Season's greetings to members of a now expanded Circle D. Would members of please add your comments below or email them to me along with a vote for your favourite photograph.
1) Bill A
September morning grass,: Taken in my back garden this year with a D-Lux 5 and a piece of black card for a background.
2) Bill S
Taxi Rank: Taken at Manchester Piccadilly station with a Panasonic FP8 compact which has a Leica DC Vario Elmar fitted.
Clean up: Engineerin
The Tinkerer: Leica M8.2 / 35mm Summarit-M
 |
Ammonite fossil with calcite deposits: Leica X1 with KIWI filter holder tube & Leitz Elpro VIIa close-up lens. ISO 100 f8 @ 1/2 second; autofocus & aperture priority; auto white balance . Camera on Kaiser copy stand; subject supported on wooden block above black cotton velvet; illumination via 3 x IKEA 'JANSJÖ' lamps. Linear polariser used on camera lens. (See the Circle Notes page for a photo of the apparatusused for the shoot.)
6) Elaine J
Having Fun
The Pals: Three redundant fishermen, victims of the Icelandic Cod war. They met every day, drank a few cans of Carlsburg, smoked, talked about the good old days. I joined them talking, not drinking. Over a period of five days I think I took about 20-30 frames. I gave them a copy each of the best shot as a memory of their Pals. Leica M6 TTL 35 f2 Summicron. T-MAX 100. Perceptol stock 12mins
Steps: Hurst Castle, Leica R6, 28mm, HP5+
Juke box: Goodwood Revival, Leica M4-2, 50mm Summicron
That's all folks.....
(Photographs placed in alphabetical order)
Dave S
ReplyDelete1) At first for all intents and purposes a simple shot, but its one that would be overlooked by many and also more importantly one that has introduced a good deal of input from the photographer.
We are seeing the vision of someone to seeing the possibility for making something out of nothing. The light has been seen, the potential spotted and the element of the black card introduced to pull everything together. Be they natural or introduced the water droplets adding perfectly to create texture.All in all a beautifully excuted shot in terms of exposure and processing to create the exact contrast to suit the subject and the lines flowing as they do make an engaging simple image of great technical and aesthetic quality. First rate shot.
2) An interesting perspective showing the hustle and bustle of city life. Perhaps a bit 'fussy' as there is no real focal point for the eye to stop on. I am drawn to the red and white taxi on the right hand side though the point of focus is more on the closest 'shine' cab in the foreground.
Exposure has been handled well by the Lumix though I would have preferred to have seen a little more contrast brought back in processing, shooting through what I would imagine is not the cleanest window in the world, from prevailing conditions it would have been at best wet, has reduced the contrast levels a tad.
4) An interesting shot of the guy at work doing some last min oiling of some part or another. These types of shot are always difficult to take, when its a person working on something like this is it the car or the guy thats the main feature of what is being taken. In this case the photographer has chosen a viewpoint that makes it clear what the guy is doing so we are in no doubt about it being the tinkering that is the crux of it. In an ideal world would have liked to have seen the inclusion of the top of the chaps back and full steering wheel included. Also wider aperture so a narrower DOF brought into play just to blur out the background distractions.
5) Just as with No 1 this shot again shows a good deal of photographer input in setting up this shot.
Notoriously difficult things to light and shoot well. Even lighting has allowed the full detail to be captured and the tonality of the various areas preserved. Was Interesting to see the set up posted in the comments section on how this was shot.
6) Nicely exposed shot under difficult lighting conditions. Like no2 with so much going on I am finding it difficult to pick up on the point of interest in the shot, my eye flits between the young chap who is 'in the background' and the actual point of focus which is on the coin machine game towards the foreground it naturally being drawn towards the more in focus part which has less 'of interest 'going on.
7) A shot full of character this one. Perfectly captures the sense of feeling these guys must have, colleagues at work comrades in redundancy. Sharing both the good and the bad. The expression on the guy closest says it all, great street capture and exposure under harsh conditions handled very well
8) Once more Malcolm needs to go on a photoshop tutorial course to get his sizes right. Lol. Nicely seen light and another well exposed shot to keep all under control. Keeps the mind working and the viewer wondering - whats at the bottom of that staircase
9) Bit to quick on the shutter this month Phil, you got them before they started snogging. though the guy by the jukebox looks like its on his agenda. On a more serious note, great timing to capture the interaction between the characters in this shot. A somewhat nostalgic image that takes you back to the hey day of the coffee bars and continues to tell the story of youth.
Some will say the reflections in the window distract, but they are all a part of the scene and add realism to what could be construed as a stage set shot were they not there. Photo journalism heritage shines through again.
Photo 1.
