* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #827 / Revived #047 on 2024 02 21 *

Awesome tractor. Wonderful rendition.

If it were mine I'd have to make some variations with detail filters.

I agree with minniev. It's an extraordinary photo and quite magical. I've never seen anything quite like it. It would always be intriguing but knowing what it is makes it even better. What settings were you using here, please?
Well done indeed.

The building that we look down on, adds a unique perspective here, with the boat almost seeming to collide into a wall of glass and steel.
From the shape of that vessel, I was thinking it was one of the fleet of "Maids of the Mist" that run tourist service at Niagara.
However, I could not imagine such a tall building there.
But it is Chicago of course (a city I have fond memories of).
I really like this image.
The only thing I think I might experiment with if it were my image, was to turn the image a few degrees counterclockwise to make the edge of the building 100% vertical, and to see what effect that had on the overall image. I believe it would look even more like a composite of two images, alienating us even further.

"Musical" is exactly the word is was looking for to express my initial reaction to this elegant swirl of an image.
It looks like the movement of an orchestra conductor. I can almost hear the notes.
(And this image combines in a strange way, but perfectly, with the other image in this week's thread, by Simplejoy.)

I agree with all that, and then some.

The execution of the transition between red ink and red wire has been done perfectly.
You truly are a master of this kind of evocative photography with some in-camera special FX.

But the idea is beautiful in itself too, with that swirl of ink (suspended in the air) making a subtle heart shape.
So this letter surely must be a love letter.

And that makes me turn to your (non-)title.
Some Stupid Title.
Either you have a very active subconscious, or you are a genius of suggestive wordplay.
"And then I go and spoil it all, by saying/writing something stupid like I love you."

Thanks Minnie & Mike.

As usual, I have to fess that it wasn't planned.

I was just leaving my favourite dam where I get all my dragons in flight when I noticed the swarm catching the late afternoon light. I was able to see a few in focus using peaking but I didn't realise my shutter was going to be so slow and get so much movement. After reviewing a shot for exposure I saw what was happening so took a whole lot more.
One of the beauties of experience is that it opens up ideas for the future...

I know this website sometimes shows and sometimes doesn't show, exif. I see it now under the pic but here it is in case it disappears again...
ISO100 108mm (35mm eq. 600mm) 1/8s 𝑓/4.0

Luck favours those who come prepared and have an open mind for opportunities that arise from challenging situations.
Amen.

Yeah well speaking of challenging situations, for every 10 in that swarm there is one buzzing around me along with an assortment of mosquitoes and march flies (maybe horse flies in other countries). And the midges seem to like the black of the lens so there is always a few hanging around there which can be pretty distracting when trying to focus on something else... I take a few for the team... 😳

What do you mean by detail filters? Not a phase I'm aware of.

Nostalgia ... Intersting... Not sure if your interested or have altready found this but this site suggests a formula to simulate vericolor with Fuji Digiital

WhyNot

Vericolor Link

Great capture .. nicely done .. I would like the figure a bit more to the right or looking right but in these spontaneous moments placement is not often possible .... Placement here tends to make me spend more time with the dancers in the mural ...

WhyNot

A nice "street" portrait ... looks like a step back into the mid 20th century ... I saw him back there!! .. sitting on that same stool! ....

WhyNot

Interesting picture and idea ... I might like the people in focus for this view and for your idea a longer view with the dragon more centered but I know that in the moment it is rare to have time or the thought to do that ... but a good picture and idea ...

WhyNot

Thank you all for your kind comments and critiques .... This is one of several performers from this event that I may bring. This is a farmer's market that we visit one day a week during the summer months. Each week they have different or sometimes a repeat performer. The musical selections are those of the performer ... No deep meaning for me here just a recording from my visit ..

WhyNot

Minnie and Roel,

Thanks very much for looking and commenting.

Rich

I like this portrait of a man confidently at ease in his surroundings (although there is a slight danger of him sliding out of the frame, because the image does not seem to be perfectly vertical - looking at the gap in the counter a bit behind him).

Here is a man who is a regular customer but acting like he owns the place.
He seems more than willing to burst into story.

There are perspective lines rushing towards a vanishing point and they make him look like an even bigger presence than he actually is.
Black and white is effective in creating timelessness here.

Agree.
The silhouetting is also very effective in making this an image about the art more than about the viewer (as a young person).
Abstraction of the viewer (as person) is effective in putting emphasis on the viewing and interaction (as action).

I really like this series, but also the choices of the botanical garden direction.
Botanical gardens are interesting in their own right for people with an appreciation of plants, seasons, pruning techniques etc.
Creating this kind of display broadens the appeal for a wider target audience.