* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #935 / Revived #155 on 2026 03 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!

EPERNAY TRACKS

Last weekend we were in the Champagne region on a short three day trip offered by our children and together with them. They had rented an apartment in Epernay as our home base for little trips in that city and to surrounding villages including Cramant and Hautvillers (for champagne tasting and bike rides through the vineyards), completing the trip with a stop in Reims on the way back home. Great fun.

On the two mornings of our stay I took early walks through Epernay. Hautvillers claims to be the cradle of champagne making (with the abbey where Dom Pérignon lived, the monk who perfected the method of champagne making). It is a very cute and cosy small town with a picturesque hill setting between the vineyards

But Epernay certainly is the main hub of the champagne production with a few big houses having their operations there. (Reims comes second.)

The big champagne houses were well organized for export and distribution: their grand entrance was on big avenues like the Avenue de la Champagne (go figure), but behind the castles for hosting guests and tastings, were the warehouses with direct access to the river Marne and/or to train tracks. That last aspect fascinated me.

One brand (Castellane) had enormous warehouses (now a bit in disrepair) right along the train tracks, with elaborate decorations (murals in ceramic mosaics, with scenes and the names of cities to which the product is exported) and crowned by an impressive tower. The style is a bit reminiscent of Plaza de Europa in Sevilla.

Here are two variations on a theme: attempts to combine the neo-classic beauty of those buildings with the nuts and bolts of distribution logistics.

Shots with Iphone 11, processed on the phone.

Hanoi.
Off to the nightmarket.............

Spring

In few days arrival of Spring is expected( at least in Northern Hemisphere ). We had unusually long period (3 months) of freezing temp and solid snow in Great White Frozen North. We are due for some relief...

That merchant demonstrates high level of ingenuity. Everything is on display, who needs shelfs in bricks and mortar environment?! Rolling stock has a new meaning here. Well seen.

Definitely b&w is ideal in this case(imho).
One does not need colour to appreciate the intricacies of various elements.

Harbingers - the small unobtrusive flowers of blueberry, peach, carolina jessamine, trillium, wild plum, snowbells

Small signs

[![_3050372.jpg]

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