lightning rod
by Sanja139

Comment:
I realize this was a confusing challenge topic but I don't get this at all. I don't see the connection to a lightning rod (other than the object contains metal) and I don't see the miniature-ness. I can't really tell what I'm looking at. Sorry.

Stripes
by melismatica

Comment:

Originally posted by graphicfunk: from the critique club: Most important with these images are the colors. The form or lines add interest. personally, I would have repainted the green because it attracts so much attention on account of its almost chartruse quality.

Another way of putting it is the small amount of green adds an interesting area of contrast--the very thing that caught my eye about the subject in the first place.

Originally posted by graphicfunk: Of course, replace it with what. Well, I would consider a subdued red to match the mesh or a dark blue.

Of course, since this is a picture taken outside my apartment building of a window box that does not belong to me, a happy discovery of pattern and color rather than a contrived studio set-up, that would be besides the point.

Originally posted by graphicfunk: The next step is to cash in your artistic eye by replicating the concept to move the viewer.

That would be a set-up--something I was not interested in doing. Also, which viewer am I supposed to be concerned with moving? Inevitably, I'm taking pictures that I want to see.

Originally posted by graphicfunk: There are several ways to do this. For example: you do another take after sponging with water every other stripe or hosing the area with water. Most important is the play with light, straight light, reflected etc. In other words the pattern is your base, what can you possibly add to this image to make it stand out. Being a "blue challenge" I would have also considered a black light.

The light was existing daylight. What I played with was the point of view. I took many shots of this window box until I happened upon an angle which eliminated the soil in the green plastic insert and reduced the window box to the colored stripes and red mesh. In processing, I rotated the image because I thought the vertical lines were more interesting then the 'natural' horizontal lines of the window box. All of this was very carefully thought out by me to achieve what I desired to see. Which should answer your last presumption. Sorry to sound ungrateful but you have approached your critiques of both my photos with the assumption that I did not have a set intention in mind when I made the pictures. I've been taking pictures for a lot of years and have a very definite idea of what I want to achieve. I don't mind if someone doesn't agree with my vision but I do mind when they presume that I don't posess vision. It may not harmonize with yours. Frankly, I don't care for your photos at all but I respect that you have a personal vision and when you make a picture you knew what you were making.

Originally posted by graphicfunk: To conlude, you have a very good knack for finding unusual patterns and you need only expend the extra time to make it a unique image, not one that the next photographer can come by and easily duplicate. dan

A Natural Twist
by melismatica

Comment:

Originally posted by graphicfunk: From the critique club: Always envision the shot in your minds eye and then do what ever is technically required. Normal shots and distant scenes differ greatly from the close up. A camera in auto mode, will never make this decision for you, so it is up to you to take care of this matter. The easiest way to do it is to make a test shot, check it in computer and then go back to finish. dan

First let me say that I appreciate the in-depth critique very much. I just have to add my own comments that:

a: I didn't really see this as a difficult to identify object---at least in that it is clearly of a fibrous, woody plant material. To me, it is quite obviously a twiggy section of vine. The title "A Natural Twist" would also suggest something of organic origins. I honestly don't see how peeling bark can be mistaken for anything else---certainly not metal, as your comments suggested.

b: I used manual settings to make this shot. I have yet to use the auto function on my camera. Through very careful placement of my lighting sources and exposure control, I intentionally created a black background from what was originally a white one. I have other shots with greater DOF but I thought the shallow depth of field added--well---depth--to the image.

I appreciate all the suggestions that were made for 'improving' this image but in this case, I stand by my guns and respectively disagree.

Ugly? Who Says I'm Ugly?
by Gracious

Comment:
The lighting is ugly and harsh and the skin tones have reddish cast.

Webbed
by MikeO

Comment:
Feet really aren't the focus of this shot and I think you know that.

3 pairs, holding on tight!
by Gordon

Comment:
This is really stretching the notion of the challenge. One could argue that bees have feet but feet aren't the creative element of this composition so one would be arguing in vain.

At The Seaside
by brownt

Comment:
Might be better if the sky and most of the legs were cropped so that only the sand and feet showed. The legs are rather pasty and chunky looking and draw attention from the main interest which is the sand and the pattern created by the shadow of the subject.

tender oents
by ddmckinney1954

Comment:
I don't understand the title. "Oents?" I think waiting until the elastic impressions from his sock faded might have been a good idea. The focus looks a bit off.

Flying Feet
by LtHousLady

Comment:
I think, perhaps, if the faces were cropped out the feet would play a more central role, creatively. However, as it is, they really aren't the focal point of this shot. I like the high-key, contrasty approach.

Growing Up
by pitsaman

Comment:
While there are feet in this shot, they really don't play a creative role. The main subject is obviously the boy on the swing and not his feet. Challenge aside, the shot is okay in terms of exposure and sharpness but the capture isn't very compelling. We can't really see his expression as his face is obscured by his hand and the chain. As an action shot it is very static. I don't get the feeling of joy and exhilaration of being on a swing.