* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #958 / Revived #178 on 2026 08 26 *

It's an interesting question. As a maybe relevant aside, I recently saw The Odyssey but watched it on a regular screen. I haven't seen it on Imax which is a considerably "squarer" format. This afternoon I had a lengthy discussion with my son and we both felt the wider format of a regular screen was destroying compositions that we suspected would look much better on IMAX. I suspect, but I'm far from certain, that something similar might apply here. Unless the top branches were lower in the scene and closer to the peak, I don 't think a squarer format would work. There would be too little of the foliage to warrant its inclusion. As it is, I quite like the vertical line suggested by the peak and the continuation of that line into the greater vertical length of the foliage. It also adds space for the darkening of the sky.
Further thoughts anyone?

GRRR. I wrote a piece on these - then was distracted and closed my computer without a
"Post."
A sequence with a difference. We get to share some sleuthing. Reading the final image turns the story inside out. A decision might be made as to whether the intention is to give weight to the final image or leave it as a random piece of the deserted ruins. By placing it at the end it is given significance. I'd therefore suggest some re-aranging of the images so the viewer is taken on a path from exterior to interior and then the papers. For example, perhaps omit the second last image entirely but start with the third last photo taking us up the stairs to the building and follow this with the present first image.

Some images are made more impactful by their title. This is one of them. It is a good enough photo to stand on its own: well balanced composition with the boat and the mountain peak, and the tree creating unseen leading lines to connect the elements. The subdued color palette and silhouetted simplicity of the shapes make the image easy to read. But the title forces us to look more deeply and explore the symbols. Well done, both capture and title.

I have looked at this photo quite a few times, considering what I might do with it.
I really like the composition Roel captured.
The branches and leaves add a dimension to the scene—the way Roel likely saw it.
Cropping the photo would bring the distant landscape closer.
But would we see details that aren't visible now?
In my opinion, no!

Quite beautiful. I love water hyacinths for their colors and shapes, too. The sinuous curves in their leaves and the starburst forms in their petals make them absolutely lovely for photographs or paintings. Captured perfectly in terms of lighting and sharpness. Well done.

I think I've seen this one before; maybe you posted it in the closeup thread. I like the crusty crinkled appearance of the reptile's eye, the tropical blue sky, and your kneeling pose as you get him to model for you.

These are lovely. The huge undulating fabric structure appears to be flying and I'm sure was impressive in its movements during that storm. the dominant blues, purples and magentas blend in well with the stormy background. My favorite is the second, where the long legged lady is striding purposefully beneath the apparition into the equivalent of golden runway lights.

Perhaps it is a pennant-bearing army of bubble aliens? Tiny, innocuous, but determined. How wonderful. Imaginative and fascinatingly well done.

Beautifully captured, these convey the power of the water, the intensity of the sport. The colors and detail are exceptional.

I can only imagine that surfing photography is similar to bird photography. Your subject is small against a vast and changing background, and is never still. In these particular shots, the dark water suits and dark hair help define the surfers' bodies from the background and make them more dramatic. Well done.

You are right. The water drops take this rather plain plant to the next level. But the deeply blurred background does that too. Those two factors help capture our eye long enough to let us appreciate the more subtle appeal of the simple layers parts of the succulent's form.

Have we seen this one or similar before?
The Iguana looking at the photographer looking at the iguana looking at the........... It's a potent concept.
The close up required to get the subject is technically impressive and opens our eyes. That's always a good thing in a photograph. Then there is the contrast between the skin texture and the smoothness of the eyeball. The "bullseye" composition works well here to ensure we see the photographer.
It all comes together well.

I have been working down this week's posts in order and I hoped to get to Pete's while I still had some time and net access as we travel. Made it.
These are superb as is the sculpture. I agree with Fireplace re 2. The photographer's positioning of the sculpture spikes plus the road markings plus the pedestrian setting out down the track of the sidelines...great.
The storm cloud shapes and colours give a feast of backgrounds to interact with the sculpture. They belong together.
Bravo.

It really is a mundane image of what I suspect to be plastic greenhouses, but the title infuses it with imagination.

I agree with everything already mentioned, and must say that this is quite a sculptural installation to behold.
What struck me most, actually, was how the dimensions seem to change instantly with another vantage point: from some angles the structure looks solid and blocky while from other angles, the suspension cables create spikes and pointy edges.

First a bull, then a crocodile or alligator, with similar effect.

I am not a flower lover generally speaking but I really like this one, because of the delicate composition and maybe even more because of the lush green leaves than the actual flower. Those green leaves in the background have a real strong and almost masculine sensual quality that accentuates the delicate beauty of the flower.
It becomes a story of female protected (and desired) by male.

Building that have been abandoned and reclaimed by overpowering nature always make for a good photo subject, and this is no exception.
Your essay provides us with information, general views and tell-tale details. Great stuff.

I've attempted some modest surfing images (from a great distance and with moderate waves) while we were in Brazil.
I can testify that it is hard to get dynamic poses (a little patience and trying to figure out the patterns goes a long way), let alone make images that not only show the surfer with his skill, but also the power of the water.
These two are very succesful in my eyes.

I‘ve rarely had the chance to photograph surfing, and on those few occasions the results were disappointing, so all the more reason to appreciate these, which are very good. The second shows someone who seems to have caught the wave perfectly and rides it effortlessly. Although it is excellent, I much prefer the first. Here we see the body boarder half buried in water and with a tense face. He seems to be in a battle to stay in control, and witnessing this struggle makes the photo so captivating and makes it a real stand-out. Maybe the body boarder isn’t struggling at all, what do I know, but it is the appearance, which holds the attention of the surfing uninitiated at the very least.

Yes it does, especially as this plant is usually associated with dryness rather than water, so the unexpected gives it a real plus.