It is the start of a new year, the second full one for Circle D, and with membership now running at 15 I hope we are set to share some insightful moments from 2013. If this month is anything to go by we should have no problems as there's a great mix of styles and subjects to enjoy.
1) Bill A
Southboun
2) Bill S
Wheres Mum Gone? Taken with a Panasonic FT4
3) Dave S
Sunnier Days: Leica M8 15mm Heliar, shot from the hip
4) David F
Spiral staircase in the old Leitz building in Wetzlar ( now the local government offices).
D-Lux 5 24mm
5) David K
Venerable Old Ferries' (which still operate during the summer season?!) taken in Weston-sup
6) Del B
No entry this month though she will be back with us for February
7) Duncan K
12th Century Cloisters Archway - Peterborou
8) Elaine J
Litter Pig: Leica Digilux 4
9) James C
Wet & Windy: Jan 1st L1+ 90mm f2 Summicron R. Morecambe Bay.
10) Keith M
December 2010 and the snow arrived in Avebury, making for a bleak scene. Leica M9, ZM Biogon 21mm f2.8, Silver Efex Pro 2
11) Malcolm R
Crossed Paths" and taken on my Lumix
12) Phil C
The Blackwater Palace, Mersea, Summer 2012. From a roll of colour film that's been a slow burner in my M4-2 over the past ten months or so.
13) Robert H
Taken at Usk Victorian Christmas Market.: Leica M9P : 50mm Summicron : ISO320
14) Rob S
Book Launch - Whatever Happened to Harold Absalon? by Simon Okotie - X1
15) Theodore D
'Photo Ogre' M4 with Elmar @ 3.5 1/20th Silvermax (slide developed) crop of digital scan.
Can all members please send me a vote for your favourite image and of course comment using the form below or again email to me and I'll upload them.
What a great set of images.
ReplyDelete1) Bill A - Makes a nice change to see a railway shot taken from a different viewpoint.
ReplyDeleteThe differential focus works well to concentrate interest.
2) Bill S - A good humorous street shot. Love the little girls expression.
3)
4) David F - Ubiquitous spiral staircase shot, would have liked to have seen some more plasterwork to and bottom just to balance the image.
5) David K - Struggling to find a point of interest in this shot. Good record of the boats though.
6)
7) Duncan K- Just as above struggling to find a point of interest. To my eye the image lacks clarity and contrast to bring out the texture of the stonework.
8) Elaine J- A council with a sense of humour. Being nit picky the highlighted tree trunks distract a bit. May not have been possible to take from a different angle though.
9) James C - Find this one a bit difficult, something does not appear quite right,possibly the missing the parachute from the foreground figure
10) Keith M - Love this shot,perfectly exposed and processed for beautiful tones right across the image, envious.
11) Malcolm R - Beautiful tones, exposure and processing has brought out the detail well.
Coupled with an interesting pattern makes a very pleasing image.
12) Phil C - Well captured street scene, timed perfectly to capture the bystanders girl watching.
13) Robert H - A nice character study though for me spoiled by the inclusion of the border/frame which to my eye does nothing to enhance the base image.
14) Rob S - A good capture under difficult conditions.Personally I would have removed the sitting lad on the left who is partially obscured by the chair, not at all difficult a task
but one which would defiantly improve the image
15) Theodore D - I can foresee this being a controversial image. Personally I find it refreshing to see something outside the box. Some will see it as being a mistake others will see it as creative.
Personally I see it as 'something different' and a refreshing change from the simple I wuz there shots. Shades of the fine art russian photographic offerings I admire.
1) Bill A
ReplyDeleteFine steam engine photograph with an interesting viewpoint. Personally I would like to have seen a slightly deeper depth of field, as the front of the engine appears (to me) to be just out of focus
2) Bill S
Good piece of street photography. The little girl makes the shot with her enigmatic expression. Her new ‘cat’ looks rather more pleased?!
