Back in action, if just a little jet-lagged. 1. Per Ofverbeck - Hammarlunda Nice exposure with good contrast, the shadows of the ladder are very effective. Not much else to say, like the image. 2. Pini Vollach - ? Another nicely exposed picture. Other than that it's not that exciting, a closeup of the graffiti on the building might give it a little more "personality." The building also appears to be tilted, or maybe it was the photographer. 3. Christopher Strevens - Junction Near Clapham Junction Not an exciting photo, but they all can't be. The highlights are somewhat blown out. The cars in the foreground are distracting, maybe moving a little forward would help isolate the street and the buildings. 4. Emily L. Ferguson - Tatoosh Sounds like it might be in Turkmenistan. For some reason I like this photo, although I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the yellow tint (used to see a lot of that in LA). It's too contrasty and the dead center horizon is not particularly effective, although it is level. I do like the lighthouse as a point of reference, though. 5. Achal Pashine - Golden Gate, SF Generally good exposure although the foreground is muddy and a little over exposed. The tree in front of the bridge is distracting. Otherwise I like it. 6. WRGill - Sunset at Pescadero Point, Pebble Beach, CA Nice composition, but a little boring. Way underexposed! The histogram is well off to the left. Either open your lens a little more or increase your exposure time. 7. Scott Thurmond - Blue Morpho (morpho didius) I was using this mounted specimen as a test subject when I got my 10D (it was gracious enough to hold still). Unfortunately, I didn't do the mounting. A gentleman named Chris Marley, http://galleryoffunctionalart.com/marley.shtml, who has a gallery in Hermosa Beach, CA, creates these beautiful art pieces. Oh yes, the Blue Morpho is not an endangered species, as far as I know. 8. Bob Talbot - Evidence Mr. Talbot (he of the multiple personalities and the profound identity crises) has created an intriguing who-done-it. Are we to believe that somehow a smoking shore bird (or is that a fecal mass?) is involved in a dastardly crime. Pray tell where is body, there is no blood in evidence. Please, we need a few more clues! Other than that, Bob, I'm not excited about this image, although it is in focus and well exposed. 9. Laurenz Bobke - ? As Laurenz noted, this is not the best scan. It's also overexposed and contrasty. The sky and mountain lack detail. and the foreground should be cropped. Looks like you exceeded the exposure latitude for your film. 10. Shawna Hanel - Blue Dot Center Nice blue gradation, other than that it doesn't do much for me. 11. Jim Davis - Is This the Matrix Can't say much about this shot, although I do wish I could that with my 10D. Maybe a less tightly focused shot would be more effective. 12. Veli Cigirgan - Looking out... I like the feeling of the photograph. It gives the impression of a weary traveler. The exposure is a bit problematic, too little contrast and the red of the woman's jacket should "pop" a little more. I also can't figure out what's going on with the streaks in the sky. It's all empty space so you probably should crop it out. My favorite this week is Per's "Hammarlunda." Thanks to everyone who contributed. As usual, I've ignored all the other reviews before doing my own. Scott (who needs another Grog)
