Here at last are this month's photographs. Apologies for the delay in getting these online, all my fault. But, now they are here, please vote and comment as usual.
1) Bill A
Although it appears like an inversion at first glance it is not - note the bottoms of the cross arms are darker / in shadow. I detest pylons, they march across our landscape like HG Wells Martians only these invaders destroy the natural beauty. Their shape and constructi
"Well its like this...": Taken on a Panasonic FT4 in Piccadilly Gardens Manchester
Budget Holiday: M8 50mm Planar. A messy shot but sums up bargain breaks!
Gymnastics on Brighton Beach: Leica V-Lux 1
'Mass Feeding Time at the Swannery' (taken at the Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset). It was taken with my Leica Digilux 2 (having its original sensor) with its 28mm - 90mm Summicron f/2.4 Lens - exposed for 1/320 second at f/11.0 (ISO 100)
This is a mural on a street corner in Vienna. Unfortunat
Delivered daily to your door: Olympus E-5 , Leica D-Summilux 25/1.4, 1/80 @ f4.5 , ISO 12
Little white cloud . " Taken with Leica R3 and 35 mm lens, scanned by Canon 9000
Autumn 2007 on Ness Bank. SL2 Sum, Pro160s
Break Time" Taken at the Weatherby Service Station on the A1 with the Panasonic
Good light: Leica M6, Kodachrome 64
Fag Break: Leica D-lux 5 : Taken during our World War 2 Weekend at The Shire Hall Monmouth
Rufus Loves the Sun, X
That's it once more.
1) Bill A … Pylon
ReplyDeleteA very strong and memorable graphic image which could probably sell - but I'd like to see it as a more symmetrical composition. However, referring to your Martian analogy, the slight twist conveys a sense of it walking which was maybe the intention?
2) Bill S … "Well it's like this"
Reminds me of a Les Dawson sketch … with a bit of Telly Savalas too … "Who loves ya baby!" He looks to be quite a character … but judging by his gesticulating there might have been a stronger picture if you'd taken a few more?
3) Dave S … "Budget Holiday"
Intriguing picture and I keep going back to it - looking for a story - wondering if there is /was another figure - rather strange place to have a picnic? Cannot make my mind up about this one.
4) David F "Gymnastics on Brighton Beach."
One for the family album but it lacks sharpness. There are two toddlers being foot juggled but one of them is only just visible. Perhaps a better 'moment' could have have caught i.e. with both of them up in the air … and more sharply.
5) David K … "Mass feeding at the Swannery"
An interesting scene but unfortunately as the horizon is not level it spoils the whole composition - this could be easily corrected to make a much better photograph.
6) Del B … "Einbahn"
I looked long and hard at this but cannot see much of a connection between the sign and the mural scene … but I like the strong colours.
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8) Elaine J … "Little White Cloud"
Very effective pattern picture and the cloud sets off the scene beautifully. The type of picture I would buy as a greetings card from John Lewis.
9) James C … "Autumn on Ness Bank"
The single leaf in the foreground is fine but the others in the background, out of focus, look too untidy/messy and spoil the photo. Maybe one leaf by itself would have been stronger? And I'd like to see the leaf at a different angle. With this type of picture you have total control over all the elements thus a bit of 'gardening' / 'rearranging' could have paid off.
10) Malcolm R … "Break Time"
Nicely framed between the two trees … two ladies having a good chin wag … would like to see a closer view of them as they look very engaged in whatever they are chatting about with maybe some potentially interesting expressions . I like the reflections in the background.
11) Phil C "Good Light"
I am wondering exactly what the people are standing in? Is it a bus shelter? The light is intriguing but to my eyes, there are too many elements to this composition … But that is probably the intention? Urban disharmony/chaos message? I think a lot of work and thought has gone into this.
12) Robert H … "Fag Break"
Derek Guyler lookalike ? Reminds me of 'Corky' :) … Excellent character study and well caught … and the 'too big' shirt collar adds to the picture.
