>> challenge 16 - comment and critiques thread <<

[Andy]

this is the place to put your potential submissions in to dgrin challenge 16, "the quality of light," for comments, critique, and feedback by fellow dgrinners.

please *do not* make any comments on the images in the main thread for challenge 16 entries. thank you :D

[rutt]

I started working on this a few days ago, when Andy said it was OK. I already posted these elsewhere, but I was really thinking hard about the quality of evening light when I shot them, so I'd love critiques from you all. As I said when I posted them, there was a lot of quality to the light that evening.

(I'm having a little bit of a hard time keeping up with the rules. It is OK to post multiple images here, right? Don't be afraid to correct me if not; I can take it.)

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648504-L.jpg


http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648672-L.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648700-L.jpg


http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648737-L.jpg

[Andy]

(I'm having a little bit of a hard time keeping up with the rules. It is OK to post multiple images here, right? Don't be afraid to correct me if not; I can take it.)


post away ... any number you like. but keep in mind, it's easier for folks to comment & critique on fewer images. personally, i'd narrow down to a couple 2 or 3 at a time, leaning more towards 2.... it's less burden on the responders, and therefore you should be able to get more responses. make sense?

[pathfinder]

I started working on this a few days ago, when Andy said it was OK. I already posted these elsewhere, but I was really thinking hard about the quality of evening light when I shot them, so I'd love critiques from you all. As I said when I posted them, there was a lot of quality to the light that evening.

(I'm having a little bit of a hard time keeping up with the rules. It is OK to post multiple images here, right? Don't be afraid to correct me if not; I can take it.)

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648504-S.jpg


http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648672-S.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648700-S.jpg


http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648737-S.jpg
Nice soft, warm, diffused late afternoon light is always good for me.http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/lickout.gif Particualrly like 2 and 3.

[Bryan]

Rutt,
I love the last one. The Old classic water front homes/busniesses with the GREAT water reflections. Then the contrast with the Modern ship mast behind the homes. Just a great shot pointing out the great evolution of the waterfront.

I should head down to Newport Beach, CA and see what fun I can get on the water front. Newport is full of great contrasts.

[wxwax]

Hey kids,

Another hint we've discussed elsewhere. When you're responding to someone's images and you want to include their photos... if it's linked from smugmug, please change the extension from L to S.

That way you change the size of the photo from Large to Small. It makes it much easier to navigate the thread.

[wxwax]

I started working on this a few days ago,

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648504-S.jpg



Like this! Remember, it has to be a capital S. Just look at the end of the link, where it says -L.jpg and change it to -S.jpg.

Just click on Reply to this post and you can see what I did.

[rutt]

Tomorrow's Ferry

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5687764-L.jpg

Tanks:

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5687694-L.jpg

[rutt]

One more, don't mean to hog, after this one, I'll wait for others to post. I just love this topic and I've been having fun with it since Andy gave the green light.

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648268-L.jpg

[Sandy]

I really like the light on the flag in this photo, this being the 4th of July weekend.


http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648504-S.jpg

Also the nice, easy feeling in the photo of the houses on the waterfront.

[Sandy]

Nice shot of your beautiful dog. Looks like a Corgy. I like the detail in the photo with the line by the eye.



I like all of yours, Rutt. Newport is a bit bigger than I imagined, if that is where you are. I have a dog. All I have is a dog and a bunch of panic. My loyal dog, Lassie........................... nah, he is Skye, but he is loyal, unless I sing, then he doesn't know me.

This was the dog, and dog, and husband that I had. We were out front, because the sun was too low for the backyard. Out front the dogs have to be leashed and watched, hence my husband. So I tried, I really did, the dogs really did not do what I was hoping they would do, so here is the picture I ended up with in my quest for "quality of light".



I might have deleted it, but the dog on the left, well, I thought I might keep the picture just in case. I did not kill the intruding dog on the right, nice of me.

Is this too much photoshopping?

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5643925-M.jpg

I cleaned it up a bit, below, but I also took out the line by his eye. Should I have left it in, or does it not matter? Also the shadow under his "chin"?




I would appreciate knowing what you all think about the lines around his eyes and the shadow under his chin. Anything else? I have a friend who just sputtered, and over the internet, too, she said, "you took a nice family picture and turned it into a studio type portrait". She was not being complimentary. She wants me out at the marsh before dawn, daily.

ginger

[rutt]

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5689316-S.jpg

Your corgi is very nice and better now that I can tell he isn't a fox. The photoshopping looks like it was hard (all those hairs!) How did you do it?
Anway, I'm afraid it also looks a little fake to me. Maybe you have the halo problem described in the discussion of the LL shots?

I wouldn't remove the line. That's a facial feature of this dog, isn't it? The dog doesn't care about it. Not the same at all as Lynn's nudes or Judy and Gail's wedding pictures.

Oh, and what role is the quality of light playing here?

[lynnma]

[QUOTE=rutt]Tomorrow's Ferry


Oh great shot rutt.. I love the Ferry, I love the second one too but this just tipped the scale..:clap

[lynnma]

I like all of yours, Rutt. Newport is a bit bigger than I imagined, if that is where you are. I have a dog. All I have is a dog and a bunch of panic. My loyal dog, Lassie........................... nah, he is Skye, but he is loyal, unless I sing, then he doesn't know me.

This was the dog, and dog, and husband that I had. We were out front, because the sun was too low for the backyard. Out front the dogs have to be leashed and watched, hence my husband. So I tried, I really did, the dogs really did not do what I was hoping they would do, so here is the picture I ended up with in my quest for "quality of light".



I might have deleted it, but the dog on the left, well, I thought I might keep the picture just in case. I did not kill the intruding dog on the right, nice of me.

Is this too much photoshopping?



I cleaned it up a bit, below, but I also took out the line by his eye. Should I have left it in, or does it not matter? Also the shadow under his "chin"?




I would appreciate knowing what you all think about the lines around his eyes and the shadow under his chin. Anything else? I have a friend who just sputtered, and over the internet, too, she said, "you took a nice family picture and turned it into a studio type portrait". She was not being complimentary. She wants me out at the marsh before dawn, daily.

gingerHi Ginger,
I love your corgi shots.. I think this one may be a little ps over cooked and having seen some of your other shots I know you can do better for the "quality of light". I would'nt send you out into the marsh daily, maybe just one morning??:D

[rutt]

Hi Ginger,
I love your corgi shots.. I think this one may be a little ps over cooked and having seen some of your other shots I know you can do better for the "quality of light". I would'nt send you out into the marsh daily, maybe just one morning??:D
I agree about relevence of the dog to the topic, but I played around with the shot a little anyway, just for fun. What do you think of this crop?

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5693117-L.jpg

[lynnma]

My sink..I'm desperate..

[lynnma]

My sink..I'm desperate..and pathetic with my shots...when I have feet again I'll improve.. won't I????

[Bryan]

My sink..I'm desperate..
I like the sink shot, Glass was a great addition, good composition, great color in the flowers, But Lynn, you need to get the water spots off that faucet :sweet

[pathfinder]

My sink..I'm desperate.. WOW!!! Lovely shot of a very straightforward subject. You no longer need to go outside to get good images. http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/Laughing.gif You create them where you see them. Super job!!

I am very impressed. - BUT - now I want an explanation of your Gaussian overlay that you did - You did overlay a Gaussian blur didn't you?

[Sandy]

Lynn, I like both shots. How did you get the bird to cooperate?

[wxwax]

Lynn, love the sink! :rofl Seriously, that's a really nice shot of a mundane item. Gaussian blur w/a layer?

Ginger, sorry if my post is leading you in the direction. Listen to the majority! I'll clam up!

[ginger_55]

Oh, Sid, I got your message, went and took a photo asap.


Raindrops below

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5705854-L.jpg

Raindrops, like I said

ginger again.

[Sandy]

Still Life

http://sandra.smugmug.com/photos/5708870-L.jpg

[rutt]

Jeez, Ginger, you didn't have to panic after all. 4 really good images, right on topic. The aircraft carrier could be a magazine cover, so vast and sharp!

I'd eliminate the photo session one, though I like it and see the role light plays in it. I don't think it's a contest winner (which might not mean it isn't the best picture, "lol"). The bridge also has hugeness.

[rutt]

http://sandra.smugmug.com/photos/5708870-S.jpg

Very nice. The flowers are so nice and red. Because the topic is "quality of light", I found myself wondering what would happen if the candle were behind the glass or vase? Or if the candle were the only light source. There are probably outtakes like that...

[lynnma]

I like the sink shot, Glass was a great addition, good composition, great color in the flowers, But Lynn, you need to get the water spots off that faucet :sweet Yeah you know I saw that??? and thought.. well, thats how it is...so funny hey??:D

[lynnma]

Lynn, I like both shots. How did you get the bird to cooperate?:rofl photoshop....I know I know.. I'm a cheater..:D

[lynnma]

Oh, Sid, I got your message, went and took a photo asap.



Still fishing, after the storm by ginger

Raindrops below



Raindrops, like I said

ginger again.Two great shots Ginger..lovely light. Feelin better??:D

[lynnma]

WOW!!! Lovely shot of a very straightforward subject. You no longer need to go outside to get good images. http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/Laughing.gif You create them where you see them. Super job!!

I am very impressed. - BUT - now I want an explanation of your Gaussian overlay that you did - You did overlay a Gaussian blur didn't you?Thanks Path and Sid.. yep, I think it's standard practice for me right now to gaussion blur everything in site?:rofl

Messed with curves a bit. Duplicated the layer. Heavy gaussion blur about 7. Wiped off 50% then with a small brush wiped off 100% from faucet and glass then sharpened all and with a brush sharpen the faucet and glass more. I shudda windexed the chrome first :D

[rutt]

I like this, I downloaded it without doing anything to it, just because I liked the shapes and was curious.

http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/5708068-L.jpg
I PS'ed it to bring up the dramma of the sky. Just LAB curves and sharpening. There are lots of different chromatic directions for a drammatic sky.

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5718443-L.jpg

[GREAPER]

Oh, Sid, I got your message, went and took a photo asap.

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5705847-L.jpg

Still fishing, after the storm by ginger

Raindrops below

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5705854-L.jpg

Raindrops, like I said

ginger again.
Ginger,

These are imho the nicest shots I have ever seen you post. I love them both, glad you can only enter one. I dont know what I would have to do to pick one over the other. Fanstastic work.

[GREAPER]

I wish I had shot this a few seconds earlier, didn't, was probably changing lenses. But I have been working on this sky a bit here and there last night and today. Today I tried curves, too, and I tried blurring and erasing 50% (hope that is what Lynn was talking about). Is there a magical formula to fixing a sky where the lens was not stopped down enough to make a star effect, or something else nice?? I thought I read about something recently, but I have books, mags and the stuff on the internet, so no idea what I may have read.

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5721171-L.jpg

by ginger
I made an adjusment layer for levels and darkened the midtones, an adjustment layer to increase saturation, and an adjustment layer increasing contrast.

Improvment? I dont know, but more dramatic.

[GREAPER]

Ginger, I also just noticed you seem to have a dust spot on your sensor in the top left quadrant. If you dont know how to clean it consult your manual or take it to your local camera store. They may help you out with it. It gets tiresome cloning them out and fixing them, for me anyway.

[lynnma]

I GOT LET OUT.. took a couple from the car and one from the ole' chair...

[lynnma]

from the chair...

[lynnma]

last one, edited.. I like this one I think

[rutt]

I made an adjusment layer for levels and darkened the midtones, an adjustment layer to increase saturation, and an adjustment layer increasing contrast.

Improvment? I dont know, but more dramatic.
Right, I love this. Ginger, this is what I meant be different chromatic directions. I took it to blue and Greaper took it to yellow. This is a beautiful shot and if you had a hard time choosing, this shot will give you nightmares, because you can take it successfully in so many different directions. I might give it another go as well.

This is one of many examples of shots where LAB can really be magical. I'll try to make some examples.

