please comment on this photo

[web44]

No image manipulation was used for this photograph. Just pure vision.

I am considering self publishing a photo art book of my landscapes, and wanted to obtain some feedback.

Many thanks
RW

[Michaelaw]

I think the watermark is too much for the image, major distraction. If I came into your store where you had this image displayed on the wall, how would you sell it to me? Pretend I've got my eye on one of your landscapes on the far wall but you want me to buy this image, tell me why I should buy it! What does it say, what are its strong points? With respect, I don't see what you see, doesn't make it a bad image, just that I don't understand:) Could be you'll get a ton of thumbs up as soon as I hang up here once again proving how out of the loop I actually am:D I guess to state it out front, it lacks a point of interest for me but read above.

[Mad Aussie]

Well .. it's not an image I'd buy, but then photographers aren't likely to be in your target group so that comment from me is almost useless :)

I'm not really sure what this is though ... which kind of makes it 'abstract' to my eyes more than a landscape. Nice patterns and textures in there though ... almost space like in appearance.
In the end though this particular image doesn't have anything in particular that grabs my attention I'm afraid.

What other examples do you have I wonder?

[casil403]

This isn't the crit' section but seeing as you asked......
Looks like oil on the pavement...abstract definitely but I think if it's what I think it is, it's definitely lacking the colour punch I've seen in similar images...:)
Probably could be a bit sharper as well...IMHO...:twocents:
Also, the watermark has gotta go or be made smaller..way too overpowering and distracting.
I hope that was useful..... :)

[Bambi]

to be honest, I don't like this photo. If it's a book of landscapes then it should reflect that. the photo you have looks like pollution in water.

[kat]

I find it a tad bit hard to see.. so I won't critique.

[zenon5940]

I don't see much to attract me to this photo... is this supposed to be fine art?
It's not a "landscape" as per my own definition so I cannot comment any further.

[Marko]

For me this shot could use a medium sized contrast boost. I wish the top middle 'patch' on the edge was not cropped. Hope that helps - Marko

[web44]

Thank you Marko, your comments were relevant & meaningful, unfortunately, up till now, other than Mad Aussie, comments have been petty, its like some of the members have very limited experience & maybe just weaned on this website, with a child-like understanding of what a landscape is, I don't mind negative comments, as long as there is a brain behind it, my mistake was that a website, titled, "fine art photography" was just that, & not a bunch of ameteurs wanting to see their name in lights!!! Sincerely Ron

[Michaelaw]

Ouch!!...Well this armatures child like understanding of landscapes is probably just that which is why I said "I don't see what you see, doesn't make it a bad image just that I don't understand" My reference to you selling me the image was simply to say "hey...I don't get it, show me what you see so I can get it too" I think I was pretty up front that it wasn't necessarily a bad piece, just not something I get:)

[kat]

Hmm..I can understand your frustration. I think people tend to forget that most photography terms are very broad. That landscape photography can include micro photography (you all know what I'm getting at).

I really wish your image was larger. It is small on my screen and I don't think I can give it a just critique. However, if you want one I can give what I see.


It lacks a focal interest. There are many abstract landscape images (sand dunes for instance) but the flow of lines and textures make your eyes scan over the photo without pauses. I do not get this from your image. I see flow cut off. I also can understand the lack of sharpness (could be from the image size, attachment thing) but it makes any lines hard to see. Color wise, it seems a tad bit flat to me. (but I do like my images a bit colorful).
I myself, don't really see a fantastic photo. It would be one I wouldn't keep. The eye of the beholder.

This forum is wonderful. You can get great feedback. Yes, there are many with different levels of skills and that is what makes this forum great. I only hope that those with greater skills than myself will be patient with what I have to say so I can learn from them.

[JAS_Photo]

I dunno. you post a photo that is decidedly unlike anything on the forum and and boldly ask for comments. When they are given and they are for the most part quite polite, you insult the respondees and call them amateurs (sp?). Honestly, purposely stirring up a happy forum community is troll like behavior so I hope that was not your intent here. By the way, it's us amateurs that attend the art shows and buy and promote artists and their art work.

[Marko]

Thank you Marko, your comments were relevant & meaningful, unfortunately, up till now, other than Mad Aussie, comments have been petty, its like some of the members have very limited experience & maybe just weaned on this website, with a child-like understanding of what a landscape is, I don't mind negative comments, as long as there is a brain behind it, my mistake was that a website, titled, "fine art photography" was just that, & not a bunch of ameteurs wanting to see their name in lights!!! Sincerely Ron

Hi web44,

This is a growing forum with members of varying levels of experience.

