LPS#8 feedback thread

[Shay Stephens]

This was an interesting round, I think it broke a record for me in the most number of photos selected on my first pass through the gallery! My first pass yielded 35 photos that caught my attention for one reason or another. That list is as follows:
Post# - Photog - Title
2 - PaulThomasMcKee - BIG BANG REDUX
3 - DRabbit - Quietly
8 - JFreeman - Mwa-Ha-Ha-Ha!
15 - urbanaries - easy like sunday morning
17 - jwear - bam
19 - HoofClix - Comet David!
22 - Greensquared - All Tuckered Out
31 - annnna8888 - End of day:
32 - bgaras2001 - Movie Night
33 - tsk1979 - iSoulation
36 - binghott - "rockin out."
37 - Dee - Celebration
38 - pemmett - It's a Pigs Life
43 - Xia_Ke - In The Heat Of The Night
44 - Tessa HD - Dog Days of Summer
57 - k2butter - "Effervescent"
60 - gundermann - A Gentle Threat
61 - davev - Ejection Seat
64 - quark - Resting
74 - Nikolai - Splash
75 - shatch - Orchestrated Display
79 - photogmomma - Love
81 - EnricoS - Fore!
85 - jeeepgirl - Water battle
87 - Harleycowgirl - Nature's Eruption
88 - jkenzie - Shop Dog
91 - snapstacks - SUNSPASM
93 - douglas - Reloading Components
98 - leaforte - Eyes of The Son
103 - saurora - Bursting With Excitement
107 - Sizam - Float On
108 - stuffjunkie - A Pause For The Storm
112 - menebo - Anticipation
113 - drdane - Enduring Peace
114 - anwmn1 - Natural Fireworks

But as you know this needs to be scaled down to a list of ten. It took more than few passes, and the last pass was painful for me as there were a number of photos that I found really exceptional. But this was my final list:
8 - JFreeman - Mwa-Ha-Ha-Ha!
15 - urbanaries - easy like sunday morning
22 - Greensquared - All Tuckered Out
32 - bgaras2001 - Movie Night
43 - Xia_Ke - In The Heat Of The Night
44 - Tessa HD - Dog Days of Summer
79 - photogmomma - Love
103 - saurora - Bursting With Excitement
107 - Sizam - Float On
108 - stuffjunkie - A Pause For The Storm

And now, the feedback on all the entries:
Post# - Photog - Title
2 - PaulThomasMcKee - BIG BANG REDUX
Fantastic!


3 - DRabbit - Quietly
This was screaming for a 10:4 pano crop, that featureless sky could easily have gone and the subject reading would have gained more prominence while still retaining that wide open and spacious feeling.


4 - laraflites - alignment
I like the composition, but the processing is too conflicting for me.


5 - vandana - "Thank you for not smoking"
That's quite a bonfire you got going there ;-) and would probably work very well in a satire magazine of some sort.


6 - rmhoman - The Buck Stops Here
I know you don't have much control of where these things take place, however, the action looks to be about half spent. An explosive frame would show the action at maximum energy and extension.


7 - mycaptures - Energy Of A Child
Very cute. It looks like it was a blurry shot that was over-sharpened though, and competes with the subject too much for me.


8 - JFreeman - Mwa-Ha-Ha-Ha!
I would usually just give a one or two word "I'm not worthy" type of response, but I have to say more. Well done! This does not show th explosion of the bomb, the bomb remains potential energy only, however, with the inclusion of the villain, we see emotional energy, and the hand in the background is curled in a way you can hear the evil laugh. So for me it still communicates explosive.


9 - Tentacion - Soothing Rains
Love the photo, great expression. It just didn't say sedate for me, more like relief.


10 - Awais Yaqub - Message of Patience
The two subjects are competing with each other, the painting and the workers. One is serene the other working, but not actively enough to show "explosive". It doesn't communicate either theme strongly enough for me.


11 - snr - Expression via Spray Paint
Good context, but perhaps too much context. A 10:4 pano crop might draw the viewer more to the message.


12 - traunerk - Nature's Lullaby
Very lovely photo, though for me, flight is an energetic endeavor and that might be why it doesn't speak sedate to me.


13 - Pat664422 - Sugar Rush
Nice peak action, very explosive indeed.