[rutt]

Lynn, I like the stairs the most of your shots for this challenge so far. And by a lot. They have mystery and a very interesting quality of light. I think a little fancy sharpening might pay off. (I've found bricks fertle ground for the technique DM uses on the Morman Temple at the end of the chapter "Sharpening with a Stiletto". (I happen to know that Lynn has this book.) If you need help doing this, holler.

[lynnma]

Lynn, I like the stairs the most of your shots for this challenge so far. And by a lot. They have mystery and a very interesting quality of light. I think a little fancy sharpening might pay off. (I've found bricks fertle ground for the technique DM uses on the Morman Temple at the end of the chapter "Sharpening with a Stiletto". (I happen to know that Lynn has this book.) If you need help doing this, holler.Thanks Rutt.. I sharpened the heck out of it.. maybe it needs more...I'll get the book out... now where was it...

[lynnesite]

last one, edited.. I like this one I think

I like the stairs the best.

Let's see if I can put one up: my "luminous filly"
http://lynnesite.smugmug.com/gallery/118429/1/5723216/Medium

[lynnma]

Is this better Rutt d'you think??

[wxwax]

Oh, Sid, I got your message, went and took a photo asap.
http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/5705847-S.jpg


Oh, well never mind then. This is excellent!

[lynnma]

I like the stairs the best.

Let's see if I can put one up: my "luminous filly"
http://lynnesite.smugmug.com/gallery/118429/1/5723216/MediumHi lynnesite, I'm not seeing your picture are you having a problem uploading? Try this link of WxWx's for uploading info :D http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=92
Lynn

[lynnma]

Oh, well never mind then. This is excellent! I"m with Sid on this one Ginger, beautiful shot.. so is the one with the aircraft carrier...:clap

[wxwax]

Hey folks, another polite reminder to change the size of the photo, if you're repeating someone else's shot in your reply. Repeating the same large shot takes a lot of screen real estate and can make the thread hard to follow.

When you quote the photographer and repost their photo, all you have to do is change the -L.jpg in their smugmug link to -S.jpg.

Like this. (http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=17943&postcount=7)

Thanks.

[rutt]

Hey folks, another polite reminder to change the size of the photo, if you're repeating someone else's shot in your reply. Repeating the same large shot takes a lot of screen real estate and can make the thread hard to follow.

When you quote the photographer and repost their photo, all you have to do is change the -L.jpg in their smugmug link to -S.jpg.

Like this. (http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=17943&postcount=7)

Thanks.
That works great for reference, but not for new photoshop effects. Also it only works for smugmug links, but not for attachments (Lynn loves to use these, don't know why.)

[rutt]

Is this better Rutt d'you think??
I like it, don't you? But it didn't have the effect on the brick I was hoping for. Maybe a little lab a+b steepening as well. Not too much, this is a quiet picture and it shouldn't "pop". But the colors could be deeper.

I'll bet you don't make the originals available because you don't want anyone to steal the fun. But if they were available, I'd take a crack.

[pathfinder]

I GOT LET OUT.. took a couple from the car and one from the ole' chair...
Does this look familiar Lynn - GB all the way .... http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/3741242-L.jpg

[wxwax]

That works great for reference, but not for new photoshop effects.

:nod Understood. But only the adjusted photo needs to be big, not the repeat of the original.

Also it only works for smugmug links, but not for attachments

:nod Understood again. But to repeat an attached photo, one must copy and save it, then reattach it. "Reply" won't do it. So if someone's going to go to all of that trouble, then they might as well resize it at the same time. :dunno

It just makes for a cleaner, less cluttered thread, because there are a lot of large photos flying around!

[wxwax]

Does this look familiar Lynn - GB all the way .... http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/3741242-S.jpg


Beauty!

[lynnesite]

[QUOTE=lynnma]Hi lynnesite, I'm not seeing your picture are you having a problem uploading? Try this link of WxWx's for uploading info :D

I didn't have this problem with the shot from last week, which was landscape as opposed to this one's portrait orientation. (And which during the voting, I mistakenly deleted from my Smugmug album, because there were duplicates, and I picked the "wrong" one to delete <sigh>)

Now I realize that the url can't just be copied between the IMGs, but have to use the "share" url instead.
http://lynnesite.smugmug.com/photos/5723216-M-1.jpg

[ginger_55]

I"m with Sid on this one Ginger, beautiful shot.. so is the one with the aircraft carrier...:clap______________________

Thanks both of you, Lynn and Sid re the vertical shot you like. I was kind of into the raindrops. And this shot, too. But how to choose. It was not rainy tonight, it was some kind of very strange lightening and thunder situation. I looked at the sky, but I couldn't have ventured out anyway.

If I narrowed these down, I would post one on the challenge, take most of the others down and post some others.

Lynn, I really do like those steps. Every one of them, pictures and steps.

ginger

Oh, my favorite photo on any of these pages is not eligible for anything, lol.
It is Rutt's avatar.

[Andy]

the poop's right here (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=1827&page=1&pp=10)

[AltPro]

My sink..I'm desperate..
Lynn...
I am just getting a chance to check out the posts and I really like this one a lot! I think you may be underestimating it considerably! Would be a beautiful ad> I love the warmth of the lighting coming through the window, the light that falls on the faucet, the reduced image through the tumbler. The colors of the flowersoffer just enough "zip" to pull the composition together into a beautiful balance. A simple subject, beautifully handled.

ginette

[GREAPER]

Greaper I have dust on the right quadrant of something, can't remember what you said it, SENSOR, yes, I don't know what a sensor is and in the meantime will try to watch out for dust. Yesterday, when I was photographing raindrops, not only my current lens was getting wet, and I was doing the bad thing of wiping it off with my shirt. All my camera equipment was in what I thought was my closed camera bag, it wasn't closed, and I wiped off all my lenses, they were rained on, but not a whole lot. I am kind of hoping that somehow that is how the dust got where ever it is. But I have no idea what a sensor is. Why do you think it is the sensor.
.

ginger
The sensor is the little chip behind the shutter on a digital camera tht records the light. I thought it was dust on the sensor because it looked like some spots I was getting for a bit, cleaning the sensor fixed it. It could be on the lense instead. Perhaps it was from the rain and you have fixed it already.

The easiest way to find out is to shoot shots of a simple background, a white wall or something lke it.shoot the same thing with each of your lenses. If the spot appears in them all its in the camera, if not its on the lense.

[ginger_55]

I"m with Sid on this one Ginger, beautiful shot.. so is the one with the aircraft carrier...:clap_____________________

Lynn, which one with the aircraft carrier? I am going to get some off of here, and I want to make sure I know what each feedback is. Actually maybe some people won't come on til the weekend. I feel guilty with as much space as I am using. Which aircraft carrier? thanks, g

[lynnesite]

I saw that the share has to be turned on in order to be able to grab the right url.

Just for grins, here's an image from tonight--I was trying to capture the pretty sunset in my mare's eye--managed, but didn't get the clouds, only the horizon some sky and sun. Enjoy.
http://lynnesite.smugmug.com/photos/5734333-L.jpg

[kbasa]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/3909358-M.jpg

[kbasa]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/3909394-M.jpg

[hutchman]

Here's one from last night at sunset.


http://hutch.smugmug.com/photos/5736980-L.jpg

No real post processing other than some cropping.

Hutch

[hutchman]

One more and I'm off to bed!

http://hutch.smugmug.com/photos/5737429-L.jpg

Have a Happy Birthday America!

Hutch

[damonff]

This is gorgeous.
http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/3741242-S.jpg

[rutt]

Something wrong, I can't see Ginger's images anymore.

[rutt]

http://hutch.smugmug.com/photos/5736980-S.jpg

Vertical is interesting, but disorienting, IMHO. This really is water and really was shot 90 degress clockwise, right? It might be less of a puzzle that way, but it also would obey Newton's Law.

[rutt]

Oh, my favorite photo on any of these pages is not eligible for anything, lol.
It is Rutt's avatar.
Thank you for this. Probably it was the worst. I hated the stupid pretentious eye, but it was an easy self portrait to make and then I was lazy. The size restriction on the avatars makes it pretty hard to get something interesting in there, at least for me. I discrovered that "save for web" shattered the size barrier and enabled avatar making. Maybe one day I'll get a shot of me that I can stand (LOL, but not in Ginger's sense, which I think means Lots Of Love, but in the Hacker's Dictionary (http://www.eps.mcgill.ca/jargon/jargon.html) sense, Lots Of Luck.)

[dugmar]

A few of Newburyport at Dusk...

Doug

http://dugmar.smugmug.com/photos/5739695-L.jpg

http://dugmar.smugmug.com/photos/5739696-L.jpg

http://dugmar.smugmug.com/photos/5739697-L.jpg

http://dugmar.smugmug.com/photos/5739698-L.jpg

[hutchman]

Vertical is interesting, but disorienting, IMHO. This really is water and really was shot 90 degress clockwise, right? It might be less of a puzzle that way, but it also would obey Newton's Law.
Correct, I just like this orientation better.

Hutch

[lynnma]

A few of Newburyport at Dusk...

Doug







Love the shot of the boats in the marina dugmar.. nice light.

[lynnma]

That works great for reference, but not for new photoshop effects. Also it only works for smugmug links, but not for attachments (Lynn loves to use these, don't know why.)I don't know either rutt.. why do I do that?? wait.. now I know, most of the stuff I post is not in smugmug.. also I'm limited in the brain department and lazy as well..:D

[lynnma]

Hey Path... lovely shot of the trees.. we like the same things. Great GB!!:rofl when we do the challenge with no ps I'm in big trouble:D

[DavidTO]

Hey, y'all.

I'm up to my ears in boxes, and struggling with dial up while my DSL gets reinstated at the new address. Not gonna have time to submit this time around (I don't think, but may).

Anyway, just wanted to say how gorgeous the shots are. Really nice work to all.

[ginger_55]

Something wrong, I can't see Ginger's images anymore.
All of them, none of them??? I took some down last night. I left up the two that are everyone's favorites, and I think I left up one more. I just couldn't make myself take them down. This was like 3 AM and I tried to be brutal. Culling, so to speak.

That was because I put up two more photos, and another one too. The ones I put up are a couple of my absolute favorites, to me they have a soft light quality that I really love.

But dealing with the masses here, I need feedback on everything, basically. I have one more, at least one, to put up. But I decided to heed Andy's warning that stimulating you all with too many photos all at once would not get the responses that I want, so I am holding this one back til I think you are ready.

I gave up on the one with the blown sun, the sky, I thought, "ginger, let it go.......... and I did". Maybe that is what you are looking for. I did be picture of all the boats at Patriot's Point, did it to see about dust, then using all the adjustments that I learned yesterday, I love that photo, mostly for the light and the composition. But it is kind of like the dog, hard to tie in to the light theme, especially since I have ones who so obviously do. But I wanted to share, and to be honest, I know we can start threads, etc...... but this is where the eyes are right now, so I put it up. But I felt I should pay for that privilege by taking others down.

I have taken all of Skye down, the dog. And the aircraft carrier, don't remember. One thing is that you all have copied a lot of my photos, so when I take mine down, they are still posted, so to speak.

However, individual feedback on each and every photo is very important to me, as that is how I cull, in most cases.

So please let me know if you cannot see the photos that I put up last night, anyone, and everyone. I don't know what to do about it, except whine to the powers who know what might be wrong.

Let me know if you can see them, too, don't want to worry. And if you want me to put a photo back up, let me know.

g

[ginger_55]

Hey Path... lovely shot of the trees.. we like the same things. Great GB!!:rofl when we do the challenge with no ps I'm in big trouble:D______________________

I may eat these words, but I think I use photoshop a lot when I don't need to.
Those two pictures that everyone loves, they would not be allowed in as they are without ps, but many of my pictures are not heavily photoshopped. Then, like yesterday, when I read about the blurring thing, I went around doing the blurring thing, but it is not necessary, IMO. Just gives a kind of painterly look to the pictures (I could say oily, lol), and I am not disparaging your pictures, or technique, I love your photos, and I am now using your technique for fun. But some of my photos that I am using it on are strong enough on their merits to not need any more than the minimum.

