Alan T
Sculpture at Houghton Hall Natural Light no Flash allowed, 1/30 sec. , f/2.5, 5.1 mm, 320 ISO, DLux4
Dennis A
This was taken in an ethnic village close to Loikaw, Myanmar. A Kayah lady. Usual SL 24-90mm.
Elaine J
Loch Fynne on a winter morning, Panasonic FZ 1000 and Leica lens
Geoff C
Mandarin's house, Macau, PRC. It's only after I looked at the images I had taken that I understood why it felt so calm and peaceful - all the rooms have a core symmetry.
Lumix lx100, leica lens.
Keith W
"Taken on the day the crowds on Bournemouth beach made national headlines 40odd miles down the coast. M10 / 50mm APO-Summicron"
Malcolm R
The “new” image for the July round was taken in the 1970s at Huntingdon racecourse, shot on HP5+ rated at 1600 ISO on my M4-2 and 90mm Tele-Elmarit. I have found some very old Ilfospeed paper in the darkroom and used it to print some even older negatives, this is a scan from one of them. Someone has said the woman looks distinctly Russian hence Olga. (Before anyone asks she was the nearest I got to a winner that day!)
Mike B
China Town, Digital CL, Voigtlander 35/1.4 via M to L adaptor
Phil C
One from the archives: Ships frozen in ice at the harbour near Chernobyl, Ukraine, 2006. Leica M6, 35mm Summicron.
Philip G
Into the Light - M(240) Elmarit 28 - Hexham
Richard B
Vincenzo V
No photo this month from:
David F
Julian P
Mike L
Nitin C
Paul H
Theodore D
Alan T
ReplyDeleteThe sculpture seems so out of place. At least that is what your image conveys to me. It is the last thing I would expect to see in a very posh house. So, thank you for photographing it.
Dennis A
Very professionally done. I am uneasy about “posed portraits” - and I would never photograph a stranger this close-up, but that is me. I admire your ability to get a seemingly honest insight into this lady.
Elaine J
Not quite sure what is going on here in terms of image manipulation in post-processing, but you have created a great impact in the contrast between the illuminated loch and the bleak sunless foreground.
Geoff C
You are right - symmetry is the key, so would not an enterprising photographer have introduced a clashing element as well? Was the blinding light intentionally given prominence? I do like the colour palette and the feeling of a shadowless interior.
Keith W
As a pandemic image this would nicely illustrate an article on lockdown.
Malcolm R
I have been scanning old transparencies during lockdown as compensation for missing new experiences in the outdoors. So I appreciate your enterprise in printing and then digitising the resulting printed images. Did you also try going direct from negative to digital image, or do you not have a suitable scanner? A good Leica “street photo”. Thick coats and hats from the 1970s. Nostalgia.
Mike B
Exceptional colour range and control of the lighting. I am sure this was not an easy job. The result is outstanding. Do you teach photo processing? This would be a good image to talk about.
Phil C
So bleak. A European winter. Knowing Chernobyl may be round the corner adds to the despair I feel for those living here in the winter.
Philip G
It is as if the two subjects had halos around their faces. Great control of contrast in the image. It makes the most of the dynamic range.
Richard B
With so may subtle colours, the picture should please everybody, This has been photographed very well indeed. Just wonder in which country you were? Do you think there was permanency to this location, or did you catch it in a transitory part of its development.
Tom L
I am confused. You mention a 12 second timer, but it would take longer than that to change your shirt!! I like the idea. Lockdown treats us all differently.
Vincenzo V
Thanks for your take on last year’s musical events. I just need to hear the music now, because you have caught the excitement very well.
Alan T - Sculpture:
ReplyDeleteThe lighting is a bit flat Alan, which hasn’t helped to define the shape and curves of the sculpture. The rather busy background does take the eye away from your subject.
Dennis A - A Kayah Lady:
The lighting is much harsher than last month’s offering Dennis, but the eye contact and facial expression are spot on.
Elaine J - Loch Fynne:
The very heavy foreground is rather overwhelming Elaine. I think you could satisfactorily crop away at least half of it to give more emphasis to the Loch.
