Open
Set Subject
Judge: Shona Jarray APSNZ
Thank you for inviting me to assess your images – it is always a great honour. I hope that my comments are helpful and wish you all well in your future endeavours in photography.
Prints
A grade – set subject
The following image is Accepted
Harris Snowstorm
The landscape suggests to me that the weather is very unforgiving at this place. I get the feeling that where the photographer is standing is a warm, bright spot of sunshine, the harsh weather being in the far distance. This is to me a very pleasing landscape image. To me it does not portray the feeling of it being wet, cold and/or windy, except
perhaps in the far distant – this is why it has an acceptance and not a higher award.
A grade – Open
The following images have been Accepted
Imprisoned
This image intrigues me as I am uncertain whether it is the man, the flower or both that are imprisoned. I am not sure that the filter treatment added in post processing is a positive enhancement. For me it adds confusion as I keep looking at the man’s fingers and to me they don’t all look attached. The man appears very cramped with part of his arm or elbow chopped off on the right hand side of the image and I would suggest that the photographer consider having a bit more space on both sides.
An interesting and intriguing concept, worth further exploration.
A river divided.
I get a strong feeling of rushing towards the edge – and a bit of a fear of tipping over the edge. The composition reinforces this feeling for me with the fast moving water on the right occupying the greater part of the image. I wonder if the photographer would consider flipping horizontally – so that the viewers eye moves as it is accustomed
– from left to right although this is a minor consideration. I do find the strong yellow colour a little distracting and wonder if that could be toned down a bit. Well seen and nicely composed.
The following images has been awarded Merit
Lone cabbage tree
Very well executed high key image showing very good detail in the head of the cabbage tree. The texture has been applied on the diagonal which is complimentary and gives me a sense of movement. The head of the cabbage tree is placed very centrally in the image space and I wonder if the photographer would consider positioning the head of the tree a little higher in the image – say for example on the top third. This would emphasize strong lines and height of the tree. Very nicely printed and presented
The Woolshed
I get a feeling of isolation in the depths of winter. The black and white treatment suits the image and adds to the winter feeling I get. I feel a nice balance between the tall tree in the foreground and the woolshed being further back – this keeps my eye bouncing between the two. I wonder if some animal or human activity would help retain my interest and keep my eye on/in the image. The image has been beautifully printed and matted.
The following image has been awarded Honours
Earthquake destruction
I get a strong feeling of instability and instantly wonder if it is safe to proceed. Excellent tonal range portrayal oftextures. So much to look at and explore – well done!
B grade – Open
The following image has been awarded Honours and Print of the month
Ferniehurst
I get a strong feeling of early morning not long after sunrise on a cold but sparkley winter morning. The way the sunlight plays through the landscape keeps my eye moving through the image. The oblique line of the fence creates a triangle in the bottom left and also an inferred triangle with the base of the trees. The sunlight on the snow or frost of the field behind the trees moves my eye from right to left, then I go to the top right to explore the higher ground, come back down to the almost frozen water and the journey starts again. Well done!
Digital Images
B grade - set subject
The following images have been accepted
Stormy
I get the feeling that either the storm is possibly coming or has been and gone – the rough sea crashing on the rocks. Right now though it looks like quite a pleasant day! The exposure has been well handled and the focus on the rocks in the foreground is nice and crisp. There is something strange on the edge of the frame top left. I would recommend the photographer consider a crop of the top third of sky which is not indicative of harsh weather, keeping the original aspect which would also remove whatever is intruding on the top left – this in my view would make it a stronger image.
Ominous
This image also makes me feel that the storm is either coming or going – illustrated by the huge swell of the sea and the very lumpy horizon. The “explosion” pf the approaching wave is most certainly ominous. I would recommend that the photographer consider cropping out the blue cloudless portion of the sky and lowering the exposure of the clouds. IN my view this would enhance the feeling of approaching ominous weather. I really like the composition with the peak of the crashing wave very central.
Walking in the rain
This image is so this winter!! I like the composition with the person nicely framed by the brick wall and the gate. I like that there is space behind the heels of the person and plenty of space to walk into. The person appears a little out of focus. To me it seems that the point of focus is just beyond the person – on the brick wall. In my view it would
be a stronger image with the person in focus and the wall a little out.