Even though you did not find many of the comments useful; they were useful. Every comment told you that there was something "missing" from the photo. Some of us can articulate better than others and perhaps this is based on our experience.

also...every comment (except yours) was delivered in a friendly manner in an effort to help you, for free.

The BS rudeness of photo-critic wannabees is never tolerated around here. Please keep that in mind if you wish to hang out here.

Everyone is welcome, but everyone needs to play nice.

Thx! Marko

[casil403]

Thank you Marko, your comments were relevant & meaningful, unfortunately, up till now, other than Mad Aussie, comments have been petty, its like some of the members have very limited experience & maybe just weaned on this website, with a child-like understanding of what a landscape is, I don't mind negative comments, as long as there is a brain behind it, my mistake was that a website, titled, "fine art photography" was just that, & not a bunch of ameteurs wanting to see their name in lights!!! Sincerely Ron

Wow 3 posts and you've managed to insult quite a number of people! Gotta be a record I'm sure!
In response to your post:

Absolutely I am an amateur and quite proud of it!

This "amateur" (in the very best sense of the word I use it... not like you use it as a very petty and childish insult) has learned as much if not more from the advice, comments and opinions from the helpful and kind people on this forum on photos (good and bad) I have posted than I could learn from any photo course. I think "a bunch of amateurs" as you put it, have every right to an opinion just as much more seasoned and experienced photographers.

If you don't want honesty (and I admit it can be brutal at times...we've all had that experience on here and I too have gone away many times licking my wounds on a photo I thought was great) then don't post "please comment on this photo" as your title!

People..... both amateurs and experienced photographers, were merely doing what you asked them to do! :)

[Barefoot]

I don't mind negative comments, as long as there is a brain behind it, my mistake was that a website, titled, "fine art photography" was just that, & not a bunch of ameteurs wanting to see their name in lights!!! Sincerely Ron

WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot?...

Don’t confuse “pure vision” with tunnel vision. Typically, but not always, it’s the novice with a limited field of experience in showing their work that least suffers the slings and arrows of solicited constructive criticism. Many beginners like to think of themselves as being from the same mold as any of the great masters of photography only to discover at some point in time that their work has little appeal to others. All professionals discovered early on that their work will never appeal to everyone. I suppose that a true artist will ignore appeal in favor of their self-expression. I'm left to wonder which of these three categories you fall into.

When you ask for someone’s thoughts around here, generally speaking, you’re going to get them. If there is any chance that you’re so thin skinned as to be easily offended then you should be careful what you ask for.

[Marko]

If I look at the image again I think I see a 'face' /outline potential in the chopped oval at the mid top edge (which is too bad but it still looks good ). I'd like to see it larger as well, with a bit more dodging and burning. I think the shot could sing louder with a bit more post processing. - - Marko

[F8&Bthere]

FWIW I kinda like some aspects of the image- to my eye it's sorta abstract and in the blink of an eye can be debris in a puddle or a celestial reproduction taken from outer space. A few little adjustments here and there and it is a neat part of any fine art collection.

But what just happened here is a bit of an anomoly from what I've seen in this forum, but is exactly the reason why I am always so careful to post images for critique on any photography forum. There are technical elements of an image that most pros would agree upon. These are easier to swallow even if they are negatives. But a lot of the rest are just opinions since art is so subjective and I've seen examples of praised work that in my opinion sucks....and random opinions in an largely anonymous group setting are exactly that....random. My impression can be different according to my mood from one day to the next. And images viewed as submitted by a pro/published photographer are always going to be somewhat predispositioned for praise by the ...what are they called on forums these days....nuthuggers? Yet sometimes I bet you can take that same photo and post to another forum where the author is known only as a newbie hobbyist and it will get ripped to shreds. Other people take this kinda criticism really well but my emotions can't take it.
Peace!

[Bambi]

No image manipulation was used for this photograph. Just pure vision.

I am considering self publishing a photo art book of my landscapes, and wanted to obtain some feedback.

Many thanks
RW

this was your statement and you recieved what you asked for, if not what you wanted. In that sense you should have indicated exactly what you wanted and the criteria that the critics had to match in order to be able to do so.

I am a amateur in all senses. I found this website and love it for the constructive criticism I recieve and the chance to learn from the more brilliant photogrophers on this site (and they are legion). I also love that this forum walks the line on critique but not mean. I am sorry that my comments were not helpful but they were genuine and kindly meant.

If you are publishing a book then the 'public' opinion of the great unwashed should be of interest. That said, I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours.

cheers.