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Weekly Photo Contest: 12-18 November 2017 ↬Directionality↴
- Thread starter needfx
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Ok, so this contest took a new direction, pun intended evidently.
We went from "vast & vague" theme, to a mostly "one-point perspective" one. Kubrick would have been proud of this thread.
So, the hard part, Where to begin. As per usual, comments are subjective and a matter of personal preference. It is really hard to offer critique on images, even more so after @Laird Knox 's previous superb feedback.
@Alexander.Of.Oz
This is quite a busy frame. Lots of parallel, vertical and perpendicular lines everywhere. My eye is drawn to the light reflection on the safety lines at the edge of the platform, illuminating the viewers eye towards the infinity point. A Trainspotting image surely, since spotting the train is not the first thing you notice in this image. If one thing bothers me, is the angle of the platform cover, but that is nothing within your purview upon shooting, but maybe a small distortion of the image to horizontify it; nitpicking here. Exposure wise, a very pleasant image, with a wide range of dusk-y color tones. Lucky for your image, the tungsten lamps did not over-orange the scene. Theme wise, a sense of direction is given by the inviting z depth.
@Hughmac
I've been getting a Mad Max vibe out of this photo every time I see it despite the difference in tonality (in relation to the movie). Again, a one-point perspective image, with an excellent example of leading lines, a bifurcation (had to google evidently), though it could be argued that you played with fire (running water theme). The structure itself could maybe use, ever so lightly, some shadow reducing in order for it to reveal its finer detail. A very moody scene with imposing weather and derelict after thoughts altogether. Theme wise, a sense of direction is given by the inviting z depth. .
@kenoh
Another fire-player (running water theme). An imposing theme and don't think I did not notice Tom Cruise Mission:Imposibiling it at the top right of the frame. The mountain ranges on both sides really work with the directionality requirement. To be frank, not sure if the HDR-esque tonality works for me in this image, or maybe it is the blue hue that has engulfed the whole image. I had to check your exif data to see how & why your wide lens does not register barrel distortion at the frames edges. My eye is drawn at the far end of the valley, so again, theme wise, a sense of direction is given by the inviting z depth. Acceptable. Made you look for Tom Cruise, admit it.
@CmdrLaForge
Why am I under the impression that you're all in this together. I never get tired of this aspect of this bridge and its iconic safety web (?). Lucky for you noone was passing at the time of the shutter release providing you with a perfect, human-free frame. You do have some blown out issues across the horizon but given the age of the photograph (WTC towers evident), it is collectively forgiven. A sense of clear and present direction. Acceptable for the theme.
@Susurs
Someone has to grass on your little scheme. Another example of one-point perspective for sure, this time, in an elm street, or so I think. Maybe. Light & shadow intervals are interesting with a larger chunk of light towards the end of the street, smack in the middle of the frame pulling the viewers eye directly in the direction required. The well lit tree on the right & the shadow-y on the other side makes a nice subtle contrast, but it is not immediately noticeable.To be honest, not sure if I am a fan of the green overcast, but it does lend the scene the proper mood. In terms of exposure well balanced across the frame. Direction sense achieved. Thematically acceptable.
@anotherscotsman
By gosh, you too? Ok, right off the bat, I love the colors along the platform and I get a Suicide Squad feel for the scene but Wabash drags me back into The Matrix. Clear leading lines, nice verticals following the path to infinity, interesting light reflections on the windows.The elevated vantage point proves to work well for this scene while the absence of human gives it an eery vibe.I think I spotted one under the platform on the left. towards the center of the frame, but the human is too small to distinguish Not sure if I am a fan of the star flares, bu I am not bothered either.Exposure is pro material throughout the frame and a pleasant image altogether to look at. Thematically directional, so acceptable for the contest.