Like your sink shot, I looked very carefully at that, Lynn, and I could see the waterspots you left when you cleaned it, shame, LOL, LOL.

One reason I voted for reflections is that, in my experience, mine have not needed much work, they either exist well or they don't. Especially the easy ones. They usually need a bit of sharpening, and that could be all.

This topic, light, it is a very difficult topic for me, I am glad we have photoshop, but I think I could put some of these up, many of them, without much work. Like that aircraft carrier. The boats all together, it might not be the best for the topic, but all I did to it was the adjustments things, don't think I even sharpened it. As it stands, it might not be anyone's favorite photo, but technically, I think it is fine just as it is. And I think those adjustments, levels, saturation and contrast are still allowed. ????

Reflections should be easy that way, IMO. Maybe depends on the subject. Mine will probably be trees, lol. Nothing like giving it away. Those trees we have down here with the "knees", and they grow in the water, cypress trees, I will probably go somewhere, get some of those shots to get the pressure off of myself, then I will think of the more complicated. I don't get many good shots of trees, for some reason they are my "waterloo", but when I do, they have not needed photoshop much. This is a reflection, will take this down tonight, so hope you catch it Lynn, but this is a reflection, you might not like it, but it didn't need much work, or one could put a lot more work in and change the colors............ just because we can?. Smile.
This is not eligible, it was taken a month ago

http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/4712895-S.jpg

That is a color photo, there is a bit of blue in it. Might have sharpened it, nothing else. And, I have some terrific sunsets with it, so frustrating, to have the answer to this assignment and not be able to use it, aaaaagggghhhhhh.

Hardly any photoshop, if any, could be "naked".

http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/4712294-S.jpg

Same photo heavily photoshopped, the above one could be used next week, if as far as what I would need to do to it, the one below could not, and we will all be in the same boat.

This below is not exactly the same, as I didn't do it that way, and I don't want to spend the morning hunting, but it is the principal. The one above did not have to be ps'd, if it was. So it would be acceptable. The one below, I would not have been allowed to do this, but, to be honest, I have never been sure that I even like the heavy photoshop on this. (Now on Skye's portrait I do, different objectives).

http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/4712308-S.jpg

I think we can do just fine with reflections without photoshop. And, as I understand, there is some leeway in basic adjustments. Probably can sharpen, but not blur, etc.

g

[ginger_55]

Thank you for this. Probably it was the worst. I hated the stupid pretentious eye, but it was an easy self portrait to make and then I was lazy. The size restriction on the avatars makes it pretty hard to get something interesting in there, at least for me. I discrovered that "save for web" shattered the size barrier and enabled avatar making. Maybe one day I'll get a shot of me that I can stand (LOL, but not in Ginger's sense, which I think means Lots Of Love, but in the Hacker's Dictionary (http://www.eps.mcgill.ca/jargon/jargon.html) sense, Lots Of Luck.)
______________________________________

Rutt, the shot with the tennis ball, that is not you??? And I thought I had fallen in love with you. The black head, with the green tennis ball??? You can't replace that, I thought it was you. hehe. g

[rutt]

Am I the only one not seeing Gingers shots, because I'm not seeing any of them.

[AltPro]

Am I the only one not seeing Gingers shots, because I'm not seeing any of them.
RuTT:

I see Ginger's but I never see GuBB's photos... Can't explain why... Been having the problem for a long time. In oreder to see GuBB's I have to go to a different browser... Can't use Netscape or Mozilla... Strange, eh?

ginette

[ginger_55]

people can't see certain people's photos. If you read the last page of two of this list, you will see that.

ginger

Can we do anything??

[rutt]

people can't see certain people's photos. If you read the last page of two of this list, you will see that.

ginger

Can we do anything??
I seem to have fixed this by (painfully) deleting my Library/Application Support/Firefox. So I think it was a bug in my browser, nothing to do with dgrin really.

[ginger_55]

I seem to have fixed this by (painfully) deleting my Library/Application Support/Firefox. So I think it was a bug in my browser, nothing to do with dgrin really.---------------------------------------

I have no idea what you did, but I have left messages for andy all over, so would you please explain it to him, I am leaving with my husband, two of the dogs, etc........................... Photos, sun right now. yuck.

Don't know where to go, but don't tell anyone. Suggestions could be scary.

g

Love seeing your face, smile. Why don't you get a yellow tennis ball???
Smile

[rutt]

Why don't you get a yellow tennis ball???
Smile
I know you think there are no such things as tennis balls this color, but I promise you there are. Your problem is that all you do is play tennis with them instead of trying to kill them. It might be chemistry or color theory or they might actually come this color. PM me your address and I'll send some to you, drool and all.

[Andy]

i see some folks are having trouble

1) if you are using smugmug to host your photos, make sure that "external links" are turned on for the gallery you are linking from

2) with any photo host, you *must* link by using the little mountain/sun icon and paste in the filename of the photo FROM the website. it always ends in .jpg

3) use the preview button to make sure everything is working right

holler back if there's still trouble !

[cmr164]

I am thinking of using a flag in my quality of light submission. Any comments critiques or suggestions re the following?

http://www.iisc.com/dgrin/0520_flag_s.jpg

http://www.iisc.com/dgrin/0539_flag_s.jpg

http://www.iisc.com/dgrin/0586_flag_s.jpg

[Sandy]

#3 is very dramatic. I like it.



I am thinking of using a flag in my quality of light submission. Any comments critiques or suggestions re the following?





http://www.iisc.com/dgrin/0586_flag_s.jpg

[Stan]

I am thinking of using a flag in my quality of light submission. Any comments critiques or suggestions re the following?

http://www.iisc.com/dgrin/0586_flag_s.jpg

Could you clone out the light reflection in 3, or maybe open the window :D

As for criticising the flag on the 4th July :scratch

[Stan]

I got up early to get the light low in the East window of the church, very cloudy and dull :cry

http://stan.smugmug.com/photos/5763324-L.jpg

and the window the light came from

http://stan.smugmug.com/photos/5763325-L.jpg

[dugmar]

Love the shot of the boats in the marina dugmar.. nice light.
Thanks Lynn. I was hoping to get some more feedback in the Comments and Critiques thread. Maybe my shots are just unremarkable? Okay, I'll just go shoot more. :)

Doug

[ginger_55]

Thanks Lynn. I was hoping to get some more feedback in the Comments and Critiques thread. Maybe my shots are just unremarkable? Okay, I'll just go shoot more. :)

Doug
Doug, I have had like three hrs sleep. You say you will just go shoot some more, I say "this thing has taken on its own life, it is more time consuming than a job, not shoot more?, hehe, heresy. I did see your photo, remember liking it, but honestly, have to go to church, regularly, then shoot 3 baptisms on very little sleep, because I was "taking more pictures". I now have 3 folders that say "light". Or four.

I will comment more after something, ............later.

Sandy, your flowers are nice, but could you, or do you want to, tone down the blur so that it flows a bit more.

Whoever posted the flag shots, the last one is good or has potential. Direct light is coming on the flag............ that one would be it, can't evaluate it, I love flags of whatever ilk. Maybe later I could say more, but the last one is the "light" one.

ginger

[cmr164]

...
Whoever posted the flag shots, the last one is good or has potential. Direct light is coming on the flag............ that one would be it, can't evaluate it, I love flags of whatever ilk. Maybe later I could say more, but the last one is the "light" one.

ginger
That would be me, shooting through the window of a Davis Sq (MA) creperie. It was suggested that I clone out the reflections but I am not sure (even if that sounds dumb). Anyone out there think the reflections add to the shot?

Presumably cloning would break the new rules about P'shopping pictures. But I should be able to reshoot it. It is next to the place where I started doing yoga so I'll be there on other sunlit afternoons.

[ginger_55]

That would be me, shooting through the window of a Davis Sq (MA) creperie. It was suggested that I clone out the reflections but I am not sure (even if that sounds dumb). Anyone out there think the reflections add to the shot?

Presumably cloning would break the new rules about P'shopping pictures. But I should be able to reshoot it. It is next to the place where I started doing yoga so I'll be there on other sunlit afternoons.

Yeah, join the rest of us, "shoot away". Hysterical laughter here. I have a fourth shot and no time to post it, til afternoon.

I will give the reflections some thought later, when I do the fourth of July shot and put it where ever, is actually night light.

My only problem with the flag shot was composition or something to give it interest, and that was hrs ago that I saw it.

Bye you all, g

[lynnma]

I not sure if I really like this or not. I do like the way it shows many differents qualities of light on one image. Does anyone think it might be a keeper?

"Cloud Illuminated" for lack of a better idea right now :)

Hi tml, thats a lovely scene. I'm sure there are many expert "cloud/sunset" who would be happy to give you tons of constructive criticism, I think they are all at cookouts today :D

[cmr164]

So if I don't do the flag shot... I have a couple of possible sky/cloud shots

This one makes me feel like the cloud is shooting out flames like the sun's corona.

http://www.iisc.com/dgrin/0541_cloud_s.jpg

And this one is maybe too contrived?

http://www.iisc.com/dgrin/0537_wet_wndw_s.jpg

[wxwax]

A crude effort.

http://wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/5773541-L.jpg

[wxwax]

(LOL, but not in Ginger's sense, which I think means Lots Of Love, but in the Hacker's Dictionary (http://www.eps.mcgill.ca/jargon/jargon.html) sense, Lots Of Luck.)

:evil Actually, when Ginger LOL's you, it means Laughing Out Loud. :evil :rofl

[lynnma]

A crude effort.

I like it, looks very late and empty, a little spooky and unsafe.. I like most of your late roaming shots. :D

[lynnma]

So if I don't do the flag shot... I have a couple of possible sky/cloud shots

This one makes me feel like the cloud is shooting out flames like the sun's corona.



And this one is maybe too contrived?


I like the flag better charles.. the cloud is dramatic but leaves me feeling maybe something is missing.

[lynnma]

I'm sorry I'm a bit repetative with these garden shots.. kinda stuck here a lot of the time..
shutter speed 1/80
F10
iso 200
foc.length 205
75-300 lens

Evening feed

[ginger_55]

That would be me, shooting through the window of a Davis Sq (MA) creperie. It was suggested that I clone out the reflections but I am not sure (even if that sounds dumb). Anyone out there think the reflections add to the shot?

Presumably cloning would break the new rules about P'shopping pictures. But I should be able to reshoot it. It is next to the place where I started doing yoga so I'll be there on other sunlit afternoons.

Uh, I did these two shots this way. If you want to know how I did them, ask me. They may be improved thusly, they may be worse. I just sit here and fiddle. I know that there is a spot on one of the windows on the colored shot where I tried to clone out the distracting thing, and I was sloppy, as usual, but I was not sure how to fix it, and I just quit.

How do the rest of you all do that stuff?? Also, one of the window panes may now be distracting. I do like the contrast in the other areas where I can actually see brick and the whitish areas around the windows, so I did good and I did bad. That is this one. I also like, usually, to use a frame to show off a photo.

http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/5777399-L.jpg

The next one I just decided to mess with, found out that it was a feflection, so I tried to bring that out a bit, without going too light. I went to sepia, I just kind of wanted to, you might hate sepia, then I put noise in it. I went to sepia, I think that in messing with it the colors got kind of artificial or strong in part of the flag, then it just came to me that sepia might be easier than doing the whole thing over. I often put noise in sepia. I put it in my blk and white fourth of July shot that I just posted.

My question to help me is that I have a devil of a time undoing things. I won't even tell you all how I am using layers. I can't do two, so I do one at a time, merge and go to the next. And I have all these print outs and all, but if I were studying them I wouldn't be doing this. Anyway, I wanted to take the noise back out of the menu. I tried erasing it, but got terrible colors. I just wanted to get rid of the noise in that one spot. How do you all do that, after the fact, or does it have to be planned ahead. So in helping with these other flags, is your name Charles?, I came up with some questions where I am having problems. I constantly work around them. I finally just left the noise in the menu, but I think it would have been a nice touch to have had the one little thing "clean".

http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/5777398-L.jpg

I may have overdone the noise for some people's taste............. who knows.