14 - Leonardo Alcantara - Ops..
I like your concept and execution, however, what you are displaying is potential energy, and not th energy itself, there is no explosive moment.


15 - urbanaries - easy like sunday morning
Holy macaroni!


16 - lbphotography - Bombs Away!
Beautiful photo, but perhaps too small in scale to get the feeling of high energy.


17 - jwear - bam
Nice peak action, I can almost feel the stabbing pain myself ;-)


18 - chertioga - Hypnotizing the prey
Without the title, the viewer would have no idea what this photo was about.


19 - HoofClix - Comet David!
Very cool! Love the panned action shot, well done.


20 - flybynight - Belting it Out
Close, but didn't come close enough for me.


21 - VisualXpressions - "Life is Good" (self portrait)
It looks relaxing and peaceful, but didn't cross over into sedate for me. Might be too much energy in the pose?


22 - Greensquared - All Tuckered Out
Love it, and the spilled peas really add to the photo. Love it.


23 - seastack - Final Run
Beautiful! But didn't hit the theme for me. Probably because I know how much energy is in that prop wash of those ferries hehehe.


24 - SaltFork - End of the trail...
Lovely scene. Love the inclusion of the legs, but the camera height seems to tall to make me feel like I am the one lounging there.


25 - Elaine - hog heaven
That middle pig laying on it's side is showing more of a sedate look than the subject pig which is standing in the water. Less energy is better.


26 - kingmamaof2 - Silence
Gorgeous!


27 - LiquidAir - Pop
Love the single eye peek, but all you have here is potential energy, so not enough to speak explosive for me.


28 - richtersl - A Purrfect Life
Great, the face hanging over the edge shows a minimal energy state for sure :-) and the one little eye peek is great and subtle.


29 - Bud1880 - The "Eyes" Have It
Low energy, but the angle is too high. A lower angle shot like richtersl above makes the viewer feel a similar response as the cat. More empathetic if you will.


30 - nikos - Tropical Pyrodise
Clever play on words, I love the title. Fireworks shots in isolation don't typically wow me though. Having some context with the inclusion of the ground helps put the fireworks in perspective. Though I don't know how that would have effected the idea of this shot, whether it would ruin the the effect or not.


31 - annnna8888 - End of day:
Really beautiful!


32 - bgaras2001 - Movie Night
This could be on a movie house wall. Well done.


33 - tsk1979 - iSoulation
Love the photo, however, a vertical 4x6 crop would have nicely complemented the vertical pose of the subject. And an incandescent white balance might have cooled the shot down down to lower visual levels more in keeping with the theme.


34 - com3 - untitled
Not working for me at all. The subjects eyes can't be seen, and there is no visual clue as to why the shot is being shown. The only clue is the title. But then you look at the pose again, and the forward lean says to me action. So it just feels conflicted and not working for me.


35 - Felicia - Crash!
Nice peak action. That action could be even better represented with a 10:4 pano crop, then the foam/spray would be leaving the frame and the action looks visually more active.


36 - binghott - "rockin out."
Love the B&W and the motion blur. This feels very energetic.


37 - Dee - Celebration
Wow, the only thing hurting the photo for me is the image quality. The shadows are too bright and the sensor noise can be seen all over the place. Bring those black point levels in and darken the shadows to make this look better if possible.


38 - pemmett - It's a Pigs Life
Very low energy indeed!


39 - Dalantech - She let me get close...
The detail on those eyes are amazing. But the closeness I think is working against a sedate feel, it looks too energetic to me.


40 - TheFoodTraveller - Scouting for a prey
Awesome photo, but, scouting is energetic, and at the same time, not energetic enough to be explosive. So it is stuck in theme limbo land for me.


41 - adpace - Contemplating
Leaning on that shovel is perfect. I love the photo, it just wound up having a bit too much energy compared to some of the other sedate entries.


42 - flyingdutchie - Salute to the Parade of Sails
Oh, this had a lot of potential. But the composition is too tight. Half of the explosive nature of the photo is lost, the guy there with the ears plugged and the smoke coming out the end are hinted at but not clearly seen. Context has a big bearing on a photo, and there isn't enough of it in this photo. Close, but no cigar ;-)


43 - Xia_Ke - In The Heat Of The Night



44 - Tessa HD - Dog Days of Summer
Love love love it. I keep wanting to play with the cropping, a vertical, a pano, they all help, but no one suggests itself over the other. But that aside, that paw hanging out there and the half closed eyes look like this animal is at its lowest energy level possible! In keeping with that, perhaps placing it at the lower right corner of the frame may complement that low energy feel and still give room for the semi-gaze.


