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08/11/2004 05:42:00 AM · #26 |
The first thing I noticed about Simple Pleasures by Moodville was the light on the ape's head, the posture of his arm, the textures of the image. Then I really looked.....and got drawn into the magic of his face, especially the expression in his eyes as he contemplates the grass in his hand. A very beautiful portrait, an image I never tire of :)
sue |
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08/11/2004 06:33:59 AM · #27 |
Thank you so much folks. I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying your insights into some of your favourite images. It's just inspiring!
And thanks Sue for coming back to that image again.
Please do keep it coming, folks!
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08/11/2004 06:57:44 AM · #28 |
I just have a few minutes but would like to post this picture.
 and tell you why I like it so much.
It's so much more than a portrait. She is so relaxed I could imagine she is in eternal sleep and it looks like a peaceful place to be, yet the angle of her head suggests someone who has thrown back her head to worship the sun. Her eyes are closed and that expresses to me the courage of age and learning to be yourself without having to see yourself reflected in someone else's eyes. I guess I like this so much because of all the possibilities it presents about aging. It makes it seem like it can be a beautiful thing. I like it that the entire frame is taken up with her face. It doesn't allow the viewer to use anything else to build their story. |
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08/11/2004 07:06:54 AM · #29 |
Kintla Lake by jodiecoston
As I have always enjoyed landscape photography, I tend to be a little pickier than most. This image just flat-out blew me away. It draws you in and makes you want to keep on looking. Even though you immediately see the pier, your eye is picking up so much interesting detail that it won't let you simply go from pier to mountain and be done. The reflected clouds grab you first and gently guide your view down to the stones in the water. When an image holds you this long, you realize there's no fighting it, you might as well just go on and absorb the whole thing.
What else did I get from this image? That F/7 can grab a whole lot of detail, if you can shoot at ISO 50. I also realized how important it is to keep your eyes open and to catalog what you see as being opportunities. When this challenge was announced, Jodie knew this was where she wanted to shoot, even though it was a two-hour drive. Thanks, Jodie, for a most amazing image! |
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08/11/2004 09:39:25 AM · #30 |
A Cold Wait
By Sonifo
This image speaks volumes to me. The use of the longer exposure to get the movement of the snow in the air, and the body stance of the person leaning on the light post make it so I can feel the cold they are feeling. The overall position and posture of the person makes me wonder why they are there. Are they waiting for someone, has someone just left them? What would bring this person out on a night like that? A photo that can make me stop and ask questions, is always a photo that I tend to score well.
-danny
Message edited by author 2004-08-11 09:40:31. |
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08/11/2004 09:46:31 AM · #31 |
Hypnotic Stare
by Librodo
I mean, just look at it! |
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08/11/2004 10:24:21 AM · #32 |
Originally posted by welcher:
Hypnotic Stare
by Librodo
I mean, just look at it! |
Was more interested in your (more detailed) thoughts on WHY it's such a great image to look at. What sets it apart from other portraits? What gives it emotional impact? What makes it work on a technical level?
I was hoping for more than just a list of people's favourite images but an insight into WHY those images work for them.
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08/11/2004 10:25:29 AM · #33 |
True dat. Kavey: ;)
Originally posted by welcher:
Hypnotic Stare
by Librodo
I mean, just look at it! |
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08/11/2004 10:41:24 AM · #34 |
There were so many to choose from but this image still appeals to me on so many levels. Firstly the intricacy involved to build the skyline - it looks like great care and attention to detail was needed to construct it. The creativity involved in coming up with an idea to make the New York skyline with staples is also something that amazes me - I wouldnt have thought of that in a million years. The tone of the image has a late evening sunset feel to it with the 'buildings' bathed in a glowing light and yet shadows also play a prominent part - light and dark. The missing towers in the skyline and yet present in the shadow casts a sombre mood and makes me think back. With a world oversaturated with 9/11 this image's message just feels so simple and yet the impact, at least to me, is strong. It's not a technically perfect shot nor is it really pretty. It's a shot that encourages me to be creative, to think outside the box, and makes me want to capture moments where people will stop, look, and think.