13) Rob S … "Rufus Loves the Sun X "
Unusual angle / pose … nice one for the family album … sharp and colourful … But I prefer to see more full face expression in dog pictures.
1) Bill A. The concept and execution of this shot is very well conceived. Results in a thought provoking image. Love them or hate them pylons can make for some interesting shots and this id defiantly one of the more interesting examples.
ReplyDelete2) Bill S. An interesting street shot, I have pondered over this one, would a tighter crop to loose some of the predominant orange bag or perhaps a conversion to b&w in the end favoured the b&W route as it also takes away the bit distracting redness of the bus as well.
4) David F. This one is rather let down by the lack of contrast in the image. AT first glance it appears rather unsharp. This is not the case however, a quick adjustment of contrast reveals the little ones foot is indeed sharp. The combo of the extreme focal length and the slowest shutter speed has given a quite narrow DOF and has also allowed subject movement to be shown, not a bad thing in my mind. Would have been good if both kids were in the air at a same time but we can't always be fortunate enough to have that happen at same time unless we stage things. A shot that does require a degree of PP to bring it to life and have to wonder why this wansn't done.
5)David K. Have to agree, this one is rather let down by being rather off kilter.Looking beyond this would make a nice shot if the two second correction in PP was made.
6) Del B. Don't know about it being unfortunate that the sign was recovering from a collision. The way it signals one way straight into the 'opening' of the dunes is rather apt and the shooting position well chosen to reflect this. The colours harmonise well between the sign and the mural to make an amusing image. Well seen and executed.
7) Duncan K. A simple everyday scene that makes for a mildly amusing image. To me it's lacking somewhat in sharpness and also with the similarity of tones also somewhat flat. Again a small amount of PP would lift the image.
8) Elaine J. Love the simplicity of this shot. The elements have been brought together well compositionally to make a very nice image indeed. Very well done Elaine.
9) Jim C. Another very nice image. Hope you manage dot get up from the floor ok after taking this one, if your like me the ground seems to get harder to get up from every day!
The only thing I might have been tempted to do with this one is to add a little extra warmth to the shot in PP just to give it the autumnal sun feel, and possibly have lost the tiny bit of moss in the foreground as well.
10) Malcolm. I like the way the different elements have been seen and pulled together in this shot. The balance between the trees and the reflection of the pair in the window all combine well to make the shot. Yes it would possible have been nice if the pair were that bit larger in the frame but if you did this then the balance of the elements would be lost, so not feasible.
Well seen Malcolm.
11) Phil C. A gritty street shot. quite different to the others where interaction is taking place.
Portrays well people going about their lives in the city without really taking notice of their fellow man. Exposure had been very well handled in capturing the extremes of contrast and retaining detail. Great shot.
12) Nicely exposed and detailed image and you have managed a degree of control of DOF even with the small sensor camera which is no mean feat. Takes you back to the days when policemen were just that and not robocops in carnate.
13) Personally I like the different angle on this one, to me makes a change from the predictable shot of a dog looking at the camera wondering whats going on. Exposure has been handled realy well to capture detail in the dog and keep that interesting sky. Only thing I would have done is to add a degree of unsharp mask just to lift the dog that little bit. I like it.
1) Bill A
ReplyDeleteA striking view of a pylon, and one that captures the attention. You may not like them, but this shot makes them seem quite attractive.
2) Bill S
Time to be a fly on the wall. Perhaps they are discussing the merits of Sky Go having looked at the poster they are sitting in front of. Somehow I think the conversation is far more interesting than that though.
3) Dave S
I like the way the figure seems to be part of the landscape and it is as though they have just picked up the magazine from the surrounding debris. Works well in black and white.
4) David F
This is great. A real family moment from an unusual angle, yet you can sense the smiles on their faces.
5) David K
They say swans can kill! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17736292 I like the shot, the division of space works for me.
6) Del B
A good strong graphic image, great colours and a nice contrast between the world and the art.
7) Duncan K
The milk bottle makes it. Can one bottle be enough for such a grand house?