45 - Madrid - Calm Before The Storm
It feels energetic, but more of a potential energy more than anything. I don't see sedate.


46 - tlee - Summer Fun
Good action, but not much context. The viewer is left wondering why this action is taking place. Is someone or something about to get wet?


47 - Janie - Tranquil Moment
Very cute portrait! A little too much energy for me though.


48 - eoren1 - Our Flag Was Still There...
An incandescent white balance would better show the colors of the fireworks I think and may make the sky around the flag a bit more appealing. Love the composition. Needs just a tad more exposure on the statue, but that might ruin the mood too, so I don't know, I am conflicted.


49 - amy wilburn - chillin'
Very stylized! This could easily be on the cover of a music CD. Very interesting.


50 - Swartzy - Firery Frenzy
Explosive for sure, but needs more context for me. It could illustrate an encyclopedia entry, but it would have trouble standing on it's own in an art context.


51 - nelsonstuff - "I See Sparkler People"
Very cool shot and title. I am getting mixed signals for the theme, but it is a great photo.


52 - rddphotos - Blossom Fire
Nice inclusion of context in the trees and car tops. Maybe a tad more of the cars or less, depending on the scene this might not have been possible. A bit more exposure might help too.


53 - rwells - Big Bang Theory
Interesting angle choice, it does help the photo stand on it's own. Well done.


54 - KMCC - Sedately Explosive
I have to mention that the title simply repeats both words of the theme, something I have been trying to get everyone to avoid for months now hehehe. Now the photo itself is beautiful, but it relies on potential energy, and not the energy itself, and being poised for action doesn't convey a sedate feel to the viewer either.


55 - Cheri Campbell-Godfrey - Buzzard Row
Wow, what a line up! Would be even more perfect if cropped to not show the empty posts. Make the viewer think those birds go on forever! And maybe a 10:4 pano crop too.


56 - GREAPER - Patriotic Pastime
Love the composition. But try an incandescent white balance to better portray the colors of the fireworks and city.


57 - k2butter - "Effervescent"
Pow! Great action. A bit warmer of a white balance might give it a tad more energy.


58 - stirfry - Mom's Milk Bar
Close, but too much energy expended in a meal time to make me feel sedate.


59 - SunsetSailor - Firecracker Sunrise
Lovely! It didn't have as much energy as some of the others, but this was close.


60 - gundermann - A Gentle Threat
So subtle and delicious! Well done!


61 - davev - Ejection Seat
Nice peak action! Very explosive feeling.


62 - KvPhoto - The Calm Before The Storm
The frame is distracting (a mirror?) and the optical distortions don't help either. Just looks very messy.


63 - Archangel - Mesmerized
Limbo territory, I don't get a feeling one way or the other as far as theme.


64 - quark - Resting
Beautiful photo!


65 - polyvios_s - Feather Shui!
Love love love this photo. It didn't hit the theme for me ultimately, but wow.


66 - Travis - Smoke Break
A bit distracting with the processing, I didn't notice the fuel cans at first. Funny, but ultimately relies on potential energy instead of the energy itself.


67 - mwalters - Messing about in Boats
Very vintage looking. Though I would have liked to see the incoming rowboat more fully or not at all.


68 - JettyJ - Energy Transfer
Good feeling of energy, but lacks something. I can't pinpoint it for sure, but I think I expect to see a surfer of some type in that wave.


69 - disqualified



70 - A rose - A rose
Very nice colors and streak definition. Almost stands on its own for me, but I would have loved to see some context.


71 - Boyd - Fire Over The Atlantic
Love the context of seeing the water.


72 - NanaMo - .....serene...
Serene now, but in the morning...hehehe


73 - cabbey - Incoming!
I would have liked to see the clouds that this is exploding from. Without that context it is hard to see the energy.


74 - Nikolai - Splash
Crisp and clean. Could easily be on an ad for a beverage. Great action.