The following images have been awarded a Merit
Light finger
I really do get the feel of harsh weather when I look at this image – the very menacing clouds with the light fingers coming down have been well captured. The clouds appear to me to have a little bit of a colour cast – magenta. Most software used in post production will allow you to manipulate the image to remove this. I do find the complete lack of detail in the bottom of the image a little distracting On another occasion you might consider making 5 bracketed exposures and blending them together using HDR which can be done in a subtle manner – this would bring out more detail in the foreground. In this type of image is not easy to capture all the detail because of the enormous dynamic range and you have had to make a choice as to the exposure to portray the elements important to you. . in my view you have made a good
choice – well done.
Down in the valley
This to me looks like a peaceful but cool early winter morning. I enjoy the framing allowing me to look through the trees and branches at the valley below. I get the feeling of a peaceful, rural community. The muted colours and the swirling mist add to this. In my view this does not really fit with the set subject of harsh weather. Nevertheless it is a
very beautiful image.
The following image has been awarded Honours
Danger Zone
Wow! I certainly feel like I am in the danger zone and that the weather here is very unforgiving, the swirling mist and the dark rock faces adding to this. There is a lot to look at with the variety of interesting textures, all in nice sharp focus. The photographer might consider lifting the exposure slightly in post processing to really make the snow and ice a bit brighter and make the image really pop!
B grade – Open
The following image has been awarded a Merit
Going for a cold dip.
Wonderful action shot where the action has been frozen in time with a fast shutter speed. I really like the variety of “stages” into this event – those at the front captured going headlong into the start of their swim whilst those at the back being a bit more tentative – maybe the water is cold? And then the onlookers at the back – they seem well rugged up so perhaps this is a triathlon or open sea swim at the very start of the season! I like the depth of field chosen – it puts the attention on the swimmers whom I feel are the main event. You might consider either straightening or cropping out the shop facades as to me these on an angle detract from the main event. Nicely exposed.
The following image has been awarded Honours
Bridge of failed dreams
There is a lot to intrigue me in this image. I get the feeling of the beginning of a journey but I can’t quite see where it ends up, or does it just peter out. I feel that the sepia treatment really suits the image evoking a feeling of history. I really like the way that the bottom of the image has equi-distance on either side of the start of the bridge and at the bottom of the image. This add to the feeling of dreams/planning etc. which then fail to eventuate. I would recommend that the photographer consider cropping off about a third of the sky as in my mind this would concentrate the view more in the bridge and its destination. Great image – well done!
A grade – set subject
The following images have been Accepted
Behind the front
This image certainly shows a very ominous sky. I like the dominance of the proportion of the sky in the image and the fan like lines which make me feel that the front is spreading out and about to envelop me. I find the total lack of detail in the base of the image a little distracting. I would suggest the photographer consider trying to pull out some detail of that area in post processing. Also I wonder if a small crop from the top would strengthen the image by accentuating the fanning out of the cloud formation.
Mount Taranaki under siege
The mountain with a hat! The clouds above certainly look very threatening and if I were nearby I would feel a strong need to find shelter somewhere. The image has a great deal of digital noise detracts from its impact and also some slight chromatic aberration evident where the top of the dark tree line is against the mountain. Sometimes this can be minimized in post processing. It can also be minimized by selecting an aperture near to the centre of the range of aperture available in the lens. Unfortunately sometimes it just happens. Digital can be avoided by use of a tripod and a low ISO.
Beam me through the fog
I get the impression that it is a nasty winter’s night and the car I am looking at has lost control on the corner – or is there a road behind it that is it exiting that I am unable to see. I feel a tension between the car and the open barrier arm and then my eye follows the curved road marking around and back to the car ensuring that my interest is held within the image. I would suggest that the photographer consider cropping a little from the top and right to focus more attention on the car, thereby strengthening the impact of this image.
Harsh Beauty
Looking at this image makes me feel cold! You have chosen a viewpoint which has colour in the foreground and I enjoy the looking through aspect to the valley beyond. The photographer might consider applying a subtle vignette to keep the eye of the viewer within the image.
Krisp
I like the square format of this image and the way the foliage frames the ice crystals which look as though they are formed around a really thin branch of the plant. The entire image is in sharp focus and is a good choice. The exposure has been well handled. I suggest that you add a subtle vignette to the image to keep the eye of the viewer inside the frame. Well seen and nicely composed.