Photos by c........... (someone else)

[Andy]

guys, i'm really enjoying watching everyone critique and comment.

remember: for every photo you put in here to seek comments and critique, try and provide a comment/critique for two others. keep checking for orphans, make sure nobody gets left out accidentally.

this way, everybody wins!

also, during the challenges, holler at me by pm if something needs my attention.

thanks! :D

[Stan]

That would be me, shooting through the window of a Davis Sq (MA) creperie. It was suggested that I clone out the reflections but I am not sure (even if that sounds dumb). Anyone out there think the reflections add to the shot?

Presumably cloning would break the new rules about P'shopping pictures. But I should be able to reshoot it. It is next to the place where I started doing yoga so I'll be there on other sunlit afternoons.

I took the reflections out of pic 3 to see what happened, and the pic went flat and lost all its lustre, so I humbly apologise, I know nothing :dunno

[Steve Lear]

Thanks Path and Sid.. yep, I think it's standard practice for me right now to gaussion blur everything in site?:rofl

Messed with curves a bit. Duplicated the layer. Heavy gaussion blur about 7. Wiped off 50% then with a small brush wiped off 100% from faucet and glass then sharpened all and with a brush sharpen the faucet and glass more. I shudda windexed the chrome first :D
I really love both shots Lynn, especially the sink. thanks for the run down on gaussion blur, this is something I know nothing about, I can't wait to try it.

Steve.

[ginger_55]

So if I don't do the flag shot... I have a couple of possible sky/cloud shots

This one makes me feel like the cloud is shooting out flames like the sun's corona.
__________________________________________________ ___________

That one makes me think it would be good to have in a file of skys for when I actually learned out to use it. g
________________________________________

And this one is maybe too contrived?


I like that one, I like the design. I don't know what it is contrived from, so I think I am actually looking through something. Did you contrive it, smile?
_____________________________________

I like some of the ways I "worked on your flags".
________________________

Were you the one who said that if you did something it would be against the new ps rules. Whoever said it, those rules don't go into effect until the next challenge, and I don't know that they will stay in effect. So you all can ps away in this challenge. Either that or someone can hit at me for giving the wrong advice, but that would only be due to my misunderstanding, I really think those rules are not in effect now.
___________________________________

ginger

[ginger_55]

I'm sorry I'm a bit repetative with these garden shots.. kinda stuck here a lot of the time..
shutter speed 1/80
F10
iso 200
foc.length 205
75-300 lens

Evening feed
I like your garden shots, whatever Lynn. You know something, you could come out of this a much better photographer wannabee, smile. Sometimes when you have to, or do, look at the same things in different ways, well I think that would be a learning process. I bet that in your kitchen alone are many different photos you could take. And in your garden, of course.

Anyway, that is a nice bird with nice light.

ginger

[ginger_55]

A crude effort.

http://wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/5773541-S.jpg
Well, I am happy, I actually got one to get smaller so I could comment, hehe.
I like this Sid, I know you got another comment on it, positive also. I am looking for orphans, only one of which I know about, but I am remarking on certain shots that I wish I had more time to do this. I do really like this photo. I even think it could be one of the top ten, I never know on that, always am surprised, but I don't think it would win. I would give it like an 8 or 9 in good photography and about a 3 or 4 in WOW appeal. Maybe I should just start going with a number system, smile, less time consuming, also less warm fuzzy. I do like this shot, it grows on me, too.

ginger

[ginger_55]

I got up early to get the light low in the East window of the church, very cloudy and dull :cry
and the window the light came from


Stan, hehe, you are the one who was also working on Charles' flags and now you say you know nothing, hehe.
I saw your church shots last night, and my thought was "darn" (or worse). I was thinking of doing the same thing, probably for folder "light" number 16, or something.
I really like the first one. I don't understand how it came from the second one, but I really, really like it. But remember, you all, I kind of like abstracts and the judges do not appear to.
I will say that in the last comments I have made, I haven't seen any winners, not that I can say right off, like that falcon.

And you all, in the new testament of the christian bibles there is a lot of reference about coming from the "dark" to the "light", so this church stuff works on two levels. I don't think one has to be a Christian to "get" that play on thoughts, or words.

But I don't think most church stuff will win, I like it, so was going to use the votive candles we have in an antique rack. I like it, can even do abstracts, but not as neat as that one you did, Stan.

ginger

[ginger_55]

Here's one from last night at sunset.

No real post processing other than some cropping.

Hutch_______________________________

Hutch I really liked it, kind of, until someone said it was turned around water. That doesn't make it any different than what I first liked. But if you can get water to look like that why would you turn it into an abstract? I like it, don't think it is a winner, never know what might be picked.

I wonder what gorgeous thing someone is going to pop in at the last minute this time, smile.
ginger

[Steve Lear]

A couple of shots looking across Sydney Harbour at sunset. Taken with a Nikon D100. Buildings were taken at 25 sec. @f22 at 200 ASA. The bridge and Opera House shot was 25th sec @f22 200asa.( Notice the 'Bridge Climbing' tourists on the arch of the bridge?) Any feed back would be very much appreciated.

Cheers, Steve.


http://skier.smugmug.com/photos/5754663-M.jpg


http://skier.smugmug.com/photos/5754660-M.jpg

[ginger_55]

A few of Newburyport at Dusk...

Doug

I like those, beautiful lighting Doug. I would plug on a bit. Maybe you could punch up the harbor one a bit. The lighting there is gorgeous at that time of day. I like the wood thing, in the water? But the composition and lack of "hankie" appeal bothers me. I can tell you have a lot to work with when you have that lighting.

I am going to be in here at the computer for the next week, if not on the tennis courts, woe is me. I have taken too many photos, in the process of trying for light, I have made promises to people, and I have the baptism photos to work up.

Love your lighting, Doug. I think you are almost there!

ginger

[Andy]

http://wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/5773541-S.jpg

[ginger_55]

[QUOTE=Steve Lear]A couple of shots looking across Sydney Harbour at sunset. Taken with a Nikon D100. Buildings were taken at 25 sec. @f22 at 200 ASA. The bridge and Opera House shot was 25th sec @f22 200asa.( Notice the 'Bridge Climbing' tourists on the arch of the bridge?) Any feed back would be very much appreciated.

Cheers, Steve.
_________________________________

Steve, everyone, I haven't managed to copy another picture, smaller. Steve, I like both pictures, but especially the second one. I don't see a think wrong technically. I go, "boy those are nice" and "wish I could do that", don't know my camera that well.
But I don't go oh my doG, that is a winner, so I would have to say 9 on a scale of ten. Can you pull our heartstrings? LOL, I can't.

ginger

http://skier.smugmug.com/photos/5754660-S.jpg

Hey, I did it, and that is the one I like. Only thing that worries me is the hankie effect isn't there for me, and also there is a lot of empty blue. Is that good or bad? Don't know what good thing could be in there, it does lead the eye right. Technically, you are so right on, IMO.
ginger

[Steve Lear]

[QUOTE=Steve Lear]A couple of shots looking across Sydney Harbour at sunset. Taken with a Nikon D100. Buildings were taken at 25 sec. @f22 at 200 ASA. The bridge and Opera House shot was 25th sec @f22 200asa.( Notice the 'Bridge Climbing' tourists on the arch of the bridge?) Any feed back would be very much appreciated.

Cheers, Steve.
_________________________________

Steve, everyone, I haven't managed to copy another picture, smaller. Steve, I like both pictures, but especially the second one. I don't see a think wrong technically. I go, "boy those are nice" and "wish I could do that", don't know my camera that well.
But I don't go oh my doG, that is a winner, so I would have to say 9 on a scale of ten. Can you pull our heartstrings? LOL, I can't.

ginger

http://skier.smugmug.com/photos/5754660-S.jpg

Hey, I did it, and that is the one I like. Only thing that worries me is the hankie effect isn't there for me, and also there is a lot of empty blue. Is that good or bad? Don't know what good thing could be in there, it does lead the eye right. Technically, you are so right on, IMO.
ginger
Hi Ginger,
Thanks so much for your comments, all is taken on board. One question, what is the hankie effect? Do you mean the shot is too clinical?
Steve.

[Stan]

Stan, hehe, you are the one who was also working on Charles' flags and now you say you know nothing, hehe.
I saw your church shots last night, and my thought was "darn" (or worse). I was thinking of doing the same thing, probably for folder "light" number 16, or something.
I really like the first one. I don't understand how it came from the second one, but I really, really like it. But remember, you all, I kind of like abstracts and the judges do not appear to.
I will say that in the last comments I have made, I haven't seen any winners, not that I can say right off, like that falcon.

And you all, in the new testament of the christian bibles there is a lot of reference about coming from the "dark" to the "light", so this church stuff works on two levels. I don't think one has to be a Christian to "get" that play on thoughts, or words.


But I don't think most church stuff will win, I like it, so was going to use the votive candles we have in an antique rack. I like it, can even do abstracts, but not as neat as that one you did, Stan.

ginger

Thank you Ginger, I did very little to the photo, Bumped up saturation, layered it GB the layer image and used soft light for the blend. The sunwas quite watery and coming low through the window cast colours on a buttress wall. No not a winner but first entry, got to start somewhere :D

[lynnma]

A couple of shots looking across Sydney Harbour at sunset. Taken with a Nikon D100. Buildings were taken at 25 sec. @f22 at 200 ASA. The bridge and Opera House shot was 25th sec @f22 200asa.( Notice the 'Bridge Climbing' tourists on the arch of the bridge?) Any feed back would be very much appreciated.

Cheers, Steve.






Hi Steve, nice to know ya... love the sydney harbour bridge picture... great shot.. we lived in sydney for 5 years a while back, great place. Hubby took me to the opera house and we had a posh night out...

[lynnma]

http://wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/5773541-S.jpg
yeah.. don't know who he is but he must be very good.. I'm starting to LOVE this shot..can't say why yet.. just pulls you out of your chair..

[Steve Lear]

Hi Steve, nice to know ya... love the sydney harbour bridge picture... great shot.. we lived in sydney for 5 years a while back, great place. Hubby took me to the opera house and we had a posh night out...
Thanks Lynn,
I have cycled from Toronto to New York City in the Fall so I passed through your part of the world. It was an experience I will never forget, the country was so beautiful. When you were here I hope you visited th Blue Mountains west of Sydney which is where I live.
Cheers Steve.

[Andy]

yeah.. don't know who he is but he must be very good.. I'm starting to LOVE this shot..can't say why yet.. just pulls you out of your chair..


this is one of my faves: "nighthawks" by edward hopper

http://www.artic.edu/artaccess/AA_Modern/images/hopper_med.jpg

you can find tons of info on him in google (http://www.artic.edu/artaccess/AA_Modern/pages/MOD_7.shtml)

[ginger_55]

yeah.. don't know who he is but he must be very good.. I'm starting to LOVE this shot..can't say why yet.. just pulls you out of your chair..
Edward Hopper is a painter. (No hankie factor there, but he is just good. Can't explain, but Sid's photo is an example, except Sid's is photography)

I have never loved Hopper's work, I am impressed and never forgot it after seeing it, that is how strong it is.

The reason I say Hankie effect is that usually here, you have to get passed the judges and then be voted on. Like Wolf's horse. Good picture, but the horse, it was a two in one. Same with the falcon, down through the ages the falcon has been some sort of symbol with all the stories written, too.

The problem is that hankie is associated with women, before we were liberated, for better or worse, lol, but hankie is associated with women's movie's, books, whatever. I just used the word as it came to mind. I guess I meant technical perfection along with something that makes you "feel"................ any of the great feelings, sad, love, admiration, envy, etc.

Often it is subject matter, as I think about it. But Sid's photo and Edward Hopper, they really do have it, not in the traditional sense, but the first person, thought it was Lynn, who responded to Sid mentioned a menacing feeling, or something like that. I still think that all things being close to equal, the subject, or the feeling you get looking at a photo, is very, very important in a contest. Of course, it is important to me, personally, too. I love the feeling I get from my own photos.

