I like this a lot. And while I'm not as enthusiastic on some that you post here, there is a real feeling of nice composition and thought in them. In other words you see something as you walk around and you get the best of what was there. Even though they may not all be "winners" they are all handled well. Which is a pretty great thing. Finding scenes and nailing each one. I think you find that with good photographers, not every day it works and god knows the absolute greats probably have hundreds of pictures that weren't "award winners" but they probably, in all of them got the best of what was there that day.
As I do not do this type of photography I can really appreciate some of the work posted that is of this genre or style. I especially like how you've put a bit of unknown in the scene with the curve that we cannot see around. It leaves us wondering and a bit of mystery as to what might be ahead. As I do little B&W I can only say the actual processed image looks very good to me also. Nicely done. No thought for change that I could see.
Blansky & Trail, First & foremost - thank you for looking and taking the time to post your thoughts. 'Hard to overcall how important good feedback is for me. At the risk of sounding like a broken record - its huge. 'Getting the best of what was there & handling it well really has to be my target for a number of reasons. I'm new to MF. While I've shot BW in the past, its was mostly without any eye or drive for any artistry. Stretching into these areas is what makes your help so valuable. Largely because I can't know what aesthetic will ring other's bells, I can only concentrate on humble basics - composition, lighting. Like other interests, I have to do this by ALOT of the best quality practice I can do. That's how I have to address a deficit of natural talent. If I can get my eye and reflexes to reliably find and execute the best of what's there, the winners will come - and my reflexes will then help me recognize and execute. This was a day of stretching - 6 changes of film backs (color), while fumbling awkwardly with the finder that has no focus screen (matte glass only with old eyes), while trying to keep an umbrella in place w/ head & shoulders while working gear, using a new film. Anything remotely decent coming out of doing things the hard way is more than enough to keep me working my tail off on humble targets.
HiHo, I think most all of us have learned our photography through more trial and error then anything to do with formal training. At least that is my own learning curve. Most all the photogs I know personally traveled the same route. With that all said it does not hurt to experiment with various films, lenses, etc....over time. But after a period you'll decide what works best for your "style" of photography. I use most always Velvia 50 for landscape shooting. I know others that would not think to take one shot with the film, while I only use it without thinking twice about it's "looks" in the end. As for compositions, there are three things I try my best to contain, that being too many "things" in a scene, and too much or too little light. Saying that, I always shoot during the sunrise and & sunset cycles. Velvia 50 is limited to exposure latitude and I try my best to work within that ability. I also use grad, nd, and reverse grad filters as needed. They do aid with the exposure latitude to a point. As you've just started using MF gear it will take a bit of time to sort out the usage, but once practiced a bit you will find it all second nature in the end.
This image has everything required to graduate as a framed print on a wall. You can get lost in the detail, the trail or just the abstract composition.A friend once asked me how I knew when a photo was really good ? He said: "Imagine the photo framed, hanging in front of your desk, and you see it every day, Monday to Friday, eight to ten hours a day. Would you still enjoy looking at it after a few years ?". I have a couple of images that I enjoy after many years of seeing them on my walls. This is a photo like that.
Trail, Thank you - most of all for kindly taking the time & thought. For some reason - likely the years, the thought that lots of work, trial & error, staying engaged & working at the job at hand - seems so completely right. Some have natural talent for seeing - or shooting, or things mechanical, aesthetic - but not many. That I would be like most & have to work at it doesn't really cloud my enthusiasm. The amount of work does have me do some mental calculus about whether or not something is worth the effort. For me, the evocative image is very much worth it, so settling down, climbing in the harness and getting sweaty is the current part of my path. The simplification of composition, I can work on w/ 35mm or even the dreaded digital. Getting the manual controls to be automatic just requires more practice on my part. The cost of commercial processing for MF kept me from using it enough to be very comfortable w/ it. I tried to avoid slopping chemicals & setting up a darkroom, but I'm already marinating film & enjoying how the savings lets me shoot more. Tomorrow, I'll work some more at clearing space for a Beseler 45 & trying to get a dark space in the garage. Your kind encouragement is good, good medicine. I'm grateful. Peter, Thank You. I've never heard any kind of yardstick for telling if a shot is good or not. Being one who always sees just the flaws, its VERY helpful. The reason for MF is my shot of the nose of my kayak across a glassy Pugeot Sound, pointing at the lighthouse (who's light was caught 'on'). I have a grainy 8x10. I wish I had a non-grainy 16x20 or larger. The sensual tones in a Weston shot of a bell pepper, the gripping portrait from Karsh or HCB are inspiration. The evocative shot of a person knocks me out. ColColt's work is fabulous, as was Doc's shot of the young girl in the pearl dress. Blansky's self portrait changed my mind about the selfie. There's more excellent help from here than any handful of sites I've seen. I appreciate your kind help, Peter. A fresh batch of 35mm c41 to scan. I'll be off obsessing on that for a few hours. I sure appreciate your help.