* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #883 / Revived #103 on 2025 03 19*

Welcome to the Wednesday Comments and Critique (No Theme & No Brand) thread!

We are dedicated to continuing the great tradition of this C&C thread because we are convinced that looking at, and talking about images is vital for better photography.

Our tried and tested concept (almost 17 years and running!) is a weekly "peer-to-peer" photo comments & critique encounter, in which you GIVE and RECEIVE.

The idea is simple: you post a photo or photo-based image that you have made and get critique on it. And in return you give other people your honest but constructive opinion of their images.

Any Theme, Any Camera, Any Style, Any Subject.

We are still figuring out how to create the convenience of threaded view on this new forum.
For now, let us agree that you post an image or essay with a title and short explanation, and that all comments include the image as a quote.
Replies to comments may or may not include quotes.

THREAD GUIDELINES – THE SHORT & SWEET VERSION
• This thread does not care about brands. It’s not about the tool, but the image.
• Post one image or essay that you have made and would like to get comments on.
An entry can either be a single image or a short essay. With an essay we mean not a collection of random images without any connection, seeking C&C on more than one of them. We mean instead a limited number (3 to 10) of connected images that together try to tell a story, create a fuller picture of a situation, event or location, etc.
• Add a clear title to your post to distinguish your entry.
• Look at the other images/essays and give your comments on at least one of those.
• For comments, try to go beyond a simple pat on the back or a short dismissal.
• Do you like an image (or essay) ? Try to explain WHY it appeals to you.
• Negative feedback is OK (we all want to learn), but be polite and constructive. Try to explain why the image (or essay) does not appeal to you and how it might be improved.
• Please stay on topic, i.e. concentrate on the image and the photographic comments, without getting into politics or other distractions. No non-photographic arguments.

The critique you give is vital.
What was your first impression? What catches your eye about an image? Why?
What do you like, and what distracts you? What would you change?

Fiddle with the image in your head - composition, perspective, color balance, exposure.

PLEASE NOTE CLEARLY:
Unless the original poster specifically states (for every individual posting offered for C&C) that they do not want their image(s) to be downloaded, altered or reposted, it is understood that within the context of this thread, other participants are free to download and alter the posted image and repost it in a reply for C&C purposes. That reposted image may remain permanently within the week's thread, or you may remove it after a short period of time if you prefer. The downloaded and altered images are not to be used for any other purposes nor uploaded anywhere else than within the context of the C&C in this thread. No copyright disputes here!

Encourage - it is a scary business putting your work up for other people to judge!

More general feedback is also welcome.
Do you know something about taking the same sort of image that would make matters easier - share your own as an example in your reply.

Have fun, be respectful and let’s stick together!

ALBEROBELLO

An (Iphone) image from last year September, when we travelled to Puglia (the heel of Italy's boot) and Albania.

This is a view of Alberobello, a small city on Puglia's east side (near the Adriatic coast), that is home to one of the largest concentration of "trulli".

Trulli (plural for trullo) are the typical buildings from the region, characterized by their conic roofs made of natural stone seemingly just stacked onto whitewhashed walls. They have small doors and windows (to keep out the summer heat and to retain winter warmth). Most trullo houses consist of a succession/grouping of two or three (or even more) of these shapes.

The story goes (and any local guide will tell you) that trulli were invented to circumvent a certain tax levied in ancient times. This tax was calculated on the surface of roofs over houses, stables and barns, in order to determine a landowner's wealth..
When the tax collector came around, the people used to tear down the conic roofs and scatter the stones (which would obviously be more practical for the trulli that stand in open fields and pastures than those in the city. The owner would then claim that those remaining roofless walls were a ruin of an abandoned building. and as soon as the tax collector had moved on to the next village, they would just restack the roof.

Seems a bit too good to be true, that charming story, but as the Italians say "Se non è vero, è ben trovato!"

Impact.

Last gasp

A sudden gust of snow landed on my skylight to remind me that winter is almost over.
Spring starts tomorrow ...

Red on red - perfect match. I wonder what went through his mind when he inspected the painting. Echoes of Jackson Pollock...

Wonderful contrast - buildings, roofs and vases.
I particularly like the textures and shapes which are evident here. Great find.

Untitled

I found this one in the old/unedited slush pile. New Orleans musician and passersby on the corner of Royal in front of Rouse's grocery. I thought of posting it in Sunday Cats too.

Living the Dream

Beachfront motel room, Oceanside, CA.

Number two of 30. I shudder to think of what it's like inside. Makes Motel 6 look upscale.

Rich