Wednesday C&C * Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #912 / Revived #132 on 2025 10 08*

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!

A lane in Perugia

SIENA - DIVINE LIGHT

Yesterday morning, before heading into Umbria, we visited the Duomo of Siena.

When I was in Siena 9 years ago to photograph behind the scenes of the Palio as "embedded" photographer in Contrada della Giraffa, I had briefly visited the Duomo, but I had not taken the time for a proper full visit of the architectural marvel.

This time round, we took the full-access ticket, including also the Museum of the original artwork and the original sculptures from the restored façade etc.

The ticket also included a feature called "Porta del Cielo" (Gate to Heaven) which is the Italian euphemism for "Absurd Amount of Steps".

Directly inside the entrance of the cathedral, you are guided in smaller groups through a hidden door up absurdly narrow winding stairs hidden in the columns of the façade, up a few levels:
- first to the space between the cupolas and the roof of the right side of the Cathedral, where views can be had through opened stained glass windows into the central Cupola,
- then further up and to the exterior of that same cupola where there is a narrow terrace with views of Siena,
- then around the Cupola to the left side and back to the front,
- finally across the narrow front interior balcony of the central section and back down again.

This is a view from that last stretch of the tour, viewing the star studded ceiling of the central section of the cathedral, looking from the facade towards the main altar:

As you can see, we were blessed with nice sunlight streaming in from the east (we were on the first tour of the day at 10.00 and we are firmly in autumn).

There is a net under the ceiling to protect churchgoers from falling pieces of plaster or other mishaps.
This webbing conducted the light streaming in, making it seem like the light was shining almost exactly horizontal.

Once back down in the Cathedral itself, I went of course looking for more manifestations of this same phenomenon, and ended up with these images :

Wet light bulbs

2-3 weeks ago I had a party in the garden and hung up a few garden lights.
They are still hanging and even look good in the rain :-)

It's a cool shot! Well done.
Two small people captured as silhouettes confined in a slither of light :-)
I'd be inclined to crop off a part of the top, just below the balcony on the right.

I visited the cathedral many years ago, it's a beautiful building with that famous striped pattern.
You've captured it well here. The effect of the light on that webbing is a nice feature.

One more bite

They are ALL amazing shots. It's great to see the progression...

My 2 pics.

Hands down the best shot. Magnificent light brought up all the architectual details to admire. One can spend hours studying the intricacies.

So simple, but so strong. Image of the week! (Imho)

Sometimes one doesn't have to go far to get a great shot, or 2. Excellent captures.

I believe on a shirt...

The Garden of Romance

The Peoples' Park in Chengdu, China contains a good variety of plants and flowers, but in addition it contains a good variety of interesting activities for people. There are Tea Gardens, where you can sit, talk, relax, drink tea. There is a boating like. There are dozens of stalls selling snacks and toys and souvenirs. There are areas for dance and Tai Chi, areas where people come to sing or even perform opera. It really is an Eldorado for the traveller and photographer. Having spent the late afternoon relaxing and sipping tea, as we walked through the dusk to a another corner, The Garden of Romance. Here Singles hang sheets of paper with their credentials, hoping to attract a partner. There are blue sheets for boys and pink for girls. There are also women, the Match-Makers, sitting patiently, with their clients' details spread on the ground before them. The adverts contain details such as age, height, occupation, type of car owned, description of flat owned, sometimes a photo. Not exactly the pinnacle of romance, despite the garden's name, but then, it is usually for the benefit of the potential Mother in Law and to tempt them to put pressure on the daughter to marry and influence the choice.