Here's the latest set.though there might be a couple of late entries coming in, but feel free to comment when you can.
1) Bernd H
Ponte degli Alpini: A friend and I were standing two and a half hours on the bank of river Brenta in Bassanao del Grappa (Italy) waiting for golden evening light to shoot the famous bridge in front of the historic centre. Unfortunately the bridge was in the shadows when the light was perfect. (M9 with Summilux 50 ASPH, 8 sec., f16 and a 10 stop ND filter)
2) Bill A
Claire: Leica X1
3) Bill S
That's the one! Taken from the gallery in the workshop of the Tram Museum at Crich, Derbyshire
Your Going The Wrong Way: Leica M8 35mm 2.8 Biogon
5) David F
Safari Lunch Stop: Leica D-Lux 5
6) David K
Paeonia in the Garden: It was taken with my Leica Digilux 2 with its 28mm - 90mm Summicron f/2.4 Lens - exposed for 1/640 second at f/8.0 (ISO 100)
7) Del B
Not my usual sort of shot, but seduced by sun and blue sky, I couldn't resist. Leica
M9/Summari
"Sorry Phil - it's not enough!" …"But Jem, it's my best offer!"
Leica Society AGM - Sunday afternoon sale time. Olympus E-5, Leica 14-50mm f2.8-3.5 D Vario Elmarit.
9) Elaine J
Field near our house. Taken with Leica R3
10) Howard F
A fishing village in Provence where we stopped for coffee and were treated to a procession of people decked out in masks and very beautifull
Do not disturb: L1 Vario D Elmarit. Winning PDI entry 2013
No photo this month
13) Keith W
GWR Collett 0-4-2T and Autocoach W232 accelerati
14) Malcolm R
Recycling Robots: Leica M2 and 5cm Elmar on HP5+ at Weynouth last November.
15) Phil C
Keeping the streets clean: Leica M6 35mm Summicron - Kodak Tri-X
Busker : Bath 9/05/13 : Leica D-Lux 6 : iso 400
No photo this month
18) Theodore D
Portrait of Per & Edit Leica 24mm 3.8 on Sony NEX 5 - apologies for a lack of time for any post processing!
19) Tony M
The road goes ever on and on (sorry JRR!) Part way between Diggle and Upermill - a half hour bus ride from Oldham, it's a lovely part of the country and we are lucky to live close to it, great walking!
That's it once more. Please comment when you can and send me your vote for your favourite picture.
1) Bernd H. Beautiful light waiting for the right time pays dividends. The ND works well on the shot.
ReplyDelete2) Bill A. Like the treatment of this shot, lifts to something out of the ordinary. Well done Bill.
3) Bill S Good close up detail of whatever the machinery is.
4)
5) David F. Good record shot of the gathering. Very nice tonality and range.
6) David K. Flowers are not my thing but a good record shot of it, possibly the inclusion of the whole flower may have improved.
7) Del B. We all take things out of our normal genre at times. This one a striking shot of colour contrast. Like it
8) Duncan K. An amusing shot of Phil with his wallet out, good reactions needed to capture such an event, sorry Phil!
9) No Entry
10) Howard F. First welcome to the circle. A very striking shot with great detail. Very good image
11) Jim C another amusing shot, love the way the couple are oblivious to whats going on around. If only a kite had come down in an appropriate spot what a shot that would have been, lol.
12). No entry
13) Keith W. A good record shot of the engine emerging.
14) Another Malcom classic, true master at spotting the out of the ordinary and making something of it, love the title. The gritty nature of the shot makes this for me
15) Phil C. Has to be said, those crappy banks again! Good spot, well executed with great tonality.
16) Robert H Good tones and expression, possibly a step back to get whole instrument in, jury out.
17) Theadore D Like th ruse of DOF on this one to bring in that goat stare. Brave man facing up to a possible butting!
18) Tony M. beautiful landscape. Perfectly exposed and great tonality. UK at its finest.
1 .Bernd H
ReplyDeleteLovely evening light on the buildings. The lit buildings show nicely through the bridge structure. The water is pleasingly softened and the figures on the bridge add scale to the structure.
2.Bill A
High key is not always easy but this works for me. I really like the direct engagement of the sitter and the camera and there are nice highlights in the eyes. Just enough detail is retained throughout.
