Hello again, sixteen entries from Circle D this month, enjoy.
1) Alan
Coming in to Land. Leica V Lux 3, f/5 @ 1/1000 sec, iso 100
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1) Alan
Coming in to Land. Leica V Lux 3, f/5 @ 1/1000 sec, iso 100
2) Bernd
The Rowan Treefrom my 2012 holidays on the Isle of Skye. I spotted this lonly tree on a hike near Elgol and was impressed by the green of the weed, the blue of the sky and the red of the berries. (Leica M9 | Summilux 35 ASPH)
3) Bill
Foggy Night: Taken with a Panasonic FT4 pocket compact in the ‘Hand held night scene’ mode. Grain/noise was inevitable.
Lisbon Belham Tower, taken in September 2014 on a D-Lux 6.
5) David K
Pulteney Bridge & Weir - taken in Bath. It was taken with my Leica Digilux 2 with its 28mm-90mm Summicron f/2.4 Lens - exposed for 1/160 second at f/11 (ISO 100).
6) Dunk
‘1923 Leitz Travelling Microscope’ - Current photo essay ‘work in progress’ project; photo taken using R9/DMR with 60mm Macro Elmarit R; illumination via Lastolite Cubelite light tent with 3 x 800 watt tungsten redheads. The matrix shows the microscope tube lengths for the objective and ocular lens’ combinations. Not entirely happy with result as really need to use a shift lens - which I have but it’s not compatible with the R9.
7) Elaine
The fisherman, Lumix FZ100 with Leica lens
8) Jim
Highland piper at Spean Bridge. L1 Vario Elmarit, 2007
Highland piper at Spean Bridge. L1 Vario Elmarit, 2007
9) Keith
Had to be taken (IMHO)" M(240)/Summilux 50mm
10) Malcolm
The Millennium Bridge: Panasonic TZ60.
The Millennium Bridge: Panasonic TZ60.
11) Mike
12) Phil
Viv Richards: Former West Indian cricketer who was chosen as the greatest batsman of all time by Wisden in 2002. In his Test career, he scored 8,540 runs in 121 test matches. Leica M6, 35mm Summicron T-Max
Viv Richards: Former West Indian cricketer who was chosen as the greatest batsman of all time by Wisden in 2002. In his Test career, he scored 8,540 runs in 121 test matches. Leica M6, 35mm Summicron T-Max
13) Rob C
Solitude
14) Robert H
In the Money: Cheltenham Races : Leica M9P : 50mm Summicron ISO 200 Taken on 10/3/15 (Champion Hurdle Day)
15) Theodore
Lucky Moment - Camera: Leica D-Lux
16) Tony
Temple of Apollo, Delphi: This is where the Ancient Greeks listened to the Oracle. On the day I was there, the wind blowing through the trees on the right sounded just like the Oracle. Leica M and 28mm Summicron.
That's your lot, please vote and comment as usual. Be seeing you...
A general question, Digital V Film?? Looking back at pictures from my M6TTL + Summicron f2 Ekta 100g scanned by a TOP pro Lab, The Graduation and the form of circular objects in the frame are in excess of my present camera,
ReplyDeletePana GX7 Summilux 1.4 25mm asph, The Film shots look real, They have depth. Come on Dunc., give me your expert opinion. Lens--Sensor size--- in Camera- processing , The GX is 4/3 sensor. Why. The Kodachrome are even better, Jim C. cook709@btinternet.com
Looking at Keith's Picture of the polished Plane, The M240 is a full frame Sensor, The definition is Superb, Have I answered my own question, ?????? Bigger is always better, Sensor size & pixel counts.
DeleteJim C.
I am no expert Jim but I do not trust so called 'top labs' to scan my films … I tried one such lab and their scanning results were all unsharp compared to the original slides.
ReplyDeletedunk
Apologies all,
ReplyDeleteDue to my work schedule the last 2 months, I have only now posted my comments on the March 2015 photos (for whatever they are worth to anyone). Thanks in advance for your patience! Regards, Theodore
1) Alan
ReplyDeleteThis is certainly a good shoot of the parachutist coming into land. However I would have liked to have him filling the frame as there is just too much space around him. I know this type of shot can be tricky with not much time to compose etc.