Icecream anyone
A nice juxtaposition of the Streets Icecream sign, the ice and snow all around and what looks like a couple of abandoned take-away coffee cups on top of the stone work. It looks like a very cold day! Exposing this image earlier or later in the day might make for more dramatic lighting which would enhance the image. I find the snow at the top
of the image extremely bright and would suggest that the photographer try to bring the exposure of this area down in post processing.
milking cows returning
The slow shutter speed used gives an ethereal feel to this image and the general feel of the image serves to remind me that farmers often have to be out in all weathers. I find the very bright albeit grey sky a bit distracting along with the pole on the left edge and the one just left of centre. I wonder if removing these and the wires (content aware fill) and cropping the image down from the top to just above the tree in the distance far left to make a panorama would make a more impactful image.
Mid-winter storm
Nice drama in the very rough sea here, nicely framed by the mountains behind. The point of focus is right in the front and the large breaking wave right across the idle is just out of focus and in my view this is a good choice. The gull, bottom left adds very good interest. I know it is not always possible, but I would really like to see the gull a bit higher up the frame as I feel this would help make a stronger more impactful image.
Too cold
I get the feeling!! I like the point of view you have taken with the edge of the jetty running diagonally. The exposure has been well handled showing a great deal of detail in the feathers, particularly for the front duck. I do find the bright highlights in the water compete for my attention and would suggest that you consider cloning them out. In my
opinion the dark shadow in bottom right detracts from the image. Whilst it would be really difficult to remove this entirely, its impact could be substantially reduced in post processing.
The following images have been awarded Merit
Cloudy bay
I have a sense of a cold bleak day on the beach. I like the choice of shutter speed here which gives the waves and the
sea spray a really ethereal feel. In my opinion the image would be stronger if the exposure were lifted a little to
increase the amount of detail visible in the hills behind the sea. You might also consider using a graduated filter to
bring down the exposure of the clouds at the top and making them look a bit more menacing.
Gathering storm at St Arnaud
I find the composition of this image very pleasing. The oblique line of bits of cloud take me from the right hand side towards the centre meeting up with the road then up to the mountains where I feel the harsh weather is happening. Whilst the centre of the valley has some nice lighting I feel that you could make more of this in post processing,
really bring out the golden colour of the land and enhancing the light falling on the fields. You might then consider using a graduated filter to add drama to the clouds above.
Ploughing through
For me there is a great deal of drama in this image. Although there is more ocean behind the boat than in front I feel that the choices the photographer has made makes this a strong composition because the misty spray of the breaking waves is to me a dominant feature that appears to cocoon the boat. I like the way that it barely breaks above the horizon, enhancing the cocoon feeling. There is a lot of digital noise in the sky which for me detracts from the image. This could be dealt with effectively in post processing.
Cold lines of winter
A very simple but very effective image most definitely giving me the feeling of cold winter. The stark bare silhouette of the top of the tree provides interest in the foreground followed by the layers of cloud and mist behind add to that. I get the impression that there is a recession of hill tops beneath the cloud perhaps. In my opnion being able to see a bit more of the tree would make this a stand out image.
The following images have been awarded Honours
Many mirrors
I find this image really intriguing and the title of “many mirrors” very apt. The stalks and drops of water are in sharp focus in front and the background is nicely out of focus. The small circles of light in the background reinforce the drops of water on the stalks and the muted colours in my opinion all go to make this a very simple but effective,
intriguing and memorable image – well done!
The following image is digital image of the month
Road to closure.
I get an overwhelming sense of harsh weather and drama here. The exposure is a little under and focus is a little soft but this for me adds to the drama and an almost menacing feel that safety is at risk. Very cleverly done!
A grade – Open
The following image is Accepted
Dragonfly
Amazing colours in this dragonfly. I like the shutter speed you have chosen showing the dragonfly body in crisp focus as it hovers over the plant – at the same time allowing the wings to show some movement. I find the composition to be strong in my view with the diagonal of the leading my eye up to the body, I go down to the plant and immediately back to the tail. I do find the green patch top left corner somewhat distracting and recommend the photographer consider either cropping this out or cloning out if not entering in a Nature section. The following images has been awarded Honours
Golden orb spider with prey.
I love the detail which has been captured in this image from the hairs on the spider’s legs to the detail in the wings of what looks like it might be a cicada. To me it illustrates a moment in life and in death – survival of the fittest. Well captured and nicely exposed.
Mycena gold.
All gathered together like a family in a huddle! Beautifully lit making them appear almost luminous, at the same time demonstrating the fragility of the species. Nicely composed and exposed, with to me just the right amount of space around them. I like that the background has sufficient detail to “educate” the viewer on the environment.
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