You can improve your clouds (and in consequence the skies) appearance in more than 100% using the HDR (High Dynamic Range) post-process, which is completely “honest”. You don´t intrude in the image nothing else that what you got in the original shot.



Best regards.
________________
Dirk TROTTEYN.
K10D+ Sigma 18-50 1:2.8 DC Lens.
Image counter: 4195.-

Yes Dan, it was at a little bit low altitude. But if the rivals in the competition (like Lilly and others) follow uploading these quality images, I think next time I had to fly another few feet lower…


Best regards.
________________
Dirk TROTTEYN.
K10D+ Sigma 18-50 1:2.8 DC Lens.
Image counter: 4190.-

Dear air colleague,

The “human error” (the mistakes all we daily do) is one of the most common and outstanding characteristic of the human behavior. We grow upon our errors when we learn the lesson the error teach us. A person learns much more from his mistakes than from his successes…

Learn to recognize the own error dignifies the man, contrarily, obstinately trying to dissimilate it, makes the man apish fatuous and arrogant.

I ask me what should be the art without the critique. A mere arrogant exhibition of “I did this”. Isn´t perhaps the critique what gives the masterpieces (apart of his intrinsic content) is artistic and economical value? For me, the critique is one of the most important inputs in the motor of an artist formation. Is the feedback that everybody needs for improve the skills. And this is not applicable exclusively to the artistic area; it is valid in all our everyday activities.

I personally think that just saying “oh! ah! what a beautiful image”, contribute very poorly with the creation of the photographer.

And lastly, Chris, “because the competition is in the latter category” I think that just for this reason, is because we need more than everybody an honest and constructive critique. And also think, that when we have doubts about anything that “don´t closes in our mind” is a very healthy habit to say it, and try to get an explanation for it.

I think that is very most constructive for the Forum Weekly Competition to fight for his growing, than simply say “You may not like it, but you don´t have to enter it”

“I prefer the critique that causes pain over the adulation or the complacent ones…” -Sebastiao Salgado-



Best regards.
________________
Dirk TROTTEYN.
K10D+ Sigma 18-50 1:2.8 DC Lens.
Image counter: 4258.-

First at all I must recognize that McBrian´s image without the “double sunned illumination” is really a brilliant and simple composition.

But, McBrian´s image isn´t precisely an abstract or surrealistic picture, in where the “double sunned illumination” is really an unfortunate and coarse mistake (not sure if McBrian noted before uploading).

When competition was closed I waited anxiously for the judge verdict. But what a surprise! It was as a “Slap” (not a make-up precisely)… Third Place for the “double sunned” image? Really I didn’t understand your position regard McBrian´s photography!

Intending explain myself, I thought in two possibilities; or John didn´t noted the mistake (here dressed with the Judge “toga”), or John with the intention of ending the previous discussion took a defensive position with McBrian´s image (here with the Moderator´s “toga”).

John, hope this time I´m more explicit. Please don’t take my comments as offensive to your person.


“I prefer the critique that causes pain over the adulation or the complacent ones…” fragment of an interview to Sebastiao Salgado by a Brazilian art magazine. In this aspect I partake with Salgado…


Best regards.
________________
Dirk TROTTEYN.
K10D+ Sigma 18-50 1:2.8 DC Lens.
Image counter: 4258.-

First at all I want to say that I ´m completely in accord with John respect my entry of this week. I also feel there was rivalizing the foreground sculpture with the background. Having said this…

I was waiting the reaction of anybody in this respect. Yes AJ, I think like you!

It is like John dressed the Forum Moderator “toga” instead of the competition Judge one, with McBraian´s image.



Best regards.
________________
Dirk TROTTEYN.
K10D+ Sigma 18-50 1:2.8 DC Lens.
Image counter: 4255.-

Now that you disassembled the image I can see better your composition.

I can distinguish in the final merged image a double sun illumination. One from the background, where the sunbeam illuminates the sky and the clouds, and the second sun illumination that illuminates the tree from an estimated position (by the shadows) a little bit back and left of the photographer shoulder.

Or I´m wrong?


Best regards.
________________
Dirk TROTTEYN.
K10D+ Sigma 18-50 1:2.8 DC Lens.
Image counter: 4255.-

A very very well deserved first prize Cornish Lady! Congratulations!


Best regards.
________________
Dirk TROTTEYN.
K10D+ Sigma 18-50 1:2.8 DC Lens.
Image counter: 4255.-

Gloria a Dios en las alturas…





Sculpture by A. Iramain in San Javier mountain, Tucumán, Argentina.
Taken this morning (12-NOV-2007).
Model PENTAX K10D
Software SILKYPIX(R) Developer Studio Version 3.0.13.2
Exposure time 1/500 s
F-number f/13
Exposure program Manual
ISO speed ratings ISO 100
Date/time original 12/11/2007 11:30:17 a.m.
Exposure bias value -1.50 eV
Metering mode Spot
Focal length 50 mm


Best regards.
________________
Dirk TROTTEYN.
K10D+ Sigma 18-50 1:2.8 DC Lens.

Ladies and gentlemen,


Don´t believe in touristic brochures and in emotive photographers…

Many times I have seen touristic brochures of Tucumán, and it always made me think in how skilled and talented the photographer and editors were.

When Lilly replayed to me “I am beginning to like your country very much from what I have seen” and also when Chris said “not to mention the views of your beautiful country you give us…”, I began (or begun?) to think if all this was really true.

After thinking a bit more in this disquieting question I took my K10D and went around my neighborhood and got these images…














Obviously you can see what you want to see, and I am sure that you can find all over the world the two faces of the coin. Is the photographer decision which one to show… What a responsibility!

What do you think about?


Best regards.
________________
Dirk TROTTEYN.
K10D+ Sigma 18-50 1:2.8 DC Lens.

Peter, really what you do with your photography is a magnificent work.

I like the thematic that characterizes all your photographic work. This time is for the Annual Brentwood Remembrance Parade. Really laudable!

All the images are colorful, sharp and in all the technical aspects unobjectionable. Very good taste for the approach.

Think that with your beautiful images all the world will know today about the Brentwood Remembrance Parade. I live in Argentina and now I have notice (for the first time) about the Brentwood Parade, and so, the same for all over the world. Imagine…

I like very much the second image with the old veteran displaying with great honor his medals, his face with this pleased expression is unique. The emotive cemetery homage was very good captured.

Congratulations Peter.


Best regards.
________________
Dirk TROTTEYN.
K10D+ Sigma 18-50 1:2.8 DC Lens.