ReplyDeleteI like this shot very much, the water drops lift it above the average photo. My only little grumble is that there are too many drops on the middle stem for me, it looks more like a saw blade! But for me a cracking good photo.
Photo 2.
A very nice picture but it does nothing for me, no point of interest but that said it is a very nice night time photo.
Photo 3.
A very good available light shot, I was there and the light was not very good at all but this photo belies the low light levels. Great detail of the engineer, super photo.
Photo 5.
At first glance the photo looks superb but on closer inspection I feel that there are ‘in focus and out of focus’ areas, or is it my screen? Nice idea.
Photo 6.
Again not for me and again too many points of interest and none of them really making the shot. Too many reflections, the overall colour for me is much too red almost as if the white balance is set wrong.
Photo7.
A wonderful film shot, cannot beat a bit of grain in B & W! Great shot and well printed and scanned.
Photo 8.
Again a very nice shot using film, I do like the curve of the wall and steps, again beautifully printed and scanned.
Photo 9.
I am afraid that this photos does not appeal to me, I do not like the reflections, angle of the photo, sorry but not for me.
1) –
ReplyDelete2) The shooting angle makes the left side of the picture tilt off square; coupled with the colour cast from the street lights makes the picture less appealing than it might be.
3) The light on the engineers face makes this for me but the bright opening above his head is a major distraction. A slightly higher viewpoint would have added so much to this.
4) As a former petrolhead I have watched VSCC meetings on many occasions; I suspect this is the GN Spider. To me this is a well crafted picture with good dof and human interest. The red Morgan tail is a bit of a draw to the eye and perhaps by moving to the left could have been covered by the mechanics posterior?
5) A difficult lighting exercise well done which has made a fine pattern picture.
6) For me the photographer has not made the most of this. My eye is first caught by the white machine at the front and then wanders off looking for more but the gambler is not sharp enough or sufficiently well lit to retain my interest.
7) I immediately felt the sense of emptiness in these lives, even before reading the caption. Good tonal range, composition added to by the gritty feel.
8 ) There are some interesting patterns here but while my mind wants to go down the steps my eye is captured by the bright left hand side, particularly further back, I feel that it needed some heavy burning in at the top left. Almost there, just needs a bit more work.
9) Too confusing for me.
1)Keep it simple, it works. Very effective. Well framed and executed.
ReplyDelete3) This is a wonderful shed, when I was there people were free to wander, great for photograpy providing the light plays along with you as it has done here. It really captures the atmosphere of the place.
4) Another good photo opportunity, it does seem a little flat to me. A RHS crop to take out the distracting red Morgan helps it for me. A pleasant shot none the less.
5) A good record shot well executed. The set-up in the notes is a useful addition. I don’t know the X1 but wonder why the Elpro was needed on a modern digital camera for a subject of that size. (I’ve also learned what a KIWI adapter is although I’ve used similar items for years on my Canon G series cameras.)
6) Great low light image, sharp-ish all the way through as you might expect.I feel the figure is a little lost in the frame and one is distracted by all the detail elsewhere. Not sure he’s having much fun either.
7) Classic RF image, very strong in the frame, the light wall is distracting, cropping the top helps a little. Might be another image to take the guy on the right out and go in tight on the others. Its a picture which asks questions- I’m glad you answered one of them. I like this.
8) Strong dramatic curve leads you down the steps to the (just a touch) dark bottom. Where is it going? Very nicely executed.
9) Shot from the hip? A good try, the atmosphere is there but it is spoiled by the reflections.There is definately a picture in there, you’ve seen it and taken the shot. I like the communication between the boy and girl.
1
ReplyDeleteThe Grass, The black background kills the picture, In P/S I inverted it to High Key, the result was stunning. Composition and shapes all blend to make it a very artistic picture, the water drops give it an extra kick.
2
The sweep of the road gives the picture shape, it captures the bustle of the city at night.
3
The Portrait of the engineer with the side lighting is excellent, it comes alive with him leaning forward, a touch of the Dutch masters.
4
A lower viewpoint would improve the composition and eliminate some of the background.
5
I wanted to go deeper into the Fossil, every sector has so many interesting shapes, excellent picture with 100% input from the photographer.
6
With a little crop from the R/H side the interest is increased on the young man, The arcade looks like gold mine for lots of character shots, that's if you are a very brave photographer.
8
I would like to see a 12x16 silver print of this, great a shapes and tones. Digital is fine but it sometimes fails to give the depth that this picture has.
9
A quirky picture that asks questions, what are the subjects doing? I want to see more, I think I can hear the sound. The more I look the more I see, I like this. A slice of Leica life.
