All Forum Comments
Comment by darkskies posted on Hello From Cullercoats at 09/08/2011 - 21:13
You can talk, dr o. I can't even afford the lenses you can afford!
That lens does look rather srummy, mind you.
I did have a dream the other week that I'd win 79,000,000 euros on the Euromillions. However, I didn't get a date.
That lens does look rather srummy, mind you.
I did have a dream the other week that I'd win 79,000,000 euros on the Euromillions. However, I didn't get a date.
Comment by darkskies posted on various from today at 06/08/2011 - 21:40
Brilliant, dr. I've been trying to improve my macro shots and, as I have been doing so, I've been watching you improve at a faster rate. Infuriating but inspiring. It's always something to aspire to.
I can see a 1.7x converter will be on my (long) shopping list.
Cheers,
DS
I can see a 1.7x converter will be on my (long) shopping list.
Cheers,
DS
Comment by darkskies posted on Insect Macros at 31/07/2011 - 11:23
If it was just up my street I'd have found it by now, Blaze!! I'm trying but nothing good enough yet. Will just have to find it on the last day, then!
Comment by darkskies posted on Weekly Compettion #211: Film Noir Mood, Discussion at 30/07/2011 - 20:58
Cracking choice of subject, dr! No entries yet so you could reply. Of course, there's noting depressing round here, no run down villages, no poverty, no ruined buildings, no war memories, etc etc.
Comment by darkskies posted on Weekly Compettion #211: Film Noir Mood, Discussion at 25/07/2011 - 21:54
My K-x does not do that at all. It stays down first time with a very gentle push and there is a nice click that says it's there. Seems like there is a fault in yours, but if you can live with it........
Comment by darkskies posted on Problem with K-x flash housing at 24/07/2011 - 17:21
DrOrloff wrote:
Well done too Darkskies on your virgin judging.
Virgin judging? Now that's something I'm sure I'd be better at. Well done too Darkskies on your virgin judging.
Comment by darkskies posted on Entries for fortnightly competition #72 BARRIERS at 20/07/2011 - 20:50
The fortnightly competition, Barriers, is now closed. Thank you to those that entered, although, like the previous competition, I was surprised there weren’t more.
So, here are the results and critiques, with the normal proviso that I haven’t a clue what I’m talking about!
dougf8 – A Dull Day in St Mary’s Harbour
Well, the wall does make up most of the frame, so it is definitely a very important part of the scene. I can imagine a small boy reaching to see over the wall to see what was on the other side, and the out of focus wall and in focus boat make this seem real.
It’s a good idea, one which I’ll probably nick at some point, and makes an interesting shot.
DrOrloff – Barrier Opened
The gate is obviously an important part of the story as without it being opened there would be no bull rushing out into the arena. While this is a really good action shot, the gate itself doesn’t play that great a part in the photo. I’d have preferred, for this comp, that the action were captured slightly earlier. Good photo, though. I love the expressions on the faces, but the bull’s expression takes the biscuit!
karma mechanic – Gate No. 4
This is excellent composition, with the gatepost being very strong in the foreground. Not only that, the gate and fence lead you through the photo from left to right and back to front. The gate and fence aren’t particularly exciting in themselves, but the IR treatment (I assume that’s what it is) makes the whole scene, including the trees and the sky, much more interesting than colour would have, probably. I think high contrast b&w would have worked well too. I really like it.
sandinista – Barbed Barrier
I like this simple compo. The fact that most of the scene is out of focus makes you look straight at the barb that is in focus. The metal bar (of a gate?) also leads you through the scene very nicely. The fuzzy backgound is nice too. B&w is ideal also for this. Well seen, thought out, and well taken.
GlynM – Rising Barriers
I guess a typical British scene, traffic jams, something which I see very rarely where I live in the depths of France. Can’t say I miss them. There’s no doubt that the level crossing barriers are barriers in themselves, and traffic jams in the UK are barriers to stress free living, so I guess it tells a story.
frogherder – Subtle Hint
Subtle hint maybe, but I bet someone still runs straight into that barrier. An amusing photo, and I like it. Another reminder, for me, of the life we left behind. Maybe taking this from slightly further away and from the left would improve the composition? Just a thought.
Blythman – Groyne
Very strong composition, with the character-full groyne forming the main subject of the scene and focus, and the long exposure flattening out the sea. The pastel colours are lovely. There is a ship out there and, actually, I’m not sure whether I would have preferred that it wasn’t there. Perhaps the minimalism of a blank horizon would have been even better. Still, the shot works very well.
geordie01 – Bandstand Wall
I like shots of walls etc disappearing into the distance, either focussed or unfocussed at the far end. So, this one is a subject I like. I would have preferred the first column to be in focus and the remainder fading away from that one. It would seem more balanced to me like that. But this shot suits the b&w treatment, and it works well.
1st – karma mechanic – Gate No. 4
2nd – Blythman – Groyne
3rd (joint) – sandinista – Barbed Barrier
3rd (joint) – DrOrloff – Barrier Opened
Please refer all complaints to Rupert Murdoch!
