Carnarvon Gorge, Qld
Well, I think you met the challenge you set for yourself! This is a very good example of a beautifully rendered record of the environment you were in at the time. The print, while not creatively printed is technically satisfying – “on the button” so to speak! While there is a “lot” see in the frame the arrangement of the subject elements do not in my view work well enough as a whole to grab then hold my attention.
Pulpit Rock, Cape Schanck
Very well executed! The foreground surging water contributes to a sense that Pulpit Rock is a dominant structure and totally isolated by this “dangerous” moat. Pictorially, the rock could have been rendered even more strongly had you considered “burning in” around the frame edges by say, up to ½ a stop in order to create a visual frame within which to hold attention on Pulpit Rock - the subject of the image. I think Pulpit Rock is a little over exposed and would look better lighter with more detail in the strong shadow areas. Arguably, the rock can be placed toward the right of the frame for more balance with the water spray but I like the original positioning as long as the left water spray is toned down. This then does not distract the viewer from Pulpit Rock – it is secondary but still an important element in the overall shot. Grin... bet you didn’t feel the eyebrow get away from you to fall into the water!
Heads up!
Caught! A Cartier-Bresson moment! An Interesting choice of film though... Eastman Double X 5222 is normally used in the cinema industry and also used for copying onto high contrast film for cinema projection. It is known to be an inherently low contrast film with a tendency for a lack of detail in the highlights if not exposed and developed carefully. In this instance, I don’t think the full capability of the film/print combination has been achieved. In so saying, the image concept is a winner but the resultant print is under printed, soft and lacks contrast (tonal separation) to make it a stand-out!
Mt. Field Cascade
Now this IS a stand-out print! Magical! Superbly crafted & rendered with the light in all the right places! Notwithstanding the long exposure the fine details of ferns and foliage are still acceptably sharp. Shadows with detail in all the right places too... Truly a fine combination of visualisation and technique!
Mother and Daughter
A terrific opportunity seen and taken! Well framed – all the elements are in the right place, good balance and flow... creates this wonderful social commentary. The girls are out shopping together, the youngster in training maybe following in Mum’s footsteps. A real plus is not an iPhone in sight! From my perspective it is also an opportunity lost. Poor technique has let you down. Street photography is about confidence & preparation - being ready to seize the fleeting opportunity to get “the shot”! The image is not sharp - not as sharp as I know the Pentax is capable of producing. Maybe it is out of focus or camera shake? (More than likely it is the former). Even using HP5+ the stated exposure combination is not ideal for using zone focussing with sufficient depth of field – f11@60th may have been a better choice as long as you can hand hold at that speed. Another consideration: try a wider lens the 35mm for even more DOF? The print is underexposed lacking contrast – sparkle. A contributing reason may be the fact your negative is not quite right - under exposed and/or under developed plus shooting in soft open shade? I’m not sure of your experience – so, dare I suggest you find a local mentor to advise you on the quality of your negatives? Lastly, looking at the print I feel light may be falling off toward the edge of the print as the edge densities appear lighter than the rest of the print. This is a consideration as long as you know to deal with it in the printing process. Do an edge burn of about ¼ to ½ a stop extra exposure... Grin... all this said, I enjoyed the story being told!
More like a Hurricane & Ruby
Both visually very pleasing and impactful images... produced using part dddd... digi... digittt... DIGITAL work flow! There, I got it out! No darkroom magic here!
My participation on the APUG site is to further my interest in photography. Thus, I am somewhat bemused that the “rules” of this group encourage the “hybrid” process when the DPUG exists for specifically those users producing hybrid computer generated digital images. Accordingly, I believe our rule undermines the stated intention and objective of APUG itself. Interestingly, APUG does not even allow any “hybrid” image posts to any of the APUG galleries! I know this issue was considered when the group was formed in 2010 but wonder if, with up to 25% of the group now contributing “hybrid” prints, it is something that needs to be revisited?
Gold Coast – A great place to “crash”
Now, to my image... For me the story is the fact of a car resting lazily on the veranda of a house – not an everyday scene! As soon as I saw the developed negatives I knew I had “fluffed” it! Simply I was too far away without elements to lead the eye into the picture and create a more 3-dimensional feel – a sense of scale. So, to get the story across, it was necessary to print a small portion of the negative. Fortunately I had used Ilford Pan F – though not necessarily developed for fine grain. The final print is OK - a bit gritty and missing some darkroom creative. As it turned out the process seems to have matched the scene. Nevertheless, it hopefully tells a story?
Lastly, thank you all for the joy I have experience looking at you art and your willingness for me to have an opportunity to provide some commentary plus insight... See you all next round!
Great stuff...