Jim
ReplyDeleteA most interesting comment, thanks. I had not envisaged it this way. I like both your suggestion as well as the original. Most helpful.
1). This could hardly be simpler, the curved leaf at the bottom left providing a base from which the three grasses spring. Black card solves the perennial problem of the messy background and the water droplets add that essential extra sparkle.
ReplyDelete2). Another of Bill S’s night-time shots. The curve of the road really fills the frame (so many taxis)and the reflections in the wet pavements brighten the scene enormously.
3). The light has caught this chap’s face at just the right angle lifting him from the dark background.The very bright highlights are somewhat distracting and could perhaps be toned down to advantage?
4).No question as to what is the subject matter here but the red blob at top right does catch the eye unfortunately. Engines are not my “thing” but I can well understand the fascination with beasties of this nature.
5). I like the delicate grey and brown colours here and the wonderful spiral of the ammonite. The way it has been presented is well thought out (and explained in the notes) and results in an image of great impact.
6). An image of bright lights, glitz and razzamatazz inviting the punter in to have fun - and yet the sole figure gives it a sense of solitude and loneliness.
7).A very strong graphic/ reportage type shot of these men. The one in the centre is looking straight at the camera and therefore seemingly directly at us the viewers whilst the other two seem lost in their own individual worlds. A classic Leica shot.
8). I’ll try to get image size right next time - been taking lessons!!!
9). Direct eye contact again here between the central character and the camera/viewer. an odd mix of indoor and outdoor with the ghost image of the marquee and Union Jacks combining with the regimented rows of photographs on the walls. Is that the photographer’s shadow on the bottom right?
1)
ReplyDeleteI like the graphic quality of this shot. There’s very little within the frame and yet it works well, and is very well executed.
2)
Judging by the weather I’d imagine these taxi’s will have picked up a good number of fares. I like the sweep of the road and the reflections, good angle to shoot from as well.
3)
Black and white really works here and it is a classic Leica shot, with the engineer just going about his work as the photographer goes about his. Nice one.
4)
Looks like he’s got his work cut out for him. I agree a little off the right might have removed the distraction of the red object, but it’s a good record of the man at work and I’d bet it’s fun to drive.
5)
Sensational detail and fascinating use of an X1, I like the lighting as well.
6)
The figure seems lost in a world of their own, a world that as a child I can remember would always draw me in whenever we headed to the seaside, usually Westgate or Margate back then. There’s a lot of detail, perhaps too much, but I like the lighting, it gives that feeling of warmth.
7)
A great shot, classic Leica. You can tell even with a quick glance that these three will have a few good yarns to share. Well composed, with the space above their heads getting larger as we head along the line, very good indeed.
8)
This is something from nothing. Really well spotted and the use of lines to make a picture works so well here. Just right.
1) Well thought out by the photographer and I like the composition ie use of the corner. I'm not so sure about the black background in this instance ie with this subject matter - and the falling blade of grass is not in harmony with the other more dynamic elements.
ReplyDelete2) The whole picture is far too 'busy' ie too many elements . The picture opportunity is the people scurrying across the road in the rain as one of the cabs waits at the crossing - and other cabs look to have more interesting roof paint jobs maybe worthy of closer scrutiny. If the photographer had zoomed in to capture just the crossing with pedestrians and one cab, the picture may have had a better story to tell. The photo is nicely exposed but for me conjures up too many noisy diesel engines.
3) Exposure is good for the difficult lighting conditions and I like the facial lighting . A difficult scene to capture in that environment as the angles available to the photographer were limited - but there does not appear to be much going on ie brushing up swarf is not sufficiently 'box office' to make an interesting composition.
4) I like the atmosphere conveyed ie the vintage car enthusiast concentrating intensely on the old motor - but it's spoilt by his posterior 'apparently' being rammed by the vehicle next to him - maybe a different viewpoint could have eliminated this.
6) Plenty of colour but the youth does not appear to 'having fun' . A difficult atmosphere to convey and IMO needs a closer viewpoint of a punter spending/losing his hard earned money. The colourful machines do not by themselves make a box office picture.
7) I like this very much because it conveys a sense of comradery beween the redundant fishermen and the reminiscing expression on the first fisherman's face conjures up his thoughts.
8) I can hear the echo of footsteps and can imagine someone disappearing down the steps but feel that he picture looks rather ordinary and it needs a more dynamic perspective - maybe a lower viewpoint with the 28mm wide angle would give greater emphasis to the interesting shape of the wall.
9) Too much effort required by the viewer to see exactly what the photographer is trying to convey . The reflections are distracting and to my eyes there are too many elements to contend with. The tilted window frame has possibilities for a dynamic composition - but not with those reflections.