Fellow PhotoForum Folk, Here are my thoughts concerning the PhotoForum member's gallery/exhibit space now on display at http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery.html: Emily L. Ferguson: "Skylight on mud ripples" http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/ferguson.html I like this photograph. It is a study in shape and color and it works well. I like the darkness and the mass at the bottom contrasting the lightness and scarcity of earth at the top. I like the way the water is made real - and alive -- with light colored lines denoting the movement around the mounds of dark soil. The monochromatic blues begins to impart a feeling of meditation, although the mood is somewhat diminished with the lightness (representing hope?) at the top. For me, however, there is one element that mars the perfection. One of the earthy curves on the right, about one-third of the way from the top, is split by the edge of the picture. Although my mind can complete the curvature, it is then pulled into the white surrounding the image and I get mentally lost. Perhaps I see this only because I have been there myself and have never figured out how to handle the edges of a repetitive curved scene. Would a black border "ground" that object? Or is this one of those acceptable and unavoidable quirks that I should learn to accept as part of nature? Regardless, I like the image a lot. But I am a sucker for mood images. Rand Flory: "The Drink" http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/flory.html This is an interesting beginning that falls short. The napkin on the left pulls the eye out of the photograph unnecessarily. It should have been wholly contained in the photo. The candle in the upper left is directly over the drink and competes for attention, and actually wins. The metal shaker on the right does not balance the drink and candle. This image should be reshot. Dan Mitchell:: "News from Home" http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/mitchell.html Mitchell presents us with a thought photograph. I like this image very much. It is a well-executed theme photo that not only pulls our eye into the photo with the "V" at the top edge of the newspaper, but it pulls our minds into it as well. I love the ambiguity of the headlines, as it gives our imaginations a chance to soar. As Mitchell suggests, the slightly out-of-focus woman writing while a companion watches gives a certain fertility to the creativity of the viewer. A theme photo without a defined theme. Most excellent. Judy Curiel http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/curiel.html Hey, the horizon's crooked! But so what? This is meant to be an abstraction of form and color, I suspect. There is a serenity conveyed by the curved lines of the ship and the rope. The horizontal nature of the reflection of the ship implies that it is the center of attention. The central positioning of the reflection enhances this impression. This image presents me with one of those love-hate relationships. I really like the originality of this photo. It is daring and it works pretty well, except that the objects in the photograph are a bit too real for my mind to escape from the crookedness into a world of complete abstraction. And the reflection is not quite real enough or bold enough pull me mind into accepting it as the grounding element. I suspect if it weren't for those ripples in the water showing what the true horizontal is, that I would like this photo more. The balance between the ship and its reflection against the pier in the lower left is excellent. The ship's lines (the ropes), are wonderfully presented as objects, reflections and shadows. These lines connect all parts of the image to give it strength. The reflection of the ship shows shadows under protruding objects on the ship, which contrast with the lightness of the original, giving great interest. Overall, I like this photo despite being distracted by the weird angle. Rich Mason "The Climbers" http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/mason.html Without a title, I wouldn't have a clue what those three little specks are on the horizon. With the title, I now recognize them (or at least accept them) as people who are far, far away. But I still can't tell what they are climbing. Are those large piles of ice on Lake Michigan that have been crafted by wind, water and cold that are being scaled by intrepid explorers? Are they climbing some type of hill on a distant shore? I just can't tell. Despite the uncertainty of what is being presented, this image is able to convey mood. It is cold. It is lonely out there. It is an adventure. It is a good photo. Gregory david Stempel "Waiting For Another Run" http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/stempel.html This is good. The print is probably very good, but it loses a bit in the translation to my computer screen. The darks are so dark that the "dark, ominous appearance" of the truck disappear into nothingness. So I suspect I am not seeing what Stempel is presenting. And I would like to be able to do so. Still, Stempel manages to present a well-balanced graphic that works well on its own. The positioning of the three lights on the left that balances well the unseen bulk of the truck. There would be a bit too much black on the right if it were not for the purple glow at the top right. Pini Vollach "Venice 2003" http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/vollach.html Colorful, costumed festival-goers caught in an interesting arrangement. I would not have guessed that this was shot in Venice had I not been told. But I am glad that I have now had the opportunity to view this very brief slice of time in a place far away. Jim Davis "Conversation" http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/davis.html The best Davis bird shot yet. He must prowl the shoreline at the same time of day on a continuing basis to get these backlit shots that give so much definition to his birds. I love the plumes coming from the back of the bird's head. The juxtaposition of the two animals is well done, despite the distance between them. David Small "For Sale" http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/small.html Oh, NO! A street shot! But wait, this one is expressing something. That well placed "For Sale" sign is trying to say something. What is trying to say, however, like Mitchell's image, is open to interpretation. I love it. A thought image and street shot all in one. But is that not what Small seems to do with his street work? This is well composed and well executed. Jim Snarski "Eyes On The Prize" http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/snarski.html This would be a beauty of an image were it not for that annoying shadow. As it is, it is still a most interesting photograph. I really like the heron's intensity. A well captured moment. Alan P. Hayes http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/hayes.html As a stand-alone image, this is not my favorite of the week. But having my curiosity piqued by the image, I looked at the album (http://photo.elay.org/view_album.php?set_albumName=Astoria) and enjoyed the series. I like what Hayes is doing here. Don Draper http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/draper.html Flowers and buds almost always provide beauty, and this is no exception. Draper has done well in composing this collection of purple bloom in a square format. The background is well blurred, although the bokah seems a bit strange., which really enhances the beauty of the subject. Another very well done photo. Many thanks to all who participated in the Forum this week. It was another week of very good images overall. And my thanks also to Andy and his crew of seemingly tireless assistants who helped to put this exhibit together. peace, rand
