• Members 689 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 12:19 a.m.

    This one from RAW file processed in Lr Classic and Topaz Photo AI. I reduced size to save some space
    eagle edit-1.jpg

    eagle edit-1.jpg

    JPG, 2.9 MB, uploaded by Sagittarius on Aug. 29, 2024.

  • Members 1416 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 12:24 a.m.

    Knowing nothing about the monument and lured in by Roel's history summary. I followed up the links. I thought more background would shape my response to the image. Ultra nationalism, Christianity and pacifism are unexpected bedfellows. It isn't surprising that the monument's history is controversial. Pacifism is a many edged sword.
    The photo. AAVK is inescapable here. The letters are duplicated, central and stand out because of the positioning in the arch and the direction of the gaze of the lion. The image doesn't suggest any value judgement about AAVK but it challenges the viewer, of the towers or the photo, to understand what AAVK means. Roel's links are essential. If the viewer feels compelled to follow up to understand the significance, the photo has worked.

  • Members 1416 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 1:01 a.m.

    A candidate for the "lonely bench" genre with all the interpretative possibilities that genre inspires. Blue and white oozes summer but there are clouds on the horizon. The framing of the ladder is a nice touch. It's a reminder of the activity of summer.
    I enjoyed the ambiguity of "end of summer" with the pier end.

  • Members 1416 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 1:20 a.m.

    One of my favourite uses of photography is when the images make me stop and look at something I might otherwise not have registered. Additionally, I like abstracted images whether in photography or other art forms. This series from Mike appeals to me a lot. The last one especially. It isn't immediately apparent here that we are looking at a reflection in water. They aren't colours we'd expect and the broken up water surface gives extreme shattering of the reflection while retaining solid lines and colour blocks.

  • Members 3973 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 2:07 a.m.

    Wonderful colours in the sky and water.

    The seats in the foreground don't do much for me.

    Hopefully you were able to find a composition with the restaurant in the foreground and the water and sky as the background.

    I think that would make a stunning photo.

    Anyway, since those seats are very distracting for me, both the crops below (with a bit of cleaning of the seats) work better for me.

    Just some food for thought 😊


    dprevived.com/media/attachments/be/89/VEYTZGDA1P25D3xtYcDmaVZg6Rqb2kDJjDJBRjg3PlMfIbcdtqnM06ZVZvCvd2l5/sunsetpanoedited.jpg


    dprevived.com/media/attachments/3f/a8/9OqUZTF23iSMw8u0YBIYuk1gQfV4PsoeXAEmWmOolt7W8cR6o1xp8h7fYSuQMc2p/sunsetcroppededi.jpg

    sunsetCroppedEdited.jpg

    JPG, 168.6 KB, uploaded by DanHasLeftForum on Aug. 29, 2024.

    sunsetPanoEdited.jpg

    JPG, 181.7 KB, uploaded by DanHasLeftForum on Aug. 29, 2024.

  • Members 3973 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 2:11 a.m.

    These are absolutely amazing 🙂

    I would never have thought of using very fast shutter speeds to create artistic images like these.

    This is now a "must try" for me when an opportunity comes up 🙂

  • Members 3973 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 3:35 a.m.

    Nice sunrise scene.

    The small boat adds more interest.

    But there is too much near silhouetted foreground and in the strip of land above it on the right. The fact that there is still some detail in the jpeg data suggests more detail was visible to the eye when you took the shot. Some of the clouds in the brightest part of the sky are also very nearly, but not quite, completely clipped. They can be recovered somewhat and so for me this version below works better for me and is easier in the eyes regarding the overall high contrast in the the scene.

    As always, just some food for thought.


    dprevived.com/media/attachments/a3/a1/9IczrQxCEbucNE2Mrf3OkYDV4R6ZFVcnZOJ2ZBPlmRBjoHBPienRdumByHGDYP4h/sunriseedited.jpg

    sunriseEdited.jpg

    JPG, 307.4 KB, uploaded by DanHasLeftForum on Aug. 29, 2024.

  • Members 1093 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 6:41 a.m.

    After the prompting, I finally dived into RawTherapee, which I had installed ages ago, but always balked at the learning curve...

    I lifted shadows to what I thought the naked eye might have seen. The perched one could have perhaps gone a bit further...

    P1265161RTa.jpg

    P1275879RTa.jpg

    P1265403RTa.JPG

    P1265403RTa.JPG

    JPG, 2.2 MB, uploaded by Bryan on Aug. 29, 2024.

