Wednesday C&C * Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #917 / Revived #137 on 2025 11 12*

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!

VILLA HÜGEL

We made a quick trip to Essen in Germany (Ruhrgebiet, Nord-Rhein-Westfalen) last weekend.

Our main purpose was to visit the William Kentridge retrospective exhibition in Folkwang Museum (wonderful).

But on the second day of our minitrip, we enjoyed fairly good indian summer weather with a bike ride with our little folding bikes around the BaldeneySee south of Essen.

This lake was created with a powerdam on the Ruhr river, and it sits between a few villages, but also for a large part on the huge estate of Villa Hügel.

This is the slightly megalomaniacal villa built by the dynasty of the Krupp-family, in the peak years of their industrial empire, when their factories surrounding Essen occupied almost tenfold the surface of the town itself (and with further factories and shipwharfs dotted elsewhere in Germany and beyond). They made good money from machines of war, U-boats, train locomotifs etc.

After the bike ride, we visited the Villa (at least the "Kleines Haus", i.e. the smaller of two wings), with an interesting historical exhibition on the family, their industrial empire and the Hügel estate (and with a few short but very necessary mentions of their role as armament suppliers in subsequent wars). And we rounded off the day with a walk through the villa park (on a few hills, descending towards the lake. On a very well chosen spot, a peaceful statue "Weidendes Pferd" was placed.

These are two images of this statue and the Villa Hügel in the background, one shot right after the other, and cropped to different ratios.

Northern Lights, Southern Style

I make no claims about image quality here as this is an unedited iPhone jpeg. But the rarity of the occasion warranted an image with whatever camera I had with me and this was it.

In Mississippi we never see the aurora. My visits to Canada, Iceland, Michigan, etc., have failed to produce opportunities to see that phenomenon. Yet, last night, here at the country house in rural Attala county, I went outside to look at stars and here is what I found in my yard. The slow shutter in the auto night view capture enhanced the colors a little but the phenomenon was clearly visible to my (admittedly bad) eyes.

I'm going to post this shot with the B&W discussion group also.
You just might recognize the guy in the background as well.
Gubbio. Italy.

I like this a lot! Good composition and lots of room for interpretation. The direction of the look from the man pushing the wheelchair, connects the two different vehicles. While one is (at least for some people) the ultimate symbol for freedom, the other one is still associated with being stuck/limited movement. With today's technological capabilities it wouldn't take that much enabling a similar freedom (and joy) of movement to anyone including people with disabilities... instead we're (increasingly even) stuck in a system where very few enjoy (or don't) the ultimate freedom to do whatever they want, while those struggling are once more left behind, stuck... to their own devices. It's embarassing, really.

On a positive note however: That guy has someone pushing his wheelchair. He's seemingly not alone, which is a kind of privilege as well. So hopefully things aren't looking as bleak for these individuals going their own way.

Fall deep precious

I'm sorry about the continued foliage... it has been the most beautiful fall here since decades. Mild weather, warm, but with a constant nice breeze, regular but very little rain. The leaves were able to stay on the trees longer and change color slowly. The nuances are incredible. The light is incredible. While it's over now and slowly getting colder, that's a gift you don't get often. I certainly really enjoyed that.

Shower Approaching

This scene reminded me of Chinese landscape paintings, although actually it is on the banks of the Mekong in Laos.

Was rather busy travelling last week, but have a bit of down time before flying to Beijing today. 30°C to 3°C could be interesting!

Wonky

Proportions are much better. Very pleasing capture.

Great atmosphere and layers in hights make this shot.

This image talks to me more, somehow. That faint road is a bonus. Very atmospheric.

Very, very busy and full of action shot. Lots of individual interpretations required.

Wildfire(pseudo)caught and documented, even though it does resemble Northern Lights. You had lots of luck i reckon.

A very interesting shot - well seen and captured! The one half of the structure almost feels like a reflection itself which is slightly distorted. Certainly confusing and intriguing. I'm not sure if as much of the dark area to the right is neede for proper balance. I'd either try cropping it to a square or (if there's more to be seen to the left of the building in the original shot) more of a landscape format.

William Kentridge first. I discovered him only last month and like his work a lot. Generally I don't like "video art" but I liked his. Of course, this is only a small area of his output. Do you have photos of the exhibition?

Weidendes Pferd. I prefer the wider version. Not sure why - I think it's because it is closer to the way I see the world and square format just looks artificial to me.
Expensive things horses. Your subject is at home in that setting.

I'm envious. Seeing the aurora in that colour must be sensational. The arch created by the leaning tree in the middle does a beautiful job of framing the most intense area of light. Similarly, the handful of stars adds further interest.

They are both rich and satisfying. Also in both, the highlights in the out of focus background are making the shot. The subject leaves are framed by the light and in 2, the additional lines (a road?) add movement towards the leaves. As you say. it's the light that is making the ordinary something special.

The left/right transition from opaque to clear is captured with careful exposure control. Add the mountain shapes and, as you say, it's reminiscent of Chinese landscape art. The dark edge of the clouds to the rightframe the peaks on that side and this plus the reflection balances the squall to the left.
Looking forward to seeing the next Chinese shots.