But then there are the intangibles. I think of Andy and his fantasy photos, or I would call them that, the IRs. The first one I remember had the moon in it. To me that had a feeling like Lord of the Rings, other worldly. I just think the feelings and stories we tell are very important, both to us and the viewer. And a story that draws the viewer in is the most powerful. It is enough for me that my flowers pull me in, but I don't think that flowers are going to win the challenge unless they are extremely extraordinary. (My flowers are limited in the story they tell and the emotions they elicit.) Probably done by Andy with his IR camera thing, that might The Flower.

smile, ginger

Some of Edward Hopper's paintings were at our museum a few years ago, huge, mega large. I think I like the pictures of them better than the paintings in person. That is my memory anyway.

[rutt]

How about this one?

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5785359-L.jpg

[lynnma]

Thanks Lynn,
I have cycled from Toronto to New York City in the Fall so I passed through your part of the world. It was an experience I will never forget, the country was so beautiful. When you were here I hope you visited th Blue Mountains west of Sydney which is where I live.
Cheers Steve.We ran a motels in Quirindi, West Wyalong, Sydney. We went to the Genolan (can't spell) caves and some little train ride that went down the side of a cliff, scared the pants off of us. The range may have been called the something sisters?? seven sisters? it was a while back. Anyway, welcome to Dgrin. Looking forward to seeing more of your shots.
Lynn:D

[lynnma]

I got up early to get the light low in the East window of the church, very cloudy and dull :cry


and the window the light came from


Hi Stan, welcome to the forum, sorry the light did'nt comply.. you still get some interesting shots tho.
Happy Fourth!
Lynn

[lynnma]

How about this one?

I really like it Rutt.. great expression on that kids face!:D

[rutt]

I was disappointed when I saw this on smugmug and on dgrin. It seemed so much less saturated than in PS. That usually doesn't happen to me, perhaps it's something about this image? So I LAB steepened until the colors looked like the original on smugmug (but now they are over the top in PS.) How does it look to you guys? Any guess why I had to step on the saturaton gas in order to make the browser image look like the PS one?

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5786136-L.jpg

[pathfinder]

I was disappointed when I saw this on smugmug and on dgrin. It seemed so much less saturated than in PS. That usually doesn't happen to me, perhaps it's something about this image? So I LAB steepened until the colors looked like the original on smugmug (but now they are over the top in PS.) How does it look to you guys? Any guess why I had to step on the saturaton gas in order to make the browser image look like the PS one?

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5786136-S.jpg

What color space are you using in PS? Adobe RGB perhaps? Web browsers tend to use sRGB do they not? Could this explain the difference between looking at the image in Photoshop on your monitor and looking at the same image vie smugmug. Adobe RGB has a more extensive color space than sRGB, I think.

[dkapp]

What color space are you using in PS? Adobe RGB perhaps? Web browsers tend to use sRGB do they not? Could this explain the difference between looking at the image in Photoshop on your monitor and looking at the same image vie smugmug. Adobe RGB has a more extensive color space than sRGB, I think.

This would be my first thought. If you shoot or edit in Adobe RGB, you will have to convert the image to sRGB before uploading. This will usually require a few tweaks to get them to look similar to Adobe RGB.

I used to shoot in Adobe RGB, but stopped due to the extra work needed in PS. Now I shoot in sRGB III. Supposedly it has a larger color gamut than standard?

Dave

[GREAPER]

http://dehmphoto.smugmug.com/photos/5789804-M.jpg

Thoughts?

[ian408]

Thoughts?


Nice. I like that.

Ian

[ian408]

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/5787460-S.jpg

Any feedback?

The sun is just off the right corner of the frame. The shot reminded me
of the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel"...

Ian

[Bryan]

http://gifford-family.smugmug.com/photos/5791838-M.jpg

Any good?

[damonff]

Wow. I like it a lot.





http://dehmphoto.smugmug.com/photos/5789804-M.jpg







Thoughts?

[damonff]

The reflection is gorgeous. Nice.





http://gifford-family.smugmug.com/photos/5791838-M.jpg

Any good?

[SeeMoon]

So if I don't do the flag shot... I have a couple of possible sky/cloud shots


And this one is maybe too contrived?

http://www.iisc.com/dgrin/0537_wet_wndw_s.jpg

I like this one! I would crop out the thing in the left corner though and make it all a bit darker, but I like it a lot!
(couldn't make the quote-pic smaller-sorry)

[SeeMoon]

http://gifford-family.smugmug.com/photos/5791838-M.jpg

Any good?

VERY good!

[Steve Lear]

We ran a motels in Quirindi, West Wyalong, Sydney. We went to the Genolan (can't spell) caves and some little train ride that went down the side of a cliff, scared the pants off of us. The range may have been called the something sisters?? seven sisters? it was a while back. Anyway, welcome to Dgrin. Looking forward to seeing more of your shots.
Lynn:D
Hi Lynn,
I know those places really well ( I had my heart broken in Quirindi) and climbed the Three Sisters in Katoomba many times.
http://skier.smugmug.com/photos/4513955-M.jpg

[Stan]

I like this one! I would crop out the thing in the left corner though and make it all a bit darker, but I like it a lot!
(couldn't make the quote-pic smaller-sorry)

I had to turn my laptop upside down to work out what was so strange about this picture :D

[rutt]

What color space are you using in PS? Adobe RGB perhaps? Web browsers tend to use sRGB do they not? Could this explain the difference between looking at the image in Photoshop on your monitor and looking at the same image vie smugmug. Adobe RGB has a more extensive color space than sRGB, I think.
It's sRGB, so that's not the reason, I think. But nobody answered my question. Does it look better before or after? Do you like it more than these:

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648737-S.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648672-S.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648504-S.jpg

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5687764-S.jpg

[rutt]

http://dehmphoto.smugmug.com/photos/5789804-S.jpg

This is a great shot of fireworks. I was thinking of trying to shoot some 4th of July fireworks last night, but I love the drama of this location. The skyscraper gives a sense of scale to the sky rocket. I like the composition very much with the rocket overbalancing the skyscraper, both close to third positions. I like the color, but it is very red. Some work with curves could make the palette a little wider. It would be cool if there were more colors in the burst. Given the nature of this shot, it would be hard to make the colors look fake.

[rutt]

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/5787460-S.jpg

I think this shot needs something. The railroad tracks theme has been done a lot and so needs something special or it really isn't interesting. The flare in the lower left isn't helping either. I'll bet you can do better.

[rutt]

I have to disagree with Ginger. I think this is by far the better of the two shots.

http://skier.smugmug.com/photos/5754663-S.jpg

The quality of light here is amazing. The negative space is very strong. If it were a postcard, I'd buy it. I think if you enter this one, it has a good chance of winning.

[damonff]

Wow. This shot is really cool. Like Rutt said, the quality of light aspect of this photo is amazing. It'll be hard to beat. It's not even entered and it has my vote already.

http://skier.smugmug.com/photos/5754663-S.jpg

[ginger_55]

It's sRGB, so that's not the reason, I think. But nobody answered my question. Does it look better before or after? Do you like it more than these:
_________________________________________

It looked bettr to me, Rutt. Now I don't know all that much about my monitor, but the gold on the water was right on here, I thought.

Which photo to use???? I don't know. Just got up. But Rutt, I don't know which of mine to use. Let's kind of wait until we are closer to the deadline. Know more what we are dealing with. If we have shot more, or not, etc. Then put up the small size photos and ask people.............see I don't know if you will shoot more between now and then, and you might not know either.

Also, you all, the photos I have put up over the weekend, no one has said anything, and I am going to assume that, if asked, you would like some of my other shots better. I am specifically talking about the pictures with the bridge in them, I think............ I did not know about them. They were also taken at Patriot's Point. I think they are very nice, I like them, but the wow factor is way down and no "hankie" factor. So I am just going to assume, unless someone says different, that the first ones I posted, like the raindrops and another one, are better received.

The flowers, well it would be nice if someone liked it, I do. Think there is a light factor, but don't think it would be a ............well, I would not expect people to like that one as much as some others. Same with the fireworks stand. Some of those could come down very soon if there is no feedback on them that is positive for a reason.

ginger

[ginger_55]

Wow. This shot is really cool. Like Rutt said, the quality of light aspect of this photo is amazing. It'll be hard to beat. It's not even entered and it has my vote already.

http://skier.smugmug.com/photos/5754663-S.jpg
You are getting the "wow" factor there. (Boy you people are fickle, lol)
You got good feedback, I would really seriously probably enter this one, unless something changes in a week.

ginger (I guess I was wrong, but I don't think so, opinions aren't wrong are they, but they can be changed.) I don't know what has my vote at this point, lol. But I do like this photo this AM, muchly.

[ginger_55]

[QUOTE=rutt]http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/5787460-S.jpg

I think this is stretching the subject a bit, no matter how you cut it. People are going for real drama, or something.

ginger

[ginger_55]

http://dehmphoto.smugmug.com/photos/5789804-M.jpg

Thoughts?

I am jealous greaper, you got to go to the fireworks, and good ones, too. And got a good photo. (I was on the computer, you know, photo stuff) Tennis this AM. But last night I was wondering if there would be a fireworks shot. I think it is good. Just personally, probably because I expected it, and because I am kind of difficult to please...............I should stop critiquing. I agree with Rutt, to mess with curves on it. ginger

[Andy]

http://dehmphoto.smugmug.com/photos/5789804-S.jpg

why is this good? look around today, folks will be posting "ooh and ahh" shots of lovely fireworks bursts. but most will be just the burst up in the sky. this one, has ground-based interest, and that puts everything in context. i have a visual feast here, not just a pyrotechnic colorful burst that is run-of-the-mill.

well done, greaper!

[cmr164]

I started working on this a few days ago, when Andy said it was OK. I already posted these elsewhere, but I was really thinking hard about the quality of evening light when I shot them, so I'd love critiques from you all. As I said when I posted them, there was a lot of quality to the light that evening.

(I'm having a little bit of a hard time keeping up with the rules. It is OK to post multiple images here, right? Don't be afraid to correct me if not; I can take it.)









http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648737-L.jpg
I am going to be a little brutal here but I don't think these shots fulfill your aim. The street shot has a QoL )Quality of Light) aspect but is crooked and has something to it that just doesn't hit me.

The rubbish only pic to me does not hit the core theme very well and is not up to the level of your usual good work. I went around taking lots of dappled light shots and have the same feeling about my attempts at that.

The street shot of the guy is interesting in the way that the light plays but I don't think it rises to the level you want.

The cruise ship behind the buildings, I like but again I don't think it rises to the level you have shown many times.

If I can offer a suggestion... Does the dog chase into the sea? Then either at sunrise or sunset have some ball throwing, picture taking fun on the appropriate beach.

[cmr164]

Tomorrow's Ferry



Tanks:


Both of these have a lot going for them. How much did you do to manipulate the images or are these ISO3200 right out of the camera?

[cmr164]

One more, don't mean to hog, after this one, I'll wait for others to post. I just love this topic and I've been having fun with it since Andy gave the green light.

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5648268-S.jpg
Of course you know I will like this one. Doesn't mean you can't do better cause you always can (story of life).

For what it is worth, and for this QoL challenge I think your 'tanks' shot concept has more possibilities.

[cmr164]

Oh, Sid, I got your message, went and took a photo asap.

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5705847-S.jpg

Still fishing, after the storm by ginger

ginger again.
I really like this. I like the QoL aspect and I like the composition.

Raindrops almost makes it but for me this is far the better.

[cmr164]

I PS'ed it to bring up the dramma of the sky. Just LAB curves and sharpening. There are lots of different chromatic directions for a drammatic sky.

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5718443-S.jpg
I like her original better :)

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5708068-S.jpg

It just seems more dramatic to me.

