| Author | Thread |
|
|
11/26/2002 11:19:38 AM · #1 |
Greetings to all...
There are still three people who have not critiqued their test photos, but we will move on to the next step while we are waiting on those...
Test:
Critique This Photo but DO NOT post your critique to the photo. Prepare a critique for the photo and post it to this thread on Saturday of this week if you can.
This exercise will help us understand how different people view the same image....
Thanks :)
John Setzler
|
|
|
|
11/26/2002 11:53:54 AM · #2 |
You are a crafty man, Setz!
Will get onto it later in the week!
|
|
|
|
11/26/2002 12:14:00 PM · #3 |
| on saturday or until saturday? |
|
|
|
11/26/2002 12:22:17 PM · #4 |
|
|
|
11/26/2002 09:16:53 PM · #5 |
| That is a hard one! The picture is perfect, or near enough! |
|
|
|
11/26/2002 09:31:30 PM · #6 |
I am not sure I will be able to connect John from the thansgiving locatino , if that's fine I will PM it to you ok ?
Lionel |
|
|
|
11/26/2002 09:32:51 PM · #7 |
oh .. I am joining natasha .. thanks for picking this one JOhn .. so easy to comment ..
Really thanks a lot
I mean it
really
Reall
real
rea
re
r
|
|
|
|
11/26/2002 09:38:05 PM · #8 |
I would suggest that we comment that one the same way we will be able to do the other one in the future.
The more time I spend on it the more .. I get into it and think about things to comment (not that much yet though ) ..
But in the future .. we're not going to have 1h to give per picture .. at least me.
What do you think guys ? John ?
So my Plan is to try to comment that one like .. for the following week and not making it a 'big' exercise |
|
|
|
11/28/2002 04:34:35 PM · #9 |
Done, will post on Saturday.
|
|
|
|
11/29/2002 12:05:29 AM · #10 |
Me too...done. I critiqued before reading the comments to avoid being influenced.
|
|
|
|
11/29/2002 12:33:35 AM · #11 |
I read the comments before I do mine... I like to see if there is some general concensus about some aspect of the image so I can either agree or disagree with it... :)
|
|
|
|
11/29/2002 02:37:12 AM · #12 |
| Done but a don't think I am going to be able to post on Saturday Monday very early as I am away for the weekend! |
|
|
|
11/29/2002 05:43:34 PM · #13 |
Ummm...call me dumb..how do we do this again?
|
|
|
|
11/30/2002 02:43:44 AM · #14 |
Critique Club Critique - Between Rides by Autool
Compositionally it is very solid. This shot is framed and composed around the rider, to the detriment of the exposure of the environment around him. A good use of the rule of thirds leaves the rider nicely framed by the cloud line at the top and the road tracking at the bottom. The shadow leads his movement along the roadway very nicely. The hills converge in valleys behind the figure which is also pleasing. The background is washed out and this draws the attention to the rider. The blue in his jeans and the rich browns in the saddle and the boots confict with the bleached land and hazy sky.
I enjoy the composition of this shot as it is. The rider is fairly close to the camera, which creates a tension. I think psychologists refer to a certain proximity as something like an 'effective communication distance' and he is clearly within that range. Sure, it could be reversed so that it 'reads like a book' but I don't think that's a big deal. The tension created by the things that are seemingly 'off' in this photo are what make the photo. He's also walking away from us, creating a feeling of rejection. I think this is why some are bothered that we can't see his face. We're left guessing by the body language as to just why he's walking away. It looks like a defeated pose, head down, perhaps rejecting the viewer or a performance. It doesn't look like he's simply going back to the truck for a pack of smokes and a dingdong. The brilliant bit about the composition is that we're left guessing as to where he's going, 'cause we can't see it. This scene reminded me of something out of a Steinbeck novel - ranch hand on a bleak prairie after an outbreak of cholera took out his entire village or something. Steinbeck was a cheery guy.