    P1275879RTa.jpg

    JPG, 5.4 MB, uploaded by Bryan on Aug. 29, 2024.

    P1265161RTa.jpg

    JPG, 945.9 KB, uploaded by Bryan on Aug. 29, 2024.

  • Members 3973 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 6:48 a.m.

    I think you left that one in the "digital microwave" for too long 😉

    Obviously starting with a raw file is best but below is Bryan's original jpeg edited in ACR and then Photoshop Elements.


    dprevived.com/media/attachments/60/f5/uLDMs2mMOthTUJIbG1TGrJDGNJPhVc5N3rYuEOP1ChhNG3GvbVHX2cWG5UgWs8mS/eagleedited.jpg

    eagleEdited.jpg

    JPG, 159.2 KB, uploaded by DanHasLeftForum on Aug. 29, 2024.

  • Foundation 172 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 7:16 a.m.

    The third & fourth ones especially - absolutely amazing!

    Tim

  • Foundation 172 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 7:24 a.m.

    Just goes to show the value of participating in a forum like this. And, for what it's worth, I think you've got it (lifting shadows) just right

    Tim

  • Members 1093 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 7:53 a.m.

    Thanks Tim,
    and by the look of your avatar, you might have some raptors your way?

  • Foundation 172 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 8:50 a.m.

    Well, I'm Welsh and for the past 200 years, or so, Wales was the last stronghold in the UK for Red Kites. Now, thankfully, they're expanding into most parts of England (where I currently live/work) - due to successful re-introductions and natural expansion from Wales

    Unfortunately, the picture isn't mine - it's just one I got off the Internet

    Tim

  • Members 689 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 11:04 a.m.

    Like you always say this is your opinion. Some people like steak "medium rare" some people like "well done". 😀

  • Members 3973 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 11:29 a.m.
  • Members 54 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 3:32 p.m.

    For me, a photo is successful when it makes me stop and study it for a while. While I might not call this a beautiful image, I was captured by it. The graceful curve of the dune leads me into the image, around to the blowing sand on top, then into the vast expanse of openness in the distance to the right. The unbroken sky perfectly complements the color of the dune. No matter your original intent, I get a strong sense of dread and a feeling that I REALLY wouldn't want to be here without water or a means of transport to get out of there! Nicely done.

  • Members 689 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 4:52 p.m.
  • Members 711 posts
    Aug. 29, 2024, 5:24 p.m.

    "Hey mister! Can I take some pictures of your fishing gear?"

    This post is sort of a continuation of the one from last week. I posted a shot of the Oceanside, CA Harbor Lighthouse at sunset with activity starting to ramp up at the various eateries there.

    I was putting a mid-1970s era Nikon EM film SLR through its paces that I had gotten off eBay for $19.

    After taking the lighthouse images, I had some dinner. When I left the restaurant it was dark. Walking back toward the parking lot, I passed a group of guys lined up against one of the sea walls, waiting to board a boat in the harbor’s night fishing fleet. Their gear was on the ground, leaning against a low railing. The only light was the last dim glow from the sky and some light spilling out from the harbor shops.

    I don’t know anything about fishing gear. But I’m a sucker for shiny equipment of any kind. I asked them if I could photograph their gear. Slightly bemused they all said, “Yeah!”

    This was a 50 year old camera I was using for the first time. All I had done was unpack it, put in a fresh battery and a roll of color negative film. My tripod legs were as short as possible, so the tripod was very sturdy. It was dark! I barely could see to focus. I concentrated on the shiniest metal parts visible.

    The camera has only aperture priority metering. I set the Nikkor 105 Macro lens to f/8, tripped the shutter and waited each time. The ancient exposure meter dutifully set the shutter speed. Each shot lasted about 20-30 seconds! The first time, I was sure the camera was just sitting there, doing nothing. I heard the shutter open, but it was an act of faith to wait for it to close!

    What a great little camera.

    The images make a nice grouping on a wall in my office.

    rod-1.jpg

    Rod2.jpg

    Rod3.jpg

    Rich

    Rod3.jpg

    JPG, 3.7 MB, uploaded by Rich42 on Aug. 29, 2024.

    Rod2.jpg

    JPG, 3.7 MB, uploaded by Rich42 on Aug. 29, 2024.

    rod-1.jpg

    JPG, 3.5 MB, uploaded by Rich42 on Aug. 29, 2024.