3) Dave S
Nice composition (particularly ‘from the hip’). I cannot quite make out what it is that is forbidden on that beach?! I do find the photograph a little bland and wonder whether it might perhaps have been stronger in colour
4) David F
Good spiral staircase picture. It is nicely composed but moving the ‘frame’ down a little would perhaps give more balance
7) Duncan K
Whilst historic church architecture is always a good subject matter, this composition is somewhat bland and does not ‘excite’
8) Elaine J
A fun picture, which does bring a smile. The ‘fussy’ images to the left of the shot – notably the trees - do slightly distract from the focus point of the pig
9) James C
Kite Surfing is an activity, which I see in action day in day out from my rear windows; hence, I find this picture of particular interest. The ‘strong’ wave is a good feature. It is difficult – by the very height’ distance of kite to surfer – to catch both in a photograph, notably close up. Unfortunately, though, the ‘absence’ of the kite does detract from the strength of the photograph overall
10) Keith M
An interesting picture with a strong sky background. Noting that the location is Avebury, I immediately looked for a stone circle….but then there is also, of course, the village?!
11) Malcolm R
Good picture made up of simple patterns in the sand. Well spotted and composed!
12) Phil C
Another great street photograph covering the ‘Diamond Jubilee’ (which all seems so long ago now…?!). Nicely composed and leading the viewer to wonder what the people on the balcony are all looking at…?!
13) Robert H
Super shot of a wonderful character! The background – and frame effect –
does slightly distract from the main image, but it is the lady that dominates the picture
14) Rob S
An interesting picture taken (apparently) without flash and in presumably difficult lighting. (Having no background knowledge, I looked up the Book Launch, which led me to wonder why it was not held on a Routemaster Bus?!)
15) Theodore D
The picture has been cleverly composed – and the title is appropriate. However, interesting though it is, it is not to my taste.
1. A lovely shot from a different standpoint; the reflections of sky and scenery bring the natural and the manmade close together. It would have been icing on the cake if the weather had permitted a smaller aperture for the infinity point the machinist is looking towards.
ReplyDelete2. Nice street shot with a humorous touch; the little girl’s expression is charming. The little boy behind is missing all the fun !
3. On a purely technical note, I don’t know enough about digital yet to comment too deeply, but I am disturbed by the zig-zag lines everywhere for whatever is horizontal or slanting…I suppose it is the low resolution version for Internet that does this? In any case, I would have referred a horizontal view of the little houses disappearing into the distance, but it is a pleasant relaxing shot like a retro vacation memory.
4. Not quite harmoniously laid out; all the different colors presented by the (white?) wall’s surfaces– orange , green, white, blue - confuse me. Perhaps a little indirect flash would have brought more dramatic elements into play?
5. Not sure where to focus on in this picture…I suspect the low setting sun cut back on the available points of view.
7. I enjoy the composition here, but for me the entire picture feels out of focus somehow, or do I imagine this? It could be more dramatic with some digital burnishing.
8. Lovely humorous shot! And difficult with the reflective metal top section of the trash container. Might also have been fun to get him from the side, trying to reach his snack
;-)
9. For me a vacation style shot, not quite sure what to think of it.
10. I love the way this picture is basically empty and yet dramatic, the fine filigree of the trees against the sky – it exemplifies the reason I am saving up for a nice 21mm lens!
11. A moment in time with a story and I also like the texture and quality of the sand itself and the way the light hits it in this picture.
12. A nice memory of an afternoon’s pleasures; are the people on the rooftop real or cut-out figures?
13. Lovely portrait well complimented by the sepia look; she stands out well against the background, ready to chat with us (or already doing so).
14. I always feel constrained if photographing during a presentation of any kind; Rob, I have the feeling that you would have preferred a different viewpoint, but didn’t want to disturb the speaker? I mention that because he seems too far away and there is too much rostrum in view but this is pure conjecture on my part. The dramatic blue and gold of the left side make the right half seem a little bit boring to me for that reason.
15. Thanks for the comments about my peculiar picture here so far; indeed a lot could be improved - I am trying to find more modes of expression with film and testing out some ‘artsy’ ideas but have not yet been able to get the film to do what I see in my head. Nonetheless determined to keep trying!
1. Bill A. An unusual viewpoint that coupled with shallow DoF and the receding lines gives a very pleasing composition. Well lit too.
ReplyDelete2. Bill S. An amusing and well-timed capture, with alovely expression on the little girl’s face. On my (calibrated) monitor, the mother and body of the toy could benefit from a little lift.
3. Dave S. A fine monochrome image with excellent tone control making for a pleasing composition.
4. David F. Fascinating things spiral staircases, aren’t they? I imagine the lighting / dynamic range made life rather difficult. Could the tones of the ceilings of the lower levels be lightened to enhance separation? A slight pity that the top curve is cut and the bottom stair edges are touching the bottom of the frame.