Anyways...what makes this shot works is also what I'd like to see done differently. Maybe that's why I don't score very well. The whole background, foreground and timing of the shot has a horizontal feel to it. The clouds, horizon, hills, road, shadow, direction of travel etc. screams out landscape. The only vertical component is the cowboy. I'd like to see a landscape-oriented shot with the horizon stretching out to the left, so that we can see where he's going. If the road continued in that direction, it'd be a brilliant addition. It would create a whole new mood for the photo and perhaps lend a more detached, dramatic element.
I'd also like to see a richer colour. Again, the washed-out nature of the scene is what perhaps makes the shot so interesting (and certainly representative of the region) but one of the first things I thought when I saw it is how much a polarizing filter would improve the richness of the shot. A deeper sky and richer, golden fields would certainly be very nice to look at.
An excellent photograph nonetheless.
* This message has been edited by the author on 11/30/2002 2:53:05 AM. |
|
|
|
11/30/2002 04:34:40 AM · #15 |
Initial Impressions
Strong image with compelling emotive content. Great colour and composition.
Details:
Content
The content is very striking and although it’s often suggested that photographs of people should include eye contact – this is certainly not the case in this image. The stoop of the young man really conveys the weight of his burden, the way his legs are positioned to show him walking reminds us that he’s on a journey, as does his shadow as it falls forward onto the path he is taking. His hand touching his hat somehow conveys to me an acceptance on his part of where he is and what he is doing.
Composition
Compositionally the positioning of the man at the right of the frame is powerful –his shadow and the path itself lead the eye into the rest of the image. I think it might be nice to have that path lead somewhere a little further into the depth of those hills, but that is a minor point.
Colour
The colours in the main subject – the young man and his burden – are strong and vibrant. I love the deep blue jeans against that pale dry grass. There is detail in the various browns of the saddle and the small orange tag adds a good bright highlight. I would prefer that the arm of his jumper weren’t such a stark white, but again this is a minor point. I find the colour of the background a little “bleached” looking – not washed out exactly but a little too pale – though looking at the image I can see this is down to what that background consists of and not down to an exposure error.
Background
I like the uncluttered and undetailed aspect of the background – we know he is on a journey but we don’t know the details – where is he? where is he going? I think the decision to retain depth of field is a good one. My only niggle about the background is that it seems a little washed out to me, as mentioned above, though this does in itself add something – it conveys a hot arid environment in which he has to make a tiring journey.
Technical
Technical aspects seem fine to me – exposure, comression etc. all look good.
My opinion
I like the image quite a lot - it has both visual and emotive appeal – it seems that it is more than just an image – it is also a story. That said, I don’t have much of an interest in horses or much of a knowledge of cowboys so perhaps the emotional connection for me isn’t as strong as it could be for another viewer. Not a favourite but certainly a pleasure to look at.
Kavey
|
|
|
|
11/30/2002 05:52:25 AM · #16 |
Composition (content)
Composition is good, good placement of the main subject and it is very nice that many lines -the lines in the sky, the high-to-low of the hills, the road itself and the shadow- lead to the place the man is heading for.
I do wonder if the surroundings would have added to the photo if it was 640x480 to include more of the content at the left. You wonder where he is going to.
The main subject itself is very interesting, the walking, the stuff on his back, the balance of colors and the strength of the colors.
Background
Again, it is very nice how the lines in the background work to make this a good pic. But the colors are a bit washed out at the left, from the small flowery bush upward. It is the one thing I don't like about this picture, the difference between the brightness of the main subject and its background is to big. But based on the shadow I cannot tell what the time of day was (where the sun was) or that the camera did not have enough dynamic range (something the E10 does have). But shooting at a time where the sun is lower, would spoil the effect of the shadow / ruin the whole idea of the shot.
Camera work (technical)
Focus, sharpness etc are good. The background does not make it necessary to use a smaller aperture.
I wonder what exposure compensation could have done with the balance between foreground and background (I wonder, I don't know, not enough experience yet).
Digital processing (technical)
Good. Good whitebalance, ok sharpening, no artefacts.
