Dan, you're obviously upset about the comments on this picture. Mine was
simply a result of my immediate impression. What stops you from being able
to move along, already?
You give us some very nice pictures. Keep on. This one simply isn't worth
it.
S.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan C" <bladman99@xxxxxxxx>
To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students"
<photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2005 1:41 PM
Subject: Re: Gallery of 30th July - Jim's Hawk
In a public forum, people can post any critique they wish, but shouldn't a
critique be usefull to some degree? If this were a famous photograph
newly
on display at MOMA, and a NY Times art critic were to publish a review of
it using phrases such as "the model looks uncomfortable", "seems to have
caught her at a disadvantage", "makes her look bottom heavy", who would
benefit from this? Certainly I as the photographer have no use for these
comments, since only I and the model know the truth concerning her comfort
(in some cases it may very well be that the model's pose is uncomfortable,
this is between me and the model). They won't make my future photography
any better. The model couldn't care either, because she also knows them
to
be irrelevent. Why would the readership of the NY Times care? Would
being
told that the model looks uncomfortable be a usefull determinant in
deciding whether or not to go see the photo? I don't see how.
If the photograph is a bad one, then say so, and say it in such a way that
I can benefit. Photoforum is after all meant as a learning tool. But it
is a waste of time talking about the apparent comfort of the model. The
comments (in general) I sometimes see such as "awesome" or "great photo"
are also of not much use; I'm always hoping for a well thought-out
critique
that exposes some flaw or weakness in the photo which I can use to my
advantage.
As far as snow scenes go, I try and make the snow as white as possible,
while still holding detail. With my new still-learning-how-to-use DSLR,
this can be very tricky, since it is very easy to blowout bright scenes
such as snow, while still holding onto shadwo details.
-dan c.
At 02:52 PM 29-08-05 -0500, Don Roberts wrote:
Dan, there are no hard and fast rules for me on snow like making it
middle gray. You pick a contrast you think works, make the
highlights white and that is it. If you have a cloudy day you can
make all of the snow gray since you have no modeling anyway. Not
middle gray, of course. That is not good visual sense.
Oh, and by the way, you put your picture of the model up in a semi
public forum which solicits critiques. Unless we consider it to be
an abstract than the criticisms, which are opinions, are perfectly
valid. I was going to say that you seem to be taking the critiques
personally but I won't. Gee, I guess I just did. You may not like
our opinions but you made it "our business" when you submitted.
Just my friendly opinion. If you like it, the model likes it that's
great. Your photo succeeded.
Don
Dan C wrote:
When you say "gray" do you mean middle gray? This is what you get when
you
meter off the snow and use that reading directly, and for me that
results
in a really dull photo. I like to place my snow at Zone VII or VIII,
basically white with just a hint of texture. The parts where the sun
are
reflecting off it should of course be pure white (paper white), similar
to
specular hilites from chrome metal.
JMHO,
-dan c.
At 12:58 PM 29-08-05 -0500, Don Roberts wrote:
Gregory Fraser wrote:
most exposure faults are subject-errors not camera errors ... heck, if
snow wants to be exposed right then it should have been grey!
Wow! I've thought that exact same thing for years but was too timid to
take on the 'snow is white' lobbyists.
Greg
I have said that for years, Greg, but got no acknowledgment. The
only place snow is white is in the highlights. Elsewhere it's gray
or blue or purple etc. And I have a photo in next week's Gallery
that may provoke some comments like that.
Don
--
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don Roberts ** Bittersweet Productions ** Iowa City, IA
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
When our memories outweigh our dreams
we become old. -----William Jefferson Clinton
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
--
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don Roberts ** Bittersweet Productions ** Iowa City, IA
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
When our memories outweigh our dreams
we become old. -----William Jefferson Clinton
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