3.Bill S
There is good concentration in the figure we can see leaning over the unit and it does not matter that we only see a small part of the figure dressed in the overalls. There seems a slight colour cast which is, I guess, due to the light in the workshop area. Once noticed that red rag does stand out. I like the engagement between the two figures.
4.Dave S
I assume the boat is rowed in that direction to take advantage of the river flow. I’m not sure that I would like to be in the boat which seems quite low in the water. Its good that the majority of those on the landing stage are looking at the boat and that the sky is a good one.
5.David F
Never having been on a safari I don’t know whether this degree of comfort is the norm or exceptional. The weather looks to be good and group seem quite happy in the surroundings. Good quality shot probably of greatest interest to the participants.
6.David K
A very well exposed flower shot with no harsh shadows or highlights. Shows the character of the particular flower well and I have no issue with the flower head not being fully included.
7.Del B
Simple, well exposed in nice bright conditions. Nothing dramatic but a good straight forward record of the light. I do not denigrate record type shots, they are often of great interest and this one poses questions of where and what?
8.Duncan K
Jem has an amused look with closed eyes and the other person seems also to be amused. Good title. I think that I would remove the background figure because he draws attention from the two main protagonists.
11.Jim C
An amusing scene well caught although I guess the couple wouldn’t be too pleased to view it. The couple are isolated on what seems to be a busy, but unattractive, beach.
13.Keith W
Nicely timed with drama added by the exhaust from the funnel. Good to have the crewman looking out of the cab. Seems to be rather loaded to the left and I wonder whether we need as much on the right. You might have wished to show the whole bridge structure but the real interest is very much on the left side of the image.
14.Malcolm R
A pleasing image, a sign of the times and place. I would remove the section of post on the left edge and remove or burn down the white building in the left background. In these digital days we are unused to such grain which takes a little time to appreciate.
15.Phil C
This frets me a little. I’m not sure what the bending figure is doing and the right figure is almost lost in the deep shadow. Your title suggest an activity but there is no brush to be seen and the figure with the shovel seems too well dressed for a street cleaner. The highlights are well held but the shadows seem a little on the heavy side.
16.Robert H
A little unfortunate that he was sitting by a pole. His expression seems on the sad side but also to be concentrating on his instrument which looks like a didgeridoo. The highlights seem a little burned out and I would have liked more detail in the left hand and hood. The image overall seems a little soft, perhaps because it is a snatched shot.
18.Theodora D
The F8 style! The rear goat is nicely sharp and the oof front one does give depth to the image. There are elements that you would probably sort out given time. The oof front goat as an element of the sinister to what could have just been a straight forward shot.
19.Tony M
A pleasing mono landscape image. Good tones, nothing burned out nor are the shadows too dense.
As you say, great countryside and I’m sure good walking in the area.
Keith W
ReplyDelete1)Bernd H
You did well to wait for such gorgeous light. The colours on the buildings are fabulous,so much so that I don't think the bridge really enhances the photo. A lovely image nevertheless.
2)Bill A
Excellent example of high-key processing. Enhanced by beautiful big eyes.
3)Bill S
Nice shot of a guy engrossed in the task. Interesting combination of camera and lens.
4)Dave S
Shot of an everyday scene enhanced by a good sky
5)David F
This image has a timeless quality and feel.Nice grouping of the people and a great looking sky.
6)David K
I don't know if this Paeonia is special, but nature does provide us with some wonderful colours.
7)Del B
I think most of us would have taken this too! Well composed, and would be a great shot with more interesting light.
8)Duncan K
One for the Society magazine? Well taken.
10)Howard F
When I first saw this I thought "Venice Carnival", so you were lucky to have found by chance this event. Lovely sharp and well lit shot.
11)Jim C
An amusing well seen and captured shot!
14)Malcolm R
I guess most of us would walk by these unsightly things without a glance, so well done for seeing even a hint of a picture. The Borough Engineer would be very proud if he knew!
15)Phil C
A real "grab" shot. Without the title I would not have a clue what is going on!
16)Robert H
Bath is a good place for buskers. The black post is a little intrusive, and are we seeing the end of the instrument?
18)Theodore D
I don't know what to say -certainly a different type of portrait!