My opinion
I like it, altough I find the background somewhat distracting (too bright) and empty.
edit= diffence changed into difference
edit= changed a right to left
* This message has been edited by the author on 11/30/2002 8:14:17 AM.
* This message has been edited by the author on 11/30/2002 11:38:25 AM. |
|
|
|
11/30/2002 07:56:22 AM · #17 |
Composition - Excellent choice of subject. The man is dressed as he should be for the type of work he is portraying. He'd look odd with sneakers and fedora carrying a saddle. We don't see the man's face, nor do we need to see it. Not showing the face I believe enhances the composition here with a little mystery and shows that he's a behind the scenes guy and not the primetime player. Walking down the 2 track path is indicative of the area he's in, remote, isolated. The shadow is a great effect as well. The framing of the shot is as it should be with the man on the right 3rd walking left, open area to the direction he's traveling. The colors are true to life.
Background - The landscape is not anything stunning, which draws more attention to the subject. It is enough to indicate to us the terrain and the nature of the area without distracting from the subject. It is very well done. If I had to pick out one thing that I wish could be different, it would be a little more contrast between the top of the hills and the sky.
Camera Work - Well taken photo. Not much to say about it. The focus and exposure and DOF are all excellent.
Post Processing This photo does not seem to have much or really need much. A little saturation of the blues might help the sky, but it is not really necessary.
Overall This photo was taken way before I was a part of DPC but I've seen it a few times looking at Autools Bio. I have liked it since the first time I saw it. It reminds me of a Marlboro Man type guy out working, like the title says, between rides. It definitely has a solitary, isolated mood about it, but not lonely or desolate. Autool has done a great job putting his theme into an image. Bottom line - This is an excellent photo that deserves every bit of recognition and every pat on the back it gets.
* This message has been edited by the author on 11/30/2002 8:00:02 AM.
|
|
|
|
11/30/2002 08:43:14 AM · #18 |
Compositionally this is a very well executed picture. The wide
open space is very apparent both from the expanse of sky and rolling
hills in the distance. Two other compositional pieces are at work
here, with the implied triangle between the man's body, the leading
left arm, which points out to the green bush, creating an implied
side and then the shadow and road which brings your eye back again
to the man himself. This triangle keeps your eye in the picture
and circling between the open road that this man is walking into and
the person himself.
The body position has been well captured to enhance the feeling of
weariness and also to show the forward motion, demonstrated by the
raised left foot. This has also made a more interesting leg
arrangement with the circle around yet more expanse of background.
The leading diagonals of the road are also effectively mirrored by
the leading trails of the clouds, further strengthening the effect of
walking off to the horizon on the left of the picture - the figure's
position on the right hand side of the picture further lends to
the feeling of space. The vertical framing of the picture perhaps
weakens this feeling though - and a landscape view may have improved
the feeling of a long road still to travel.
Exposure is good, although slightly hot on some of the burnt out
grass and there is some minimal sharpening noise in the sky and
hill edges that could be improved possibly. It might be more visually
pleasing to crop horizontally just below the person's feet to remove
a bit of the foreground green grass/ weed, and move the horizon
slightly lower in the frame.
All in all a good picture, worthy of the cover of a magazine like
Texas Monthly, or similar.
|
|
|
|
11/30/2002 10:24:03 AM · #19 |
COMPOSITION-CONTENT
The Composition is great, the emptiness of the land and sky add to the solitude of the picture. The person and the detail of the clothes and saddle provide enough interest and invite the viewer to look further. The balance between the colour of clothes and the colour off the landscape is very harmonious. Eyes are drawn to the horizon, although empty, the shapes of the land add interest. I would like to see more of the face, but dont feel it detracts from the picture that I can't.
BACKGROUND
Background of the shot adds the interest and atmosphere of the picture, the contours of the land are interesting.
CAMERA WORK-TECHNICAL
Focus is great here, the details of the saddle are captured perfectly, there is also good texture in the shadow. Overall exposure of the land is a little bright, some of the colours look a bit washed out, however I like this effect.