75 - shatch - Orchestrated Display



76 - CookieS - Horsepower DIG IN
Nice action, just a little too concealing though of the bull and the rider. Feels incomplete.


77 - Dusty Sensiba - Man and Nature
Amazing timing, but both elements are too weak to really make the photo feel explosive.


78 - Rhuarc - "Too Much Black Powder"
Nice title, it does feel overdriven like they packed it too full with powder. But after that the photo doesn't have much to offer in the way of color or context.


79 - photogmomma - Love
Sweet mercy!


80 - Green2 - Hi-Power
Nice photo, but what we see is potential energy, and the layout conflicts with the title with the seemly sleeping shells laying down.


81 - EnricoS - Fore!
Love the action! I don't know if it is the angle, white balance color, or what, but something is not under par for me.


82 - pyroPrints.com - Short Fuse
The last shot in the series is best for explosive, the build up for me weakens the impact.


83 - Ann McRae - The Predator
The image quality is really hurting the shot. There looks to be no shadow, no blacks to speak of.


84 - zeveck - Fire in the Sky
I like that you are exploring crops, but ti doesn't seem to work here. A vertical crop may have looked more powerful.


85 - jeeepgirl - Water battle
I am ducking to avoid getting wet :-) An interesting crop to consider is a 10:4 pano cropping out the orange arm floaties. So the boys face and the floating drops are all you see.


86 - Flyinggina - The Professor
This does feel sedate, but it feels a little uncomfortable too which pulls me out of the theme ultimately. It may be the eyes.


87 - Harleycowgirl - Nature's Eruption
This one pained me to end to cut from my list. It is just magical for me. And gets two "I'm not worthies"


88 - jkenzie - Shop Dog
Good low energy look to it, but a little blah for me too. Close.


89 - LazyTJ - untitled
A little dark, but touching. This didn't speak to me of the theme at the end though.


90 - Paintdragon - In Our Silence Let Us Not Be Forgotten
A beautiful scene! With the rounded hill it makes it tough to get a lower angle and still show the number of headstones. This is a tough one to nail for me, it is not working, but I can't find a way to help it.


91 - snapstacks - SUNSPASM
A fun photo to be sure, but the lens flare is opposite of the lighting of the natural illumination and winds up distracting too much for me.


92 - JillG - Never Too Old
Kind of limbo, reading is active, but laying on the couch is not. So ehh, it kinda doesn't work, but is close. If the book were resting on his chest and his arms were hanging down like he fell asleep, that may have been a better theme match ;-)


93 - douglas - Reloading Components
Really love the concept. Taking the elements to make the action come to life like that was fantastic. Consider a 10:4 pano crop for it. Well done.


94 - dlscott56 - Contemplating The Day
Feels right heavy to me. If they were at counterpoint, the steeple to the left and the cloud to the right, the balance would seem better, and the steeple would have more contrast to stand against too.


95 - Agila - She Rest in Peace
The statues show more action and take the attention of the shot. So there is a conflict of what the viewer sees and what the title is suggesting.


96 - Robert - Feeling sluggish
The most energetic looking slugs I have ever seen hehehe.


97 - hurricanesteve - Mind Altering
Interesting concept, but the shot relies on potential energy, and doesn't really work for the theme.


98 - leaforte - Eyes of The Son
Very nice, a great match for the theme. Just a little too dark.


99 - sunita - Tranquility
I think ideally, the focus should be on the first book/chair rather than the one behind it. If the first chair/book were more to the periphery of the shot, then it can handle being out of focus a lot easier, but when it is front a center like that, it needs to take the same focus that its prominence has.


100 - sherstone - Aftermath
Very cool concept. It kinda works for me on an explosive level, and a little on the sedate level. But they don't tip one way or the other for me. But way cool!


101 - Dizzy - What Not To Pack . . .
Pretty busy and not very strong. Potential energy, as mentioned can't pull off an explosive theme.


102 - The Hobbyist - The Hare and the Tortoise, at Play.
Conflicting for me, and not explosive enough to effectively counteract the sedate feeling of the in focus child. A little bit of limbo land for me.


103 - saurora - Bursting With Excitement
MAGIC


104 - Aurora - Whatever you do...don't wake the cat!
Title is odd as the cat looks to be awake already, and so why are we warned not to wake it? Good low energy look though.