19)Tony M
A fabulous image with a great range of tones,depth and composition. Only wonder if a little of the foreground could be swopped to take the strong sky up to about a third of scene, but that is nitpicking.
1) Bernd H
ReplyDeleteThe photograph captures the wonderful natural light perfectly, enhancing the lovely colours of the stonework on the buildings
2) Bill A
Lovely portrait, strengthened by the highlight of the model’s eyes
3) Bill S
Unable to determine just what the piece of machinery is, but the framing and exposure is good coupled with the contrast between the mauve overalls and scarlet rag
4) Dave S
Good picture of an everyday scene (street photography?!), enhanced by the strong clouds. Presumably the experience of the ferry man will get them safely across the river….
5) David F
The title says ‘Safari’ but if could just as well be a pinic in the UK, particularly noting the comfort of the furniture. The photograph is enhanced by the sky/clouds
6)
7) Del B
Fine picture with strong contrasts between the lighthouse colours and the deep blue sky
8) Dunkan K
Good shot taken at the Society AGM. Good exposure and subjects!
9) Elaine J
No submission
10) Howard F
Great photograph with stunning colour contrasts and fine focus
11) Jim C
Fun shot of a couple clearly oblivious of what is going on around them. The various colours of the kites add strength to the picture
12) Keith M
No submission
13) Keith W
Super shot of a steam engine with good colour contrasts between the engine and carriage. One can almost ‘smell’ the smoke and ‘hear’ the engine?!
14) Malcolm R
Interesting picture of some very mundane objects on Weymouth Beach – with a grainy finish not often seen in these ‘digital’ days
15) Phil C
Good tonal range makes this an interesting photograph, although it is not entirely clear what the man with the ‘shovel’ is doing and just what is going on….
16) Robert H
The subject seems to be wholly concentrating on playing his didgeridoo. The tonal range in the photograph is good but the scale of the post on his right does rather detract from the overall image
17) Rob S
No submission
18) Theodore D
The left goat is well-focused and the depth of field does certainly direct attention to the left goat and that ‘stare’
19) Tony M
A lovely English country scene, with a good tonal range and enhanced by the wonderful clouds
Apologies: The above Comments are by David K
ReplyDelete1 Bernd. Great light on the houses, less so on the bridge itself, Perhaps a morning shot from the same position or an evening one from the other side of the bridge would give the result you were after?
ReplyDelete2 Bill A. The high key treatment works well producing an almost pencil sketch effect however the slightly glazed expression reminds me of a passport photo.
3 Bill S. A good story line here with the discussion of the technicalities of the machine going on between the two different coloured overalls. There is inevitably something somewhere in the line of sight in these places, here it is the post but the moment of capture is more important and must take precedence.
4 Dave S. Only a landlubber could come up with a title like that! The ferry is nicely positioned clear of the landing stages on both banks and appears to be doing a roaring trade with more passengers waiting to be taken across to view the allotments.
5 David F. This raises the status of the picnic somewhat. Wilbur Smith will never be the same again.
6 David K. Good bright colours and pin sharp with a subdued background, ideally we would see the whole of the flowerhead without the cut off at the edges.
7 Del. It is cold, wet and miserable today and this looks gorgeous.
8 Duncan. It is astonishing how often people are captured on camera with their eyes shut. Did you buy anything from Jem whilst he was asleep Phil? A fun shot from the 2013 Leica Weekend.
9 Elaine. Strong colours and great depth of field here. The corn is in bold contrast to the stormy sky and the wheel tracks to the right of the tree give it that little something extra.
10 Howard. Welcome to Circle D Howard. This is a striking mask that fills the frame well and those eyes are staring straight at us (I wonder just who or what is behind the disguise).
11 Jim. A great candid shot, imagine the weird dreams they must be having - or that they will wake up to.
12 Keith M. No photo.
13 Keith W. Smoke and sunshine combine to create a wonderful image of railway travel as it once was.
14 Mine.
15 Phil. I’m not altogether convinced about this one, there is an element of the oddball with the dustpan wielding character and his strange pose, maybe not quite the right “moment”?
16 Robert. You have certainly got in close with this chap, perhaps even a touch too close because his right hand is out of frame and we cannot see much of his surroundings.