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08/11/2004 10:53:11 AM · #35 |
This was my first favorite and was added because of its "wow" factor. (I choose my favorite photogs and pics more for the ability to follow-up on the artist.)
What makes it great? The restrained color palette. The motion of the water. The simple composition--everything that needs to be there is and everything else isn't. The humor--how wet that kid is while he holds an umbrella! The light--just right, warming his face. |
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08/11/2004 11:04:33 AM · #36 |
Oh, all right! I was trying to imply that what made this photo great was self-evident.
But I'll try and overcome my fear of critiquing.
It's the eyes. This is the best "eyes" photo I've seen since that one of the Afgani girl on the cover of NG a few decades ago. Just stunning.
In addition to the expression, the slightly-shallow DOF leads the viewer's eye straight to the, uh, eyes. The lighting is sublime, and the fact that it was done w/out reflectors or the like is impressive. No overly dark or bright spots.
Originally posted by Kavey:
Originally posted by welcher:
Hypnotic Stare
by Librodo
I mean, just look at it! |
Was more interested in your (more detailed) thoughts on WHY it's such a great image to look at. What sets it apart from other portraits? What gives it emotional impact? What makes it work on a technical level?
I was hoping for more than just a list of people's favourite images but an insight into WHY those images work for them. |
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08/11/2004 11:10:35 AM · #37 |
I'd have to say this one because it adds a little of both photography and painting into one picture. The curves of the colors (pink and light blue) go along with the curves that the eye itself would have made. Plus the part of the photo that means the most, the iris, is framed by both the paint, and the lines.
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08/11/2004 11:34:24 AM · #38 |
Originally posted by welcher:
Oh, all right! I was trying to imply that what made this photo great was self-evident.
But I'll try and overcome my fear of critiquing.
[... critique...] |
Thanks, that's exactly the kind of insight into WHAT made it such a hit with you that I was hoping for! THANKS!
These are all excellent... it's great to see great images through someone else's eyes just for a moment. It sometimes alerts me to an added dimension that I failed to notice. Sometimes it just confirms my own feelings and reaction to the image. And sometimes it merely reminds me that we all have different tastes and that diversity is a good thing.
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08/11/2004 12:03:10 PM · #39 |
Originally posted by welcher:
Hypnotic Stare
by Librodo
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I'm going to piggyback onto Welcher's evaluation of this shot; all his comments seem true to my evaluation of the photo but I think there is something more.
It's compelling in the thumbnail for a reason (IMO) that is so subtle as to almost be subconcious.
The model has an oval-shaped face. That's average enough and if that was as far as this shot goes then it would just be a good, clean shot with some very good composition work done by Librodo. What sets this one apart is the curved strands of hair that cut across the oval and subsconciously separate the subjects eyes from the rest of the composition; they stand out because Librodo got the focus and DoF correct to separate them from the rest of the composition but then he benefitted from one of those fluke freak happenings that makes a very, very good picture (and it is) into a fantastic shot. Those two strands of hair seem to just be nuisances and something that the viewer wants to look past but they create a special level of separation around the eyes that doesn't distract too much from seeing the full impact of the subject's face; her youth, the composition, the lighting and tones Librodo caught. Make no mistake, he took a great shot and he had the sense to post this winner. I also think the hair helps the picture further by taking the viewer to a level that few photos seem to do. Sometimes little things like a bra strap showing or a wisp of hair across the face is really just a distraction. Sometimes its a piece of character that helps the viewer to feel like he/she isn't just seeing a photo which has no context; sometimes it helps to transcend that barrier that still photographs have where Librodo and the model know what all was going on during the photoshoot (maybe the shoot took 10 minutes or 2 hours, we don't know); the action implied by the hair imparts to the viewer the feeling that we're "in the room" when the shot is taken.
That's my $0.02 on this photo and why its so fantastic both in thumbnail and full-size.