@dwfaust
Spoiler alert, contest winner! The one picture that has burned itself into my mind this week, but again, a z depth direction. Truly appreciate the color processing (color muting, black fades) while the sky/clouds being inverted give a sense of storm in the desert. Fine details of the thorns and cacti textures are much appreciated and pleasant to gaze at. Not sure I am a fan of the low vegetation (shrubs) but it is the desert scene, so who am I to judge nature. I think there is one thing you could have done in post processing, and again, this is nitpicking, there is a diagonal line created by the clouds on the right of the frame, almost perpendicular to the cactus trunk. One could argue that it gives more interest to the frame, in my case, I find it a bit distracting and would have clone stamped some curves into it. Don't neglect to thank your loved ones, your friends & colleagues for this award!
@deep diver
A nice patternous image of the highest order. Really diggin the texture across the frame, but there is one speck on the seat in the middle of the image that triggers my post-processing OCD while it pulls my attention away from the pattern breaker seat right next to it (on the left). In terms of direction, it is up for debate if the curve or gradual height decline provides adequate material for the thematic, but in my case, I can't help but see stationary seats. I would be interested to see this photo in black and white too. Just spotted one more speck towards the top left corner but it is less trigger-y. A great image altogether.
@Janichsan
I see one point perspectives. All the time. Almost. There is a curve at the far end which gives a twist to the image. Nicely exposed slow shutter image but I find that the elevated vantage point does not do justice to the light trails as they seem to be stuck to the ground. Maybe this angle would have worked better for video. In your post processing shoes, I would have gotten rid of the blinky red lights on the right along with the structure and tree on the left, as they steal away my attention for no particular reason. Again, I spot a speckle smack in the center of the frame, with OCD triggered and all. Do your images a favour and heal brush them out of existence. I do love the road signs on the left. what signs you say? I mean on the right. A pleasant image with bi-directional attributes, acceptable for the theme.
@oblomow
Tip of the hat for keeping an open mind and thinking out of the box. As I am sure your choice of image is for trolling purposes, I can't see a direction even in the sense you suggested and the selfie point could be argued that it is suggested by the sign on the ground . It could also be discussed that the sign directs our attention to it, but that's stretching it. Please let us know if that's you in the picture. If yes, you get some extra points for actually ignoring the suggestion on the ground and asking someone to unselfie you.
@Apple fanboy
Love the fact that the AFB household took the time and brainpower to come up with something for this contest in particular. Motion blur does prove to help with directionality even though in this case it is unclear which direction it is heading towards. I can say I was interested enough to turn my head to attempt to see this image in a 180 rotation but print screen was ultimately more effective. I am fairly certain you have already rotated the image 180 degrees as fresnel on the ball suggests this. Funny thing is, I like this image rotated in 3 out of 4 rotations and I find that intriguing. Top marks for creativity & brain cell activation.
Ok, so if you've read through the entire commentary, you would have already known that dwfaust has won this contest for his haunted desert, cactusgeist image. Splendid image in my eyes with a neck wrecking attribute.
Following Laird Knox's example, I will refrain for 2nd & 3rd placements but will indulge in honorable mentions:
-Most definitely AFBoy & AFSpouse for taking the time to shoot an image particularly for this contest.
-Hughmac's overwhelmingly moody scene.
-and Oblomow's trolling abilities, but not the image
Again, my peers and fellow forum dwellers, I hope no one takes offense in my feedback and comments. It's all in good fun from one creative individual to the other.
dwfaust, over to you.
We went from "vast & vague" theme, to a mostly "one-point perspective" one. Kubrick would have been proud of this thread.
So, the hard part, Where to begin. As per usual, comments are subjective and a matter of personal preference. It is really hard to offer critique on images, even more so after @Laird Knox 's previous superb feedback.
@Alexander.Of.Oz
This is quite a busy frame. Lots of parallel, vertical and perpendicular lines everywhere. My eye is drawn to the light reflection on the safety lines at the edge of the platform, illuminating the viewers eye towards the infinity point. A Trainspotting image surely, since spotting the train is not the first thing you notice in this image. If one thing bothers me, is the angle of the platform cover, but that is nothing within your purview upon shooting, but maybe a small distortion of the image to horizontify it; nitpicking here. Exposure wise, a very pleasant image, with a wide range of dusk-y color tones. Lucky for your image, the tungsten lamps did not over-orange the scene. Theme wise, a sense of direction is given by the inviting z depth.