17 Theodore. An animal portrait with a difference, the differential focus separates the two animals but gives us the sense that they are together in the field. I’m trying to imagine what the picture would be like if it were the nearest goat that was in focus instead of the furthest one, on balance I think I would prefer the version that you have given us.
18 Tony. An inviting scene to walk into and explore. The road leads us into the picture and the fact that it is deserted is in some ways an attraction but at the same time a walker or cyclist would bring it to life.
1) Bernd H
ReplyDeleteThe light on the buildings is superb and the slow shutter spoeed had blurred the water well to concentrate the eye on the buildings
2) Bill A
• Malcolm, this was taken as an extra to a passport photo for my daughter!
3) Bill S
A interesting study with nicely balanced lighting
4) Dave S
A lovely spot and the potted shrimps and best bitter available from the pub just along from the ferry are highly recommended. Good composition and tonal range as we would expect from you.
5) David F
Another B&W with strong tonal range, but the contents don’t grab me, just a lot of people waiting for lunch.
6) David K
Stunning flower very well lit and good dof. The brighter highlights in the bg are a bit distracting and I would be tempted to go in even closer on the subject.
7) Del B
Simple and effective composition with minimalist colour palette, nice but stronger in the golden hour, please go back.
8) Duncan K
Come on Phil you’re taking the mickey with that small stack of notes! Nicely recorded instant.
9) Elaine J
Very well balanced image in ideal conditions.
10) Howard F
A lot going for this, strong colours and tight framing all come together – very enjoyable.
11) Jim C
Without all the kites this would not be half as good, as it is well just perfect, even to the open mouths.
12) Keith M
No photo this month
13) Keith W
Your forethought in gaining the perfect position so that the train is well framed against the bg of the tunnel and hillside has lifted this to a higher level.
14) Malcolm R
I suppose this is the price we pay for our throw away society but surely the council could have managed to place these so they did not intrude into such a scenic area as a beach!
15) Phil C
I don’t know what to make of this, I think I feel just too remote from the people.
16) Robert H
I am glad you titled this, I thought he was sniffing glue.
17) Rob S
No photo this month
8) Theodore D
I do like the “in your face” approach of this to this but wish the focus were on the right hand goat
19) Tony M
The road leads perfectly into the rest of the scene which is most appealing and under good lighting; better if you crop the left to the edge of the post though I feel.
1) Bernd H.
ReplyDeleteI like this shot, worth waiting for, the water looks great to.
2) Bill A.
Sorry not for me this photo, don’t like the ‘washed out’ effect or the blue tinge.
3) Bill S.
Very nice detail but would have liked to have seen the ‘blue overall’ glad man or have the arms taken out!
4) Dave s.
The sky is superb and the ferry does look over loaded! Great photo.
5) David F.
6) David K.
Lovely flower photo, like the DoF and colours.
7) Del B.
The colours make this photo, would it be better with a lower viewpoint, matching the horizon with the pier?
8) Duncan K.
Obviously the money offered was not enough Phil!!! Super record shot and worth pub;ishing in the Newsletter?
9) Elaine J.
Superb shot, tree in the right place and lovely DoF, ideally the tree should have a little sun or light on it but it is still a lovely photo.
10) Howard F.
Wow, looks beautiful but those eyes and stern mouth scare me!!
11) Jim C.
Great photo but would it be improved by cropping to the two people as for me the kites and huts distract from the main point of the photo.
12) No photo.
13) Keith W.
Now this is for me, trains on preserved lines are notoriously difficult to photograph! The sun is never in the right place but it very nearly is in this photo. Like it.
14) Malcolm R.
Cannot decide if I like this or not, would a heavy crop of the bins be better or not?
15) Phil C.
Again I think a crop to the person sweeping would be a better photo.
16) Robert H.
I find the church window bhind distracting but otherwise very good.
17) No Photo.
!8) Theodore D.
Like the idea but the OOF right hand goat distracts from the photo, better to have the focus on it and the OOF on the other.
19) Tony M.
Great shot, love the lane leading into the photo, the sky is good too and all very sharp.
1) Bernd H
ReplyDeleteLovely warm evening light here which was well worth the wait. I am not too bothered that the bridge is in shadow. I like the inclusion of the geese on the bank. Good detail and definition through out this picture.
