* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #812 / Revived #032 on 2023 11 08 *

I don't think this is a "should you have done differently." Maybe with a different day, time of day or light it might have been different. Here I think you are working with what you saw and I don't think there are too many options.. You bring out the straightness, the depth and the stone textures that are the striking features of the canal. Perhaps you could have tried a diagonal tilt but this would have looked gimmicky and your angle has more integrity.
What you might do with post processing is another matter. The sky in 1 looks a little artificial. Given the symmetry of the canal, I think the SKU might have reflected much the same symmetry. Was the darkening to the sky left done in PP? Perhaps using applied vignetting would have been a better way to add darkening to the sky while emphasizing the symmetry of the whole image? There are other dramatic lighting changes that might be made but the only things I can think of would look artificial. I think that would be a mistake as it is the cut of the Corinth that is the point and you already have it.

I feel as though I'm searching for a subject. My eyes go backwards and forwards between the bright spot in the sky and the dark barn. The sky is ominous and the barn mysterious. It might be a place where opening the doors wouldn't be a good idea.

She had things to say about the free bird seed.

Thank you all for your kind comments ….. Like most of this type of photography ” just a slice of life “ … As has become the nature of things in my region of the world an early frost quickly turned into some November days of 80+F .

I'm beginning to find this flat view here a bit tedious. I spend most of my time here revisiting pages I've already seen over and over .. and the necessity of including pictures in a quote to make sure we know who we are talking to gets old quick and I find makes it difficult to remember where I am … There must be a better way …. but then I may be lonely in these thoughts … so ..

WhyNot …..

Why Not, would you consider posting a group of your Looking at Me? series together. I think the repetition of the idea would make each the concept stronger.
Deliberately choosing a proportion that complements that subject feels perfect. Horizontal lines convey calm. You get that here but the upright position of the woman breaks that calm. Exactly. Your composition supports her direct and challenging gaze and the interruption of the peace.
I like your colour treatment too. The couple and the rug blend with the background. It is the upright position of the woman that gets the attention. If this had been in natural colours, we might have felt more like observers of a moment. The non natural colours give more weight to the feeling that a statement is being made.
Great image.

Many thanks for this image and the details of the process. I haven't done a photogram for many decades and it would never have occurred to me to do it digitally. It wouldn't have seemed possible. This is clever.
The result was worth the trouble. The variation in reds plus the leaf details and shapes gives the interest. The background ensures there are no distractions and makes the most of the elements. Your shot showing where the image is hung is appreciated. The photo is just right for the location.
Chicken and egg. Did the room and decor come first and the photo was created for the wall or was the decor designed to match the photo? Either way, the surrounds are part of the art of the photograph.

Agreed. Fun to explore and ponder the possibilities. There are plenty of possible directions. The upraised head and quizzical expression of the photographer, his stance and the kaleidoscope of images resonates with me. I know that feeling. Standing in a new place. Taking it in and looking for angles. That's a photographer's photograph Alan.

"One leg shorter than the other." Could be my problem. Even when I'm being really careful, my shots tend to dip a bit to the left and need straightening. Without thinking about it I tend to give a little more space and assume I'll be straightening things up in PP.
Of the two photos, I prefer the venetian blind reflections. The framing of the plants between the wider reflections accentuates the reeds and the multiple fine lines at right angles does the same. The understated color means we are very aware of the lines.

Thank you for the thought but after considering it I think not …. I suspect for most participants here that series would become a bit redundant .. I actually do try to not post from this series in consecutive threads for the same reason .. It would get boring quickly I fear …. and no anticipation …. In general with these pictures I try to do them candidly and catch the action without my participation – I don't want street portraits which is what several other do … but occasionally the subject does suspect or recognize the cameras presence and my actions in recording the moment … and I do have a few more for future postings …..

Thank you again .. too much … I take pictures as a reaction to what I see in front of me … I've tried to be contemplative but it wears on me and I find the results of those efforts show that .. I suspect I respond to compositions from a mental storage of Jungian archetypes of compositions from those artists' whose many photographs and paintings I have looked at over the years. ….. I'd probably enjoy sitting about a table with you sharing our photographs and discussing the process and with a hot cup of coffee or something , of course ….… but then ….

WhyNot

Mike thanks for pointing out the whole pic, where I was looking at the dark reeds thinking not enough colour...

"Open Copy"

Sorry for late reply. I am nor sure what are you asking. Could you elaborate please.

Chris, Linda, Minnie, Mike

Thanks so much for the comments and interest.

The white couch predated the framed print. My wife changes the throw pillows with the seasons.

Rich

it was a rhetorical question, not a question directed to you. The positioning and strength of the green area in the image, to me, makes it the subject or at least, something I start to speculate about.

This is water illuminated by the light from the boat I has been taken pictures from.

Good! This one really tells a story "A day in the life of,..."