* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #953 / Revived #173 on 2026 07 22 *

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!

EGO-AZU

Here’s another of my “shadow selfies”, last week at the Iguazú Cataratas (Argentinian side):

A summer night

A very beautiful waterfall; the rainbow is the icing on the cake.

Sunrise

I don't think so, Alan.
The overexposed parts of this photo cannot replace real ice and snow.

I would crop off the top third of the sky.
Maybe 16:9?
Unfortunately, this photo is unnecessarily heavily compressed.
Why is that?
Actually, a very nice photo.

On The Fence

We have two messy gardens at the country house. They have been in use, in one form or another, for over a century. Here's what a cursory walkaround turns up. I just leave this stuff where I find it, since someone from the 3 prior generations or 2 subsequent generations of my family put it there. I apologize again for living such a boring photographic life.

A couple of old fence posts and a very old gate.

A sweet gum ball somehow impaled on barbed wire.

Part of an old shovel.

A part of a garden implement I would not know what to do with but must have to do with breaking up ground for planting. It always reminds me of a hand.

I'm still working through unearthed negatives from 1974. These are more from the Greek island, Samos.
It has been interesting re-visiting photos I took over fifty years ago. I have never thought I had a personal photography style but revisting these shots they feel familiar. I might "see" the same shots in the same way today.
Teamwork.

Re. Roel's photo.
Vertical lines everywhere and a somewhat vertical waterfall. It all creates the feeling of height and therefore your shadow on a short horizontal span feels all the more precarious. Very atmospheric. Lightyears better than a "selfie" linking the photographer to the location.

As a very broad generalization Kumsal I prefer the photos you take with people in them. This is another example.
The woman is isolated from the social activities behind her. The bags suggest weight and her stance suggests tiredness. The wide format works very well. It makes a point of her isolation. Nothing behind her, nothing in front of her. I think the tall centre pole splitting the image adds to the "where from" "where to" mood.
You have just enough detail in the dark areas behind the buildings. Moving out of the light into the shadows doesn't look like a good choice.
A very atmospheric and somewhat unsettling image.

Cellophane on a wet road with some reflected lights?
I have no idea but, yes, it is reminiscent of some aerial night views.
While it is a fun "what is it "photograph, it doesn't get me too excited about the possible answers.

I agree with Kumsal re the top crop. The strength of the image is in the horizontal bands and the colour contrast. The top crop would make the horizontal lines stronger. And I'd play with a considerably narrower crop off the bottom as well - about halfway between the current bottom edge and the closest dark shape on the left.
Overcompressed? Not to my eye. I'd want it dark so the small circle of the sun wasn't too bright and dominating the scene.

Little stormy weather - Lake Huron, Ontario.

You have shadows of the bridge, green forest, rainbow and glorious waterfall. All the components for great shot.

As a night street shot it works very well.

Well, we all have ideas, but the picture taker had a vision and it's all up to the interpretation ...

I would however, trim the bottom a bit(imho).

Great memorable shot, but i would crop bottom and top a little to accentuate the sun and some human activity on the beach...

Great series. There are stories and stories to each item. This is the most appealing - shape, colours, location. There is an air of mystery.

What you are showing us here is piece of history and b&w treatment is ideal representation of this period. Excellent.

Followed all advises

Excellent!!!

Light and Music

We were in Mainz last week and decided to call into St.Stephan's church to see the Chagall stained glass windows again.