Forum Members, It has been a while since I have been able to find time to look even semi-critically at the weekly submissions to the Photo Forum. But the photos this week seem to cry for comments. So here are my thoughts about the photos found at http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery.html. Charles Siegel - Developing Fern - August 2004 http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/siegel.html In many ways, this is a VERY nice photograph. I like it. The serenity of the gentle swirls of the fern accented by the tufts of red tendrils gives this image a feeling of peace; there is a feeling here that all is well with the world. This feeling is enhanced by the beautiful bokeh of the lens. The square crop also lends support to the feeling tranquility. Yet there are things that provide an edgy feel to the photo. The spider’s web on the left side that leads the eye away from the subject and out of the picture is a bit disconcerting. There is a slight lack of sharpness (probably from the slow shutter speed) that fails to add to the quietude. The lack of detail from underexposure of the near side of the fern’s curls does not add mystery, but rather frustration in the inability to fully appreciate the beauty of nature. I haven’t decided if I like the stem cutting through the bottom right corner or not. It doesn’t seem quite right, but I don’t find that it detracts in any way. I guess I would have to try a crop with it leaving the picture either on the right or the bottom to see if either these exits would add to the tranquility or not. In all probability, this corner exit is the best. In all, as I noted at the outset, this is a VERY nice photograph. Rubin F. Diehl - Lilith on Rehearsal http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/diehl.html Here is another very good image. There is much to like in this photograph. I love the pose. Ms. Diehl expresses much feeling in the positioning of all four of her limbs. The toes on the right foot as well as the fingers on both hands add animation to what could have been a static subject. The tilt of the head combined with the wide-open eyes adds a great deal of interest. The woman is superb. Two things throw the image off just a bit, however, at least for me. The blue piece of cloth behind the knee is distracting. The other two pieces of blue enhance. This one detracts. But if Diehl had not raised her right knee, the mage of the woman would have lost a major source of interest. And then there is the stage lighting. It is too bright on her midriff and although the falloff of light does create interest for the most part, the light seems to suddenly end at her right wrist, leaving the ends of her sleeve in an unflattering darkness that does not match the rest the image. Despite these imperfections, this is an image I wish I could have taken. WRGill - Best Friend's http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/gill.html Very interesting; very fuzzy. Herschel Mair – http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/mair.html This is my favorite of the week. This is an absolutely stunning photograph. At first I was a bit disappointed that there was not a bit more detail in the insects, but there is probably a bit more clarity in the print than on my screen. Once I realized this was not shot primarily for Web reproduction, I can appreciate it on an even greater level. I am in awe. I would love to know more about the meaning of the photo and why it was taken and what it was portraying. This image really stimulates curiosity as well as providing us with profound beauty. Peeter Vissak - Waiting for the concert http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/vissak.html What a beautiful setting for a concert! But Vissak has provided us with only a taste for what is going on. Where are the islet stages? Where are the performers? This image stimulates. I want to see more. Bob Talbot – OPA http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/talbot.html There are only bars and colors for as far as the eye can see. Except for a rope hanging from an unknown structure above. This is an image of mystery. Is this Bob’s first view of the world as he awakes after an “interesting” Saturday night? Is this the depiction of an English nightmare? Okay, I gotta know: what is “OPA”? You have my curiosity stimulated to the max. Marilyn Dalrymple - Desert Surprise http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/dalrymple.html Dalrymple has demonstrated for us in this image how to take the beauty of a rainbow and improve it. The composition is wonderful. The colors are outstanding. But the question does arise: are these European Joshua tress? Or were these shot during an excursion to the southwest portion of the US? Pini Vollach - Dancing with camels http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/vollach.html I like this shot. The alignment of the heads is interesting. The lines created by the arms and reins on the camel are interesting. The action, both seen and implied, is interesting. This is a very good photo and an outstanding human interest slice of life. The light in the image fascinates me. It looks like light when the sun is near the horizon, as it casts a beautiful yellow glow to the scene. This appears to be especially apparent on the white T-shirt. But where are the shadows cast by the body, head and legs of the camel and the boy atop the camel? They must be lost in the shifting desert sands of the midground. This is indeed a well-done image. Per Ofverbeck - Wild Carrot http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/ofverbeck.html This would easily have been my favorite image of the day had not Mair snuck in the beetle necklace. This is extremely well lit, well composed and well cropped. The black and white portrayal of nature that has been isolated is an unusual, but absolutely mind-blowing interpretation the wild carrot. The drama created by Ofverbeck is this picture is amazing. One wonders if “Per Ofverbeck” is not the Swedish term for “perfect”? D.L. Shipman – http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/gallery/shipman.html A bird. A young bird. Black and white with hints of red in the neck and the background. A red eye. Eye-catching. Very good work. And a VERY good week of images. Thanks to everyone who submitted and to Andy and his staff for making all of this possible. peace rand