8) Elaine J
This is just perfect. The few elements in the frame combine so well and leave me feeling relaxed.
9) James C
Autumn is coming that's for sure, time to capture some of those colours.
10) Malcolm R
A nicely balanced frame and I like the space you have left. We tend to always crop tight, but often a more relaxed frame seems natural as that's how we view the world
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12) Robert H
Looks like a scene from Heartbeat. Nicely shot and framed and the side view suits the character and leaves us wondering what he is looking at.
13) Rob S
Good for Rufus, don't we all, though I fear he's seen the last of it for a while.
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ReplyDeleteAn interesting moment in time, I am unsure whether I would prefer none of the buses or more of the surroundings. As it stands I find the bit of red bus distracting.
3
It looks to me as though this is an angler waiting for the tide to come in but the radio and magazine don’t seem to fit with that. I like the composition and the fact that the view is constrained in depth by the lack of horizon
4
Certainly conveys the feeling of a family enjoying simple pleasures.
5
More swans than I’ve ever seen at once. I have passed by Abbotsbury but never visited. I find the off level horizon disturbing.
6
The contrast between art and the sign, the level horizon and skewed sign all make an interesting image.
7
Well seen. What an odd juxtaposition, one I fear I would have missed. A tighter crop might have added more to the image.
8
I really like this, the composition is well structured and the colour palette harmonious.
9
Good to see the fallen leaves being the subject rather than the carpet beneath it. The large black areas are a bit overpowering.
10
I like the framing of this, the two birch trunks are an integral part which closer cropping would lose. The reflection makes the whole less static.
11
You do post some challenging images Phil and this is no exception. The proportions of the modern blocks and the contrasting colours make me wonder what the surroundings are in which we see these people.
12
From the wear on this uniform it looks to be original but I am puzzled as to why he wears a Women’s Voluntary Service badge; PC44 does not look like a transvestite! The detachable collar is certainly an unusual sight these days too. A lot a information packed into a good environmental portrait. Nicely done.
13
Brings tears to my eyes; we used to have an Airedale and the eye on the far distance is typical of this independent breed. I love the unusual angle of this.
1) Bill A. An interesting and no doubt satisfying conversion of what is normally considered an eyesore. Something not easily achieved in the old days of film.
ReplyDelete2)------
3)Dave S. This I think would have been less messy had it been in colour. I'm left wondering what was beyond the wooden piles.
4)David F . An intimate family shot, well seen and caught but it does need a tweak on the contrast.
5)David K. A quick grab shot no doubt, a great situation but it doesn't quite come off for me, a view from the side of the lady would have worked better if it had been possible. The horizon is a distraction and needs to be levelled.
6) Del B. Nicely seen and captured. Thought it was PS at first. Great colours.
7)Duncan K. Had to chuckle, well seen and framed. (also an increasingly rare sight these days). Pleasant colours too.
8)Elaine J. Simple , classical framing, great colour and (maybe?) an obliging cloud. Very nice.
9) James C. A nice try this but it doesn't quite work for me. There is no real point of interest. Worth another try, theres plenty of opportunities at the moment.
10) Malcolm R. I like the idea of this but feel it needs a tighter crop on the base and LHS if the file will take it. The subject and reflection is fine .
11) Phil C. There is a nice light on the face of the chap but his shadowy surroundings leave me puzzled and unsure on the point of the image. Jury is still out I'm afraid.
12) Robert H. You have caught this chap in the perfect pose and given it a nice tight crop. A little tweek to up the contrast lifts the whole image.
(On a personal note, even though this is a reenactment, as an 'old school' former uniformed, non smoker, police sergeant this kind of example image irritates me. I also have Grumpy Old Man syndrome).
13) Rob S. What a cracking animal portrait this is, the unusual angle and strong colour help. Like it.
1. Bill A. Not a very interesting subject.
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to learning from the creative work of Bill.
Sorry it's not up to your usual high standard.
2. Bill S The background is a little distracting,
Converted to B/W it's concentrated on the subjects.
