* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #871 / Revived #091 on 2024 12 25 *

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 a photo or photo-based image that you have made and get critique on it. And in return you give other people your honest but constructive opinion of their images.

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 or essay 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 or essay that you have made and would like to get comments on.
An entry can either be a single image or a short essay. With an essay we mean not a collection of random images without any connection, seeking C&C on more than one of them. We mean instead a limited number (3 to 10) of connected images that together try to tell a story, create a fuller picture of a situation, event or location, etc.
• Add a clear title to your post to distinguish your entry.
• Look at the other images/essays 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.
• Please stay on topic, i.e. concentrate on the image and the photographic comments, without getting into politics or other distractions. No non-photographic arguments.

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:
Unless the original poster specifically states (for every individual posting offered for C&C) that they do not want their image(s) to be downloaded, altered or reposted, it is understood that within the context of this thread, other participants are free to download and alter the posted image and repost it in a reply for C&C purposes. That reposted image may remain permanently within the week's thread, or you may remove it after a short period of time if you prefer. The downloaded and altered images are not to be used for any other purposes nor uploaded anywhere else than within the context of the C&C in this thread. 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.

Have fun, be respectful and let’s stick together!

WORSHIP XIV

Another image in my ongoing series of images, all with the "Worship" title.
(I kinda have lost count, so the XIV is a bit random, I must confess. I have at least a dozen previous images though in the same vein.)

This is an iphone image, shot in the chapel of the castle of Berat in Albania.
The chapel is the main part of the Onufri museum, dedicated to one of the most celebrated artists making icons.

Peace and serenity

1932 Art Deco filtration plant in Toronto, still in operation today. I always vist the grounds and admire the simplicity of the architecture.

Very unique background and "sign of times",
a couple taking a selfie.

Very unusual burls caused by environmental stress? Image is very symbolic. You can read into it a lot. Good find.

Two Versions of the Nativity Story

The Cathedral at Eze on the French coast

The Christmas Play last night, our grandson as Joseph.

Christmas morning in Oceanside is chilly but brilliant with clear blue skies and blinding sun after a cold, foggy, rainy Christmas Eve.

I liked the way the sun was coming in the room. I put the vase on the floor to have a non-cluttered background.

The way the sunlight streaming in the room is catching the dry grass makes it look like fireworks.

The vase is 3-1/2 inches tall.

Fireworks

Rich

Lighting up the Christmas tree
It's the 25th today and Christmas time. Here, in Austria, Christmas is celebrated yesterday, on the 24th.
It's typical to use a real tree and real candles with a few sparklers on the Christmas tree here in Austria.
Looks really pretty and smells great.
Two fire extinguishers are always waiting at the ready, although in all the years, with a watchful eye, we've never needed them so far ;-)

So let's light 'em up.

Merry Xmas and Happy holidays to all!

^
That statue looks very realistic, very nicely photographed too.

I like it, color contrast plays an important role here.

Beautiful, yet terrifying. Trees and candles don't mix.

Merry Christmas, I hope the fire extinguishers weren't needed!

The shepherds don't seem too happy about the birth of the saviour. But, a very decent pic overall for ISO 6400.

I had to pick up some family at the airport today and snapped a few pictures along the way.

Thanks :-)
... As long as the tree and candles are accompanied with a good portion of common sense, then the danger is minimised to an acceptable level ;-)

By the way, I just noticed the lady in the painting is lighting up her cigar from one of the candles :-)

Great train shot ! I can alsmost hear it rumbling by.
Love the muted colours