DIGITAL PROCESSING- TECHNICAL
Sharpness is great here, very clean lines of the person. Contrast of the sky and land could be a bit stronger, the blues of the sky and also the grass could be richer in colour.
MY OPINION
I love this picture, the solitude of it and the simplicity of the landscape are beautiful, a very atmospheric image! Congratulations! The kind of picture that one day I am hoping to be able to take! |
|
|
|
11/30/2002 10:31:14 AM · #20 |
Composition: Composition is very very strong here. The most impressive element I think is the shadow which falls exactly aligned to the road and to the direction the guy walks. I don't know if this was planned or pure luck, but in any case it creates some kind of harmony. I think the shadow would have distracted if the sun came more from the side and the shadow would fall diagonally across the road.
While speaking of diagonals. This is the second thing which I really like. There are different "layers" in the depth of the photo. The first one is the road with the subject. The lines there go from bottom right to upper left. The next layer is the hill on the right side. The ridge makes a line from bottom left to upper right. The next layer is the hill to the left side where it is the other way around again and then there is another hill even more away where it is again the other way around. In my opinion this is a very good composition because the different "layers" give the photo a lot of depth.
You used the rule of thirds and it helped the photo. The guy is walking in the photo not out of it. I think this makes the whole scene more easy and calm yet also has some kind of directed dynamics. The whole expression of the guy, like his left arm, his angled (is this the right word?) leg and also his shadow "say" that he's slowly moving along the road.
Lighting: On the first look maybe a bit overexposured. But a darker photo would have lost the details in the shadows (in front of the person and his left shoulder) which I like. The sky could be a bit more blue especially the cyan coloured horizon is a bit odd. I'm not sure but I think professionals use a polarizer filter in this case.
To lighting also belong shadows, but I already described the good use of the shadow above.
Focus: The aperture was chosen well. F/5.6 gives a good DOF so that the nice background is not blurred too much and you can make out the textures of the landscape.
Art: The challenge was met and even creatively so. Most of the other entries showed cars and urban roads. This is a nice variation.
Overall: I don't know why I scored this photo only a 9 at that time. Probably because I didn't knew better ;-) Today I would give you a 10. Great photo!
|
|
|
|
11/30/2002 10:40:35 AM · #21 |
This is a classic photo of an American icon—the cowboy, and everything in the photo emphasises the mythic quality of your subject.
The focus of the photo is very definitely the cowboy figure-everything leads to him and once the eye has been captured you follow the shadow to the road and the horizon. The composition is a rule of thirds with the figure well positioned. The golden grass and hills contrast well with the blue of the sky –which is beautifully exposed with deep colour and a wispy cloud pattern.
Because the horizon is important this is clear but the crisp focus is on the figure and the foreground.
Exposure is very balanced from the sky to the grass. The figure is detailed but there is no shadow detail. This in no way detracts from the photo. This was probably a compromise to get the sky colour and the grass well exposed.
The image could possibly be sharper or crisper in detail but this is hard to tell without seeing the original-but if there is a softness it in no way detracts from the photo.
I think the most important point to the photo is how every element in it adds to the cowboy legend. The subject seems to be wearing a well worn hat-boots-jersey looks home made-saddle old and used –blue jeans too new but the old ones just fell apart! This is a working figure going to his next job to seek his fortune. He is bowed down with the weight but is quite prepared to do the work the road is ahead and the golden horizon beckons. You can’t see his face so you put in your own imaginary John Wayne type face—and he fits in to everyone’s image of what a cowboy is. Even his elbow is pointing to the road ahead and showing us the horizon. The sky is blue with wispy clouds—fine weather and sunshine-hope and light and optimism.
This is truly what great photography is all about—this is a wonderful photo.
|
|
|
|
11/30/2002 10:53:19 AM · #22 |
FIRST IMPRESSION:
Wow, very powerful image. Nicely done...I'll have to be very picky on this one :)
COMPOSITION:
Very good. The shot seems to be very balanced all around. The balance between the sky and the mountains is quite effective here, although I'd like to see what placing the horizon line a tad lower would look like (cropping a bit of the bottom out). The man is positioned on the right 'third' of the frame which works very nicely since he is walking towards the left.
