* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #782 / Revived #003 on 2023 04 19 *

Welcome Linda! This almost has the feel of an IR image. It is tack sharp. The whites and blacks are heavily exaggerated which emphasizes the details of the pod, the tonalities in between are playing a supporting role and the processing gives it an etched look on close inspection. There's even some implied motion in the seeds that are almost airborne. It is beautifully composed and well balanced and calls to mind the concept of rhythm in photography. An idea to think about: would it be better or worse if the etched effect were not evident in the light blurred spots?

Very impactful image.

Thanks so much for your time, Paula. I'll try your "idea to think about" - sounds good!

I know I am making connections that probably are not there, but this abstract reminds me of the color palette of some of your Antarctica photos of seals and penguins, and their reflections in the water. It could just as well be the reflection of a black building or sign under blue sky in the ripples of water. Whatever it was in real life, it is pleasing as an abstract now with fluid lines leading from lower left to upper right with a built in U turn to bring the eye back around. Nice work.

An excellent seafaring scene captured quite perfectly. The little rowboat is almost isolated on the sea, surrounded by water and sky, but we can pick up delicate details like the animated expression of the guide, the sign advertising the tour, even the water dripping off the paddle. The hazy atmospherics adds to the impression of vastness of the scene. I'm not sure about the tiny boat on the right edge, which is too far away to add much, it is just a kind of tiny eye magnet that might not be necessary unless it serves a function for the creator. Good work.

I like the photo.
Maybe it's a guitar.
I wouldn't be surprised if you also used MATLAB when editing this photo.

I did not. It was all in the waving the camera round during the exposure. It is indeed a guitar, on a sign outside the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas.

The idea is good, and well implemented.
It's a good photo except for the white stripe in the foreground.
Easily removed in Photoshop.

Then it really is skill.
You probably have to do a lot of tries to get such a good result.
I'll try next time, but have little hope.

I did when I started that series, but the odds got better then more I did it. Not unusual in photography, or in life.

Like Gary Player said, “The harder I practice, the luckier I get.”

A very good photo, I would have liked to see more details.
Where is it captured?
Can you go into the water and swim there?

* Melbourne. The remains of the old Station Pier. It used to be the major maritime passenger arrival pier. The rails lead to a ladder that seems to be mainly for maintenance. It would be possible to swim there but there are better places near by. A wet, misty morning.*

These are certainly different. The second gets my interest more than the first. The first is very static but apart from the minor curiosity of the cap inside the neck, it simply doesn't engage me. Two does though. The cap's position in the bottom right feels as though we are looking down on a cap that is opening. The bokeh balls with their taper down to the bottle neck suggest the fizz of opened soda. There is enough detail from the bottle neck to build further the moment that a bottle is opened. The greens and golds are colours I associate with beer. My head provides the sound effects of the moment. Like it.

I do like the larger version with more building beneath him better, but I am one of those folk that like to include lots of stuff in the frame. It's a tendency I sometimes fight against and sometimes not. At least I know it so I make myself question what is needed and what is not.

I agree with minniev about the pipe. Re. the background. It might be argued two ways. The colours and bars across the ears and nose don't show off the dog to the best advantage. The off vertical angle on the doorframe could be made less intrusive by cropping the left hand side tighter to remove one of the angled verticals. On the other hand, sheds like this are very much the places where blue heelers will be found. As to what the dog is thinking, especially when the ears are pricked up like that- it is thinking what these dogs are always thinking. "C'mon, let's go, let me work with you."

For me, this image isn't working. The reflection and the background have too many objects and consequently I'm lost in the details without finding lines or theme to bring them together in one composition.

* There are several things here that create a harmonious whole for me. Colours and shapes first. Water, clouds sky with flowing soft edges. Generally horizontal lines that create peacefulness. The blacks hint at life forms, birds and/or fish.
These are all things I feel positive about so the image has me feeling contemplative and OK with the world.*

Social commentary. The men have a unity about them. Same size, same clothes,same stride and overlapping each other. Two of them talk together. We can identify them as one group. The black line at the bottom of the wall intersects with the black lines of the suits so we feel there is some connection.Their position has them moving out of the frame. The rest of the image, including the reflections, makes it clear that we are in an art gallery. We feel that the art itself is of no interest whatsoever to the men. There are plenty of conclusions that might be reached.
A statement about art as business.
Or. "We came along to be seen at the opening. The speeches are over and the wine has now run out."