Yakumo's World
Pond, 2
Posted by GJC (Kyoto (京都), Japan) on 3 September 2009 in Abstract & Conceptual.
This is part of a short series of nine photos, showing different moods of a pond in evening. There is no post-processing done on these images except to amplify the contrast a little. Otherwise it was all done by playing with the WB settings.
Yesterday's image inspired a wonderful conversation about posting suggestions for improvement on other people's images. Take a look at the comments from yesterday and tell me what you think........
ordinaryimages from Kentucky Bluegrass, United States
Splendid. fwiw I consider a DSLR a computer so I see little difference in playing the WB or adjusting it in software. A RAW file doesn't feel anything like a chrome to me.
3 Sep 2009 6:34am
@ordinaryimages: Fully agreed. I only make the point because so many people ask.
akarui from Kagoshima, Japan
The reflections in the water is a subject that I enjoy, there are so different...
I was wondering what was the meaning of WB but it should White Balance isn't it.
For me, the main purpose of a photoblog is to get feedback... but I have found that many people are not open on any suggestion that could improve their picture or the way they take them. I have notice that they don't come back and let a comment anymore :) It is faster to write "beautiful!" even if you think it is not...
Well I am always happy to receive a critique^^
3 Sep 2009 7:58am
Veronique from Sarrouilles, France
I find it intersting to have the vision of others on my pictures but it's seldom the case. As pointed out by Akarui "beautiful" is the norm if you want to have a few visitors, even if sometimes "beautiful" IS the only appreciation you can give.
Leaving comments open is asking an opinion comming from fresh and new photographers (that can have good ideas to) or from versed ones. If you think your work is perfect as it is (like a painting you will never modify) you just close the comments and at the same time hang your photo in the local museum.
The purpose fo Aminus is the pleasure we can take to show what we do without any pretension and also a way of asking inderectly advices for those who feel like giving some...well this is my vision and this opinion "n'engage que son auteur" as we say in french. (bi the way giving a personal feeling in an other language is terribly difficult and I hope it wasn't to laborious to read)
3 Sep 2009 8:35am
Veronique from Sarrouilles, France
and for this picture...I find it a bit to flashy; yesterday's my favorite
3 Sep 2009 8:38am
cat from Tel Aviv, Israel
This is an absolutely beautiful photograph, GJC - it's very Impressionistic. Reminds me of Monet's work with water and light.
About so-called "critique" - I've had several people opine that my photo is "wrong" and how to "improve". I understand that some people are looking to "improve" through feedback - but how can I follow the advice of a person on the internet "critiquing" my photo unless (a) I am specifically trying to emulate their work or (b) I ask advice about a certain technique. The photograph is my artistic expression - if you want to talk about your reaction to it and why, that's great. But saying it's "too dark" or "it's not processed" are meaningless statements, and not advice.
There was an experiment done on Flickr. Someone posted a photograph by a well-known artist. People helpfully critiqued that it was "not in focus", "depressing subject", "what about HDR?" etc etc.
3 Sep 2009 1:29pm
@cat: Thanks for the thoughtful comment. In fact, Monet was exactly what I had in mind when I took this one!
rian from mobile, United States
been a long time since i last passed by here, i just saw your comment on daina's blog so i wondered what it was all about.. :) anyhoo, you're doing a pretty good job here.. yesterday's post was beautiful IMO.. :)
3 Sep 2009 2:12pm
Howard F. from South Pasadena, Calif., United States
This is especially painterly, just the color alone makes me think of the vibrant hues on a paint palette, glossy and shiny. Nice shot.
3 Sep 2009 4:58pm
daina from New York, United States
With all the heated discussion I almost neglected to say how wonderful I find this series. They are painterly without imitating painting i.e. all sorts of post processing and textures. They are wonderful photographs!
3 Sep 2009 10:03pm
Earnest from Oklahoma, United States
The previous shot was good but this one is exceptional!
4 Sep 2009 6:08pm
lux from Munich, Germany
Amazing foto, which reminds me of an art painting. I like the explosion of colours here!
4 Sep 2009 6:44pm
grant from kansas city, United States
this is amazing. (but i don't know what "wb settings" are.)
5 Sep 2009 1:22am
Tracy from La Selva Beach, United States
This is wonderful to me! I love the Monet-like quality you've created. I think this series has already done wonderful things for your photography!
I have just finished reading all of yesterday's and today's comments....Wow! that's a lot to digest. Personally I think that when we put our work out for others to view we open ourselves to what ever opinion they may have. It is all too easy to take comments personally ( I have to remind myself of that all the time). However, I do feel that an honest and thoughtful critique is not only helpful, but it means that someone took the time to study and respond to a piece of work. It is up to the artist to take what they will from the comments, or even dismiss them entirely.
Isn't it wonderful that we are all different and we all like different things?
5 Sep 2009 5:24am
Anita from West Nottingham, United States
Personally, I appreciate thoughtful comments and critiques, but seldom get them. I suppose there is always the danger of uninformed critiques, but, I will likely be able to detect these.
Wonderful image! It totters on the edge of being too bright for me. The colors are fabulous, as is the limited range of colors. Would be nice to know whic WB you were using for each.
15 Sep 2009 12:20pm
Nikon D300
1/50 second
F/5.0
ISO 360
112 mm (35mm equiv.)