2) Bernd
This is a particularly striking landscape in its simplicity. I like the the range of green tones which are soft and subtle which are set off by the red berries on the Rowan, this makes for a nice contrast. This tranquil scene has been well composed and executed.
3) Bill
Plenty of atmosphere here and the grain adds to the drama. Considering the conditions it was taken under you have come away with an acceptable result.
4) David F.
You have certainly filled the frame with your chosen subject here. Plenty of detail where it is needed and the sky is a nice backdrop to the tower.
5) David K
A different viewpoint of Pulteney Bridge which works relatively well. The lighting certainly brings out the colour of the buildings. Looks like a nice fine summers day.
6) Dunk
The picture seems to be evenly lit by your lighting set up to give good detail of the microscope and its parts. A great result from the R9 / DMR combination.
7) Elaine
Looks like he got what he was after! Shame it is not sharp which this type of shot needs to be. I like the reflection in the water.
8) Jim
I like the idea behind this image but unfortunately it looks somewhat manufactured. The piper does not look right against the Spean Bridge Memorial. This needs to be more subtle.
9) Keith
A good sharp result here and the reflections in the fuselage have been well controlled. A picture with impact!
10) Malcolm
Looks like a grey and damp day in London. An interesting record of this particular area but I feel that a bit of a walk around might have given you a more dynamic picture.
11) Mike
A nice range of tones here and it conveys a winters day. It looks like it was a fairly calm day which has given some pleasing reflections in the canal. I wonder if a warmer tone overall would have lifted this picture further.
12) Phil
This is a very formal portrait of Viv Richards. The viewer certainly has eye contact but it seems to work. A good result from the T-max film.
13). Rob C.
An apt title. This type of photography is always difficult especially in an aquarium where one is battling against reflections etc. You have managed to overcome this and produce a worthwhile result.
15) Theodore
Nicely captured and you have managed to keep the dogs face sharp and le t everything else go. However I am debating whether this is in fact two images sandwiched together.
17) William
The clouds are an added benefit to this scene whilst the pillars dominate the landscape overall. A nice range of tones through out the picture with plenty of detail.
1 Alan: Coming into Land
ReplyDeleteGood framing and sharpness but unfortunately the sky is rather uninteresting and the sky diver’s smoke flowing from the footwear seems to be past its best.
2 Bernd: The Rowan Tree
A fair record but maybe not the best camera angle. I keep looking at the rather too central stream flowing straight out the bottom and want to see it from a lower viewpoint and different angle ie flowing into the corner … to maybe create a more dynamic element and balance. But looking at the terrain, maybe not an easy composition to optimally frame.
3 Bill: Foggy Night
Atmospheric composition worth many words … and proves that compact cameras’ ‘picture modes’ can produce excellent images. And it reminds me of … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjBHUQEiTPw … (showing my age!) Another superb and well seen image Bill.
4 David F: Lisbon Belham Tower
Interesting sky, well framed building with good verticals (not converging) and I like the dynamics of the composition ie the way the footbridge and the reflection leads into the corner of the image. Excellent record shot.
5 David K: Pulteney Bridge and Weir
Excellent record of a difficult subject. Much to take in and consider but captured very well … and sharp and well exposed throughout.
6 Mine
7 Elaine : The fisherman
This had two elements to make it a very memorable image ie the fish in the heron’s beak and the bird’s reflection but unfortunately the sloping ripples suggest that the camera was tilted down slightly to the left … and the heron is not sufficiently sharp and appears rather grainy. Well seen and a good record attempt … but technically has not quite worked.
8 Jim: Highland piper at Spean Bridge
The piper looks very static and rather odd that he’s looking at the camera … appears as if he’s just placed the blowpipe into his lips without actually playing … would prefer to see all of the bagpipes and both hands.