[lynnma]

I was disappointed when I saw this on smugmug and on dgrin. It seemed so much less saturated than in PS. That usually doesn't happen to me, perhaps it's something about this image? So I LAB steepened until the colors looked like the original on smugmug (but now they are over the top in PS.) How does it look to you guys? Any guess why I had to step on the saturaton gas in order to make the browser image look like the PS one?

Yes Rutt, saturation is better on my monitor.. I love the image but not sure its the right one for quality of light.
Lynn

[cmr164]

let out ... from the chair...

After I saw that nice sink I knew I would see a similarly done outside shot as soon as you got out of prison.:wink

[cmr164]

:nod Understood. But only the adjusted photo needs to be big, not the repeat of the original.



:nod Understood again. But to repeat an attached photo, one must copy and save it, then reattach it. "Reply" won't do it. So if someone's going to go to all of that trouble, then they might as well resize it at the same time. :dunno

It just makes for a cleaner, less cluttered thread, because there are a lot of large photos flying around!

Sid;
Not to teach an old dog new tricks http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/Wicked.gif but you can show a link to an attachment like I am doing below with one of Lynn's and create even less clutter.

http://www.dgrin.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1788

[cmr164]

I like this one! I would crop out the thing in the left corner though and make it all a bit darker, but I like it a lot!
(couldn't make the quote-pic smaller-sorry)
Thanks SeeMoon. Here is a slightly darker cropped version.

http://www.iisc.com/dgrin/0537_wet_wndw_cs.jpg

[lynnma]

Thanks SeeMoon. Here is a slightly darker cropped version.

I like it to but more for reflection than quality of light I think..do you think it's improved or degraded by upping the brightness and contrast.. hope you don't mind..I'ts a really interesting shot..

[SeeMoon]

I like it to but more for reflection than quality of light I think..do you think it's improved or degraded by upping the brightness and contrast.. hope you don't mind..I'ts a really interesting shot..

I like this one better Lynn..(cmr164, what do you think?) and I have to agree it has more reflection than quality of light, but I really like it! Maybe it would be different if the house was in bright sunshine?

[rutt]

_________________________________________

It looked bettr to me, Rutt. Now I don't know all that much about my monitor, but the gold on the water was right on here, I thought.

ginger
Looked better to you before or after? I'll pay for the info in advance by critiqueing some of yours.

[cmr164]

I like it to but more for reflection than quality of light I think..do you think it's improved or degraded by upping the brightness and contrast.. hope you don't mind..I'ts a really interesting shot.. Probably improved for screen viewing, but I do think we are getting addicted to oversaturated colors here on dgrin lately.


I like this one better Lynn..(cmr164, what do you think?) and I have to agree it has more reflection than quality of light, but I really like it! Maybe it would be different if the house was in bright sunshine? Probably having the house in sunlight would help. We will have to see if we have the right combo of rain followed by sunlight to give me a second try.

[rutt]

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5763877-S.jpg

Not your best QOL shot, IMHO. There really isn't a story here. I liked the shots from Patriot's Point much better. The shadows are too UE. Too early in the afternoon for this shot, I would guess.

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5796006-S.jpg

I do like this, but again, not as much as the huge sky and water shots at PP. Exposing for the outdoors and letting the shadows be very deep was the right choice here. Makes me want to go out through the door into the nice summer day.

[rutt]

I like "Evening Feed", but so far I like the stairs with the half round window best. That shot is very well composed, exposed, sharp, and has a sense of mystery about it. It might be missing the "WOW" required to get past the cull, but I might pick it if it were up to me.

[rutt]

http://skier.smugmug.com/photos/4513955-S.jpg

Are you considering this for the QOL challenge? I love the composition, but I don't think it's that relevant to the challenge. At the sizes you have posted, I can't tell if it is sharp; perhaps not. Looks like a really scary place to be.

[rutt]

Both of these have a lot going for them. How much did you do to manipulate the images or are these ISO3200 right out of the camera?
The real secrect to these two as a tripod. Both had ISO 400 and f4.5, but long exposures: 2 seconds. I cropped the ferry and USM'ed both. I shot in raw, but used the jpegs to make these as I was really unable to uncover any additional detail in the highlights or shadows from the raw images. I might try curves to make the color balance more neutral.

[lynnma]

I saw that the share has to be turned on in order to be able to grab the right url.

Just for grins, here's an image from tonight--I was trying to capture the pretty sunset in my mare's eye--managed, but didn't get the clouds, only the horizon some sky and sun. Enjoy.
Interesting shot.. don't ya just love horses?

[AltPro]

http://gifford-family.smugmug.com/photos/5791838-M.jpg

Any good? Bryan, Very Nice, I think...
I like the subject, the reflections, composition, and the cool-ness of the shot. For some reason, the water has an almost slick illusion to it, which pulls me in. I like it very much.

ginette

[Sandy]

This is one of my favorite bronze sculptures in the neighborhood. The Angel:

http://sandra.smugmug.com/photos/5803066-M.jpg

[lynnma]

This is one of my favorite bronze sculptures in the neighborhood. The Angel:

Thats a lovely sculpture Sandy.. very soft lighting.

[lynnma]

I seem to be in limbo..searching for light..this is another angle on the kitchen sink.. I was amazed that some folks liked the first one.. I kinda did but did not expect anyone else to like it:D whaddya think..

[rutt]

I am going to be a little brutal here but I don't think these shots fulfill your aim.
Not brutal at all. I greatly appreciate bluntness in this forum. I've been pretty blunt. Is there anyone out there who would rather have silence than an honest negative critique?

[rutt]

I seem to be in limbo..searching for light..this is another angle on the kitchen sink.. I was amazed that some folks liked the first one.. I kinda did but did not expect anyone else to like it:D whaddya think..
The stairs, Lynn, the stairs. They just want you to submit the sink so they won't have to compete with the stairs.

[lynnma]

Not brutal at all. I greatly appreciate bluntness in this forum. I've been pretty blunt. Is there anyone out there who would rather have silence than an honest negative critique?Brutal bluntness for me... long as it's true..and of course complementary..
just kidding.. honest critique is what we are after right??:D

[lynnma]

The stairs, Lynn, the stairs. They just want you to submit the sink so they won't have to compete with the stairs. Oh Rutt.. you are so sweet..:rofl

[ginger_55]

Oh Rutt.. you are so sweet..:rofl
This thing doesn't end for a week. I am sure Lynn will post another picture before that. I do like the stairs Lynn. It might be in the ten, too. Don't think it would "win", but these things are serendipity.

I am having trouble with this honesty thing, too. Expecially with the people I know and like. The one thing I can honestly say that unless you have an ace up your sleeve, an obvious winner, and I haven't seen it yet, just IMO. Keep shooting. Can't hurt and we can all learn.

Personally, I have not been out this much to so many place since I ran out of money about five years ago. I discovered a great Natl Park. Found out that they had turned an island that I drive through a lot, lived on for 5 yrs, it is now Beverly Hills East, IMO.......... But we had a ball there. Got some night shots, got there and remembered that I had no idea how to put my camera on manual, etc.

Anyway, I have not seen an obvious winner yet. You all abandoned me to Sydney, Australia (LOL, lots of love). I know SeeMoon is out of town, but is he coming back with a winner to slip under the wire? After this is over I am going to put my folders of "light" shots on a CD............but I would expect Lynn to keep shooting.

I guess Lynn I feel about your sink like I do about my flowers. They both show the quality of light, were taken in soft sunlight, etc. But they are not a
"falcon".

Right now, I just expect to "cull" my own shots. Like that storm one. I will make my own small, but it is always in the back of my mind what the feedback is. Then I will take some of the others out. But I have not made any decisions. There is one photo I want the most feedback on, when is the best time to post it, during the week, or just before next weekend.

Oh, someone mentioned that he would buy the Sydney one as a postcard. That made me think differently, I would, too. I also thought of those coffee table books where photographers all over the world take pictures on a certain day. I was thinking of evaluating photographs from that standpoint, too. I think we have several, or many that would be chosen on that criteria. I guess the winner would be the one that would go on the cover.
Smile.

Oh, I need the truth, even if I disagree, etc. Andy does it so nicely, but I am pretty blunt. It is difficult for me if I don't see one photo that I can really compliment someone on. So you all.................. give me one, please, everyone...........and those who have..................more, please, Lots of love.

ginger's ramblings....

[SeeMoon]

Hi Ginger, just for your info; I'm a she and back from KL.. :rofl

[ginger_55]

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5796006-S.jpg

I do like this, but again, not as much as the huge sky and water shots at PP. Exposing for the outdoors and letting the shadows be very deep was the right choice here. Makes me want to go out through the door into the nice summer day.
I exposed both ways. (And went through the door, smile). This is the park I did not know about, it is close, historical, old house, a marsh, good place to walk the dogs, but on leash.
The problem with lighting, it is probably better in the winter, but limited even then for like the tree shot. It closes at 5 PM. We were only there an hour or less. Filled the 521 mb card, etc. I will be there often. (Free) and peaceful, on a Sat Holiday weekend after noon, we were the only people. One other couple left as we were arriving. I hope they keep it open.

I just left the stairs like that, I love them, but I do know that they would not beat out the Patriot's Point shot. I have not been able to get to the beach at sunrise, that would be next weekend, soonest.

Someone mentioned that we were going too much for ........... (I don't remember the words), but I know what that person was saying. The shots we want right now are drama, and that is what we are rewarding.

I expect Sid's, not dramatic, but so classical to be in the final 10, the Edward Hopper (painter) type shot. But mostly we are going for drama. If it is just good soft light "no dice". That is kind of what I am seeing and hearing???

ginger

[ginger_55]

Looked better to you before or after? I'll pay for the info in advance by critiqueing some of yours.
It looked better afterwards. To me. I wonder why you could really "see" on here and smugmug. Same monitor and stuff isn't it?

To be honest, I don't think you have hit it quite yet, and you are in such a beautiful place. The kid does lend a form of interest we don't have yet.

How brutal can I be? Rutt, we do not all think alike. The shot of the baseball kid that was in the final ten last time. I did not care whether I ever saw his face, it bothered me that he was cut off at the knees. If I had said "it all", and no one else had challenged me, you might have missed getting in the final ten.

But, having said that, I would say to just keep shooting and pray for a storm cloud or dramatic sunset, or something............. or just very dramatic lighting where ever you happen to be. Planning to be somewhere works better, but can be difficult, I know. I am getting out, and that is good for me. Most of you get out. But I do have places that I know to go to get certain shots, aren't there some on that island that are kind of dramatic? (But something that one wouldn't find down here in our almost tropical, treeless surroundings).

g

[ginger_55]

Hi Ginger, just for your info; I'm a she and back from KL.. :rofl
I noticed that as I am going back to see what I missed this AM. I am looking forward to your picture (s). Even if something is more reflection, or whatever.

And it is nice sometimes to have photos for avatars, so that I saw that you are a "she". I loved your falcon.

Did you know, before, that Rutt is a dog??

ginger

[ginger_55]

I really like this. I like the QoL aspect and I like the composition.

Raindrops almost makes it but for me this is far the better.
Charles, on the shot you like vs the raindrops, I am getting that feedback from other people, too. (Like the dog club, lol) It seems to be a kind of universal feedback. It will probably be between that and the one I haven't posted yet.

The one you, and everyone else, like was the first one I worked up, went like a dreaming. Taking it was a little damp, but other than that was just a gift from the muses, or something. Kind of feels like cheating.

I appreciate the comments. Keep them coming.

ginger

[SeeMoon]

Did you know, before, that Rutt is a dog??




:roll

[rutt]

Did you know, before, that Rutt is a dog??

ginger
A bitch, to be more specific.

[Sandy]

[QUOTE=ginger_55]For the time being, or for here and ever after, which of these shots does everyone like best, one at a time can respond, smile
I have posted one for the challenge, but this is serious here as I have not shown you all the one I just posted and maybe it is a mistake.
ginger



I like before the storm the best...it's a great shot and fits the challenge theme perfectly.