Geoff C - Mandarin’s House:
We don’t often see architecture of this nature which is very refreshing. The subtle colours and symmetry work well . I wonder if you could have brought out the texture in the floor a little to create more foreground interest?
Keith W - Beach scene:
A poignant image Keith. Would it have made more powerful reportage if a little more of the empty beach was included?
Malcolm R - Olga:
A nostalgic study of racegoers in the 70s. Quite some contrast with the boisterous crowds of today.
Mike B - China Town:
Mine. And no Glacio I have never taught.
Phil C - Frozen Lake:
Another film image. Are we seeing the start of a trend? (No complaints) Your image certainly conveys the cold and isolation of the place Phil.
Philip G - Into the Light:
You gave yourself a challenge with the dynamic range in this scene Philip, so it is hardly surprising that you have lost some detail in the paving, not that it bothers me. I like the composition, rim lighting on the figures and the wall textures.
Richard B - Grain Silo:
A subtle colour palette and beautiful textures here Richard, which work well. I don’t like the pipe but what can you do, it was there.
Tom L - Lockdown Turned Me to Drink:
Me too Tom and I’m worried that I can see three of you! You clearly have too much time on your hands, but that has allowed you to produce a novel image. Good work.
Vincenzo V - Whitecross Street Festival:
Wow, you are in the heart of the action here Vincenzo. I love the facial expressions. Monochrome is ideal in this instance.
1) Alan T. I would have been less surprised to find that modernist, marble sculpture in the home, or garden, of Henry Moore. Your environmental photo does it justice, giving it place, contrasting it with art from other periods.
ReplyDelete2) Dennis A. A lovely portrait. The lady is at ease in front of your camera. Her left eye is dominant and could be sharper - a minor point - as it is marginally nearer the viewer than her right eye, which is sharp.
3) Elaine J. The foreground frost makes this picture special, almost presenting monochrome in the lower half, while giving way to colour in the upper frame.
4) Geoff C. I like this photo. However, I think a slightly different perspective, or light cropping to the left and right to create balance about the central axis in post-production, could have reinforced the symmetry of the interior.
5) Keith W. Our beaches have suffered invasion since lockdown restrictions were eased. This picture tells a different story. For me, the umbrellas with their primary colours make the scene.
6) Malcolm R. This really does speak of times past. As a documentary picture, it could have graced the pages of a national newspaper at the time. My eye rests on the lady, your “ Olga”, deep in concentration. The moustachioed gentleman reminds me of pictures of prime minister Macmillan.
7) Mike B. Warm tones that capture the mood of Soho’s chinatown at night. Your choice of a fast aperture lens has done justice to the tricky light.
8) Phil C. The subtle tones - reds and golds - are important, bringing cohesion and warmth to an otherwise wintry scene. The rusting, red metalwork in the foreground is an important part of the composition, leading the eye to the abandoned ships, more distant beyond.
9) Philip G. I like the composition, the lines and texture of the stonework. The foreground appears over-exposed, sometimes a challenge in "contra-jour" lighting, detracting my gaze from the subjects that are attractively picked out with “rim” lighting.
10) Richard B. My photo.
11) Tom L. A clever idea. You have patience, Tom. I must experiment with the time delay function on my camera which I seldom use.
12) Vincenzo V. An action shot, the briefest moment - the gestures - perfectly captured because they can never be repeated. A delightful interaction.
Keith W
ReplyDeleteAlan T
The lighting restrictions did you no favours. Good outcome given the circumstances.
Dennis A
I admire your approach to achieve these images, and hope the subjects are comfortable. Superb colours but detail of the necklace seems lost.
Elaine J
The dark foreground is a little overpowering for me.
Geoff C
You probably need to be there to ‘feel’ it. Green exit sign doesn’t quite fit and I would forgive you for removing
Keith W
Me
Malcolm R
Great work! Looks like Olga is keeping an eye on Enoch’s brother.
Mike B
Really good image and different to usual views. Very well composed and taken.
Phil C
Made me check date of the disaster! Geez, it must have been cold! Captures the bleakness with the rusted metal and shoreline in colour harmony. Excellent.
