Alan T
"The Tree Stump" Heacham Pond. Taken with Huawei Phone Leica Lens
Andre H
Chris S
Dennis A
Elaine J
Phil C
Tom L
No photo this month from:
Focussed : M240 and 75mm - Harz railway
Chris S
"Stargate” - Lumix TZ200
Taken in Long Sheng, Southern China in 2005 of a Yao woman. She was photographed in a dark hut with just window light. One of a selection of images from my travels that have processed much better with advances in Photoshop.
Medieval drummer, taken in Colchester over Christmas. Panasonic with a Leica lens.
Geoff C
Keith W
Malcolm R
“Don’t fall in!” Panasonic with a Leica lens
Michael J
Julian P
Moonrise, Alexander Island
Leica R4 180mm f/4 scanned Kodachrome transparency. Image from the 1980s.
Keith W
Dorset Coast in December 2021 sunshine. M10 / 50mm APO-Summicron
Malcolm R
“Don’t fall in!” Panasonic with a Leica lens
Michael J
First dawn.
After the winter solstice, in astronomical terms first dawn of winter but to most of us, midwinter. Solstice was 15:39 on 21st Dec, this taken 07.57 22nd when it was just getting light. I was just up, saw the sky and took snap out of front door, still wearing nightclothes and slippers.
CL on auto with kit zoom lens. And no, I wasn't going to fiddle with settings or walk across dew drenched lawn to a better viewpoint, just wanted to retreat to my first cup of coffee!
Phil C
"Rocking on" Leica M6, 35mm Summicron
Richard B
Playground. (Tower Hamlets, June 2021)
Leica M10, Summilux 35mm ASPH, ISO 400, F/11, 1/750 sec.
Tom L
"Graffiti Artist" - taken with the M10-R with the 50mm Summicron fully open at F2.0.
No photo this month from:
Arthur H
Mike L
Nitin C
Paul H
Philip G
Theodore D
Vincenzo V
Nitin C
Paul H
Philip G
Theodore D
Vincenzo V
1) Alan T. The composition works well, the pond framed by the weeping canopy of the tree. I enjoyed the detail, but found it missing (erased/ edited?) in the water, and on bank in the foreground.
ReplyDelete2) Andre H. A railway worker - no doubt a volunteer enthusiast - at work. I like the story. The focal plane is in the lower half of the photo leaving the man’s head and shoulders slightly blurred. Perhaps there was some slight movement, or the aperture was a little too wide.
3) Chris S. An unusual, aerial view of what appears to be a flower vase.The geometric shadow and reflection (water?) add interest.
4) Dennis A. A lovely portrait using soft, ambient light. The model appears comfortable, at ease. The "catch lights” in the woman’s eyes ensure a visual connection. The side lighting, focus and aperture have been used with thought and precision.
5) Elaine J. The drummer gazes to his left, out of the frame. What holds his gaze? Is he oblivious to the presence of a photographer close by? The predominant colours - blues and yellows - contribute positively to the scene. But what of his shoes - are they modern, incongruous, or period dress ?!
6) Geoff C. I like the sense of powdered snow settled on the twigs and leaves, the detail too. The colour of the background is in harmony, yet is a distraction to my mind. Is it too bright? Can it be toned down a little to benefit the subject in the foreground?
7) Julian P. An expansive, antarctic scene, less familiar than pictures of ice caps. Devoid of life, the blue tones suggest isolation and intense cold. The digital scan is well handled.
8) Keith W. Your handling of the Summicron lens has ensured interest in the sea and the coastal landscape beyond. I like the belt of broken cloud that sits above the land, yet also gives way to unbroken blue sky. For me, a panoramic (16:9) aspect ratio would strengthen the composition.
9) Malcolm R. The message is clear - announced in primary red in foreground. Should we ponder whether the lifebuoy has fallen or been stolen, or used as intended with a poor soul struggling to safety out of view? I wonder.
10) Michael J. A dramatic dawn sky with foreground interest offered by the silhouetted tree (silver birch?). You were wise not to have ventured out in your slippers, Michael.
