Projecting for the Trees
by seebrown

Comment:
Isn't that interesting ... I just knew that you'd get several comments from people who couldn't see the trees at all! (Just imagine how many of those who didn't bother to comment also saw no trees as well)

There are some totally awful monitors out there, and people are using them to vote and also to process their own photographs.

I strongly recommend that you start a forum thread that posts this shot and asks people to say what they can see. People need evidence of how bad their monitors really are, or they just won't believe it. Some still won't.

Oh, and congratulations again on this clever, adventurous photograph. Don't be dismayed that most didn't understand it. Alas, that would take a lot more that a new monitor!

Snowscape
by puzzled

Comment:
Whooowee! You've never shown us anything like this before. You know with my recent anarchic mood that I must love this, and I do. The light and the shadows are terrific, but it's the glancing blow on the plant that is best. Toujours l'audace!

Civil War Soldier
by usia

Comment:
That is a fabulous candid portrait. I know he's looking directly at you, but is has no feel at all of being staged or posed. His dead, emotionless gaze unequivocally conveys the sensory exhaustion that attends the battle weary soldier of every era. I am of course aware that the Civil War is pretty much over now, and that this man is a participant in some re-enactment event, but the effect of the photograph is nonetheless authentic and moving.

Relaxed Country Life!
by usia

Comment:
Greetings, Tony, from the way down south chapter of the Critique Club.

This is likely to be my final critique, so I'm glad there's a drink in it for me.

It's a very good black & white, from a tonal range point of view (well, it's actually a duotone, I think). As for the subject, I have become less and less interested in set-up, staged and studio shots. They do, I will admit, showcase the photographer's technical skills very well, and your skills in this image are very impressive. It's just that I think such photographs tend to contain no real interest or stimulation beyond the superficial. Of course, that's just me, and most people do not feel the same way ... several commentators pointed out that this is good enough to be used as an ad for Wild Turkey, and they are quite right; it is!

As for the photograph's challenge-related qualities, I guess you're right, this scene could be symbolic of a laid-back, country way of life. I'm from the country, and I do like cards, naked women and whiskey, but I think quite a few city folks probably like 'em too. Nevertheless, I do get your point about "Country" being a certain kind of attitude.

I'm not going to critique this image any further, because I have nothing more to say about it; it's a very competent photograph which has no interest for me beyond that.

And just so you know where I'm coming from, here's an example from your own portfolio of the kind of stuff that I do like:

That is a fabulous candid portrait. I know he's looking directly at you, but is has no feel at all of being staged or posed. His dead, emotionless gaze unequivocally conveys the sensory exhaustion that attends the battle weary soldier of every era. I am of course aware that the Civil War is pretty much over now, and that this man is a participant in some re-enactment event, but the effect of the photograph is nonetheless authentic and moving.

And best of all, the photograph is all about him, and not about the photographer.

Cheers,
Paul Martin

Day Release
by mrmorris

Comment:
More of those bloody irritating English cricket fans? @#$% Ashes! You just enjoy your moment in the sun, Mark; you won't be there long enough to get a tan.

Until Dawn
by eyperry

Comment:
Interesting and beautiful. The rotation has created a totally different impression, like the subject is pinned against a structure by a high wind. And enjoying it. Clever, original work. 8
Edit to add: LOVE the crop!

Sin City John
by nikant

Comment:
This is what the very best of street photographs is about, in my view ... opportunistic wit and whimsy, but laden with allegorical possibilities too. To have found Lennon flanked by Ali and Harry Potter is wonderful enough on its own, especially as Ali looks so grugingly admiring, and John has what appears to be a can opener growing out of the top of his head. But to have then managed to incorporate the metal security mesh so elegantly is quite brilliant. I'm puzzled by John's shades; how you managed to make them leap out like that in basic editing. That's impressive.
9.

Floored
by e301

Comment:
I've seen lots of pictures of "columns with person", but never one as interesting as this. Beautiful light, excellent processing, but most of all a really brilliant composition. There's something musical about the synergy of it ... delete any one "part" (the man, the columns, or the floor) and the experience is dismantled. 10.

Stripes
by Artan

Comment:
Yes. Clever and complete. And so good that you did not "correct" the perspective effect seen at the lower step. I probably would have, and thereby diminished it. Lovely tonal range and rendering, too. 9.

Beetle
by Simonkasprzak

Comment:
Volkswagen was once proverbial for the artistry of their corporate imagery, in advertising and in every other form. Their heyday in that regard was about when this Beetle was new. If they'd seen this image then, they'd have showered you in deutschmarks. Actually, they still might ... clone out that white arc on the wall & give 'em a call!
Every aspect of this image is superb; concept, composition, capture and processing. Beautiful. Bravo. 10.