* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #931 / Revived #151 on 2026 02 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 (almost 17 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 or critical 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!

THE SACRED & THE MUNDANE

Once more back to Morocco with two images from our first two full days in the country, when we were staying in Casablanca.

1) The enormous Hassan II Mosque (as seen from the side of its big courtyard).

2) And the small but very lively daily Maarif market in the eponymous quarter where we were staying.

(Still working with my Iphone images; I don't know when I will (ever) get around to processing Olympus camera images.)

The Photographers of Tet.
Tet is the period of Vietnam's Lunar New Year. It's a huge celebration.
For young women, it has become a time to wear and be photographed in the most gracious of dresses, the traditional Ao Dai. Everywhere in Vietnam a couple of weeks ago, we saw girls gathering to photograph each other. Sometimes a simple phone was enough, sometimes elaborate lighting and reflectors were being used. In some popular tourist sites there might be hundreds. Clouds of butterflies. Boyfriends as well are keen to develop their photography skills....

And the mothers get into the act as well. Mothers generally wear brighter clothes

I took these 2 weeks ago during the Great Mississippi Ice Storm, the day after my gloomy dam-ice photos from last week. The swamp will only develop an ice layer during prolonged freezes like this one. I've only seen it once before.

New and Old

Every few years I follow a nostalgic ritual and attend Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. This year was unique for me since many world's car manufacturers were showcasing the latest EV (electric vehicles). They are all different and not my cup of tea, but,

among all the vehicles I located 2 rather very eccentic automobiles: 2026 Bugatti Mistral ($5M and 1.500 HP) and 1926 Bugatti Baby Type 35 ($50K , 1.3HP and - fully operational).
Times have changed, dramatically, in past 100 years...

Just beautiful. The trees are almost growing out of the water. Very impactful and captivating shot with blues and browns dominating. Excellent.

You have certainly captured the essence of the spirit of Tet. It's truly the showcase of the event in full glory. Well seen.

What ties these 2 images together is this icredible mosaic floor. The amount of work and pure artisan effort which was undaubtedly required to accomplish is absolutely mind boggling. The view of the Mosque against blue sky in image #1 is stellar. Well done.