3. Dave S Difficult to separate the bits and pieces from the main subject,
4. David F Not one to miss, all the joy is there, not an exhibition winner, very close.
5. David K. Very brave man our David, Swans as a group can be quite daunting.
I tried to get close to a group but retreated rather quickly.
6. Del B Good colours, the sign pointed down at that angle fits in perfectly.
The humour of one way only is not lost.
7. Duncan K A closer crop on the door frame would concentrate the
viewer more on the bottle
8. Elaine J What do you say about perfection?, lots of input from Elaine.
9 Jim C .................................................
10 Malcolm W Two ladies talking, Reflection in the window , that's one picture.
Then the trees fit in, balance the composition, fit's perfectly.
You have an eye for a picture that the other 99 would again miss.
11 Phil C Good comment on life today.
We move on never communicating directly. This generation only text.
All head down with their thumbs speaking.
12 Rob H The character of the subject shows through the picture,
relaxed but aware, nice piece of work.
13 Rob S A lower view point makes the picture come alive.
the lighting on the dogs head is perfect.
1) Bill A
ReplyDeleteHaving spent the last twenty years of my career in the Power Generation industry, I too am fascinated by the shape and construction of pylons in all their different shapes and sizes. This is a striking image – but I do wonder whether a similar impact could have been made in more natural daylight surroundings
2) Bill S
The shot is an interesting example of street photography. I do though find the posters and buses rather distracting
3) Dave S
I do find the picture a little messy and wonder whether if produced in colour it would have made it a more interesting subject
4) David F
The shot does show a happy family scene but the scale of the pier structure behind does greatly distract from the main subjects
6) Del B
The colours of the mural make a strong image but it is a pity that the sign is at such an awkward angle, which does detract from the overall image presented
7) Duncan K
A fun picture but cropping to increase the size of the door – and milk bottle – might well make for an even better image
8) Elaine J
A really nice photograph, which is simple, well composed and harmonious
9) James C
A nice autumnal shot, but the dark background does distract from the main image (perhaps a slightly different angle might have strengthened the picture)
10) Malcolm R
The picture is a fine example of street photography, well constructed with the two tress and reflection. It would have been nice to see the main image of the two ladies slightly larger, but then that would likely have damaged the balance
11) Phil C
This a truly thought-provoking image. The exposure and contrast are both spot on. However, it is difficult to see where the subjects are
12) Robert H
A well framed picture of a most interesting looking character
13) Rob S
A great shot of ‘Rufus’, made the more interesting by the unusual angle and good exposure
1) Bill A - 'Pylon'
ReplyDeleteGreat angle and the black is so black! Looks like a drawing. Nice.
2) Bill S - 'Well it's like this'
Yes, you can see them saying that. For me though this is too much of a snap.
3) Dave S - 'Budget Holiday'
I don't read budget holiday in this picture but rather 'teenage obsession'. The black and white works well but I think I would like to have seen more detail.
4) David F - 'Gymnastics on Brighton Beach'
A nice moment but bottoms and soles of feet have too many hidden meanings to really enjoy the photo.
5) David K - 'Mass feeding at the Swannery'
I like the sense of 'loads' of birds and the seperation between white swans and other black birds. Another photo with a bottom though!
6) Del B - 'Einbahn'
So you knocked it over!? Looks like a painting with a nice story. Nice.
7) Duncan K - 'Delivered daily to your door'
Nicely observed. Someone coming out to pick it up would have made for a great shot.
8) Elaine J - 'Little White Cloud'
Fantastic. The cloud, blue sky, lines and one dominant tree makes this great. I like it very much.
9) James C - 'Autumn on Ness Bank'
Sums up Autumn wonderfully. I like the colours and DOF. Removing the green at the bottom my help improve a still great photo.
10) Malcolm R - 'Break Time'
You're too far away for me. What's that quote, 'If your photographs aren't good enough, you're not close enough'. I like street shots but for me the distance makes me feel uncomfortable. Sorry.