9 Keith: Had to be taken
Too much of the third party artist’s work and not enough plane … but a good record. The PAGB’s suggested rules/guidelines ref plagiarism (and let’s remember TLS is a member of MCPF and thus affiliated to the PAGB) state that third party artwork is acceptable if incidental to the main subject … but not acceptable (as an original image by the photographer) if it constitutes the main element(s) of a composition. This image is well into the ‘third party artwork main element’ category … thus if submitted to another competition or exhibition would risk being disqualified by an accredited PAGB judge. But it’s a very striking image!
10 Malcolm: The Millenium Bridge
ReplyDeleteI looked at this several times and on each occasion kept noticing the converging verticals and the blown highlights in the sky. The verticals could be partly or entirely corrected in post processing … but could have possibly been avoided at the taking stage with a higher and more parallel to the subject camera position.
11 Mike: Lock 72 at Ince
Nicely exposed and good tones but the classic ‘thirds’ composition is rather abruptly ‘sliced off’ on the L.H.S. Maybe a different camera angle/position could have created a less stark L.H.S.?
12 Phil C: Viv Richards
An excellent relaxed looking portrait with ample charisma and the plain background suits the subject well. However, the jacket’s lapel outline has been lost and could be recovered with a little post processing.
13 Rob C: Solitude
Title very apt but the fish is not sharp and would prefer to see a slightly more angled view to give more emphasis to an eye. A creature’s eyes and their expression and sharpness are so important to create the focal point of any portrait.
14 Robert H: In the Money: Cheltenham Races
We never see a poor bookmaker! These two (brothers?) look very eager to take the punter’s ££ and appear to have done well judging by the wad of notes visible. Excellent record which conveys a good 1,2,3 story of how to fill bookmakers’ pockets!
15 Theodore: Lucky Moment
A fun image … dog seems very happy and enjoying the run out … one for the family album … but not very sharp.
16 William: Temple of Apollo
Excellent record. Good sky detail, good verticals and good tones throughout. The dynamics of the ramp leading to the corner plus those of the trees rising on the slope of RHS create a very balanced composition … superb.
Another very interesting set of images with several contenders for top place and they again prove that a small format compact camera can produce photographs with excellent detail and charisma. Pocketing a Leica compact camera for that unforeseen moment can pay dividends.
Look forward to meeting up at TLS AGM –especially on Saturday morning (see TLS website!)
dunk
The Highland Piper. Yes. not what it seems to be, In The studio, Back Projection and Large Brolly Lighting the Piper. Combination of Digital Image. & Back projection of The Spean Bridge Memorial, followed by a good dose of Photoshop.
ReplyDeleteThat's Photography today, Anything is Possible. Not just a Happy Snap, lots of input to create an image. It's the result of 3 hours in the Studio and Photoshop. Very enjoyable. Well worth a few hours of Leisure time. Like it or Hate It ??, Comments please Jim C.
1 Alan. The square frame works well here, the Army action man has room to move into the frame and the parachute is pinsharp.
ReplyDelete2 Bernd. Skye in one of its more benign moods. The berries although small are eye-catching among the blues and greens of the general landscape. The tree and rocks on the stream bank form a small intimate landscape against the backdrop of the wide expanse of hills.
3 Bill. You do like to push the limits Bill and you have certainly succeeded in capturing the atmosphere of a murky evening. The figure and the car are perfectly positioned and the grain/noise feels right for the type of shot - if you did not have it naturally you would have had to manufacture it.
4 David F. A good sky and just enough ripples on the water to distort the reflection of the castleThe lead-in across the bridge works well ant the two tiny figures give a sense of scale.Very fancy high rise living.
5 David K. This feels like an aerial shot, the high viewpoint used to advantage to show the river, the bridge and the cascades.
6 Dunk. This is remarkably bright and shiny, almost too good to be true.The little clip on the aperture ring(?) beneath the staging looks remarkably like that on the early Leitz enlargers. A slight move to the right would have obscured the gap between the two white blocks.
7 Elaine. We had one of these fly over the garden yesterday (the heron not the fish). Superbly caught moment, the positioning of the backlit fish against the black hole in the bank could not be bettered. I like the broken reflection of the bird and the radiating ripples, great shot.