So, here are the results and critiques, with the normal proviso that I haven’t a clue what I’m talking about!
dougf8 – A Dull Day in St Mary’s Harbour
Well, the wall does make up most of the frame, so it is definitely a very important part of the scene. I can imagine a small boy reaching to see over the wall to see what was on the other side, and the out of focus wall and in focus boat make this seem real.
It’s a good idea, one which I’ll probably nick at some point, and makes an interesting shot.
DrOrloff – Barrier Opened
The gate is obviously an important part of the story as without it being opened there would be no bull rushing out into the arena. While this is a really good action shot, the gate itself doesn’t play that great a part in the photo. I’d have preferred, for this comp, that the action were captured slightly earlier. Good photo, though. I love the expressions on the faces, but the bull’s expression takes the biscuit!
karma mechanic – Gate No. 4
This is excellent composition, with the gatepost being very strong in the foreground. Not only that, the gate and fence lead you through the photo from left to right and back to front. The gate and fence aren’t particularly exciting in themselves, but the IR treatment (I assume that’s what it is) makes the whole scene, including the trees and the sky, much more interesting than colour would have, probably. I think high contrast b&w would have worked well too. I really like it.
sandinista – Barbed Barrier
I like this simple compo. The fact that most of the scene is out of focus makes you look straight at the barb that is in focus. The metal bar (of a gate?) also leads you through the scene very nicely. The fuzzy backgound is nice too. B&w is ideal also for this. Well seen, thought out, and well taken.
GlynM – Rising Barriers
I guess a typical British scene, traffic jams, something which I see very rarely where I live in the depths of France. Can’t say I miss them. There’s no doubt that the level crossing barriers are barriers in themselves, and traffic jams in the UK are barriers to stress free living, so I guess it tells a story.
frogherder – Subtle Hint
Subtle hint maybe, but I bet someone still runs straight into that barrier. An amusing photo, and I like it. Another reminder, for me, of the life we left behind. Maybe taking this from slightly further away and from the left would improve the composition? Just a thought.
Blythman – Groyne
Very strong composition, with the character-full groyne forming the main subject of the scene and focus, and the long exposure flattening out the sea. The pastel colours are lovely. There is a ship out there and, actually, I’m not sure whether I would have preferred that it wasn’t there. Perhaps the minimalism of a blank horizon would have been even better. Still, the shot works very well.
geordie01 – Bandstand Wall
I like shots of walls etc disappearing into the distance, either focussed or unfocussed at the far end. So, this one is a subject I like. I would have preferred the first column to be in focus and the remainder fading away from that one. It would seem more balanced to me like that. But this shot suits the b&w treatment, and it works well.
1st – karma mechanic – Gate No. 4
2nd – Blythman – Groyne
3rd (joint) – sandinista – Barbed Barrier
3rd (joint) – DrOrloff – Barrier Opened
Please refer all complaints to Rupert Murdoch!
Comment by darkskies posted on Entries for fortnightly competition #72 BARRIERS at 20/07/2011 - 19:44
I wasn't going to read this thread after the OP, but I'm very glad I did. There are quite a few views here, and I generally am not keen on people saying "Wow" to a shot of mine, as I can see the faults in it myself. But if I feel my shot gets a good crack of the whip, then I'm delighted.
The reason I did read this thread, eventually, is that I will be critiquing my first comp, the fortnightly that finishes tomorrow evening. Does this fill me with dread? Not really, because this post, below, by John, describes exactly what I'll be doing.
Cheers, DS
The reason I did read this thread, eventually, is that I will be critiquing my first comp, the fortnightly that finishes tomorrow evening. Does this fill me with dread? Not really, because this post, below, by John, describes exactly what I'll be doing.
Cheers, DS
johnriley wrote:
The thing is, we don't criticise the person, we appraise the image.
If I'm judging a competition, the first thing is that there's a lot to enjoy and celebrate in the efforts people put into their images. Finding the good things is a good place to start as it identifies the strengths that can be worked on and developed.
Then we can find ways that the less good points can be improved. In this way, we can be helpful, encouraging and avoid being insulting.
There's nothing worse than shattering a beginner's confidence by trashing their work. The thing to do is encourage their skills and help them improve.
Doing an appraisal isn't easy for everyone, but we can all pass an opinion that may well be helful to the photographer.
The thing is, we don't criticise the person, we appraise the image.
If I'm judging a competition, the first thing is that there's a lot to enjoy and celebrate in the efforts people put into their images. Finding the good things is a good place to start as it identifies the strengths that can be worked on and developed.
Then we can find ways that the less good points can be improved. In this way, we can be helpful, encouraging and avoid being insulting.
There's nothing worse than shattering a beginner's confidence by trashing their work. The thing to do is encourage their skills and help them improve.
Doing an appraisal isn't easy for everyone, but we can all pass an opinion that may well be helful to the photographer.
Comment by darkskies posted on Photo Critique at 19/07/2011 - 17:57
japers45 wrote:
It is called "The Shoulder of Mutton" and is in the centre. Can't remember any more I'm afraid.
After a 12 hour pub crawl I'm not surprised. It is called "The Shoulder of Mutton" and is in the centre. Can't remember any more I'm afraid.
Comment by darkskies posted on In The Pub at 13/07/2011 - 21:40
M and FIL live on Broadway. You have some good coastline there.
Welcome to the forum!
Cheers,
ds