Wednesday C&C * Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #911 / Revived #131 on 2025 10 01*

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!

FORTIFIED WINE

Three iphone 11 images from two months ago.
Back to Germany.

We stayed one night in Würzburg, a quite lovely city in the center of Germany.
On one side of the river, the town center is laid out.
On the other side, a rocky hillside with a castle dominates the city.
The slopes leading up the to main castle fortifications and entrance gates, are also part of a defensive systems with towers and walls, and form a path from which nice views of the city center can be had.
I've already shown images from that city center, as seen from that location (see link below).

But the main attraction of these slopes is that they are planted with vines that produce (a small fraction of) the local wines, for sale in Hofkeller Würzburg.

While Els enjoyed a nice glass of white on the bridge (see here for the story on that peculiar local habit: dprevived.com/t/wednesday-cc-no-theme-thread-903-revived-123-on-2025-08-06/7463/3/#post-105674), I walked up the steep shortcut descent with stairs to the castle, and descended via the scenic route.

These images are impressions from that walk:

Rhine Teeth

The Middle Rhine between Bingen and Koblenz is undeniably beautiful, as it weaves its way between steep slopes adorned with castles and vineyards and lovely old towns along its banks. But the Rhine is not just a picturesque smiling face, it has sharp teeth too. Those castles weren't built as decoration, but served a darker, even downright sinister, purpose and the Rhine itself can be brutal and regularly floods its towns. It is very fast flowing in this stretch and the strong currents and sunken rocks form eddies and whirlpools, which are lethal for swimmers and unforgiving for careless captains or distressed vessels.

The photo was taken from the upper storey of one of those castles, The Pfalz, which is shaped like a ship and sits on the rocks in the middle of the Rhine at Kaub. It was built to extract a toll from all passing vessels and had plenty of space in its cells and dungeon for captains who couldn't or wouldn't pay, where the would stay until the crew came back with the money. Woe betide any captain, who did not treat his crew well!

Porchetta Maestro.
This street bar in Perugia has specialized in porchetta since 1916. Lunch today was memorable. Unfortunately, my attempts to show the artistry with which this panini was sliced and assembled came to naught. The shots were ruined by reflections.
Now I can try again tomorrow.

Leave some for us!

Daydreamer

Met this little girl at the river last weekend.

Haven't taken a decent image all year. I apologize for not having had much to share.
These are from a year ago and work together I think, but not alone.

Excellent shot! I certainly think this works great alone. Beautiful light and tones and a nicely balanced composition.

A beautiful landscape indeed - I was very surprised by the city and its beautiful surroundings when I was there once! This one is a great capture giving a good glimpse of what‘s there to like.

Besides that I also appreciate the bold composition and angle in the second shot. Always a good idea to do something more experimental as well.

Protect what's left of your soul!

Elevation. Cool climate with thick old stone walls. The shots exude crisp dry white vibes , but I enjoyed the pun of the title. After a few hours touring in this region I'd need my camera's auto horizon feature to ensure images were level.
They are all promotional enticers that would be valued by the local business organization. However, I think you should treat your model to a red jacket.

The repeating finger shapes of the barge and rocks become the visual point of the image. Cleverly, the photographer has not included the full length of the ship. It is truncated at the frame edge, as are the rocks. The small highlight on the bow of the ship is just enough to give a further association with the points of the rocks. While boat and rocks are visually liked, there is the underlying tension of boats and rocks adding drama.
I liked the story as well.

Garden frolic

Why don't you use Photoshop to remove the reflections, Mike?

I like this image the most. Lonely human figure walking along the path next to angeled wine growth is very symbolic.

Great image and the colours are just right.

Amazing shot. Like the tech and the long vessel. Great combo.

My fave shot. Lonely figure against the vastness of the lake...