[cmr164]

For the time being, or for here and ever after, which of these shots does everyone like best, one at a time can respond, smile
I have posted one for the challenge, but this is serious here as I have not shown you all the one I just posted and maybe it is a mistake.
ginger

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5738771-S.jpg

After the storm, by ginger


http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5705847-S.jpg

Before The Storm, by ginger
Well you know that I really like 'Before' but between the 2 you have made the right choice. 'After' is a very nice shot indeed.

[pathfinder]

A bitch, to be more specific.
John, I never would have guessed it!!http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/Laughing.gifhttp://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/Laughing.gif

[pathfinder]

Ginger,

Before the Storm does it for me.http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/lickout.gif

[rutt]

To be honest, I don't think you have hit it quite yet, and you are in such a beautiful place. The kid does lend a form of interest we don't have yet.

I agree. I tried with the LL actions shots and some otehr movement shots until the last minute. In the end I picked a shot that wasn't quite my favorite elegible shot, but was visually simpler than the ones I liked better and I'd gotten a lot of good feedback on it.


How brutal can I be? Rutt, we do not all think alike. The shot of the baseball kid that was in the final ten last time. I did not care whether I ever saw his face, it bothered me that he was cut off at the knees. If I had said "it all", and no one else had challenged me, you might have missed getting in the final ten.

I love honest criticism and really don't consider it brutal. It can be a challenge, but I'm 53 (human) years old and have been much better at some other things than I probably ever will be at photography (sadly), so I can take it.

One critique of the critiques, it's one thing to say: "Oh, the picture of the clown! I love it!." But if it were my clown, I'd much rather hear, "The clown is nice, but would be better if his foot were in the picture and if the 999 other clowns were in focus. Try to crop lower right."

By making polite honest concrete detailed criticism, we can all help each other improve as photographers. That's the real goal here, isn't it?

[Sandy]

I seem to be in limbo..searching for light..this is another angle on the kitchen sink.. I was amazed that some folks liked the first one.. I kinda did but did not expect anyone else to like it:D whaddya think..
I really like the lighing effects in your Kitchen, especially on the flowers. I keep flowers on my sink too. I think it's a toss up, the first shot is really nice, both photos convey nice surroundings, comfort and home.

[rutt]

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5738771-S.jpg

Ginger, whatever you do, don't submit this one. No really. Here is why.

The sky is so huge, it looks like it was painted by Turner or Constible. When I see this kind of sky in real life, it makes me understand people who belive in God (I don't.)
The composition is perfect. Man's work is confined to the bottom, what, 1/6th of the shot. It seems puny by comparison with that sky. And yet, when I look at it, I see that these are some of the largest and most fearsome (in the case of the carrier) objects made by man.
The wide angle distortion is really working in this case. Here is an example of a wide angle really working without an object in the foreground. Pathfinder and I had a thread going for a while about this. I think our theory was that it might not be possible to make this work. But it works here.
So, just forget about this picture until some later time, OK?

[lynnma]

For the time being, or for here and ever after, which of these shots does everyone like best, one at a time can respond, smile
I have posted one for the challenge, but this is serious here as I have not shown you all the one I just posted and maybe it is a mistake.
ginger



After the storm, by ginger




Before The Storm, by gingerGinger.. it's a tough one.. I love them both. I think after probably is the wow.. but I love before too...:dunno

[SeeMoon]

For the time being, or for here and ever after, which of these shots does everyone like best, one at a time can respond, smile
I have posted one for the challenge, but this is serious here as I have not shown you all the one I just posted and maybe it is a mistake.
ginger

http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/5738771-S.jpg

After the storm, by ginger


http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/5705847-S.jpg

Before The Storm, by ginger

You confuse me, haha, putting 'after' first.. Anyway; I like AFTER better; the clouds are really dramatic and it reminds me of paintings at my grandparents house.. That one thing though; it seems there're traces of PS brushes or something in front?

[Andy]

ya gotta have thick skin. the critiquer has to have the freedom "let it all out," good, bad or ugly. the critiquer musn't hold back. the recipient agrees to take it all in the spirit in which it's meant, and that is constructive criticism and honest feedback.

take a look at the one and two liners i give to the challenge entries. you don't have to mince words, either :D

and, the very cool dgrin emoticons go a long way to conveying the facial expressions :thumb

(by the way, i'm not saying there's been a problem or anything ....)

thanks for listening guys!

[SeeMoon]

It's in front..big brushes..you see them best when looking at the screen at an angle, not straight. In the grass and water and a bit on the boat..

[Steve Lear]

I have to disagree with Ginger. I think this is by far the better of the two shots.

http://skier.smugmug.com/photos/5754663-S.jpg

The quality of light here is amazing. The negative space is very strong. If it were a postcard, I'd buy it. I think if you enter this one, it has a good chance of winning.
Thanks for the kind words Rutt.

[ian408]

I think this shot needs something. The railroad tracks theme has been done a lot and so needs something special or it really isn't interesting. The flare in the lower left isn't helping either. I'll bet you can do better.
It does. But what? I am thinking maybe late in the sunset? Dunno. But
I agree. Something is missing.

[AltPro]

I seem to be in limbo..searching for light..this is another angle on the kitchen sink.. I was amazed that some folks liked the first one.. I kinda did but did not expect anyone else to like it:D whaddya think.. Lynn:

This view of your window is nice too, but honestly there was something very inviting about the first one. This one, while pleasing, does not comme close to drawing my interest as the first one did.

My nickles worth,
ginette

[ginger_55]

Lynn:

This view of your window is nice too, but honestly there was something very inviting about the first one. This one, while pleasing, does not comme close to drawing my interest as the first one did.

My nickles worth,
ginette

Are you all talking about the glass of water, she must have drank it. And I bet the spots are not as bad on the thingymajig.

One was our memories, or our dreams, the other was a still life, don't you all think.

Just guessing at the topic.

g

[tmlphoto]

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5738771-S.jpg

Ginger, whatever you do, don't submit this one. No really. Here is why.

The sky is so huge, it looks like it was painted by Turner or Constible. When I see this kind of sky in real life, it makes me understand people who belive in God (I don't.)
The composition is perfect. Man's work is confined to the bottom, what, 1/6th of the shot. It seems puny by comparison with that sky. And yet, when I look at it, I see that these are some of the largest and most fearsome (in the case of the carrier) objects made by man.
The wide angle distortion is really working in this case. Here is an example of a wide angle really working without an object in the foreground. Pathfinder and I had a thread going for a while about this. I think our theory was that it might not be possible to make this work. But it works here.
So, just forget about this picture until some later time, OK?
I totally agree. One of your best shots.

[dugmar]

Okay, pretty happy about this one...

http://dugmar.smugmug.com/photos/5827836-M.jpg

[tmlphoto]

Okay, pretty happy about this one...


Very nice. I like the composition. Foreground is a cool touch as well as the building.

[AltPro]

Okay, pretty happy about this one...

http://dugmar.smugmug.com/photos/5827836-S.jpg Wow.. Very nice... My boys are still pretty irritated with me, as for the second year in a row, we haven't been to see the fireworks... And, to make matters worse, this Wednesday, will be their 12th Birthday... Suffice it to say, I won't be calling them to come see this shot!

Really very nice!
ginette

[lynnma]

Okay, pretty happy about this one...

http://dugmar.smugmug.com/photos/5827836-M.jpgyep...its a wow.. great shot..

[ginger_55]

yep...its a wow.. great shot.._______________________

I love the bldg over on the rt side. Just balances and gives it interest.

g

[tmlphoto]

How about this one?

http://tmlphoto.smugmug.com/photos/5836450-M.jpg

[ginger_55]

The first one is popping, maybe a bit too much, but what do I know. Don't crop it like you did the second time.
The second one reminds me of a big fish who is about to eat me. I wonder if that is a Rorshach test, or whatever.

ginger

[BoomerangNetwork.com]

Okay, pretty happy about this one...

http://dugmar.smugmug.com/photos/5827836-M.jpg
Love this shot because the building really places a prospective into the image.

[Sandy]

Love this shot because the building really places a prospective into the image.
Georgeous!!!

[Sandy]

Marina Del Rey, CA



http://sandra.smugmug.com/photos/5839315-M.jpg

[ginger_55]

[QUOTE=Sandy]Marina Del Rey, CA

These are the ones I liked the best out of the whole day of shooting and bicycling around the Marina. Any thoughts/suggestions on these would be appreciated.
_______________________________

Sandy, my favorite is the one of the boy and the fish. I can see the light in those shots. It is almost 3 AM here, and I think I should put on my dark glasses when I look at the pictures. What anyone else thinks on the light thing I don't know, but I like the pictures. No, no suggestions.

ginger

[rutt]

The Episcopal Church on Fair St. in Nantucket has Tiffany stained glass windows from around 1900.

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5849358-L.jpg

[lynnma]

Marina Del Rey, CA

These are the ones I liked the best out of the whole day of shooting and bicycling around the Marina. Any thoughts/suggestions on these would be appreciated.

Sandy, I like the shot of the boy and fish, also the gull. The shot of the boy is a little "blown out" on the whites, can you do anything in post processing to tone it down a tad? Its a lovely shot.
Lynn:D

[ginger_55]

[QUOTE=rutt]The Episcopal Church on Fair St. in Nantucket has Tiffany stained glass windows from around 1900.



I do like that paper and window ledge, sets it off from the ordinary church window shot. I don't know if the window overwhelms it. I am trying to fix my own shot, changed something small again, so have to repost. Two doctor appts this afternoon................ will look again this afternoon, later, smile.

ginger

[ginger_55]

What can I say, great shot. Luminescent lighting, is that correct?
Beautiful stuff.

ginger

mumble, mumbel, grumble, mmmn, grumble, mumble
and peace......

[rutt]

http://sandra.smugmug.com/photos/5839315-S.jpg

The boy with the fish is very nice, though it won't get picked for final 10 with the OE problem. Also, relevance to QOL isn't so obvious. On the other hand, the surfer is well exposed and an unusual angle for a surfing shot. The light on the water is quite dramatic. So I'd consider this one if I were you.

One issue with surfing shots, is that they are a genre like many other sports shots and there are guys who specialize and are very good at it. So the unusual angle and insteresting light are good. Take a look here (http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/110014)
to see the what you're up against in the surfing shot department. This is just first thing I found on the FM sprots center forum. Dig around the FM "sports center" bb some more and you'll find more.

[ginger_55]

Please, I am getting lost in abbreviations.

OE problem?

I think someone mentioned to me a UE problem?

No clue.

ginger
(I figured out QOL)

[rutt]

Rutt, I was thinking on this shot, if the church is convenient enough, I would consider, well, I would do it or go nuts, go back, and take another picture, same subject, same thing, but pulled back a bit. Give the window some room to breathe at the top. Also to see if pulling back a bit, and then a bit more, at least 3 different photos at further and further back, then to see if that emphasises the paper and ledge more.

Also, this digital film is kind of cheap (if you have an empty memory card), I think I would do this window every which way from Sunday, go home, take out what you hate, upload the rest. Try for different compositions, play with the negative space. That is what I would do. And don't worry about what is around the window, you can ps out what you don't like.

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/5851322-L.jpg

Should I tell you I retook it? This was one of those things that happens to be easy to do in PS. I took a lot and this was my favorite. I intend to go back today with more equipment. My gut is telling me that I won't get a better Tiffany stained glass shot for the challenge, but the windows are beautiful and I'd like to share them. This isn't the most beautiful of the windows, but I like the ledge and paper.

[rutt]

Please, I am getting lost in abbreviations.

OE problem?

I think someone mentioned to me a UE problem?

No clue.

ginger
(I figured out QOL)
OE = OverExposed
UE = UnderExposed

[dugmar]

Does this portrait I did yesterday qualify as "quality of light"? or shall I stick with stairs...Yeah, good question. This category is very broad this time. I was wondering the same about my Boston/fireworks shot. What does everyone think?

Nice shot by the way Lynn.

-Doug

http://dugmar.smugmug.com/photos/5827836-M.jpg

[lynnma]

Yeah, good question. This category is very broad this time. I was wondering the same about my Boston/fireworks shot. What does everyone think?