11) Phil C. A craftsmen's workshop, or room adopted temporarily for the purpose; there appear to be curtains. The horse in the foreground has a light dappled coat, the carpenter has a light aran-type, cable-knit jumper and white hair. The horses have arched necks, the carpenter has an arched back. There is a lot to hold the eye in this scene.
12) My photo.
13) Tom L. A blaze of hot colour - graffiti, or artwork or both? It’s in the eye of the beholder. But what of the model? The light falling on him is perfect. There are “catch lights” in his eyes, his trainers could not better match the scene. Very nice.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThe trunk is nicely framed by the trees and keeps the eye in the frame, good tones too.
Andre
The concentration on the engineers face and the grey overtones make for a compelling picture. The small splash of red and gold break the grey, and add to the depth and shapes of the components.
Chris
A clever picture, only one object in the frame but it draws the eye and the title makes e think of the those 1970s sci-fi series like Blakes 7. Very nice.
Dennis
A lovely portrait which makes good use of the available light. Just right.
Elaine
The slim upright crop works well, I wonder what he is looking at? the conductor I imagine
Geoff
Nicely spotted, the brown leaves weighed down by the snow. Warmer days are coming.
Julian
So simple, and yet compelling. The limited tones work really well. Like this very much.
Keith
A desolate beach, it looks chilly and the breakwater reflects the hills in the distance.
Malcolm
That’s good advice! I wonder where it is, perhaps in the reeds.
Michael
Sounds like a good idea to retreat for that first cup of coffee, a spectacular sky.
Mine
Richard
I like this, really well seen and perfect for black and white.
Tom
A powerful portrait, the background telling the story of the artist in the frame. Even his trainers seem to be a work of art.
Alan T – What a shame the tree stump is in shadow and quite small in the image: the whole view is full of interest (including the retreating duck).
ReplyDeleteMine
Chris S – Intriguing shapes and shadows.
Dennis A – what a fine and atmospheric portrait, even if the garments seem a little bright in the lower right side.
Elaine J – Nice! Particularly with a posh shop window behind.
Geoff C - I liked the snow on the leaves, even though sometimes lost in the background snow.
Julian P – Gosh, that looks bleak – good , subdued colours.
Keith W – Beautifully uncluttered by people.
Malcolm R – good ‘spot’ and excellent title.
Michael J – This is a super shot – I wish I could get an early shot without bits of houses around!
Phil C – good to see a craftsman in action.
Richard B – Another of your splendid urban patterns.
Tom L – I like this, made by the direct eye contact.
Alan T: An idyllic image that has no distracting details. A great range of contrast and this breathes of summer. The duck was well seen and the shutter got it right.
ReplyDeleteAndre H: Focussed - yes, but what is he doing. A pity that all one sees is the focus in an unguessed action. Imagery of trains always appeals. Nostalgia I guess. Thank you Andre.
Chris S: Stargate makes a good alternative to partygate. I cannot work out how you achieved this, but it is eminently likeable and a great abstract image.
Dennis A: A striking portrait and beautifully executed, from conception until the finally tweaked digital image. A reward for your travels.
Elaine J: He looks to be quite a character and you have portrayed this well.
Geoff C: The sort of picture I try often. The oof background is just right, but I might have hoped more of the leaves were critically sharp. It is great fun trying out loads of settings when you have a subject that appeals. Do you have any technical details?
Julian P: Mine
Keith W: A good landscape for showing that winter can be quite benign. Not an image though that has exploited the possibilities of the APO-Summicron.
Malcolm R: Brash and bold. I like it.
Michael J: A good story for a specific dawn. I have spent the Midwinter Solstice at Clava Cairns for the last ten years, and December 2021 I saw the sunset down the SW Passageway for the first time. Scotland often is cloudy at sunset time!
Phil C: It is good to see and photograph a craftsman at work. I do like the wide view that shows the character of the operation.
Richard B: Ansel Adams would be proud of you. Except it is “industrial”.
Tom L: Wow. Wow. You clearly had the confidence of the artist. Words fail me. (Give us more).
