Forumeers, Here are my thoughts for the PhotoForum member's gallery/exhibit space now on display at http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery.html: Rich Mason - American http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/rmason.html Simple, striking. I really like this a lot. Emily L. Ferguson - Eucalypts http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/ferguson.html While I can see where Ferguson wants to capture an abstraction of these beautiful trees, this particular image falls just a bit short. I think the business (pronounced busy-ness) of the leaves in the background is too distracting. One of the elements of composition that I have been told about is that "the eye travels to the lightest portion of the photograph." However in this image, I am drawn to the black void in the center (left/right), about one third of the way down from the top. And I can't get away from it. I like the shape of the blackness and I like the green leaves/branch emanating into or out of it. But on the Web, this point acts like glue and detracts. I suspect that this same point on a print however would yield more detail and actually be center of beauty. Dan Mitchell - The Princess Royal http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/mitchell.html Like Mitchell, I, too, can appreciate the symmetry in the image. But there is something just a bit disconcerting about the placement of the passer-by. He seems to be shot about a half-second too late. He is now walking out of the doorway and it just is not quite right for me. This speaks to an opportunity lost. Psychologically, this is a very slight downer, especially when combined with the muted colors. Regardless, I always like slice of life photographs. And I am fascinated by Mitchell's comment about selling intoxicating liquor to anyone over the age of 16. Does this not cause any problems? Peeter Vissak - http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/vissak.html I like this photograph. Here the business of the upper and right portions of the image contrasts so superbly with the lower left. The white shirt (slightly blown out, but probably from the Web representation) definitely draws the eye, but it is well framed by the remainder of the photo. Leaving out practically any element of this photograph would have lessened its impact. A very well crafted image. Amy West - Michelle http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/west.html A fairly well put together portrait. I like the angle of the face and the placement of the hand. I don't like the out-of-focus effect nor the fact that Michelle's right eye has no closure on the top. The absence of hair in a female's portrait is daring. It emphasizes the shape of the face, but it does so at the expense of adding an element of psychological unhealthiness to the subject. Perhaps it is just me, but in the 21st century, the lack of hair in a female has become almost synonymous with chemotherapy. It is hard to get past that feeling. Robin G. Ramos - Turnstile http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/ramos.html A nice graphic image. I can't decide if I like the inclusion of the windows at the top right of the photo or not. It is slightly distracting, but the image may not balance without it. And my favorite part of the image is the white reflection above the red light on the left turnstile. That may have been a serendipitous addition, but it adds interest. Tim Mulholland - Venice - Walk at Night... http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/mulholland.html Night opens up a new look old surroundings. While Venice certainly is not old to me, this shot gives us a view of a place that is not always seen. On paper, this would probably be even better, as the shadowed areas in the center would yield detail that is just barely there on this Web offering. I hope to see more night work. Rubin F. Diehl - Ticiana #37 http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/diehl.html I like the pose; I like the light; I like the background. But I just don't get it as a nude. Wow! It seems that many of my prejudices are coming out today. A nude, to me, should express more than just an image of someone with her or his clothes off. There should be a celebration of form, or perhaps a setting that is expected or unexpected for a nude. But this image would work as well with clothes on. So while this is a successful photograph, it isn't a successful nude, at least not for me. Gregory david Stempel - Aloft http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/stempel.html Simple elegance. Another shot I like a lot. Perhaps I am one of those minimalists I keep hearing about. Bill Ellis - Souvenirs http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/ellis.html Sorry, but I am missing the point here. This was the first chance I have had to really peruse the Forum images and even read the message on the Forum in about a month. I hope to get to spend more time doing this, but summers are busy here. I do thank all the authors for submitting their work this week, as well as thanks to Andy and his staff for putting together the forum. peace and pixels, rand