11) Phil C - 'Good Light'
It's difficult working out what is what here making for an interesting photo. Seperating between the man in the hat and the woman behind could have been nice but you can't wait forever.
12) Robert H - 'Fag Break'
It's nice seeing the detail of the old uniform and the guy is interesting. Nice shot. Perhaps a shallower DOF might have helped hide some of the distracting background.
13) Rob S - 'Rufus Loves the Sun'
Me - Now off to Berlin for a long weekend (with cameras!)
1) If this is not an inversion (by which I assume is meant conversion to negative) then I am at a loss to understand how this effect has been achieved. The patterns that are made here are intriguing and emphasised by the three or four tones that the image has been reduced to -maybe that is a clue to how it has been done?
ReplyDelete2) A pair of colourful characters deep in conversation and clearly unaware of the camera. Comments have been made about the 'distractions' of the signs and the buses but they tell me where and why these people are where they are.
3) I can see the story here - the girl surrounded by her clutter but she and it are rather lost tonally among the rocks on the beach (at first glance I thought it was litter). Maybe a closer shot or a colour one would be easier to interpret.
4) Family fun on the beach although it does not look very comfortable. I can't help feeling that a side on - as opposed to the rear view - would not only tell the story better but would also eliminate the tangle of the pier in the background.
5) This has to be the last word in swan pictures! A tricky exposure with all those brilliant white areas. I'm uncertain whether the image is actually skewed or whether it is the line of the opposite coast that gives it that appearance, either way it looks wrong which is unfortunate. The action of the girl throwing the birdseed has been nicely caught and explains why she is there with a wheelbarrow.
6) I like this , a classic case of the picture being made by what has been left out as much as by what has been included.
7) It is a while since I last saw a glass milk bottle. A touch of humour added to a nice study of the old door and crumbling stone. It is a very small bottle for a very large building - maybe the bishop prefers something stronger.
8) A very simple but perfectly framed shot with an extremely cooperative cloud in just the right position.The polythene tunnels (they could almost be snow) really brings the field to life.
9) The necessarily limited depth of field lifts the crisp leaf on the right out of the background and gives it a 3D effect. I do like the browns and blacks, less keen on the acidic green.
10)
11) The longer I look at this the less I understand it!! An extraordinary mixture of planes, people, perspective, buildings and light. Is it a straight shot or Photoshop on magic mushrooms? There is no story that I can see but the unanswered questions give it an appeal of its own.
12) They don't make coppers like this any more - he reminds me of Corky in the old Sykes series.
13) First rate doggy shot, scenting the air. The low taking angle sets it apart from the usual dog portraits and works well.
1. Bill A.
ReplyDeleteAs David K, I too spent 40 years in the electricity supply industry and this is a very good commercial photo for NGC, indeed I have seen similar photos in a few of their offices. Great treatment of the shot, I like it.
2. Bill S.
Lovely street photo but the buses do distract, love the head gear!
3. Dave S.
Like the composition and B&W.
4. Dave F.
5. Dave K.
Great shot pity the lake is emptying to the left?
6. Del B.
Super colours, not too sure about the leaves / twigs top right corner.
7. Duncan K.
Great detail, for me a tighter crop of the door but having said that the walls surrounding the door do have lots of character.
8. Elaine J.
Like the colours, for me the clouds lower left on the horizon detracts a little.
9. James C.
One leaf in focus and the others well out, no not for me although a good idea.
10. Malcolm R.
Great shot Malcolm, super composition and the reflection adds a lot.
11. Phil C.
Very intimidating and threatening, super Kodak colours.
12. Robert H.
What a character lots of interest and very well focused.
13. Rob S.
Very unusual view point makes this a winner for me, great dog too.
Re my photo. It's not what it seems. The tower blocks are in fact models in a shop window, can't remember which one, probably Selfridges, so those are in front of me and you can also see reflections of the buildings opposite. I think it was the colours and shadows that captured my attention. Best wishes, Phil
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Dave, worth winner.
ReplyDelete