The grasses are nice and sharp, which I think is important for the photo to work. The colours are attractive, and so is the arrangement of the grasses. The background is unusual, with the rectangle of out of focus objects with similar colours to the grasses and the black, but it works well.
Pete
A moment in time. We see two people who are interacting with each other, and, judging by their expressions, it seems to be an enjoyable experience. However, he is looking directly at her and she is looking somewhere else. Has the enjoyable moment in time just finished? Was the exchange between them a compliment, or a friendly or even witty remark? Or did they have a more substantial conversation? We don’t know, and it is unimportant. What is important is that the photo triggers us to have these thoughts and spend time with it.
The background is very cluttered, but is that a problem? I don’t think so, as the people are still easily seen and the background is important to give a sense of place and give a sense of brevity to the meeting. Had this been a plush café, it would probably have led us to believe the metering had been longer , more intimate.
Pete
Yes, it could be an embryo in a womb, but it could be other things too and thinking about that is what makes the image.
No matter what the viewer sees in it, the image has pleasing haves and colours, which makes it a peaceful experience.
Pete
Those bridges are quite something, and I am sure you can spend hours exploring different angles, and then adding in different weather conditions, different amounts of traffic, with and without blur or light-trails, the possibilities start heading off towards infinity.
I like the second, because it explores the symmetry of the structure and the third, because it ignores the symmetry and concentrates on differing lines and shapes.
The first one doesn’t really come off in my opinion. It is almost symmetrical, and the fact that it isn’t jars a bit. I think if you crop out the join in the road in the foreground, and straighten the photo so the bridge seems level, even if it wasn’t, then the arches would seem almost symmetrical and the photo would be more successful.
Pete
The idea was good, but the execution is even better. Even knowing it is paper, the extremely shallow depth of field and the colours disguise it well. I assume it is a paper towel roll, which wasn’t thrown in, but it doesn’t matter. The photo is not about what it is , but about what it has become, and that is a fine abstract photo.
The progression of colours work well, as do the light and shadow hinting at shape.
The sharp areas are minimal, but catch the eyes’ attention and give the image some structure.
Nice one.
Pete
Now this is special.
There is just enough sharpness in the water and the birds to lock onto, whilst the rest quickly disappears into the light and fog. The extreme highlights on the sharp water help to blend it into the high-key and wonderfully soft background, which barely shows the buildings hiding there. The different shades of grey in the birds neatly suggest depth.
Love it.
Pete
An interesting little series brickwork.
The first celebrates the brickwork as a strong but unusually decorative medium. The diagonal of zig-zag walls is appealing, especially shown against the arch shape, but it is the patterns made from bricks jutting out of the wall, which really lights up the image.
The second shows the raw power of the bricks forming the tower, rising ing defiantly, helped by the low angle of view.
The third is intriguing. A slick looking Art Deco(?) frontage, with the word “Modernissimo” in contrast to the old brickwork. Below that is a word in a puzzling reverse, without any obvious reflection to cause it. Then a reflection of medieval brickwork. An image which poses riddles. Nice.
Pete
Yes.
On top of that I like the orange in the top half (ok, there is blue sky too!) extends below the bridge and the shadowy blue extends over this by means of the bridge. The two arcs form an eye, and right in the middle is an almost silhouetted boat. Add the fact that the buildings are very attractive too and you have a winner.
Pete
As a boy, I enjoyed browsing picture books of foreign lands, fascinated by the unusual architecture, colourful costumes and customs. When I was finally able to travel, I was disappointed to find that the buildings had become western, even the shops were the same, except for fewer and fewer noteworthy survivors. But most disappointing of all was the almost complete disappearance of local costumes. Just jeans and T-shirt, the same as me.
On my recent trip to Bhutan, I was delighted to find that was not the case. Most men wore the traditional short tunic with knee-length socks and most women wore the traditional skirt, made be winding a length of cloth around their waist.
Pete
Sorry, Mike. No damsels in undress for this dragon. It was no King Kong, and had obviously just eaten them, as there were none around. I guess I could ask AI if it can find any.
Thanks to everyone else too for the comments. I think everyone saw the mechanical monster as intended, but actually I also see a robot gunslinger from a low angle. Two dangers for the price of one!
Pete
Yes, that’s quite a sight! Most gothic churches are bare stone now, but many were highly decorated like this. Just imagine the effect that had seven hundred years ago. A hallucinogenic visual firework every Sunday before returning to the dark and dingy hovel.
Pete
You definitely made the most of this little scene with a keen eye. The light flatters the colours, composition, and textures and creates a very pleasing image.
Pete
Who needs iconic scenery when you have beautiful scenery! Most importantly you have observed and captured it in a beautiful way, and drawing attention to the intrinsic beauty in an easily overlooked scene is far better than showing an iconic scene as an iconic scene.
Pete
That is one to be very proud of! You have caught the decisive moment perfectly as the bird launches itself. Its feet barely touching the tree and its body stretched to maximum. The tension is tangible.
It may be a bit dark, but as it is, there is a feeling of dusk or a spirit in the night, which is also cool, so I’m not sure that I would change it.
Pete
It looks like a sea-bird covered rock/island, but the painterly treatment helps us interpret it in a much freer way, and the process of doing so or trying to mentally retro-process back to the original is captivating.
The colours and composition create something which is both imposing and calm.
Pete
Yes, a bit of fog to soften and add mystery to the background and highlight the bare tree, and the world is transformed. Even an old power station is no longer a blot on a good image.
I agree with everything Minnie says and think her subtle crop makes the image even better.
Pete
The red dragonfly is beautiful and well taken in both. The first, with its creamy blurred background, is particularly good and is my favourite.
However, I can see what attracts you to the second. As it is, it seems a bit cluttered, and the sharp grasses on the left and right distract from the main subject. Maybe I could suggest a crop, leaving a natural frame of blurred grass to draw the viewer in to the insect? Something like this …..
Pete
I enjoy trying to suggest movement in the static medium of a photograph, so I really enjoy this, where the whole thing is in motion. Since the rails are in the direction of the motion, they appear to be sharp, especially the near rail. They seem motionless, which accentuates the blur of the rest, giving it an even greater sense of speed.
Simple, but very effective.
Pete