@Hughmac
I've been getting a Mad Max vibe out of this photo every time I see it despite the difference in tonality (in relation to the movie). Again, a one-point perspective image, with an excellent example of leading lines, a bifurcation (had to google evidently), though it could be argued that you played with fire (running water theme). The structure itself could maybe use, ever so lightly, some shadow reducing in order for it to reveal its finer detail. A very moody scene with imposing weather and derelict after thoughts altogether. Theme wise, a sense of direction is given by the inviting z depth. .
@kenoh
Another fire-player (running water theme). An imposing theme and don't think I did not notice Tom Cruise Mission:Imposibiling it at the top right of the frame. The mountain ranges on both sides really work with the directionality requirement. To be frank, not sure if the HDR-esque tonality works for me in this image, or maybe it is the blue hue that has engulfed the whole image. I had to check your exif data to see how & why your wide lens does not register barrel distortion at the frames edges. My eye is drawn at the far end of the valley, so again, theme wise, a sense of direction is given by the inviting z depth. Acceptable. Made you look for Tom Cruise, admit it.
@CmdrLaForge
Why am I under the impression that you're all in this together. I never get tired of this aspect of this bridge and its iconic safety web (?). Lucky for you noone was passing at the time of the shutter release providing you with a perfect, human-free frame. You do have some blown out issues across the horizon but given the age of the photograph (WTC towers evident), it is collectively forgiven. A sense of clear and present direction. Acceptable for the theme.
@Susurs
Someone has to grass on your little scheme. Another example of one-point perspective for sure, this time, in an elm street, or so I think. Maybe. Light & shadow intervals are interesting with a larger chunk of light towards the end of the street, smack in the middle of the frame pulling the viewers eye directly in the direction required. The well lit tree on the right & the shadow-y on the other side makes a nice subtle contrast, but it is not immediately noticeable.To be honest, not sure if I am a fan of the green overcast, but it does lend the scene the proper mood. In terms of exposure well balanced across the frame. Direction sense achieved. Thematically acceptable.
@anotherscotsman
By gosh, you too? Ok, right off the bat, I love the colors along the platform and I get a Suicide Squad feel for the scene but Wabash drags me back into The Matrix. Clear leading lines, nice verticals following the path to infinity, interesting light reflections on the windows.The elevated vantage point proves to work well for this scene while the absence of human gives it an eery vibe.I think I spotted one under the platform on the left. towards the center of the frame, but the human is too small to distinguish Not sure if I am a fan of the star flares, bu I am not bothered either.Exposure is pro material throughout the frame and a pleasant image altogether to look at. Thematically directional, so acceptable for the contest.
@dwfaust
Spoiler alert, contest winner! The one picture that has burned itself into my mind this week, but again, a z depth direction. Truly appreciate the color processing (color muting, black fades) while the sky/clouds being inverted give a sense of storm in the desert. Fine details of the thorns and cacti textures are much appreciated and pleasant to gaze at. Not sure I am a fan of the low vegetation (shrubs) but it is the desert scene, so who am I to judge nature. I think there is one thing you could have done in post processing, and again, this is nitpicking, there is a diagonal line created by the clouds on the right of the frame, almost perpendicular to the cactus trunk. One could argue that it gives more interest to the frame, in my case, I find it a bit distracting and would have clone stamped some curves into it. Don't neglect to thank your loved ones, your friends & colleagues for this award!
@deep diver
A nice patternous image of the highest order. Really diggin the texture across the frame, but there is one speck on the seat in the middle of the image that triggers my post-processing OCD while it pulls my attention away from the pattern breaker seat right next to it (on the left). In terms of direction, it is up for debate if the curve or gradual height decline provides adequate material for the thematic, but in my case, I can't help but see stationary seats. I would be interested to see this photo in black and white too. Just spotted one more speck towards the top left corner but it is less trigger-y. A great image altogether.