1. Alan T. A pleasant riverside spot with the stump and ducks providing the main interest. Tonally it is a little difficult to differentiate between the river bank and the water so I am wondering whether a colour version would be a better option.
ReplyDelete2. Andre H. The steam suggests running repairs are underway, the chap is certainly giving it all his attention. The starting handle is intriguing.
3. Chris S. A mystery object and fascinating lighting. If it is “as found” well seen , if it is your own set-up well done.
4. Dennis A. The dark background of the hut really gives the colours vibrancy. It is a great expression, maybe she was curious about you and your wish to take her portrait.
5. Elaine J. The unlikely contrast between period dress and modern shop window makes this shot. The long narrow framing no doubt hides unwanted clutter but it does restrict the story telling aspect of the picture.
6. Geoff C. An almost abstract study in white and brown, the out of focus tree trunk avoids a completely blank background. It feels very cold in a warm sort of way.
7. Julien P. Two different worlds in a single timeless image. Magical.
8. Keith W. It looks a good day for a walk along the beach, blue sky a calm sea and a retreating tide that brings colour to the shingle
9. Me.
10. Michael J. One of Nature’s spectacles and worth the trip to the doorstep,
11. Phil C. Always good to see a craftsman at work surrounded by his creations. Unusually he also seems to be surrounded by curtains so maybe this was taken at a country show or trade fair of some kind? Beautiful rocking horses and you don’t see carpenters aprons very often these days.
12. Richard B. Pattern picture, architectural detail or street photography, this could fit any of these categories. Shot at the time of day when the shadows are just long enough to link each individual barrier to the next. A very satisfying image well seen and composed.
13. Tom L. This is really complex vivid colourful graffti so it is a little surprising that the artist is dressed all in grey (other than those trainers), on the other hand it does mean that he is not camouflaged and we can see him as clearly as he can see the camera giving us eye contact.
Alan T - a pleasing mono image with a good tonal range, well composed and executed.
ReplyDeleteAndre H - a well composed image with a hint of atmosphere from the steam. A fine study of an enthusiast cleaning the loco. The red foot plate (well not actually a footplate) sets this off well.
Chris S - a great effort to make a striking image from something so simple which others(myself included) would likely walk by.
Elaine J - as always a well considered image which the crop enhances.
Geoff C - a simple image which beautifully shows the snow on the leaves and conveys an atmosphere of the cold surroundings.
Julian P - Kodachrome! those were the days. Some thing very other worldly about this.
Keith W - always precise in composition and nothing intrudes or detracts and there lack of people emphasise that it is December.
Malcolm R - a quietly dynamic print due to the angle of the lifebouy station and the smaller red sign.
Michael J - worth the effort but a little increase in exposure would render the sky better and emphasise the tree.
Phil C - a good reportage type of shot assisted by the nice triangular array of rocking horses framing the craftsman.
Richard B - an excellent geometric image set off by strong light and shadows.
Tom L - great! would be even better (for me) if the artist was looking straight ahead.
Keith W
ReplyDeleteAlan T
The light on the leaves and water looks great.
Andre H
Very nice picture. You can see the concentration. Is this the line that runs in the snow every year?
Chris S.
Very clever and interesting image. Well seen and taken. Would maybe have the main feature off centre slightly.
Dennis A
One of the few good things that has come out of ‘Covid’ is revisiting our back catologues. This was well worth the effort and is superb. Light and subject trumps mp’s!
Elaine J
Shame no tinsel around his hat!
Geoff C
The last leaves and first snow? Nice.
Julian P
Very powerful Image. A picture enhanced by ‘negative space’. Excellent.
Keith W
Me
Malcolm R
A good humerous pic, very Malcolm. The “Danger’ sign adds poignancy!
Micheal J
Nice to have this literally on your doorstep. Had to be taken.
Phil C
Indeed! Very nice shot of a craftsman at work. Can imagine the aroma of wood and lacquer!
Richard B
Very good. Just right time of day with the shadows falling where they do.
Tom L
Fabulous shot. Such vibrant colour and the figure in perfect atire. Love the eye contact.
(This month has flown by!)
Very nice image.
ReplyDelete