Gladstone Park

Well I like it. But that's just my opinion. I wouldn't hold much stock in what others say. Good or bad. If you like it then that's all that matters. I find a lot of the other sites that allow ratings or comments have a herd mentality. There seems to be a horde that fawns over each others images and pans everyone else's who is not in the clique.

As an experiment I posted a photo on one of these sites as myself. This photo has been on of my most popular to date. I was totally ignored. I waited a couple of weeks and created a new user, a Swiss gal, on the site. I then reposted the pic. Guess what? Lots of great comments and high ratings. It seems if you weren't from Europe you don't count. And this site was started and is maintained by a Canadian no less.

So all in all, like I said shoot for yourself.

I second Eric's advice: ignore the others and go with what moves you. No matter what the image, some will like it, some won't, and most will be indifferent. So what?

I don't upload any of my images here because I shoot to satisfy myself. If others like the prints and want a copy (especially for a modest fee) then all the better. My criterion for exposing film is whether I'd want to look at that image every day when it's matted, framed, and on the wall. If the answer is yes, then I go for it.

When you exposed your film you did so because something you saw moved you to record it. Does the print express what you felt then? I think it's a very peaceful and relaxing scene that would go well on anyone's wall. If you're happy with it, then you've achieved what you set out do accomplish when you released the shutter.

Rich

I tend it like it too. It has a wonderful, soft late night feel, with just enough light from the street lights, particularly the closest, to help bring your viewer into the picture. All in all, I would categorize it as much better than just a 'decent image'.

George

i agree with eric, i was in a photo club that totally shreded my photos, so i decided that i really dont care all that much if someone did not like my prints. it did not help that i was the only analog guy in the group. those digital prints looked great from 10 feet away until you got close, any one of us here would be embarased by the quality of those digital prints i have seen.
anyway i really think this print of yours works well, there is alot to keep your eye occupied here with the bridge and gazebo, its a very well composed shot as well with the three trees in the foreground as well as the branch overhead that leads you into the scene. position of light is perfect. i can tell you spent some time thinking about composition here before setting up the shot....so i say great job.................frank

Thank you all for the feedback. I haven't really been so concerned with what other think, but for whatever reason, when I saw this negative, I was very happy with what I had captured. The one thought I had that morning was to place the light pole in context with its surroundings. Trying to tell a story. You all have provided me with some very good advice, and I thank you. - Sean

I think the mission of this bulletin board is to seek out criticism for so that one can improve. This not suppose to be a place to seek out praise, but rather get ideas on how to make it better. So someone takes the time to critique and only to have the artist defend his work with comments like "you don't like me" or "how dare you shred my work". This tells me that the artist has shutdown and will not improve because he is unable to except criticism.

So that said, this image is technically perfect, and the fog does bring mood to the photograph, but its lacking artistically. The composition is not focused. There are too many unrelated elements. I do not know what it is about. Perhaps before you shoot you may want to take the time to verbally articulate exactly why you are taking the photography. If you are unable to state clearly why, then I recommend that you do not waste your film.

I bring a small digital point-n-shoot camera with a big LDC with me. I move around lot shooting every possible angle I can manage and verbally trying to clarify why I am taking this photograph. The digital camera is just one tool I use for instant feedback in the field before I shoot. It is a new version of Polaroid film. Perhaps eskyone you may want to do the same, or better yet get some books on composition to help you improve which is why you posted this image here. Right?

Hope this helps.

It is a perfectly good picture, given the beautiful exposure yielding those luminous smooth greys, and capturing accurately a full and satisfying sense of light. It also balances well the tree limb above, heavy tree to left, and the bright lights. The foreground has the three thin trees to stretch the eye across the whole field, and the bridge and gazebo are clearly articulated. I see a complete image and a sound and enchanting depiction of this park. I should add that I AM NOT given to blubbering positive only criticism, and have a very hard to satisfy disposition regarding all art. Your composition is sound.

Hi Sean, nice find, there is some real magical light here and I think there are many positions to shoot this from. I've tried lightening this image (you could shorten print expo time obviously) and it then looks like an peaceful early morning shot. Check it out, I've PM'd you.

..."the very thing I search for now, simple yet artistic."
I find this image very complex. However, on the left, where the trees frame the lights and the foreground snow grows darker in the foreground, I find that magical.
The bridge and gazebo and the lights trailing off to the right, as well as the branch above right, intrude into the magic and make the image needlessly confusing.
The whole image is technically quite good, but that scene on the left is worth the price of admission.