@Janichsan
I see one point perspectives. All the time. Almost. There is a curve at the far end which gives a twist to the image. Nicely exposed slow shutter image but I find that the elevated vantage point does not do justice to the light trails as they seem to be stuck to the ground. Maybe this angle would have worked better for video. In your post processing shoes, I would have gotten rid of the blinky red lights on the right along with the structure and tree on the left, as they steal away my attention for no particular reason. Again, I spot a speckle smack in the center of the frame, with OCD triggered and all. Do your images a favour and heal brush them out of existence. I do love the road signs on the left. what signs you say? I mean on the right. A pleasant image with bi-directional attributes, acceptable for the theme.
@oblomow
Tip of the hat for keeping an open mind and thinking out of the box. As I am sure your choice of image is for trolling purposes, I can't see a direction even in the sense you suggested and the selfie point could be argued that it is suggested by the sign on the ground . It could also be discussed that the sign directs our attention to it, but that's stretching it. Please let us know if that's you in the picture. If yes, you get some extra points for actually ignoring the suggestion on the ground and asking someone to unselfie you.
@Apple fanboy
Love the fact that the AFB household took the time and brainpower to come up with something for this contest in particular. Motion blur does prove to help with directionality even though in this case it is unclear which direction it is heading towards. I can say I was interested enough to turn my head to attempt to see this image in a 180 rotation but print screen was ultimately more effective. I am fairly certain you have already rotated the image 180 degrees as fresnel on the ball suggests this. Funny thing is, I like this image rotated in 3 out of 4 rotations and I find that intriguing. Top marks for creativity & brain cell activation.
Ok, so if you've read through the entire commentary, you would have already known that dwfaust has won this contest for his haunted desert, cactusgeist image. Splendid image in my eyes with a neck wrecking attribute.
Following Laird Knox's example, I will refrain for 2nd & 3rd placements but will indulge in honorable mentions:
-Most definitely AFBoy & AFSpouse for taking the time to shoot an image particularly for this contest.
-Hughmac's overwhelmingly moody scene.
-and Oblomow's trolling abilities, but not the image
Again, my peers and fellow forum dwellers, I hope no one takes offense in my feedback and comments. It's all in good fun from one creative individual to the other.
dwfaust, over to you.
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Cracking judging. Yes I looked for Thomas.. mainly because there were loads of climbers out there on the rock faces and due to the scale they were REALLY hard to spot.
The image was edited on a tablet and the HDR was needed as the valley floor was in shadow. I struggled to deal with the haze in the distance too. The weird exposure inconsistencies annoy me but I didnt have too many options. :-(
The lens distortion is well corrected in camera so I got lucky but it is APS-C @16mm so about 24mm in real money...
The image was edited on a tablet and the HDR was needed as the valley floor was in shadow. I struggled to deal with the haze in the distance too. The weird exposure inconsistencies annoy me but I didnt have too many options. :-(
The lens distortion is well corrected in camera so I got lucky but it is APS-C @16mm so about 24mm in real money...
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Congrat's go to @dwfaust for that great POV looking up those cacti, exaggerating the height and directionality of them really effectively!
Thanks for the detailed feedback and observations, Patrick.
The platform roofing is on a slight angle here, higher to the left. The rainwater is all harvested and used to water the plants along the right hand side platform.
I always use a ColorMunki ColorChecker card under artificial light, and this time was no different. It allows you to create a custom colour profile in Lightroom, for each place and light condition you use it at. This keeps the colours true and balanced when it's applied in PP.
I'm really glad the train wasn't the first thing you saw, I edited it recently to diminish the train, so it didn't stand out so much, and to draw out a bit more colour and light from the sky.
Looking forward to seeing what @dwfaust has in store for the next round!
Thanks for the detailed feedback and observations, Patrick.
The platform roofing is on a slight angle here, higher to the left. The rainwater is all harvested and used to water the plants along the right hand side platform.
I always use a ColorMunki ColorChecker card under artificial light, and this time was no different. It allows you to create a custom colour profile in Lightroom, for each place and light condition you use it at. This keeps the colours true and balanced when it's applied in PP.
I'm really glad the train wasn't the first thing you saw, I edited it recently to diminish the train, so it didn't stand out so much, and to draw out a bit more colour and light from the sky.
Looking forward to seeing what @dwfaust has in store for the next round!