Two things do bug me though. 1. the little patch of green grass on the left is a bit distracting. 2. his shadow does not align perfectly with the path (if shot 10 minutes earlier or 10 minutes later would fix that)...remember, I'm being very picky :)
TECHNICAL:
Natural lighting usage at its best. The dry grass seems a bit over-exposed on the right of the the man (minor) - but the man himself is lit perfectly, bringing out alot of detail and definition. The sky is a nice natural blue, which I prefer to the oversaturated, filtered sky blues. It could be my eyes, but his legs look a bit soft and I wonder if increased DOF would make them sharper.
ARTISTIC:
This makes a great shot artisticly. The color values, composition, and the great choice of subject all come together to make a gorgeous image that can tell a thousand stories. Great work!!
OVERALL:
Beautiful execution, great timing....print it, frame it, hang it....it's a keeper! |
|
|
|
11/30/2002 11:04:48 AM · #23 |
COMPOSITION -CONTENT - This photo is very well composed, with the subject on one side, clearly heading off to the left into the hills. My eye is drawn to the saddle as the main focal point, then gently drifting around the photo. The focus is right on, from the near brush at the bottom to the man and his shadow.
BACKGROUND – Well chosen. A tree would have spoiled this. The only thing I might have changed is the brightness of the far hill on the left and some of the grass. Just a tad too bright. It’s a very minor distraction.
CAMERA WORK, TECHNICAL – Excellent. I’d also like to see a version near f/22 to see how a sharper background affects this. I think I would prefer this one, as the far hills are just blurred enough so as not to be a distraction.
DIGITAL PROCESSING , TECHNICAL – I see nothing that requires a change. I would like to see a slightly darker version for comparison, though. Might give more of a feeling of twilight. This would also bring out the road just a bit more.
OVERALL OPINION – Excellent. Great choice of topic, and interpretation of the challenge. To accomplish some of the darkening suggested above, I’d like to see a version taken 1-2 hrs later in time (assuming this is in the afternoon).
|
|
|
|
11/30/2002 11:17:55 AM · #24 |
11/27/2002
Between Rides
Composition is very well done and I think faithfully follows the rule of thirds. This photo also is a good example of less is more. By not seeing the horse, the cowboys face or a ranch we are left to our own imagination. The photo stands strongly on it's own. His body language along with the title and the stark landscape all goes together, making a very interesting and powerful photo.
The background is so California looking, very pretty, golden, rolling hills with a blue sky. I think it really adds to this shot.
Technically the colors, composition, DOF, perspective, light, shadow, crop are all done very well.
My Opinion is that I love this shot. It's beautiful and strikes a emotionally cord with me. I wouldn't change anything about it. For that reason this is a really short review.
Justine.
|
|
|
|
11/30/2002 11:41:30 AM · #25 |
Between Rides Critique
I like how the subject looms large, heading towards the horizon, which is wonderfully wavy due to the hills. The hills also add some good diagonal lines that help guide the viewer’s eyes to the shadow, which leads back to the subject.
It's an appealing image also because of the rich but not overwhelming colors. The texture of the dried grasses and the dirt path add interest as well.
Perhaps the most appealing aspect, to me, is the romance of the cowboy. I grew up loving the image, and had my own cowgirl outfit as a child. It portrays a culture, an American subculture, of a simpler lifestyle in simpler times.
I like that the only sign of human influence, other than the subject, is a path. The solitude of this setting is unmistakable.
It's a very believable and authentic looking scene. The clothing is timeless.
If I could change anything about this picture it would be to darken everything a tad, but the subject. I mean a tiny tad of a bit. It's acceptable as it is, especially for a challenge where there are guidelines to adhere to about masking, etc.
Composition is excellent. DOF is perfect.
Overall I love this picture. Terrific job!
|
|
