Red is the colour
by Bethra

Comment by eschelar:
This is kinda nice, particularly because of the B&W waterfall, but I can't help but think that it might have been better if you had been a bit closer to the action and shot a bit wider angle to get your friend in more detail and add more depth to the shot. The hair seems a bit grainy and poorly defined... Seems like it was edited a bit? I don't know.

Fun shot though. I bet this would look fantastic with a tiny bit of burn work in the water (especially at the top) and printed large enough to let the girl be a bit larger that 640x480 allows...

Message edited by author 2006-04-11 10:07:56.

The Foundery Wheel
by Bethra

Comment by Bethra:
The shot was a difficult one taken from inside a very dimly lit building with really bright sunlight streaming in through the window behind the wheel. I found the contrast quite breath takeing. I think the softness of the focus comes because the wheel was actualy moving though rather slowly as it was connected to a large water wheel. I have to admit to being sad this didn't get a better rating because it really was a difficult shot to take.

Red is the colour
by Bethra

Comment by Bethra:
Thank you so much sfalice for the most helpfull crit. The location of the shot was just down the road from where I live in a little place called Abergwyngregyn. It's the second largest full drop waterfall in the UK. What was on my mind when I took that shot? Well to be honest it was a split second shot, I didn't plan it or set it up I just saw the opertunity and took the shot. The sun came streaming out and was bouncing of the water and the red red hair and it just looked like a wonderfuly natural shot so I took it. :o) I had no idea how good it would turn out the sunlight was so bright I couldn't even see my view finder so it was more luck than anything else. I used a desat on the background leaving the hair as the only source of colour and I added a warming filter to the background to give it that gentle sepia effect. The hair I added an orange/redish filter to to hightlight it's brightness a little more and that was it. Nothing complicated just that :o) I love this image because it was just so simple and it was all about the natural lighting. :o)

Red is the colour
by Bethra

Comment by sfalice:
Greetings from the Critique Club

What an interesting image to get a chance to critique. Thank you!

I remember this from the Challenge and was struck by the uniqueness of it at that time. While you don't list your settings and I'd love to know what your thoughts were when you composed this image, I'll just go without that information and try some guesswork. The gorgeous waterfall and the long hair on the girl have a nice flow and complementary angle to them. I like the black n white although I'd like to see a bit more contrast in those rocks. Of course you want the viewer to focus on the girl's hair, and one does that almost to the exclusion of anything else since it is so bright and unusually colored. Unfortunately and perhaps accounting for your somewhat modest score, I think the voters may have felt her hair was a bit too overpowering in the frame.

I love to see original work, and this is original. So keep the good stuff coming while perhaps brushing up on your technical skills. And enjoy your future challenges at DPC.

Alice

The Foundery Wheel
by Bethra

Comment by docurrie:
Focus seems a little to soft for me and highlights a little to bright.

Red is the colour
by Bethra

Comment by Bethra:
Thanks everyone for the helpfull comments :o)

Red is the colour
by Bethra

Comment by sherpet:
This hs a dramatic feel to it, which I like, but is the girls hair really that red.....

Red is the colour
by Bethra

Comment by eostyles:
Is that Ronald McDonald's sister?

Red is the colour
by Bethra

Comment by mysticred:
nice shot

The Foundery Wheel
by Bethra

Comment by persimon:
I think pictures of gears and machine-works are really interesting. I like the composition and the B&W. It seems a little over-exposed in areas.