8 Jim. A good idea and no doubt fun to produce. Either image on its own would stand up but combined I feel they do not hang together well due mainly to the mismatched lighting and the result appears artificial, which of course it is.
9 Keith. Much to look at in this image from the bright red nose cone to the distorted reflections of the wings, propeller and airfield building in the silver engine housing and of course the lady herself seated firmly on Europe.
I have to take issue with Dunc’s comments on this image on two counts. Firstly the implied accusation of plagiarism which I reject entirely, the “artwork” as he calls it is certainly an important element of the composition but is only a part of the image which could hardly have been taken without its inclusion. Secondly quoting - and interpreting PAGB rules (and suggested rules at that) - is irrelevant insofar as our activities are concerned. The comments are objectionable on both counts, totally out of order and not at all in the spirit of the Circles.
10 Mine.
ReplyDelete11 Mike. The flat lighting has given this a wintery feel and the absence of any figures gives the scene a sense of isolation. Would it have been possible to include more of the reflections or did the nearer bank get in the way?
12 Phil. A very simple portrait but one that is full of character. The direct gaze engages with the viewer and the clean background eliminates all unwanted distractions. The perennial portrait problem of what to do with the hands has been very effectively and simply dealt with.
13. Rob. A very tricky shot to take, light levels are usually poor (for photography) the fish are quite small and refuse to keep still and there are reflections to contend with. This is not perfect but given the “degree of difficulty” as the phrase goes it is a very good attempt. I can almost imagine this alien creature in orbit above a green planet.
14 Robert. All eyes on the money. the two bookies look to be real characters and the punter is suitably anonymous. I love the hand with the delicately held fiver, no idea what is going on there looks so funny and open to interpretation.
15 Theodore. No details here but I suspect a Photoshop Phiddle because of the elevation of the dog and the fact that he appears to be heading for a nasty collision with a tree. The dogs head is sharp and his back legs and tail show movement blur so he is well captured in mid leap. The wood is unsharp everywhere and as the dog is the main subject that actually helps to give the image a sense of action.
16 Tony . No image.
17 William. The ramp and low barrier/ fence are disappointing to see at such a famous site but the remains of the pillars are everything we might expect. great sky and the shape of the trees mimic the pillars (or vice versa).
Keith and Malcolm, I apologise for my very misleading comments regarding your image Keith and for mentioning what I thought might be a possible infringement ref PAGB recommendations regarding inclusion of artwork. I should have checked more thoroughly because after further reading find I was wrong in my assumption. At the time I wrote the comment the intention was to be constructive and thus maybe help others avoid criticism in future by accredited judges. The artwork element is fine and I stand by my comment that the whole is a very striking image. And thank you Malcolm for correcting / restoring the balance and quite rightly pointing out my erroneous opinion.
ReplyDeleteWith sincere apologies
dunk
Thank you Dunk, I appreciate that. The last thing I want to see is disharmony in any Circle and I was very sorry to have to make the comments I did but I felt it necessary in the circumstances.
ReplyDeleteKeith
ReplyDelete1. Alan
A very good shot well exposed. If it were mine I think I would crop a little from top amd RHS which I think would increase impact.
2.Bernd
A very fine landscape and a tree that looks like it has had a hard fight to be there.
3.Bill
Lovely atmospheric shot. The camera has performed well under your guidance!
4.David F
Fabulous sky and reflection. The verticals have been handled well. A very pleasing image.
5.David K
Taken this scene many times but never from such a lofty view. Although it is an interesting view, it somehow loses the impact of the architecture for me.
6.Dunk
A fine illustration of a quality that I can imagine in a relevant book.
7.Elaine
Lucky to come across this and well captured, but a shame the sharpness needed is not there.
8.Jim
Until I read your explanation I was thinking you had a good flashgun! I keep getting drawn to the guys button-down collar which somehow doesn’t seem in keeping. Good portrait.
9.Me
Can I firstly thank Malcolm for clarifying so well what we are about. Can I also sincerely thank Dunk for his explanation of rationale and frank apology. I think the two statements bring credit to this Circle and the Society. Well done guys!