5. David K. Lots of interesting details to hold the eye on the main subjects. One would hope they are given a thorough service before the new season commences!
6. Del B. No image.
7. Duncan K. A balanced composition or a fight for attention? The two arches create tension as both try to dominate. Excellent details in the stonework and pleasant tones.
8. Elaine J. An amusing image that makes me wonder which Local Authority (?) has a sense of humour! It does illustrate though the DoF inherent in small sensors, as the background tends to vie for attention.
9. James C. Having tried to capture para-surfers in motion a while ago, I know how difficult it can be to capture the rapid-moving scene and probably in equally rapid changing light conditions, so I can appreciate this shot. A pity the canopy lines of the guy in the foreground disappear into the wide blue yonder though!
10. Me
11. Malcolm R. It is always interesting to find what one can spot on a beach just by looking down. Well seen and taken. Monochrome suits the subject very well.
12. Phil C. Could only be a British coastal resort couldn’t it and an Essex one at that! A good record of our island inhabitants renewing their love affair with the seaside. Did you see Martin Parr there?
13. Robert H. A lively, characterful portrait with lots of detail in the face and headdress etc. Monochrome suits it. On my monitor I cannot make out any detail in her cardigan, but that me be due to file compression.
14. Rob S. The golds and blues of the statue are well captured but otherwise I am at a bit of a loss as to what to make of this.
15. Theodore D. Split personality?
1) Bill A. I saw the large monochrome version of this in a recent C10 folio. The back of the drivers head is pin sharp but given that he is - and consequently we are also - looking down the line I think that the track should be sharp too - not easy with a 90mm lens granted but the differential focus is a minus point in this composition.
ReplyDelete2) Bill S. One of those zany moments on the High Street. You had to be very quick to see and capture this shot. The little girls expression is priceless.
3) Dave S. There is a fascination with beach huts irrespective of whether they are occupied or empty and this is no exception. It does not look like a particularly wide angle shot and the framing is remarkably accurate for a “shot from the hip” (I usually get a picture of my boots) - is it a section of a larger image?
4) David F. An intriguing pattern picture, it is almost as if we were looking down a tunnel with the light at the end (which I suppose we are in a way). The spiral is just a little too tight to the bottom edge - perhaps unavoidable.
5) David K. This has that down-at-heel look of the off-season seaside, the clutter, rust and unwashed roof of the Bristol Queen all contribute to the impression. Interesting to see what little lies below the waterline.
6) Del. No image.
7) Duncan. A good record shot, the small arch within the larger bricked up arch suggests how the building has developed over the centuries.
8) Elaine. Art with a practical purpose and great fun too. I love it.
9) James. That sea looks very uninviting. The wave is well caught but we really need to see the neater kite/sail in the frame.
10) Keith. A pleasant snow scene under typically flat lighting. The blank grey sky that I associate with these conditions is relieved by the cloud formation here.
11)
12) Phil. One of those “Christmas at both ends and Easter in the middle” films that always spring a surprise when processed? The Blackwater Palace certainly went to town with its decorations, the figures on the balcony are great fun. A good picture for the archives.
13) Robert. Good candid portrait of this lady (why am I reminded of Timothy Spall?). It does not really say “Victorian Market” - you would need a mini series to portray that idea but as a stand alone image it works well. Given the Victorian theme would an oval vignette work more appropriately than the rough edges and drop shadow mount?
14) Rob S. A curious and enigmatic image, the Buddah seemingly at odds with the western dress of the speaker and his audience of two. The bearded character appears underwhelmed.
15) Theodore. As a portrait of the anonymous photographer who melts into the background this works remarkably well, as a self portrait it is less successful.
Have to say I disagree with all those comments to the effect that "a photo should be sharp front to back."
ReplyDeleteAs Dave S says "The differential focus works well to concentrate interest." That is exactly why I took it as I did. Had It been a brighter day or I had a tripod - whatever the dof would be the same.
1 –
ReplyDelete2 An unusual situation taken advantage of, the thoughtful look and pose of the little girl are well separated from the other elements
3 Good tonal range and so sharp I can read the text on the road! The composition is good and I like how the man is totally isolated from the surroundings by the backdrop of beach huts.
4 Circular staircases make interesting pattern pictures but the brightness of the skylight pulls my eye very strongly detracting from the patterns. Would this be better shot from the top?
