* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #869 / Revived #089 on 2024 12 11 *

It's funny how some things in nature remind us of everyday items we see and use, or eat in this case. You have certainly captured the light at the right moment to draw our attention to the main subject. Well seen.

Beautiful images, with rich colors, vivid contrast and textures so well rendered that the viewer can feel the mix of rough and soft. The first one is a great stand alone image because of the use of shape, texture and line. The flat horizon line intersects with the slanted line of the barbed wire and the slanted line of the threatening cloud structure somewhere outside the right edge of the frame, taking our sight line with it. But then our sight line discovers the other jagged path, up from the first fence post then jumping to the path/road through the field and into the distant horizon. Exploration can begin on either path but will eventually follow them both. Well done.

The closer crop offered later in the thread seems more accessible than this one. In the original, the contrasts in the blurred background, and the OOF rear command too much attention. The crop lets the sharply focused head/eye assume priority, and helps the viewer focus on the strengths of the shot and the interesting critter. Nice subtle colors can be better appreciated in the cropped version too.

Nicely seen, framed, and cropped. Most subway/transit shots are focused on the riders, and fall in the realm of street photography. This is more of an abstract, with its strength in the shapes, lines and colors. The big V of the lights, and the elongated and interrrupted I of the big red vertical are the dominant shapes that control where the eye goes. There are other smaller I's and V's scattered about. There's a case to be made for cropping off the lower part of the I, but an equally strong case for keeping it. I prefer keeping it in. I also think you could have an interesting black and white version of this.

I like the slight disconnectedness of the elements in this composition. Some elements are squared up while others are askew. Some contrast is intense, and some contrast is subdued. Some textures are smooth while others are rough. The light varies from intensely bright to deeply shadowed. It is not satisfying or soothing but unsettling and therein lies its restless interest. I probably like such images more than the average viewer. I have always been accused, rightfully so, of putting too much stuff in the frame.

What a lovely little winter piece. The subtle rainbow is captivating. Photographing from below the "pudding" causes those trees to soar quite majestically, and using the diagonal as the stage on which the "pudding" sits creates visual tension. Nicely done.

Before we conclude that this is a haiku poem told through a photo, let's take a closer look.
Could it be that the moonlight is illuminating the leaf very brightly and reflecting itself remarkably less brightly in the water?
Not really, is it?
If I criticize a photo like this, I'm the spoilsport.
Please say in advance that something was added to the photo in post-production.

To be clear, the haiku poem interpretation was added by me and not the original post.
Before minniev replies, I'll ask. Does it matter? How the water, leaf and moon components' exposures appear on the image will depend on the exposure measuring method used plus any PP adjustment. A spot exposure reading on, say, the leaf, will give a different image to taking an averaged exposure across the entire screen. Which is correct?

As Mike says, none of this matters. The image is what matters, and the image is what you see and have a chance to respond to. However, as always, I will offer to explain the image to you.
1. The picture was taken about 7 am, after sunrise, so the light is NOT moonlight reflecting off the leaf, it is early morning sunlight. As you see in the photo of the ibis, the sky is clear and day has come. Surely you must know that there are times when the moon remains visible in the sky after sunrise. During those times it is of course also visible in reflections. After sunrise, the moon and its reflections are always less bright than they appear in the dark night sky.
2. Yes, the moon is reflected in the water of the bay, just beside the floating leaf and yes, it is not all that bright.
3. No, I cannot say that anything was added in post because there was nothing added. What would I have added? The leaf? The reflection of the moon? Why? They were right there in front of me, side by side. All I had to do was take their picture from the little fishing pier.
4. The image is a focus stack, taken with the Olympus EM1 Miii, which offers a special setting for this. I don't remember whether I had 3 or 5 images in the stack. The camera wasn't moved during the capture, so the scene is precisely as it appeared. The stack allowed the moon and the leaf to both be held in fairly decent focus with emphasis on the leaf. The moon remained a bit more fuzzy despite a fast shutter because the water was moving the reflection around slightly.
5. The image was cropped, contrast, clarity and sharpening were added, and it was run through a noise removal program, but I don't remember whether I used Topaz denoise or OnOne denoise. I use both. Noise removal is necessary on most of my photos since I use an m43 camera.

It pains me when such an everyday photo has to serve as a showcase for fine Japanese art!

Have you ever thought about getting out of your comfort zone?
What you've shared with us so far is good, but it's getting boring.
Geometry and leading lines lead nowhere!

A week without Kumsal's angry, exasperated, impatient, negative criticisms would be like waiting for the other shoe to drop.

But you haven't disappointed! You're here to demean us, once again.

Not only am I the target of your disappointment with my inferior skills, but, now Minnie "pains" you also. Oh, no!

What can we ever do to regain your favor, wise one? Oh, please enlighten us with your knowledge and esthetic sensibilities.

Even though you have never displayed the most rudimentary example of craft, skill or taste in any photographic example, we all take it as an act of faith that you are a superior being. After all, you show such mastery of arrogance!

Funny, how you sound so much like another poster here. But he's silent this week. Hmm . . .

Rich

I went for a stroll downtown this morning and took some pictures. It was cloudy and cold with few people out and about, so I had to settle for impersonations.

I have read and re-read that sentence and I'm having a lot of trouble understanding what you mean. I'm interpreting the meaning as you thinking that the photo is very ordinary and therefore it shouldn't be mentioned in the same context as fine Japanese art. I'll answer with that understanding of what you are getting at but I may have misunderstood you.
I'm no expert on Japanese art and poetry. The Japanese poetry I have read has been in English and it is always dangerous to start making pronouncements on translations. I'd have thought that seeing the significance, being moved by simple things, often solitary things, especially from nature, is at the very heart of Japanese Haiku poetry in particular and Japanese aesthetics in general. I can't see "everyday" as a criticism here. Isn't this a key aspect of the genre? Opening eyes to awareness?
In the photo we have a single, fallen dead leaf. Next to it we have an ambiguity, a reminder of something that goes on and on. As zen/haiku moments go, in my never humble opinion, the image nails it.

I suppose I could start a post "How to photograph snow" and add a few thoughts :-)

Thanks to all of you for your encouraging comments on this image !

I like the way you've captured the details of the shiny surface of the paper boy here.
That statue is very good, the boy is full of enthusiasm and energy!

I have a weakness when it comes to books.
The most beautiful photo this week for me.