10. Malcolm
Nice to have a view of this Bridge other than stock one. Love the light on the wet stone.
11.Mike
A truly timeless scene. For me the composition is well balanced between reflective water, subject and sky. Great image, super tones. Who needs a Monochrom?
12. Phil
Great image of the great man. Would grace the Taunton Clubhouse. The story behind the image would be interesting. Article?
13.Rob C
Great image. Feel you could look at this for hours. Some tech detail would be interesting. Polarizer?
14. Robert H
Love it! Nice grouping with interaction between all three characters..
15. Theodore
Lucky indeed. The doggy seems almost to be in 3D. Would a crop at the bottom would put him/her nicely on the ‘thirds’ and improve composition?
16. Tony
No entry
17. William
Perfect in b&w and what a sky.
1) Alan
ReplyDeleteGood shot of the sky diver but the picture would have been enhanced had the figure filled the frame rather more and reduced the large area of sky
2) Bernd
Nicely composed and exposed landscape picture with the Rowan Tree and its red berries as the feature
3) Bill
The monochrome photograph in the misty conditions is well exposed and has produced plenty of atmosphere
4) David F
The Tower and the bridge have been well captured with plenty of detail, although the sky, whilst impressive, is rather dominant and perhaps diminishes the overall scene
5) Mine
6) Dunk
Well composed and exposed photograph of the microscope, which would be well worthy for publication in a technical manual
7) Elaine
Well captured shot of the heron and its catch, enhanced by the reflection in the water. However, the photograph could perhaps have been sharper
8) Jim
Nice photograph of the piper, although it would have perhaps been better had he actually been playing at the time
9) Keith
Well composed picture of the plane fuselage and the ‘Oregon Lady’. The reflections are a feature as are the red of the nose and the sketch itself
10) Malcolm
Interesting shot of a London landmark on a rather damp day, being from a different viewpoint than usual. However,whilst well exposed, unfortunately much of the Bridge itself is lost against the distant background buildings
11) Mike
Nicely composed monochrome photograph of the lock, with a good tonal range and enhanced by the reflections in the calm water
12) Phil
Fine portrait of a cricket icon. The plain background works well, as does the eye contact
13) Rob C
The title ‘Solitude’ is spot on! Although constrained by the (presumably) aquarium glass, the details, the colours and the exposure are good
14) Robert H
Well captured shot from a topical event! Good detail in the photograph of the bookies, who appear to have done reasonably well?!
15) Theodore
Interesting action picture of the ‘leaping’ dog, with his head well captured in focus
16) Tony
No photograph
17) William
Well composed monochrome photograph of the Temple, with good tones and enhanced by the fine sky
1. Alan: Coming in to Land.
ReplyDeleteNice capture of a parachutist. Main subject is well placed within the frame.
2. Bernd: The Rowan Tree.
Another shot with a well placed main subject. Nice landscape behind.
3. Bill: Foggy Night.
Lovely atmospheric photo. Very well seen and taken with all of the elements in the right place.
4. David F: Lisbon Belham Tower.
Nice architectural shot of an interesting building. The photo is very well processed and finished.
5. David K: Pulteney Bridge and Weir.
A well known scene nicely recorded. The light was perhaps a bit flat. A midday shot?
6. Dunk: 1923 Leitz Travelling Microscope.
A lovely vintage Leitz microscope, well taken and lit.
7. Elaine: The fisherman.
Nice shot with a reflection of a Heron going ‘food shopping’. I wonder if this is a crop as the image loses some quality when enlarged.
8. Jim: Highland piper at Spean Bridge.
Nice ‘composite’ photo. The full lighting on the piper jars a bit against the monument in shadow, but that is just my taste.
9. Keith Had to be taken (IMHO).
Nice silver aircraft with a nice transfer/logo on the side. How would such a logo look on a chrome Leica?
10. Malcolm: The Millenium Bridge.
Nice riverside photo. Moving closer to the bridge might have produced a more dramatic photo featuring the figures crossing.