105 - arctic-moose - Fire Power!!!
Good action, but feels cropped to tightly. Is the gun self discharging? Who is holding it? Why is it going off? Many questions but no answers.


106 - 3phase - Music Calms...
Feels incomplete, a listener relaxed and mellow would complete the scene.


107 - Sizam - Float On
So simple, so perfect!


108 - stuffjunkie - A Pause For The Storm
This was neck and neck with one other fireworks shot. While I feel it is too dark, the lone figure of the boy watching the show is so powerful that it hits home stronger and more emotionally. If the shot were a bit brighter, the other viewer hidden by the trees might show up too, and that would make it more powerful still. But the key here for me was the boy. Awesome.


109 - Vizhon - Analogue Booms
Colorful, but image quality seems to suffer and distract for me.


110 - Lex - "Sweet Elixir"
Sweet shot. Consider a 10:4 pano.


111 - chandi - Ignition
Hmm, the shot seems a bit too soon, the match doesn't look to be the cause of the flame. More like the match is sitting in front of a flame graphic. It is a nice and clean shot, but looks odd.


112 - menebo - Anticipation
I would normally warn of potential energy, however, the anticipatory face give the shot an explosive feel for me. A bit too much studio for my taste, the subject farther from the background would help it go black and not sure what to say about the reflections in the balloon other than moving or not using the umbrella. And the holder of the arrow should be wearing dark clothes or be behind a dark screen. But those are technical nitpicks of a fun and emotional photo.


114 - drdane - Enduring Peace
It does feel peaceful. A wonderful setting and photo.


115 - anwmn1 - Natural Fireworks
Very cool, love the setup.

[fashiznitsngrins]

I've been away for this entire round and just had a chance to look at the entries. I am astonished at how many newcomers there are, the number of entries and the amount of great entries!!! Looks like the word's got out

Congratuations to all who entered and my commiserations to the judges - you've got a tough job ahead of you!

[k2butter]

I am a newcomer to this round... and am nervous as hell... I am interested in feedback, but just nervous about hearing it...

[indiegirl]

Here is my list. Lovely round, gang. I enjoyed seeing all the new dgrinners posting. The list reads from L-->R, top to bottom:



ETA Feedback:

1. 108 - stuffjunkie - A Pause For The Storm
I am fairly ambivalent toward fireworks in general, but I loved the way this image conveyed a time of innocence. I remember being this awe-struck by fireworks as a kid.

2. 103 - saurora - Bursting With Excitement
I really liked the colors in this image. The composition and the child's expression play really well together and I love the texture of the colors.

3. 13 - Pat664422 - Sugar Rush
When I saw this image, I actually salivated. Beautifully executed!

4. 33 - tsk1979 - iSoulation
The beauty of humanity juxtaposed with the urban chaos of humanity--I love the dueling imagery and thought this captured "sedate" better than any other image. Calm in the face of chaos, a distinct choice.

5. 5 - vandana - "Thank you for not smoking"
Is this sedate or explosive? Guess that depends on who you are talking to ;) I loved the colors and the overblown quality.

6. 46 - tlee - Summer Fun
This shot is just good fun. Another visceral reaction. I'm a sucker for bright, primary colors and this just screams fun to me. It would have been even more powerful with a child's hand bursting the bubble.

7. 51 - nelsonstuff - "I See Sparkler People"
I. Love. This. Shot.

8. 24 - SaltFork - End of the trail...
Another great example of the image moving beyond a simple calm state--I get the back story of the journey that came before the image. Perhaps its because I was a hiker, but this image really hit theme.

9. 54 - KMCC - Sedately Explosive
Nice shot--the explosive tension of the bird is nearly palpable amid the pristine background. I love that dichotomy. The clean, crisp lines in this shot play against the impending explosion. Great story.

10. 107 - Sizam - Float On
I'd hang this on my wall, you betcha. LOVE the composition and the subtle storyline.

Honorable Mentions
11. 32 - bgaras2001 - Movie Night
Clever and fun--I was hoping for a popcorn shot though I would like to have seen one more actively popping.

12. 18 - chertioga - Hypnotizing the prey
Cool shot, cool take on the theme. Good on ya.

