Two Monuments

[bluespade]

MY IMAGE(S):
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/upload_spool/01-10-2002/1099_laternsm3.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/upload_spool/01-10-2002/1099_laternsm4.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/upload_spool/01-10-2002/1099_laternsm1.jpg


GENERAL INFORMATION:
Title: Two Monuments
Year Created: 2000
Medium: Photograph
Surface: Photo paper
Dimension: Original is 1200x1600
Allow digital alterations?: Yes!

MY COMMENTS:
Here's a photo I took in the Spring of 2000 down at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC where the Washington Monument can be seen behind the cheery blossoms (a gift of the Japenese). I took it with an Olympus 2020z, a 2megapixel digital camera. Alterations were done in Paint Shop Prop with a variety of PSP and freeware filters and tools. I didn't crop it any (I don't think), but they've all been sharpened, and had color, saturation and contrast played with.

MY QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP:
Any ideas on how best to present this shot? Opinions may vary all over the board, but does the color (first), b/w (second), or the sorta-infrared (third) strike you as carrying the feeling better? (The difference between the 2nd and third is slight, check the shadows and the water.)

Also, any other thoughts on contrast, color, or areas to bring out or darken, etc. Thanks.

[bluespade]

Here's one more option. A bit more infrared-ish. I'm not trying to exactly imitate infrared, but I like the ghostliness of it and its not "too" digital.

[dnip24]

Well, the picture must improve a little on their constrast and brightness, this could be a real monument on the next years


(henrik as moderator: try again dnip - WHY do you think there should be more brightness and contrast.)

[bluespade]

I think originally dnip had mentioned the second one as his choice. I think b/w probably does suit the photo better.

What do others think about the photo? I would like to know if this photo looks too much like a tourist snapshot? Or does the alignment of the monuments, the reflection in the tidal basin and the blossoms overhead add much? I'm just not confident enough in my work to know. I know many of you don't do lots of photography, but I think you might have something to say.

Thanks. (permission to be harsh granted! :D )

[dnip24]

Originally posted by dnip24
Well, the picture must improve a little on their constrast and brightness, this could be a real monument on the next years


(henrik as moderator: try again dnip - WHY do you think there should be more brightness and contrast.)

i think it must to improve the brightness and constrast, because
the sea needs a little shine to looks better.

[bruin70]

the last b/w is the best of the group.

the other b/w's lack good greys or contrast, so the washington gets lost. play with your darkroom techniques....{M}

[arlene]

I agree with Bruin :rolleyes: LOL...and for the same reasons.

[Imagi]

I think the best image is the third one you posted in the group. The values of the tones in this one best portray the image, IMO.

Although your "infared" one was interesting (I'm referring to the 4th image that you posted, in a post below the original 3), I really was distracted by the sheer brightness of the white blossoms in the tree, rather hurting my eyes when trying to focus on the monument in the background . . . it just takes away from it too much. The blossoms become the focal point in this one.

The color photograph (the first one) is nice, and is a generally good picture, but it lacks the drama of a black-and-white (I've always been partial to BW photographs because of the contrast of light and shadow . . . comes out so much more than in color).

Your second photograph (the first BW one) is nice, but doesn't have enough contrast in the tones to really be of much interest. They all kind of fade together (especially the background monument and those white blossoms on the tree . . . that's a tricky shot).

My preference lies with your 3rd image. It's got a good balance in the tonal values, the shadows cast by the monument and the tree are very distinct and clear, overall it is just the best rendering of this shot IMHO.

*Imagi*