Chairs and Filters

[suzie]

Hi,

On a recent visit to Melbourne, I went to Federation Square. I took quite a few shots, this being one of them. I guess some people may think this a cliqued image, but I liked it.

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/216Chairs_Original_.jpg

Then I had a play with some filters and came up with these two variations, what do you think??

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/216Chairs_Glow_.jpg

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/216Chairs_Poster_.jpg

Suzie.

[Radtech1]

Hi,

I am not sure what a "Cliqued" image is, but I like them. The middle one is a bit overdone - that is, that filter is used a lot. The last one, I really like. What filter is that that you are using. I have PSElements 2.0 and I do not recognize it.

On an unrelated note, do you have/know of a decent filter that mimics watercolor?

Radtech

[suzie]

I am not sure what a "Cliqued" image is, but I like them.
Sorry, I should have checked spelling first - I meant clichéd.

The last one, I really like. What filter is that that you are using. I have PSElements 2.0 and I do not recognize it.
On this one I just used the "Poster Edges" Artistic filter in PhotoShop 7.0.

On an unrelated note, do you have/know of a decent filter that mimics watercolor?
No, not really. I do not particularly like the one in PhotoShop and no other programs I use have one which produces a decent watercolour effect. There is someone on another forum who converts a lot of images to "digital paintings", perhaps you could contact him (see http://www.pbase.com/sjm05/new_works).

Suzie.

[Leighow]

It is tough to critique when the image maker qualifies his/her post with an "I like" the image!

Anyway.. I feel the vibes, and your excitement .. but...I have to be honest and say that the smack in these photos just does not knock my socks off. The subject, color, pattern , et al are just a tad weak. I bet that you will fell the same way in a few weeks.

Many posters on the receiving end of similar critiques simply tell mye; "tough... I liked the image as it is!"

[suzie]

Hi Leighow.

Thanks for your comments. I know that although I may personally like an image, that does not mean it is any good. I appreciate any comments from more experienced photographers like yourself.

Can you suggest how this particualar image could have been improved - how would you have taken a shot like this to make it a stronger image? Or perhaps you would not have considered this subject matter worthwhile? Thanks again for the feedback.

Suzie.

[Leighow]

SUZIE

Experience is no substitite for great photographic instincts -- so you don't have to wait until yout a senior citizen to ace out your images!

A year or so ago,. I posted this guideline. It was going to be my template for evaluating photos under critique. Trouble is, I never follow it! I will comment a bit as I go along. But remember... I am not a particularly gifted or able photographer -- so take it with a touch of salt.

********************************************
FOR THE RECORD: "My" Guide to Evaluating YOUR Photographs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am a 3 rolls-a-year-while-on-vacation photographer. But I love to look at your galleries and photos. Here many of you invite me (via Pekka’s site!) to critique your photos,all in an effort to improve our skills.

But, I have no special training in evaluating my own photos, yet alone yours! That bothered me. So I flushed out the following few tips to help me better judge your photos.


CREATING BETTER PHOTOS
************************************

The simplest advice came from the New York Institute of Photography who ask you the photographer to:
STEP 1. Know your subject,
STEP 2. Focus attention on your subject., and
STEP 3. Simplify.
Their web site goes on to apply these three steps within a variety of photographic settings.


SUZIE: It seems to me that you meet the above.

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EVALUATING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS
****************************************
I will follow the Oregon Coast Photo Club's “Guide to Evaluating Photographs when you ask me to critique your photographs ! Their guide is included below. So, that's the plan. Brace yourself!

http://members.tripod.com/oregoncoastphotoclub/rules/jdgegude/evaluate.htm] A Guide to Evaluating Photographs

BASIC TECHNIQUE:
Is focus appropriate for the subject?
Is depth of field appropriate?
Is it exposed in a way that works for the image?


SUZIE -- seems OK here too!

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SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
Are special techniques like multiple exposures, sandwiching, panning, or cross processing used effectively? If the image is digitally manipulated, is the manipulation done well?

SUZIE -- nothing special in this area.

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COMPOSITION: Is the image balanced or unbalanced? Is the balance level appropriate? If there is a main center of interest, is it well placed in the frame? Are there distracting elements in the picture that could be eliminated? Are there too many unrelated elements? Too few elements? Does the composition make effective use of leading lines? Is depth used (or not used) to good advantage? Does the composition make use of repeating forms? Does the framing work? Mergers?


SUZIE -- I would say that there is no special center of interest and not much working here except for the repeating areas (chair backs) and lines (chair tops)

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LIGHTING: Does it show off the subject well? Is the contrast level appropriate? Is there lighting that would work better for the subject? If the lighting is controlled, is it well controlled?


SUZIE: Looks ok to me.

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SUBJECT INTEREST: Does the subject have interesting connotations or associations? Color interest? Interesting textures? Interesting juxtapositions?

SUZIE -- I do not see anything in the image that is strong here -- we have all sat in these chairs and usually they are uncomfortable!

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ORIGINALITY: Does the image show an original subject or an original approach to a standard subject? Is it anonymous, or does it show a visual signature or convey a personal vision?

SUZIE -- I do not see anythnig special here -- just a routine image of largely mono-chormatic. inorganic subject.

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STORY MOOD: Does the image effectively tell a story or convey a mood?


SUZIE -- no story or mood for me here! If it was after the prom there might have been a corsage, etc.

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PRINTING TECHNIQUE: Is the contrast level appropriate for the image? Are there artifacts that make any dodging and burning too noticeable? Is toning well handled?


SUZIE -- does not apply

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HOWIE

[tenerife]

Its a nice tryptycon...

Try it, try it, try it... go your own way....

thats the only way it is...

for me.... maybe.. also good for you...

regards from tenerife
klaus

[pappy]

Hi Suzie,

I like these and what you are trying to do, the tight framing to create interest in the repeating pattern. For me, the high contrast look of the second image is my favourite and creates a nice abstract.

regards,
peter

[suzie]

HOWIE - Thanks for taking the time for such a detailed reply, I found this really helpful. I guess based on the criteria you have listed, there is nothing technically wrong with the image, it just holds no interest for you. I understand that. I did want to add some interest to it, but there was honestly nothing else there - no people and no other objects. There were 2 people on the stage practising for a show or something - dressed in kangaroo outfits pretending to box - quite weird, but they were too far away to incorporate into the shot. I will bear all your pointers in mind before braving another post!!!

KLAUS - I hope this is not me being completely ignorant, but what is a tryptycon?? I do like attempting different subjects. Probably about 90% of my photos are of my son, so I do try to focus on other things occassionally, with mixed success. But it is all part of the learning process and I am having a ball!

PETER - Thanks for your comments. I particularly like the second image too, to me it brings to mind an emtpy movie theatre.

Suzie.

[tenerife]

tryptycon??

Hi Suzie - thats mean 3 photos side by side...
I think all three photos side by side is a tryptycon -

Reghards from tenerife
Klaus

[suzie]

Thanks Klaus, I did not know that! :)

Suzie.