5 I suspect you may have found the very best bit of Weston-super-Mare.
6 no entry
7 The Norman and Saxon arches contrast well with each other. I don’t believe I have ever seen these styles side by side. What catches my eye first however is the bright area above the left hand arch.
8 What an unusual sculpture. Photographing the art of others is a difficult thing to do successfully; the photographer needs to add something of his or her own to the work and I don’t feel this has been achieved.
9 The wind and waves have certainly stirred up the ud of the bay and made the water look most unsuitable to enter. The inclusion of the second surfer puts an aerofoil in the sky without which this picture would be entirely lost.
10 Superb tonal range again in this photograph. A the stone cottages and open fields behind set the scene well. A B&W print of this will look good framed.
11 I like this type of picture and have taken a few myself. This one works very well.
12 A very colourful scene with lots going on to look at. 10 months for a roll of film, you don’t get out enough Phil.
13 The more I look at this the more it jars. Evidently a period recreation without reading the title yet modern tinsel wrapped around the ladies head. The framing and heavy blacks work against this as does the background but the expression and focus are spot on and nice catch lights in the eyes.
14 Whatever happened to the occupants of the chairs and why is the seated chap looking so bored? Fabulous setting though and the elements of the room with their rich sumptuous colours are excellently rendered.
15 It has taken me some time to understand what it is about this that I can’t cope with. While the concept is interesting I feel it is that rectangle of more contrasting tones just below your hand that really upsets this image Theodore.
What a great set of photos this month.
ReplyDeleteBill A - Southbound
What a lovely photograph. I like the DOF, viewpoint and perspective down the track. The colours are wonderful too. Very nice Bill.
Bill S - Wheres Mum Gone?
Very charming and nicely caught. The more you look the more you like it, which is a good thing.
Dave S - Sunnier Days
I'm so looking forward to the summer; the sun, the heat. I want it now! The 'heat' doesn't come across in this shot (I wonder if colour would) but I do like the huts vanishing into the distance and the 'brutal' nature of the concrete with the inevitable signs.
David F - Spiral staircase in the old Leitz building in Wetzlar
I echo other comments made here; great staircase but they're so hard to capture. Yesterday I a newly web couple wanted their photo taken on spiral staircase but however hard I tried something ended up being cut out which spoilt the shot. Like this one there was something wonderful in front of me but the camera couldn't capture that wonder.
David K - Venerable Old Ferries
Nice capture of an out of season scene but no real point of interest for me I'm afraid.
Duncan K - 12th Century Cloisters Archway
It's not an image that grabs me I'm afraid. I wonder if it was sharper (assuming the web hasn't screwed it up) and it had more light and shade it would work better.
Elaine J - Litter Pig
What fun but I echo other comments; DOF of field and/or a different viewpoint my have made this public art your own.
James C - Wet & Windy
What a 'mucky' day! I too think the absense of the second kite makes you think there's something not quite right.
Keith M - December 2010 and the snow arrived in Avebury
The wonderful shot; love the picture size, tonal range and composition. The trees with the row of houses really makes for strong visual element.
Malcolm R - Crossed Paths
Initially I thought it was snow (being winter) but yes I now see it's sand. I like the visual gag but it's a little too flat for me.
Phil C - The Blackwater Palace, Mersea, Summer 2012
What a fantastic photograph. The film quality of the image and the many 'stories' within the one image is superb. Someone once said a photograph should sum-up an entire nation (or have I made that up!) and this certainly does. I like the fact nobody (except one person) is aware of your presence. Very nice.
Robert H - Taken at Usk Victorian Christmas Market
Lovely portrait. And I quite like the frame and the fact she's not smiling!
Rob S - Book Launch - Whatever Happened to Harold Absalon? by Simon Okotie
Me
Theodore D - 'Photo Ogre'
It's great to see this here. I like it very much without knowing why! More please.
1. Bill A.
ReplyDeleteAn unusual ‘take’ on a classic railway shot, like the DoF.
2. Bill S.
Great street shot but for me the RHS needs lightening.
3. Dave S.
Superb photo, especially taken from the hip! Nice tone range and perspective.
4. Dave F.
5. Dave K.
For me this is a good holiday record shot, nice rich colours but…..
6. Del B.
7. Duncan
I like the balance of the two arches, nice tones.
8. Elaine J.
A fun shot but the background distracts and the ‘pig’ needs lightening for me.
9. James C.
Great action shot, pity the surfer wasn’t wearing a lighter wet suit so he stood out.
