* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #834 / Revived #054 on 2024 04 10 *

Superb detail here.
I have once in my life (on a great pre-sunrise morning in rice fields in the Po Valley in Italy) shot dragonflies.
I was kinda pleased with my results.
But I doubt that I had any image with close to this kind of sharpness in detail.

Minnie and Roel,

Thanks for commenting.

Rich

There are two very different feelings in these two photos, depite the subject being basically the same. I am not sure if the feeling is generated solely by the angle of view and format, but it certainly adds to it.
The first seems relaxed and this is helped by an evenly spaced group, with a bit of free air between them. The angle of the second means they seem jammed in on top of each other, which gives an edgy, adrenalin filled image. The second may really have been a more intense moment, judging by the body positions of the riders, but, as I said, I think this is enhanced by the composition.
I like them both, but, at the moment I would choose the first, not least because the higher viewpoint is more unusual and allows the viewer to see more of the individual riders. But ask me tomorrow, and it may be the second one.

Pete

This is superb. There are so many things to like about it.
I am always attracted to juxtapositions, especially when an object seems to be interacting with the the people in th photo. In this case Chloe definitely seems to be doing that. Is the painting a sort of "thought bubble" for the couple? Is she a symbol for love and/or passion? Does she look at the couple with disdain for their apparent lack of passion?
There is also a nice juxtaposition between the daylight scene through the window, with the clocks(lots of them) and the station being good metaphores for punctuality and pressure, whilst in the darkened interior time passes leasurely at the speed of sipping a glass of wine.
Although the temperature of the light outside and inside is completely different, it does not clash, because the yellow stonework and Chloe's skin are a similar colour, which helps bind these two worlds together.

The brightest part of the image is outside, so we are drawn to that, then to Chloe, who is almost as bright and finally to the couple. So we see Chloe first which means visually she is more powerful than the couple, which suggests a metaphore that she controls them as a sort of cupid. We can also see a triangle of Time - Perpetual Beauty of Youth, or Cupid - Aging Couple, and build our own interpretation around that.

Already there is plenty to enjoy and think about, but then comes the information given to us by Mike to add even more. Maybe the couple are looking wistfully at the clock, under which they met a while ago? Is Chloe a symbol of passion for those meeting there? Is she waiting for someone herself? Is she thinking about the meeting before getting dressed? Or is she ready for the meeting as she is?

And finally it is a photo linking two lovely icons, each with their own delighhtful story.

Pete

You don't need to be disappointed with having so few keepers, if one of them is as good as this! It is even better viwed large. The diamond ring effect is just right, and having those flares too adds a lot of interest.
The colour is mainly black and white, but that makes the magenta in the flares and the subtle cyan glow in the ring stand out all the more.

The third version, shown above, with the darker blacks, is definitely a big improvement over the others.

Pete

I agree with Mike.
I also like the way you posted the 3rd and 4th image without a gap, forming a diptych or even a single image, allowing the boy to be observing the Sun. Neat

Pete

Agreed.
Although we can see exactly what it is, the image has certain qualities of an abstract. The transitions from sharp focus to blur and from a balanced exposure to overexposure, are severe enough to stop this from being a text book illustration, and become graphic art. The details are there, but it is up to the viewer to fill in the hidden details with imagination.

Pete

Nicely worked, both of you. The result is definitely an improvement and the process was educational.
Very satisfying.

Pete

You've caught a lovely interplay between the spider's web and the water to create this stunning natural jewellery, which contrasts so well with the haphazard, dull and ordinary natural debris in the background. It is an inspiration for jewellers.

Pete

Agreed. That extra bit at the top was a distraction.

Thanks Pete,

Rich

Now that I have looked at it with the top cropped, I'm agreeing with you about leaving the bottom as was.

Yes, also a minute further in than this one for instance. I can't lay claim to any particular preparation or plans for this photographically, I just got a few grab shots with my camera and walkabout lens and no special filters or tripod. So all mistakes were my own fault due to negligence!