Wow. I am humbled. I really liked this image when I first happened upon it. Rarely am I able to make the image in my mind match what I am able to capture with the camera. I truly appreciate the kind comments, and there was some very good competition. Great theme, @needfx!
Give me a few hours to come up with the next contest... As Arnold said "I'll be back".
[doublepost=1511194077][/doublepost]The new contest is up:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/weekly-photo-contest-20-27-november-2017-well-worn.2089878/
Give me a few hours to come up with the next contest... As Arnold said "I'll be back".
[doublepost=1511194077][/doublepost]The new contest is up:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/weekly-photo-contest-20-27-november-2017-well-worn.2089878/
Spotted the winner as soon as it was posted - well done dwfaust, deserved win. Great feedback from needfx and another good contest topic.
Well you could have put in a bit of effort with the feedback!Ok, so this contest took a new direction, pun intended evidently.
We went from "vast & vague" theme, to a mostly "one-point perspective" one. Kubrick would have been proud of this thread.
So, the hard part, Where to begin. As per usual, comments are subjective and a matter of personal preference. It is really hard to offer critique on images, even more so after @Laird Knox 's previous superb feedback.
@Alexander.Of.Oz
This is quite a busy frame. Lots of parallel, vertical and perpendicular lines everywhere. My eye is drawn to the light reflection on the safety lines at the edge of the platform, illuminating the viewers eye towards the infinity point. A Trainspotting image surely, since spotting the train is not the first thing you notice in this image. If one thing bothers me, is the angle of the platform cover, but that is nothing within your purview upon shooting, but maybe a small distortion of the image to horizontify it; nitpicking here. Exposure wise, a very pleasant image, with a wide range of dusk-y color tones. Lucky for your image, the tungsten lamps did not over-orange the scene. Theme wise, a sense of direction is given by the inviting z depth.
@Hughmac
I've been getting a Mad Max vibe out of this photo every time I see it despite the difference in tonality (in relation to the movie). Again, a one-point perspective image, with an excellent example of leading lines, a bifurcation (had to google evidently), though it could be argued that you played with fire (running water theme). The structure itself could maybe use, ever so lightly, some shadow reducing in order for it to reveal its finer detail. A very moody scene with imposing weather and derelict after thoughts altogether. Theme wise, a sense of direction is given by the inviting z depth. .
@kenoh
Another fire-player (running water theme). An imposing theme and don't think I did not notice Tom Cruise Mission:Imposibiling it at the top right of the frame. The mountain ranges on both sides really work with the directionality requirement. To be frank, not sure if the HDR-esque tonality works for me in this image, or maybe it is the blue hue that has engulfed the whole image. I had to check your exif data to see how & why your wide lens does not register barrel distortion at the frames edges. My eye is drawn at the far end of the valley, so again, theme wise, a sense of direction is given by the inviting z depth. Acceptable. Made you look for Tom Cruise, admit it.
@CmdrLaForge
Why am I under the impression that you're all in this together. I never get tired of this aspect of this bridge and its iconic safety web (?). Lucky for you noone was passing at the time of the shutter release providing you with a perfect, human-free frame. You do have some blown out issues across the horizon but given the age of the photograph (WTC towers evident), it is collectively forgiven. A sense of clear and present direction. Acceptable for the theme.
@Susurs
Someone has to grass on your little scheme. Another example of one-point perspective for sure, this time, in an elm street, or so I think. Maybe. Light & shadow intervals are interesting with a larger chunk of light towards the end of the street, smack in the middle of the frame pulling the viewers eye directly in the direction required. The well lit tree on the right & the shadow-y on the other side makes a nice subtle contrast, but it is not immediately noticeable.To be honest, not sure if I am a fan of the green overcast, but it does lend the scene the proper mood. In terms of exposure well balanced across the frame. Direction sense achieved. Thematically acceptable.
@anotherscotsman
By gosh, you too? Ok, right off the bat, I love the colors along the platform and I get a Suicide Squad feel for the scene but Wabash drags me back into The Matrix. Clear leading lines, nice verticals following the path to infinity, interesting light reflections on the windows.The elevated vantage point proves to work well for this scene while the absence of human gives it an eery vibe.I think I spotted one under the platform on the left. towards the center of the frame, but the human is too small to distinguish Not sure if I am a fan of the star flares, bu I am not bothered either.Exposure is pro material throughout the frame and a pleasant image altogether to look at. Thematically directional, so acceptable for the contest.
