wonderful Filipino doctor who looked about 12 years old. They would not have let me get on the ship with plants or local potions but he did quite well with traditional. I admit to being fascinated though.

Gate and Stucco Wall, 2013

Textures, color and shapes.

Rich

Hi Alan,

To my eye, your image contains a lot of area that doesn't add anything to the composition. Sometimes less is a lot more. I don't think the foreground or the area around the ship and dramatic sky contributes to the image, which is the central section. Sometimes, learning to crop unmercifully helps a lot.

Here's how I see the composition, with repetitive graphic elements of the ship's superstructure and structures on land (as well as the sky drama).

Of course, I'll remove the edited version if you wish.

Rich

Daffodils blooming

Thumbelina

Towers of London

Towers built during a period of over 900 years in the City of London.

Pete

Easter in Australia

Yes, it is the various vertical lines, which make this mage stand out. They are in the group of flagpoles (or whatever they are), the railings, the streetlights, in the puddle, the building itself and even in the telephone wires which run vertically out of the frame. This helps the picture hang together with this common theme. This gives the picture a dynamic composition from bottom to top, helped by the transition from blue to yellow and dark to light.
The puddle, with its reflection, gives the composition balance by filling an empty space.

Pete

The pattern of lines is neat, and so is the subtle change from warm artificial lighting to cooler natural light.
It is a very symmetrical pattern, so it is a shame that the camera angle isn’t quite so, that the lines are not perfectly square and symmetrical. Maybe this can be helped by adjusting slightly in PP.

Pete