Room for a Newbie?
by srbrubaker

Comment by ltb2738:
Room? I won't hit you hard but I'm sure others will! Nice picture!

Polar Winds
by srbrubaker

Comment by Montereykiddo:
Very abstract...I usually find that when I get really "out there", the pics suffer with these voters....it only will take once or twice to learn that though! :) Good luck!

Three Boats
by srbrubaker

Comment by Jutilda:
You can't go wrong with threes. I like their juxtaposition to each other. Nicely shot for such a simple blue setting.

Polar Winds
by srbrubaker

Comment by Jutilda:
Pretty sweeping colors but it doesn't have the pizazz that really captivates the viewer. Maybe if there were a single object with some movement as well??? I do love the deep dusty purple hues though.

Picnic Tables
by srbrubaker

Comment by ubique:
Simple and stylish. This is a very instructive example of how to see the potential in an everyday subject, and how to then do full justice to it. Love the soft shadows repeating on the edges of the tables. I'd have probably gone B&W with this, and I'd have been wrong. A good part of the charm is in the fragile blue tints in the snow, blanketing the robust browns and mushroom colours of the table/seat structures.

Three Boats
by srbrubaker

Comment by ubique:
This is perhaps my favourite of all your excellent images. There may be technically superior or conceptually bolder photographs in your portfolio, but for me this one has a charm and a quiet elegance that is immensely satisfying. The composition is a beautiful example of balanced asymmetry ... the inclusion of the bit of jetty structure in the corner, the positioning and attitude of the three boats (and their reflected images), and the distribution of the tonal range on the water surface, all together create an easy, effortless whole that conceals the care that I suspect went into its creation. Bravo!

Escape to the 'Burbs
by srbrubaker

Comment by ubique:
Whimsical and wicked. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of the base of what I assume is a big, awful power pylon, framing the dreary echelon of identical houses. Nicely observed and executed example of the photograph as social commentary.

Silver Skeletons, Red Dress
by srbrubaker

Comment by ubique:
Again your talent for spotting textural and tonal harmony is demonstrated. The colours are also lovely, of course, and will justifiably attract attention (including mine), but it is the interplay of tones and textures that I think ultimately gives the thoughful viewer the most pleasure, and elevates this image to something rather more than just a beautiful nature study. And your title is perfect.

Leonidas
by srbrubaker

Comment by ubique:
In spite of my usual indifference to photographs of flowers (don't know why), I do like this. The composition is good, but what really got my attention is the waves of tonal variation that wash diagonally through the image, supported by your chosen depth of field. This seems to me to present the rose to its greatest advantage, and suggests that you know your subject pretty well.

Stairs at Maine Maritime Museum
by srbrubaker

Comment by ubique:
An irresistible subject, but that doesn't mean it was easy! You've got pretty much a full tonal range here, with satisfying detail at every point. I'm not one who considers that to be essential, but it does usually mean there's a wealth of interest in the image, and that is certainly the case here. It rewards a few minutes' study. I'm not at all bothered by the presence of a lateral perspective effect, narrowing towards the right ... your point-of-view was well chosen to capture the interesting light detail of the underside of the steps, and so was well worth risking the wrath of the perspective police. Nice, harmonious composition and processed with sympathy for the simple elegance of the subject.