@dwfaust
Spoiler alert, contest winner! The one picture that has burned itself into my mind this week, but again, a z depth direction. Truly appreciate the color processing (color muting, black fades) while the sky/clouds being inverted give a sense of storm in the desert. Fine details of the thorns and cacti textures are much appreciated and pleasant to gaze at. Not sure I am a fan of the low vegetation (shrubs) but it is the desert scene, so who am I to judge nature. I think there is one thing you could have done in post processing, and again, this is nitpicking, there is a diagonal line created by the clouds on the right of the frame, almost perpendicular to the cactus trunk. One could argue that it gives more interest to the frame, in my case, I find it a bit distracting and would have clone stamped some curves into it. Don't neglect to thank your loved ones, your friends & colleagues for this award!
@deep diver
A nice patternous image of the highest order. Really diggin the texture across the frame, but there is one speck on the seat in the middle of the image that triggers my post-processing OCD while it pulls my attention away from the pattern breaker seat right next to it (on the left). In terms of direction, it is up for debate if the curve or gradual height decline provides adequate material for the thematic, but in my case, I can't help but see stationary seats. I would be interested to see this photo in black and white too. Just spotted one more speck towards the top left corner but it is less trigger-y. A great image altogether.
@Janichsan
I see one point perspectives. All the time. Almost. There is a curve at the far end which gives a twist to the image. Nicely exposed slow shutter image but I find that the elevated vantage point does not do justice to the light trails as they seem to be stuck to the ground. Maybe this angle would have worked better for video. In your post processing shoes, I would have gotten rid of the blinky red lights on the right along with the structure and tree on the left, as they steal away my attention for no particular reason. Again, I spot a speckle smack in the center of the frame, with OCD triggered and all. Do your images a favour and heal brush them out of existence. I do love the road signs on the left. what signs you say? I mean on the right. A pleasant image with bi-directional attributes, acceptable for the theme.
@oblomow
Tip of the hat for keeping an open mind and thinking out of the box. As I am sure your choice of image is for trolling purposes, I can't see a direction even in the sense you suggested and the selfie point could be argued that it is suggested by the sign on the ground . It could also be discussed that the sign directs our attention to it, but that's stretching it. Please let us know if that's you in the picture. If yes, you get some extra points for actually ignoring the suggestion on the ground and asking someone to unselfie you.
@Apple fanboy
Love the fact that the AFB household took the time and brainpower to come up with something for this contest in particular. Motion blur does prove to help with directionality even though in this case it is unclear which direction it is heading towards. I can say I was interested enough to turn my head to attempt to see this image in a 180 rotation but print screen was ultimately more effective. I am fairly certain you have already rotated the image 180 degrees as fresnel on the ball suggests this. Funny thing is, I like this image rotated in 3 out of 4 rotations and I find that intriguing. Top marks for creativity & brain cell activation.
Ok, so if you've read through the entire commentary, you would have already known that dwfaust has won this contest for his haunted desert, cactusgeist image. Splendid image in my eyes with a neck wrecking attribute.
Following Laird Knox's example, I will refrain for 2nd & 3rd placements but will indulge in honorable mentions:
-Most definitely AFBoy & AFSpouse for taking the time to shoot an image particularly for this contest.
-Hughmac's overwhelmingly moody scene.
-and Oblomow's trolling abilities, but not the image
Again, my peers and fellow forum dwellers, I hope no one takes offense in my feedback and comments. It's all in good fun from one creative individual to the other.
dwfaust, over to you.
Nice job everyone and thanks for honorary mention.
Sorry to disappoint you but not flipping was involved. I took around 250 shots trying to get the right mixture of blur and some degree of sharpness.
In the end I ended up including one with her hand (my original idea was just the ball) as that seemed to show the motion better in my mind.
Well done to @dwfaust fod his winning shot. On to the next.