10 Keith M
Superb photo, like the way it looks nearly IR.
11. Malcolm R.
Sea side and sand what more do you need, the title made me smile too. Nice tones again.
12. Phil C.
Nice record shot but too ‘busy’ for me.
13. Robert H.
Great expression on the character, the background shows the Leica lens ‘Bokeh’
14. Rob S.
Well this is a different shot, nicely balanced and a warm colouring gives the Buda a golden look.
15. Theodore D.
The title says it all, nice self portrait and it is different to the usual run.
1) Bill A 'Southbound'
ReplyDeleteTechnically and compositionally excellent and I assume the driver is waiting for a signal change. An image for the railway enthusiasts and might be suitable for a magazine cover - but it's a bit static. I enjoy looking at loco pics but prefer the frontal/side views portraying the engineering and steam.
2) Bill S 'Where's mum gone?'
Amusing picture but compositionally would be better if the cat's ear and tail had not been chopped off. Lack of detail in the pushchair could probably be lifted with post processing. Looks slightly underexposed and title maybe doesn't suit the picture if the girl's mother is actually 'pushing'?
3) Dave S 'Sunnier Days'
Technically and compositionally fine - especially as shot from the hip with a 15mm lens. You have done well to keep the verticals without them appearing distorted. Unfortunately the beach hut/chalet owner does not look very 'box office' - I'd like to see a Donald McGill type character with a bit more humour about him/her. Pictorially as it is, it's a rather ordinary seaside character picture.
4) Dave F 'Spiral Staircase'
I like the dynamics of this spiral composition but the crop or framing right against the bottom edge, results in a rather top and side heavy image. Would look better if was cropped to exclude the top and RHS .
5) David K 'Venerable Old Ferries'
Reasonable record photo but not the best viewpoint. There is a lot more detail in the shadow area which could be brought out with some post processing. Might look more dynamic if taken from the starboard side of the vessels at the low tide shore level ?
6) Del B … No entry
7) Me
8) Elaine J 'Litter Pig'
Amusing piece of sculpture but a bit static … I'd like to see a hand or handful of litter 'in action' i.e. placing some rubbish in the bin
9) James C 'Wet and Windy'
Lots of action in the waves but a pity the first surfer's kite is missing - a different camera angle needed.
10) Keith M 'Bleak Scene'
I like the photo but the fancy border looks a bit unnecessary and distracting. Excellent composition to illustrate the 'rule of thirds' - and could be a super greetings card illustration.
11) Malcolm R 'Crossed Paths'
'Tells a tale' record shot but as a stand alone photograph it doesn't quite make it as the elements are a bit tame … if it was muddy or wet looking instead of dry sand I'd like it a lot more.
12) Phil C 'The Blackwater Palace'
A fair record shot but it's a rather busy picture as regards numbers of people. Unfortunately they are sitting around and not doing much. I'd like to see them enjoying themselves a bit more e.g. laughing and gesticulating … as it is, it's a bit dull.
13) Robert H … 'Taken at Usk Christmas Market '
Excellent character study of a lady enjoying the event - lots of character portrayed in the lady's face but I wish the whole bonnet was visible. Fancy border is distracting and does not suit the subject.
14) Rob S … 'Book Launch "Whatever Happened to Harold Absalon? " by Simon Okotie'
A fair record shot of the proceedings but the empty chairs look a bit untidy … and assuming that is the author standing I'd like to see him a bit closer to the Buddah. Difficult photograph to take from the chosen angle.
15) Theodore D … 'Photo Ogre'
There is an interesting picture within the frame but I think it would look more obvious if it was cropped around the head - to make the camera more obvious. An interesting experiment which almost works.
I am having a clear out. Amongst the stuff I have an Ademco 16x12 hard bed mounting press (desktop/bench model) a quantity of 15x12 dry mount tissue and couple of nearly full rolls or heatseal material going begging. If the lot is of any use to anyone who wants to do mounting and sealing for club work etc they are more than welcome to the lot if they want to come and collect it. I do also have a 26x20 Ademco Hard bed press as well on its stand though to collect this you would need a bit of a serious van to get it in and a couple of strong men to shift it! Again just going begging if anyone wants it.
ReplyDeleteIf no one is interested the fate of both lay in having them weighed in for scrap which would be a shame as they are in fine working order and expensive lumps of kit to buy.
Should say I am located in Essex not at all far from the M25/Dartford Crossing - junction 30.