2) Bill A
An interesting high key portrait which works here with Claire's hair merging seamlessly into the white background. The staring eyes are a bit disconcerting though. Certainly a fine result from your X1.
3) Bill S
He seems well engrossed in what he is being shown. Well captured and executed.
4) Dave S
This is a nice arrangement with the awaiting passengers and the departing ferry. A good crisp image with an interesting cloud pattern which makes the photograph stand out.
5) David F
Another photograph with an interesting sky but this time we have some sun. Looks like a nice spot for lunch in the bush!
6) David K
This is good and sharp where it needs to be. You have certainly filled the frame with your chosen subject here. Nice throng colours as well
7) Del B
The lighthouse stands out well from the blue sky and you have placed it off centre which to my mind gives the image more impact.
8) Duncan K
A very amusing image of the table top sale at the AGM. Did Phil actually part with the cash
for the M6? Well caught.
10) Howard F
You have certainly filled the frame with this subject with plenty of impact and bright colour. it reminds me of the Venetian masked pageant which occurs each year. Nice one
11) Jim C
Well seen and executed. They certainly look well relaxed and oblivious to all the activity behind them.
13) Keith W
Lovely bright colours and you have certainly captured the essence of the steam loco with all the smoke belching from it. The engine is nicely placed in the frame to give full impact.
14) Malcolm R
They certainly look like some kind of robot. I like the addition of the waste bin to the left of the recycling bins a nice touch. The grainy image also gives some atmosphere to this. I would be inclined to throw the background more out of focus to give even more impact to your main subject.
15) Phil C
Interesting image this. Is he really using the dustpan ,one is left wondering what is actually going on outside The Nationwide.
18) Theodore D
They do look rather wild. The left hand goat is sharp but I find the right hand goat which is unsharp a bit distracting. I think you needed to make more of the left hand animal which looks a little aggressive.
19) Tony M
The clouds make this but also I like the way the road Leeds the eye into the distance. Lovely tones/lighting which make for a very appealing image.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete1) Bernd H: Ponte degli Alpini
ReplyDeleteThe ‘river with long exposure river via ND filter’ technique has been used by so many photographers that it’s becoming rather too commonplace. My immediate reaction was, “Here’s another one …”. I’d much prefer to see the water looking more natural. Good picture technically and well executed but pictorially it fails to excite – because I’ve seen so many similar photographs in exhibitions and club competitions. No scarcity value – therefore no longer ‘box office’.
2) Bill A: Claire
Another example of excellent technique but personally I do not like the result – because it looks more like a pencil drawing than a photograph. And the vignetting in the lower half looks too contrived. There are other ways of achieving high key portraits with more pleasing tones.
3) Bill S: That’s the One
Interesting use of a 9cm Elmar on a Canon DSLR and I’m intrigued as to what the contraption actually is. Maybe the title should give us a clue? Well exposed and sharp but as a stand alone picture it does not quite work for me … mainly because I cannot figure out exactly what is being photographed.
4) Dave S: You’re Going the Wrong Way
Nicely exposed but the title does not work for me – because the ferryman is probably navigating the quickest route ie initially against the flow – as most ferrymen do. But a nice record shot.
5) David K: Safari Lunch Stop
Well exposed record shot but too many rear views of people in the party. I’d prefer to see a closer view of those on safari – and thus witness more human interaction and facial expressions.
6) David K: Paeonia in the Garden
Plenty sharp enough but the lighting is too hard for the subject and thus there are too many distracting shadows. The flower would photograph better in more diffused light – which could be achieved/arranged – and I’d also prefer to see the whole of the flower without the petals being chopped off.
7) Del B : Untitled?
A very peaceful scene – but - if only there was a sunrise or sunset – or more cloud detail. Very nice as it is but lacks drama.
8) Duncan K - mine
9) Elaine J : Field near our house
Not sharp enough in the foreground. The picture has two very strong elements ie the tree and the sky and they would make a very striking composition in landscape format. As it is, the untidy out of focus foreground spoils the otherwise dynamic composition.