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08/11/2004 12:06:31 PM · #40 |
Hey, you're absolutely right. The hairs really do contribute a lot to the composition and to the way our eyes take it in and move around the frame. Brilliant! Thank you (both).
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08/11/2004 10:13:36 PM · #41 |
one of my newer favorites is this shot by Pedro.
this shot gives me the feeling of pure joy. i can almost feel the water on my face. i was raised around horses and this shot brings back so many good memories.
Message edited by author 2004-08-11 22:17:40. |
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08/12/2004 01:35:53 AM · #42 |
Wow, I was going through my thumbs of faves and it's hard to pick one out. But after scrolling through them a couple of times this one kept poping into my eye...
From my original comment during the challenge: I finally figured out why I like this shot so much. You have captured, very simply, the two visible things that define a man. Ya got his eyes, and ya got his hands. I keep getting drawn between the two points.
Not much more to add...
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08/12/2004 01:40:58 AM · #43 |
Sigh - by Blurry
One of my favourite images I've seen, anywhere.
The location is beautiful, from a dream I had of Italy. The lighting is just perfect, with the bright highlight arcing through the scene, and the soft reflected light on the calm yellow wall, reflecting the emotional calm sadness in the model. Her pose is beautiful, poised, balanced and graceful. There is just enough soft light in her face to show the emotions, yet still shaded enough to add some mystery. The point of the toe finishes the sweep of her body and just completes the image.
A shot I return to on many occasions and find more each time. |
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08/12/2004 01:43:03 AM · #44 |
Crumbling World by jodiecoston
A set up shot, with a message to tell. The muted colour palette works well to control the scene, the lighting is great and there is a story in there. There is a creative spark behind this that I find inspiring, and I love the dark orange spill in the lower right, through the subtle hole in the world, around about where Australia resides.
Message edited by author 2004-08-12 01:43:23. |
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12/20/2005 06:09:43 PM · #45 |
I was just doing a bit of housekeeping on my ever-expanding list of Watched threads today and this is one of the first threads I set to be watched.
I wondered if any newer members wanted to add to it?
Thanks in advance,
Kavey
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12/20/2005 06:27:14 PM · #46 |
This was one of the first photos I tagged as a favorite when I joined this site. I have always loved lizards, but had never seen a picture of one that grabbed my attention the way this one did. I love the black on black color scheme. Really draws me into believing that this is a mythical dragon instead of a common iguana. The details are so sharp with the texture of the skin, seeing all the bumps and wrinkles. I think the choice of composition - allowing his face to fill the frame - was perfect. Every time I see this it makes me want to go to the local pet store and borrow one of their lizards! |
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12/20/2005 06:27:41 PM · #47 |
Firehouse Humour - Green Tar and Feathers by mariomel
this was my first fave. the thing that struck me about the image was that it was so, well, eye-catching. sure, post-processing was pushed to the max, but, all the same, it takes a great base image to begin with. this is a great example of just what can be done--if you have a strong base image.
this is an image that i would not attempt to duplicate, not in the sense of finding a tripped-out fire truck, but one that i would keep around as a reminder of what is pleasantly possible, if you get it right in the camera.
another thing i like is that this image is two years old, and it is still just as strong as it was yesterday. lastly (and this is a BIG deal), mario is still not only very active at dpc, but has over a 5.8 average after over 155 challenges! keep it up!
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Thanks, Kavey, for reviving this! It is a GREAT thread!!
Message edited by author 2005-12-20 18:28:59. |
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12/20/2005 06:31:50 PM · #48 |
good thread.
the mood.. the untold story. is he flying back from a patrol? is he lost? is he afraid? i can't help but think of all the young pilots sent blindly into war. i half expect to see 5 enemy planes fly out of the shroud to engage him.
it's also technically striking... a 10 for sure.
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12/20/2005 06:37:32 PM · #49 |
This one speeks for it's self to me. This is so far my all time favorite.
by TooCool
Message edited by author 2005-12-20 21:23:33. |
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12/20/2005 06:53:03 PM · #50 |
The light is just right:
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