11. Mike: Lock 72 etc.
Lovely tranquil scene, well captured. The lens and post processing produce outstanding image quality.
12. Phil: Viv Richards.
A cricket great, well captured. The white background works very well here.
13. Rob C: Solitude.
A well captured shot of an inquisitive fish. Captured at the right moment as the fish looks straight at the camera.
14. Robert H. In the Money.
The punter is definitely old enough to place a bet! It must have been a quiet moment, as my main memory of Cheltenham is of huge crowds everywhere.
15. Theodore. Lucky Moment.
Wonderfully weird capture. Is this a standing jump or is the dog chasing someone or something?
16. Mine: To Malcolm’s points, the ramp may be original, or at least quite old. The fences are to keep tourists from trampling over an ancient monument. The priestess (Pythia) who ‘channeled’ the utterances of the Oracle sat on a tripod , which was a form of 3 legged stool!
1. Alan (Coming in to Land): Well captured at this distance but I would have preferred a tighter crop so we could see the detail of the parachutist.
ReplyDelete2. Bernd (The Rowan Tree): Superb landscape shot with impressive detail in the area to the right of the tree. I’m impressed, even though I couldn’t tell a rowan tree from a rhododenron.
3. Bill (Foggy Night): Nice atmospheric shot with an impressive silhouette against the glare of the headlamps and street lights.
4. David F (Lisbon Belham Tower): Wonderful tones and detail here, complemented by the roiling skies and the contrastingly calm, reflection-rich water. Really nice shot.
5. David K (Pulteney Bridge): An unusual high-level take on a familiar subject. Lovely colour and sharpness. Perhaps a little more sky would have been appropriate to counterbalance the cityscape and expanse of water in the foreground.
6. Dunk (1923 Leitz Microscope): Superb detail as we have come to expect. Must ask Dunk to do my product shots, at which I am hopeless. The colour, particularly the vibrant brass, is outstanding.
7. Elaine (The Fisherman): Well-seen and executed picture which is made by the reflection in the water.
8. Jim (Highland Piper): Great portrait with a difference; the subject really stands out in relation to the background statue—almost a 3D effect—and particularly appropriate in relation to military bearing of the piper. Perhaps I would have preferred to see a little more of the bagpipes which are abruptly cut off to the right; but this is a minor quibble on what is a truly inspiring photograph.
9. Keith (Had to be taken): Well executed and composed shot. Great colours and clarity.
10. Malcolm (The Millennium Bridge): Nicely composed riverscape with plenty of interest. The sky behind the southern end of the bridge is a little blown but this does serve to emphasise the silhouette of people walking across the bridge.
11. Mine (Lock 72): I didn’t crop this shot—it is the full frame at a 50mm FOV. I agree a little more to the left would have been good but I would then have had to sacrifice the other side where more is happening. A 35mm lens might have been more appropriate….
12. Phil (Viv Richards): Excellent portrait and an unusual pose. I would have preferred to see a little more detail in the clothing but otherwise a well-captured shot.
13. Rob C (Solitude): Good composition and colours in what must have been a difficult shot to take in view of the poor lighting and, presumably, glass of the tank (I am assuming Rob wasn’t diving with his IIIf in an R.G.Lewis waterproof enclosure). I would have preferred to see a little more detail on the fish which could be a little sharper. What camera was used? I always like to see this detail.
14. Robert H (In the Money): Well-seen group but taken against a rather busy and untidy background (which is perhaps inevitable at a racecourse). I think I would have preferred either a wide shot, showing more of the foreground punter, or a more cropped version concentrating on the three characters. Can’t have everything and this is a nice compromise.
15. Theodore (Lucky Moment): Impressive detail on the dog considering its elevation and movement. This is a well-captured moment. I would be tempted to crop further to create a portrait of a leaping dog.
16. Tony (no entry)
17. William (Temple of Apollo): The entrails were obviously auspicious for this excellent shot. The tones and detail are outstanding, although I have a niggling feeing that a little more sky would have helped the overall effect. I have been smelling the fumes from the Oracle.