The picture below is one of my favorites. It is too hard to really select one, but this is it. I hope that you all enjoy. I have enjoyed all of the ones that you have posted and look forward to the rest.
okay guys, let's now see if we can bring this topic to another level !
from today on new rules apply :
- everyone who has posted a picture here HAS to contribute at least ONE critic !
- you shall pic a picture of this topic that you really really like, not because it is the best but because it works for you
- then you shall write a critic about it, explaining WHY, artistically and technically, YOU do LOVE it
please note
- obviously, don't pic you own work to critic !
- you can still post your best of 2007 if you haven't
- you can post only ONE picture ! please edit your message if you did not respect that
okay now don't be shy, no lurking, let's do it ! the goal is not to congratulate each other but to have a better understanding of other people views on photography
WesM63 wrote:
To be totally honest I haven't had much time to shoot very many people this year. I have a few I "like" but none that really stand out besides this one.
Its not my best work, but i love it. My great Uncle and his great great niece. (my niece)
I've thoroughly enjoyed watching this thread grow and viewing all of the great images in it. It is very difficult trying to pick one best image among so many wonderful shots.
This particular image stuck with me because I think it says so much. I personally prefer more natural shots, spontaneous or candid images instead of poses. I love the expression on the mans face in this shot. The contrast between young an old is so profound, as is the size of the baby, so tiny in his hands. I like the way the background has been blurred, and I like the natural setting. The only critique I have on this shot is that you can't see the baby's face. That truly is a shame, as it would make the picture so much better. However, it is still a beautiful image, and I'm sure it is one that will be cherished by family for many many years.
I'm picking this'n...I love the immediacy of the shot and the engagement
between the viewer and the subject. Pose is near perfect and the expression
and lighting add a great deal. Looking at this picture makes one feel they know
and like this little girl. Well done and thanks for posting it.
dgrinde wrote:
Canon 30D, two of my shots that said yes to me in camera.
Here is one of my favorites images and maybe one of my best (IMHO),
one of my favorite models (Samantha),
one of my favorite lenses (Nikon 80-200)
More images of Samantha can be found here: http://www.pbase.com/ken_myers/samantha_at_the_arboretum
This is my favourite people shot of 2007 not because its technically anything special nor even because it is of my son. It's more the story it tells (me). Takes me back to the sense of adventure in my own wonderful childhood experiences. If I was to title it it would be:
"Setting out in life - a boy, a pebble beach and a lake to fill"
And for those who like the technical details (and don't have an exif reader):
North Shore, Ullswater, UK Lake District, Canon 20D, 70-200 f2.8 IS at 148mm f2.8 and 1/2500. I placed my main light at camera left, 30 degrees above his eyeline and a distance of 93 million miles....
OK, since we have been asked for critiques for our favorite picks of those submitted, here are mine…..
I could not decide between two shots that I feel are among the best shots I have seen here on FM. They are below with specific critiques for each and in the same order they appeared in this thread so as not to pick a favorite between the two. The irony is that we have been asked to critique our favorite shots. That in itself will be difficult since there is so much to like about the shot to begin with!!! That said, any critique would simply be minor nuances that we feel would make the photo a slight bit better and from which the original photographer may benefit. So, here goes…..
I remember when TeeJay posted this shot and at that time, I was struck by emotion. The shot was very touching and resonated in me for some time afterwards. Following are my comments pertaining to it:
The good:
The little girl (Ella presumably), looks so content playing in the sand. The exposure is spot on and the depth of field is perfect as well. The diagonal line of the beach/foliage break is a good leader to the subject. The exposure of the sky is great as well, often blown trying to get the subject’s details. I am constantly drawn to Ella’s beautiful curls.
To make it perfect:
To make this the perfect photo in my opinion, the composition would place her slightly off center, although not as extreme as at a 1/3 point. I would have liked to see undisturbed sand on the left. I realize that seems to be part of the theme, but I also like the idea of her about to initiate play. The sharp dress transition (presumably due to wind against an underlying diaper) is a little distracting to me and I would have liked a smoother flow. Lastly, I would have liked to see her entire shadow in the shot.
I also remember when this one was posted by Pflitz. I nearly fell off my chair! This is the epitome of a successfully implemented and professionally done child portrait. It is exquisite! Following are my comments pertaining to it:
The good:
The connection with the camera is priceless. The composition is fantastic and the props are perfect. There is so much good stuff here, from the authenticity of the crates to the boots to the hat, to the pose, etc., etc.
To make it perfect:
The backdrop (BD) could be either a little more out of focus or changed a bit to draw less attention. The right side of the BD is a bit bright and competes a bit with his face. The left side has something going on at the interface with the crate (not sure what). I am also always a fan of seeing two arms whenever possible.
Pflitz, congratulations on a wonderful photo!!
Please note, the aforementioned critiques were done out of courtesy and without any malicious intent. The photos are excellent on their own and my critiques only represent those minor comments I feel would push the photograph from 95% to 100%. In other words, they are nitpicks only.
Having posted, I should offer my 'critique'. A bit of a posh word for what I'm going to say. I've really enjoyed going through the thread to date and like the idea of sharing where we are on our photo journeys. Some are light eons ahead of me and I doubt anything I say could help anyone improve much even for those like me who have jsut been embarking in the last few years.
We've been asked to choose one shot that works for us and explain a bit why. In a sense that is both difficult and easy for me. Difficult because there are so many technically great shots that I really like. And easy because one shot really stands out TO ME. But you'll have to wait a moment. Some shots I recognise as very good but don't I just don't connect - not a problem as only a few shots ever taken are likely to stir everyone and we all come to look with our own non-photographic filters (worldviews). Others really do move me in different ways, though one stands out TO ME (keep waiting). Canerino and Kitehog's photos struck home because the 'childhood' theme is similar to mine. I liked Drdrew and Incandy's because they showed a lighting style I'd like to develop further. Of the beautiful faces both Shane Canfields and Jody Melanson's caught my attention, KPV-1Ds's is stunning but Nathan67 just edges it for its simplicity (though I doubt it was simple in execution). On the baby front there were several cute ones, I found Christopher S.'s bathtub shot well executed and of course Pfiltz's has me rolling on the floor everytime I look at it - brilliant.
But it is the character shots that really speak most to me Brownsm's photo of John and the story caught my attention and JMeadows Bali shot reminded me of my trip to Indonesia over 25 years ago.
But the one that really stands out to me is...
Mark Pelletier :
The good Pastor
(Scroll back to page 3 to see it) I've been following Mark's work and really love the way he employs the light and his rapport to capture the dignity of his subjects. Very real and very human. This shot connects with me personally because it has been my priviledge to have known a number of 'Men of God' from Africa whose Graciousness, Courage, Dignity and Love (I capitalise deliberately) this photo powerfully reminded me of from the first time I saw it. The great photographs speak to the inner depths and call forth some sort of response. And that is why this one stands out to me.
My wifes grandpa at her sisters wedding in July. He is such a gentle man and we don't get much time as we live in Calgary and he lives in Winnipeg so I take every chance to take pictures of him when I can.
So while I don't know that it tells a story to those who may view it as a stand alone photo, to my wife and I think it captures the man and that is why we chose it for this post.
I only applied a "smidge" of unsharp mask and some spot healing on a couple of hot spots but nothing else. The soft hands are a result of using a 2.8 on my 70-200 IS.
I have to say there are some truly incredible shots in this thread and I am still contemplating which one to add my two cents on (but I will shortly)
Thank you for sharing.
!