Also on my long list:
9 - Tentacion - Soothing Rains
This was on my short list and eeked off at the last minute. It's a lush shot. In the end, it just didn't engage me like some of the others.

8 - JFreeman - Mwa-Ha-Ha-Ha!
Clever and fun--It didn't quite meet my criteria for explosive so it didn't make my list but points for the idea and execution. Cool shot!

I really took care to understand the theme definitions and when looking at the images, the ones which sparked the most emotion in me were the ones that didn't just capture the theme definition(s), but took it one step further by engaging with the environment or viewer in some way. There were many wonderful images which depicted the theme to the letter but didn't engage me as much as others did.

[explorish]

Originally Posted by indiegirl

(...)

thrilled

[Tentacion]

I am not going to post "my thoughts" on who the top 10 are this time...I want to wait and see what the judges think....

Don't want to influence any opinions or ideas...you never know if the judges peek at what the "viewers" think. (not saying they do, but that is just my opinion)

----------------------------
Ooooo I sounded "tacky"..Sorry everyone, I Didn't mean to sound Tacky....I guess overworked might be the reason...BRAIN FRIED

I do have the 10 I like, but keeping it to myself is what I should have said...

There are ALOT of FABULOUS entries, and as always GOOD LUCK TO ALL !!

[saurora]

Thanks Indiegirl, that means alot to me!!! I have been off-line for a few days due to a flood in my house, and just barely got back on the computer in time last night to use Photoshop. I almost fell out of my chair looking at the entries this round. I just want to say that I am so hugely impressed with the quality and variety of entries this round!!! Absolutely killer stuff.....and I am so greatful not to be a judge for this one!!! Here are some that caught my eye. These are in the order they are posted in thread)

# 01 PaulThomasMcKee - Big Redux
# 13 Pat664422 - Sugar Rush
# 17 Jwear - Bam
# 33 tsk1979 - isoulation
# 46 tlee - Summer Fun
# 47 Janie - Tranquil Moment
# 57 K2butter - Effervescent
# 68 JettyJ - Energy Transfer
# 79 Photogmomma - Love
# 86 Flyinggina - The Professor
#108 Stuffjunkie - A Pause For the Storm
#112 Menebo - Anticipation

So many, many more! Amazing work everyone, you should all be proud!

[richtersl]

#2 - PaulThomasMcKee - BIG BANG REDUX
#13 - Pat664422 - Sugar Rush
#26 - Kingmamaof2 - Silence
#33 - tsk1979 - iSoulation
#47 - Janie - Tranquil Moment
#56 - GREAPER - Patriotic Pastime
#94 - dlScott - Contemplating the Day
#100 - sherstone - Aftermath
#112 - menebo - Anticipation
#113 - drdane - Enduring Peace

Honorable Mention
#21 - VisualExpressions - Life is Good
#61 - davev - Ejection Seat



...and I could go on and on....and on and on.....

[zacker]

All I know is, you guys made it very, very hard for me to decide on my top ten picks. In my book, you ALL were winners! Keep up the good work!

[HoofClix]

I also say that this was a fantastik round full of excellent photography. I am truly humbled to be here! Congratulations!

I am not going to put out a comprehensive list like I did last time, but I will say that two photos stand above all of these to me as far as both meeting the theme and being a well composed and finished shot. Those two are Paul McKee's Big Bang Redux and Salt Fork's End of the trail. Other extremely well done photos that I thought either didn't or didn't quite meet the theme include annnna8888's End of day, seastack's Final Run, and Saurora's Bursting With Excitement. But many others.

But these are just opinions, and mine make no more sense than others. Now I've been accused in the past of being a little analytical, and I proved it again this series by keeping a little chart as things went along. I noted if the photo met the theme(24), did not(24), sort of did(22), and if it was fireworks or water based, my own in this one (They don't add up, I know..) In my opinion, only 5 of the fireworks shots met the theme (add 5 to the 24).

My list agrees only a little with those who have so far exposed their opinions, and I see very little agreement amongst those so far (only #33 is listed by all three), so let's all not go get upset about things. Let's learn and then move on to take our own photos!

Kind of like when I hit it bad on the practice tee and shoot 75 later on, maybe it's a good thing that I have no idea what to do for LPS9!