10) Howard F: Untitled
ReplyDeleteInteresting record shot but the hard lighting has resulted in distracting reflections on the mask ie on the lips and eyebrow … and shadows in the headdress. I’ve seen very many similar pictures and the masks and lighting need to be perfect to create good photographs.
11) Jim C: Do not disturb
Kites provide an interesting contrast / juxtaposition to the middle aged beach potatoes. Why do they do it? What do they get out of it? When asleep they miss all the seaside attractions … I used to live beside the sea … brings back memories … I very much enjoy looking at this picture.
12) Keith M: no entry
13) Keith W: GWR Collett 0-4-2T and Autocoach W232
Superb photo showing the locomotive, driver, coach, tunnel, track, smoke steam etc etc … and all sharp. The complete steam loco picture – excellent record.
14) Malcolm R: Recycling Robots
Interesting and well seen composition but the post? partly showing on the extreme LHS is distracting and to my eyes the photo lacks contrast – I’d like to see more contrast. And a crop to exclude one third of the sky and the slither of post would give greater emphasis to the bins.
15) Phil C: Keeping the streets clean
Without the title I would not have known exactly what was going on – no brush? The second figure partly in the shadows on the RHS does not add much interest to the scene. Maybe would have been worth waiting for the pan artist to face the other way so as to convey a more definitive cleaning message. The picture is not quite strong enough to suit/match the title.
16) Robert H: Busker
Without the title it’s not clear exactly what the person is doing – at first sight I thought he might be snorting - but maybe it’s a mini didgeridoo? Unfortunately the end of the instrument and part of the hand has been excluded and the busker looks very static and has an uninteresting daydreaming expression. Might have been worth waiting for a better expression … as it is, it’s too tightly cropped.
17) Rob S: No entry
18) Theodore D: Portrait of Per and Edit
Pleasing/amusing expression in the LHS goat but it’s a very tight crop which has almost clipped the ear. As a dual portrait, the out of focus goat is annoying to my eyes … I’d like to see them both in focus. The lighting conditions have not rendered the horns well – distracting reflections.
19) Tony M: The road goes ever on and on
There is detail in the shadow area on the RHS which could be made more visible with post processing … and what a good picture it might be with a cyclist added pedalling up the hill … might be worth arranging same? A very tranquil and picturesque English country scene – lovely cloud detail – but I’d like to see the shadows lifted a bit.
1 - Bernd H
ReplyDeleteWell worth waiting for the light, lovely, I also like the use of the ND filter on the river.
2 - Bill A
I’m not, as a rule fond of high key, but this one works very well - I like it very much, just love the eyes!
3 - Bill S
Nice shot, working museums like this one are always full of interesting people and a great place to photograph – well done
4 - Dave S
Well spotted, and very nice processing, you would not want to get any more in that boat anyway!
5 - David F
Lovely, the way it’s all set out in the middle of the veldt – like a fancy teashop and also very nice processing
6 - David K
Another fine flower photograph, I like the extreme close up view, and the colour is just spot on – for me anyway
7 - Del B
I do like the simple balance of the lighthouse and the pier leading up to it, and that lovely blue sky!
8 - Duncan K
As a Manchester man, I know Jem’s shop very well, and that’s defiantly a ‘Sorry not enough’ look on his face, well seen and photographed.
9 - Elaine K
That is simply lovely, a beautiful shot.
10 - Howard F
A stunning photograph, fabulous colour, I like the way you have filled the frame, well seen and taken.
11 - Jim C
Almost surreal, really great, you were just there at the right place, at the right time.
13 - Keith W
That’s one of the best stem train shots I’ve seen, the billowing smoke gives a great impression of speed and power
14 - Malcolm R
Simple and direct, excellent shot, lovely processing and scanning also
15 - Phil C
Good ‘street’ shot and you have handled the shadows and highlights very well.
16 - Robert H
Another good ‘street’ shot, to me the busker looks as if he’s playing it with his nose! Made me laugh!
18 - Theodore D
I like the selective focus to bring the viewer’s eye to the second goat, wouldn’t like to share the field with them though!
19 - Me
Hello All,
ReplyDeleteApologies as I seem to have uploaded the wrong comments earlier today. I have now corrected it, I think! All the above ones should be under the names of the member who sent them...
Re my photo - then yes, this man was using a dustpan and brush to sweep up outside the building society branch.