Nice shot by the way Lynn.

-Doug

I love it..:clap

[rutt]

Does this portrait I did yesterday qualify as "quality of light"? or shall I stick with stairs...
Oh, Lynn, please use this instead of the stairs. Please, please, please.

Seriously, the staris image is on on-message, no question about it. The image projects quiet mystery (what is up there) and a highly ambigious mood (loneliness, menace, desparation, self containment, ?) And just try googling for "stairs symbolism freud"! (You can leave off Freud, but then you get into the Bible and what Freud was into is more fun.)

Also, the color and composition of the stairs is right on.

On the other hand, your black and white portrait is, well, black and white. The composition is nice enough, but she is posing and not posing in a very interesting way, IMHO. And a lot of facial detail has been lost to the "glam blur". It's nice to make her look nice, but I really don't think it works when you make the cheeks look overexposed and flat. Lynn, I really loved the calendar girls in color. But I sure hope you submit the nude instead of the stairs.

[rutt]

Yeah, good question. This category is very broad this time. I was wondering the same about my Boston/fireworks shot. What does everyone think?


-Doug

http://dugmar.smugmug.com/photos/5827836-M.jpg On subject, for sure! But beware of this (http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=18352&postcount=146). Given the time of year, the fireworks shot competition-within-the-competition is bound to be nasty. I'm glad I'm not the judge in this case. I'm sure I'd only want at most one fireworks shot, and I'm not sure which of these two I'd take.

[lynnma]

Oh, Lynn, please use this instead of the stairs. Please, please, please.

Seriously, the staris image is on on-message, no question about it. The image projects quiet mystery (what is up there) and a highly ambigious mood (loneliness, menace, desparation, self containment, ?) And just try googling for "stairs symbolism freud"! (You can leave off Freud, but then you get into the Bible and what Freud was into is more fun.)

Also, the color and composition of the stairs is right on.

On the other hand, your black and white portrait is, well, black and white. The composition is nice enough, but she is posing and not posing in a very interesting way, IMHO. And a lot of facial detail has been lost to the "glam blur". It's nice to make her look nice, but I really don't think it works when you make the cheeks look overexposed and flat. Lynn, I really loved the calendar girls in color. But I sure hope you submit the nude instead of the stairs.
:lol :roll

[lynnma]

Hey all, check out the horse shot from lynnsite on the challenge.. Oh boy, what a shot! I feel like throwing in the towel right now :D

[SeeMoon]

What can I say, great shot. Luminescent lighting, is that correct?
Beautiful stuff.

ginger

mumble, mumbel, grumble, mmmn, grumble, mumble
and peace......

Thanks Ginger!

[lynnma]

I deleted the nude... what was I thinking, desperation will push one to limits ...
I'm substituting this bull.. even tho I can't submit it to the challenge as its too old. but I love him so... he was my very first shot...

[Sandy]

The boy with the fish is very nice, though it won't get picked for final 10 with the OE problem. Also, relevance to QOL isn't so obvious. On the other hand, the surfer is well exposed and an unusual angle for a surfing shot. The light on the water is quite dramatic. So I'd consider this one if I were you.

One issue with surfing shots, is that they are a genre like many other sports shots and there are guys who specialize and are very good at it. So the unusual angle and insteresting light are good. Take a look here (http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/110014)
to see the what you're up against in the surfing shot department. This is just first thing I found on the FM sprots center forum. Dig around the FM "sports center" bb some more and you'll find more.
Thanks, I checked out the surfing shots and they are really great. I shot this one from the top of the pier. There is another shot of surfers wiping out in the surf. These are my first surf shots.

http://sandra.smugmug.com/photos/5839314-M.jpg

[Sandy]

Great shot Lynn. I can see where he would grow on you.



I deleted the nude... what was I thinking, desperation will push one to limits ...
I'm substituting this bull.. even tho I can't submit it to the challenge as its too old. but I love him so... he was my very first shot...

[rutt]

I deleted the nude... what was I thinking, desperation will push one to limits ...
No reason for you to be desperate. You have the stairs. Who knows how the contest will treat it? But if were mine, I'd be proud of it. Perhaps you can do better? That would be very cool!

[ginger_55]

Should I tell you I retook it? This was one of those things that happens to be easy to do in PS. I took a lot and this was my favorite. I intend to go back today with more equipment. My gut is telling me that I won't get a better Tiffany stained glass shot for the challenge, but the windows are beautiful and I'd like to share them. This isn't the most beautiful of the windows, but I like the ledge and paper.____________________________________________

I love the ledge and the paper. That is the thing that makes your window unique. Smile, ginger

[ginger_55]

I don't know about "them". But what are fireworks, if not light. There may be lots of good ones around, but your building does make yours a good one, too, IMO. So, if you feel good about it, I would enter it if I were you, if you do not feel good about it, I would not enter it.

Where does the horse live? Lynnsite???? Darn.

ginger

Lynn, you entered a nude?????

[Shakey]

I deleted the nude... what was I thinking, desperation will push one to limits ...Well your doing better than me cause I got, nothing ,absolutely nothing:cry
Oh well ,there is always next weeks.

Tim

[rutt]

I think all my photos are on page 19. I was so sure that my picture looked better without the bright reflections under the boat side of the marsh. I had a print of the bright reflections, and I had a print of them removed. I took them with me to my therapist's (this is what health insurance will cover, not the real stuff we need).

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5838156-S.jpg

Ginger, this is a picture of the sky and of the reflections of the sky. The products of man are negative space and very important to the picture, but they are not the subjects. So, you want the sky and the reflections of it to be as dramatic as possible. I think this is the version that has this. There is the issue of PS brushes. I haven't looked for that. If I were you I wouldn't be doing much local PS'ing to this picture, only curves and sharpening to bring up the drama.

Also, I'd lose the frame. It only detracts from your beautiful image. You are allowed 800 pixels on the long side. Why waste that on some frame thingy that may or may not look good on someone else's monitor and desktop? It certainly won't look good in a framed print. I know Andy uses frames, but they are very simple and I think they are mostly so he can affix his studio name. Andy, if I buy a print from you, will it have a digital frame? Certainly if you buy an Avedon it will have no such thing.

[rutt]

Rutt, did you not send her a thing telling her that horse pictures were not a good idea for this challenge <VBG>.

The horse is great. But you have to remember that the object is to grow as a photographer. I think these last few challenges have been great that way for you (I know they have been for me.)

[Andy]

Lynn, you entered a nude?????

i saw it. it was kinda like a streaker... whooooooooooooosh and then goone.

:dunno

[lynnma]

i saw it. it was kinda like a streaker... whooooooooooooosh and then goone.

:dunnohere it is..

[Andy]

here it is..

sssssssssssssssssssmokin' !

[lynnma]

sssssssssssssssssssmokin' !:wink :bad

[DJ-S1]

The creativity here is amazing. All of the entries are extremely good, I wouldn't want to be the judge!

Lynn, the shot of the stairs evokes emotions when you see it. That is a high complement. Your fine work seeing art in an everyday environment speaks to your talent. :bow

Ginger, the "after the storm" shot looks like a painting, it is marvelous. :clap That's Patriots Point? I grew up a few miles from there, we used to go to The Trawler and The Lorelei all the time. Are they still there? I heard that Mt. Pleasant has gotten very built up since I left in '78.

The "sand bath" and the sunset at the Opera House also jump to mind as being truly gorgeous. There are too many others to mention individually, but as a lurker here you guys are all making me see things in a new way. Thank you for that!

[SeeMoon]

http://gingersnap.smugmug.com/photos/5838156-S.jpg

Ginger, this is a picture of the sky and of the reflections of the sky. The products of man are negative space and very important to the picture, but they are not the subjects. So, you want the sky and the reflections of it to be as dramatic as possible. I think this is the version that has this. There is the issue of PS brushes. I haven't looked for that. If I were you I wouldn't be doing much local PS'ing to this picture, only curves and sharpening to bring up the drama.

Also, I'd lose the frame. It only detracts from your beautiful image. You are allowed 800 pixels on the long side. Why waste that on some frame thingy that may or may not look good on someone else's monitor and desktop? It certainly won't look good in a framed print. I know Andy uses frames, but they are very simple and I think they are mostly so he can affix his studio name. Andy, if I buy a print from you, will it have a digital frame? Certainly if you buy an Avedon it will have no such thing.


Hi Ginger! Besides what Rutt said-I agree and I couldn't say it any better- (I'm Dutch :D ) This one just makes me FEEL good. It makes me think of those old paintings, my grandparents, just happy thoughts. Isn't that what it's all about?

[gubbs]

Bit of a slow start this week, busy!
Not sure about this one, I liked the squares of highlight on the steps which are from a canopy above, I thought maybe they just looked like white paving stones??
http://gubbs.smugmug.com/photos/5860491-M.jpg

[gubbs]

There's a saying in the UK "You can't polish a terd" I guess this my attempt to do that?
http://gubbs.smugmug.com/photos/5860011-M.jpg

[dugmar]

I'm just throwing this one out there, what do you think? I tend to like this one in a bigger version I think...

http://dugmar.smugmug.com/photos/5881367-M.jpg

[dugmar]

More beantown fireworks...
http://dugmar.smugmug.com/photos/5828305-M.jpg

http://dugmar.smugmug.com/photos/5828304-M.jpg

[lynnma]

More beantown fireworks...


lovey shots.. I really like the second one even tho its not so bright...made me say "oh" out loud:D

[lynnma]

I'm just throwing this one out there, what do you think? I tend to like this one in a bigger version I think...

I love your firework shots but this one left me a bit flat..nice shot but it's not a wow to me..

[rutt]

Brush marks, dust spots, I think I see a dust spot. I will look at this myself later. This is an earlier one, it was on my site, easy to find.

Simone saw the brush strokes, I didn't. My advice, better to have dust spots than obvious brush strokes, but at the contest size, it won't matter.


Would you just put a line of white around it?
Or like this?

DO NOT FRAME AT ALL. You want the image as large as possible. Why give away a single pixel?

Also, see this thread (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=1661) for a discussion of signatures and framing.

[lynnma]

I hopped out to dinner last night at my friends house and saw this.. any good or shall I trash it....

[damonff]

Trash this? No way! It's cool!

[rutt]

Trash this? No way! It's cool!
I agree. I like this better than everything but the stairs. I think the stairs are a stronger starker and yet more ambigious statement. Perhaps you aren't comfortable making it?

But you should be. The calender girls with the gun is a pretty strong statement.

[Wolf]

No way Lynn, this is beautiful, do not trash it!!!

[Wolf]

Man, the entries on this challenge are awesome!! This is going to be very tough, I wouldn't want to be the judge! I just wanted everyone to know how fabulous they are doing with their work, it is very inspiring!!

You are all so talented, I love looking in wonder at your work!! Thanks for posting and good luck to all!

[lynnma]

I agree. I like this better than everything but the stairs. I think the stairs are a stronger starker and yet more ambigious statement. Perhaps you aren't comfortable making it?

But you should be. The calender girls with the gun is a pretty strong statement.yep you are right rutt.. we did think of omitting the gun but its a wild west shot, cowboy boots and hat etc.. she looked silly holding a rose so we are going with it and will take the flack.. and I'm sure there will be some.

[lynnma]

Thanks Wolf and Damon... s'funny is'nt I know what I like (as least some of the time I do) but I never expect anyone else to see what I"m seeing.
Good luck to all in the challenge, it's such fun is'nt it.. lovely to see everyones work and there are some stunners in the one for sure.

Lynn:clap :clap

[spockling]

Here's what I have so far........Any and all feedback would be appreciated.
http://members.shaw.ca/betlin/Contests/Rayoflight1.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/betlin/Contests/Rayoflight2.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/betlin/Contests/rayoflight3.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/betlin/Contests/spockling_01.jpg
Thanks all.

[Sandy]

I like it. Fits in with the Quality of Llight challenge very well.


I hopped out to dinner last night at my friends house and saw this.. any good or shall I trash it....