Philip G
Great image - classic Leica! Good detail in highlights and shadows.
Richard B
Another strong image - very well captured.
Tom L
Looks like a great bit of lockdown fun. Very imaginative and superb techniques. Could have a word with the continuity girl about the footwear (nice as it is).
Vincenzo V
I am afraid we are all looking back this years missing the events we enjoy. Super use of focus/depth of field. Captures the moment perfectly.
ReplyDeleteAlan
The sculpture in the foreground is very different to those against the wall at the back, but I like the contrast and it works well in black and white. I think I’d have cropped a little more from the bottom of the frame though.
Dennis
A lovely portrait in good light and the background doesn’t detract from the main subject. Very nice.
Elaine
It looks very cold, hope you were well wrapped up. The ground is almost volcanic in appearance and the contrast with the lake in the distance works well.
Geoff
As you mention the symmetry really makes this room, it is well caught and conveys something fo what it must have been like to be there.
Keith
The title makes this one. I heard from a friend down that way that the beaches a few miles away were fairly quiet, this proves the point!
Malcolm
The time in finding gems like this from the archive is well spent, really good to see and I hope you still have the M4-2.
Mike
The camera has coped well with the light and the Voigtlander lens has also done a good job. The single figure makes the shot. Is he waiting for someone, or just pausing in thought?
Mine
Philip
I like these sort of pictures. The highlight area is just about there and the grainy shadows almost seem unreal, works for me.
Richard
Abandoned homes always make for good pictures and the tones and colours in the work well. It looks like the the oil can has been used for target practice.
Tom
Very clever, and I know how you feel. This ‘new ‘normal’ feels like groundhog day.
Vincenzo
A really lovely reportage picture, in close and you can feel the vibes. Hope the festival is back next year.
Alan T
ReplyDeleteI find that the background clashes with the shape of the sculpture, but there is nothing you could do about it! I wonder if some more experiment with highlights and shadows would ad a bit more intensity to the photo?
Dennis A
Another wonderful portrait. I love the contrast between the pale skin and the tones of red. The skin is beautifully rendered
Elaine J
At a first glance I felt slightly uneasy between the proportions of the dark foreground and the bright background, but the more I look at the photo, the more I find it magic.
Geoff C
I think that a more symmetric cropping would have added to the beautiful symmetry of the room
Keith W
A powerful, yet quite delicate sign of these times, with very nice composition. The umbrellas bring the whole image to life very nicely
Malcolm R
There is a special intensity from that era, and this photo captures it very well. I love also how the lens creates a progressively more blurred background
Mike B
I join the other comments in saying that the colour range in this photo is magnificent! I love a lot how you managed to show the blue back ground as well. Very nice!
Phil C
This photo is making me feel very emotional. It feels like been in a Tarkowski film. I love how the foreground creates a vortex leading to the wreck in the background... a journey into infinite shades of brown and gold... all this blending with the silver and white tones of the ice and sky. So beautiful!
Philip G
A great phot that makes the most of the dynamic range. I love the halos and the grain. I think that the loss of detail in the ground adds to this image. I wonder if cropping off the foreground just a little bit would make the image even more intense
Richard B
A very well taken photo that gives justice to all the details, the highlights and the shadows
Tom L
This photo is very funny and made me laugh a lot! I hope the sequence is left to right, for the sake of alcoholic strength progression :)
Alan T - there would be many opportunities for some interesting abstracts by moving closer.
ReplyDeleteElaine J - again getting a tad closer would offer a few interesting possibilities, otherwise a nice landscape.
Geoff C - pleasant and interesting but the glowing light disturbs me a tad.
Keith W - I like this but again a bit of crop would assist.
Malcolm R - great crowd shot and with a bit more contrast would make an excellent print.
Mike B - nice nighttime shot and would be improved with a bit more exposure for bottom third.
Phil C - great atmosphere!
Philip G - nicely framed but a little more exposure would improve this.
Richard B - interesting but a bit random.
Tom L - a good way to get three times as much to drink and well executed.
Vincenzo V - spot on, decisive moment and all that.
Alan T
ReplyDeleteAn interesting study in contrast between the very traditional and the modern.
Dennis A
Another fine portrait study and one where the subject seems fully engaged with the photographer.
Elaine J
An unusual and effective landscape study with only the background bathed in early sunshine.
Geoff C
A fine study with still life qualities - albeit on a very large scale - giving a slightly meditative feel.
Keith W
Certainly interesting There’s more in this picture that seen at first glance. Where is the second person? Why two umbrellas? What’s with the tent?
Malcolm R
A good documentary study and well worth all the darkroom effort to revive it.
Mike B
The position of the person who looks like a proprietor on a slack night strengthens this composition. I enjoyed the contrast between the lighting on the building and the mysterious background activity
Phil C
A fascinating historical documentary study.
Philip G
Mine
Richard B
The fine muted colours and fine detail enhance this still life study.
Tom L
A cunning shot … but how exactly???
Alan T - nice record shot. As no flash was allowed I may have been tempted to increase the brightness and contrast to give it a little more punch.
ReplyDeleteDennis A - lovely portrait. the SL and 24-90 is incredible for bringing out the finest of details.
Elaine J - very nice landscape, one can almost feel the cold.
Geoff C - a great shot of what must have been a memorable visit.
Keith W - terrific, I love the simple composition with the colourful umbrellas being position in exactly the right place.
Malcolm R - superb classic monochrome. I particularly like the change in expression between the somber lady and the gent to her left who looks as though he may be watching a winner come home.
Mike B - great atmosphere and lighting in the this image. You’ve handled the exposure and processing extremely well.
Phil C - you’ve captured what looks to be a bleak place and presented it very well.
Phillip G - very nice. You’ve handled the exposure extremely well and in my opinion have the right amount of detail in the shadows without blowing the highlights.
Richard B - as photographers we all love these dilapidated buildings and this is a good example. Lovely composition and colours with great detail.
Vincenzo V - like the way you’ve achieved the perfect depth of field with the main subject perfectly in focus and the characters behind and in the foreground slightly soft.
ReplyDelete1. Alan T. Having looked at the website it would appear that the busts of Seneca and Augustus Caesar (or some such) are the permanent residents of the Hall whereas the reclining figure (or some such) is part of a temporary exhibition. It is the contrast between the two styles that makes the picture so interesting reflecting the way tastes change so dramatically over the generations.
2. Dennis A. A terrific portrait of this lady. She lives in a troubled part of the world, I hope she is as happy as she appears to be.
3. Elaine J. Tremendous contrast between the light on the loch and mountains and the frosty shadowed foreground which I find a little too dominant. To my mind removing perhaps a third of the base gives a better balance.
4. Geoff C. There is a definite tranquillity to the room that is slightly marred by the modern lighting and that green sign which no doubt the Mandarin would have found superfluous.
A slight change of position would perhaps “correct” these minor defects but would such selectivity result in a true representation of the room as it is today - and does that matter?
5. Keith W. The background story makes this delightfully simple scene all the more significant. The umbrellas are a nice touch, the purple dome less so.
6. Me.
7. Mike B. As I write this on a very warm and sticky night those cool blues look every bit as inviting as the welcoming restaurant facade itself. Great colour contrasts, the lone figure strangely laden is an added interest.
8. Phil C. Bleak and desolate with a sense of some bygone disaster in the air confirmed by the location. The quiet overall silver and brown tones emphasise the stillness.
9. Phillip G. The huge tonal range has caused problems giving rather too much light for this pair to go into. Half a second or so later and we would see more of mother’s shadow and less of the distant shopfront. The classic archway picture but the highlights need taming.
10. Richard B. Blues and orange/browns make a great colour combination, add in the textures and shapes and the result is a very pleasing image of an old oil drum. Splendid.
11. Tom L. The ultimate selfie. I have heard of seeing double - but treble ? The more the merrier I suppose . Very clever, very funny and very effective.
12. Vincenzo V. The attitude of the chap with the microphone could be construed as being very aggressive were it not for the big grin on face of the character on the left and that turns the image into one of great humour. A classic in black and white.