Discussions of group: Critique

Technique: Conversion to B&W

nobody@ipernity.com (Aref Nammari (goplayer)) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:00:33 +0000

Aref Nammari (goplayer) has started a topic:

One difficulty that many experience when they enter the world of digital photography is the conversion of color images to B&W. The "one click" conversion, i.e desaturation does not do a good job, desturation simply converts all the three channels (red, green and blue) to grey scale by giving them the same weight. The result very often is a "muddied" image. Other methods are using the channel mixer and gradient map. Those methods, the channel mixer method in particular could sometimes be quite hard to use. However, with experience great tones and beautiful B&W pictures can be produced.
I just came across another technique which sounds easier to use and produces excellent images. That is the claim at least and I can't vouch for or against because I have not tried it--I will though and will report on that. The following link from Adobe explains this method which uses the Hue/saturation filters www.adobe.com/designcenter/photoshop/articles/phscs2mrblkwht.html
It would be nice if someone who might have tried this method can post or reply to this thread to share the experience.

B+W Conversion

nobody@ipernity.com (Miffy) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 08:35:35 +0000

Miffy has started a topic:

This is a new go at digital B+W for me. I have capture NX and rather than use chanels for conversion, I have used their b+w conversion using filters. I found that pixels clumped when using chanels, so thought I would try this. I then added the duotone to warm things up in photoshop.
I know the image isn't much emotionally, for me its just a 'nice ' image, but was more pleased with the B+W side of things.
What do you think?

Old Timer

nobody@ipernity.com (Miffy) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:15:57 +0000

Miffy has started a topic:

Took this using my Holga. Sorry about the scan, not sure why the bottom is lighter, may be a light leak!
So, guys and gals, how do you find this, and what are your views on toy cameras?

Everyday scenes: Store windows

nobody@ipernity.com (Aref Nammari (goplayer)) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 02:12:21 +0000

Aref Nammari (goplayer) has started a topic:

Those are my latest photos. I can't say that they are representative of what I like to shoot or of the style of work I do--although they are not too far off in the sense that I try to capture subtle nuances and have a different look or view of the everyday mundane scenes. The subject matter is new. I set out with a clear idea of what I wanted to shoot and to a large extent how. They are so to speak somewhat deliberate as opposed to my usual approach which is to look, see and let the subject "talk" to me and "ask" me to take the picture. What do you guys--no gender implied here :) think? How do you react to these pictures. Please be totally and brutally honest but thoughtful. I won't accept "those are great" or "those are bad" :)
One final note: the three should be considered together: think of them maybe as a triptych

one of my absolute favorites

nobody@ipernity.com (Otaku Nout) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:16:56 +0000

Otaku Nout has started a topic:

hi there! take a look at this:

I consider this picture to be one of the best I've ever shot. later, I'll tell you why.

what I want from you first, my friends, is that you tell me your first - subjective -
impression. is it catchy? has it mood? does it show my oppinion, or does
it have a deeper meaning to you? does this pic make you stop and study?

I'm looking forward to your honest oppinions.

Thank you very much in advance!

Alexander Rodchenko

nobody@ipernity.com (Aref Nammari (goplayer)) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:03:44 +0000

Aref Nammari (goplayer) has started a topic:

Below are two links about Alexander Rodchenko, a great Russian Artist. I hope that you enjoy them.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandr_Rodchenko
oseculoprodigioso.blogspot.com/2006/02/rodchenko-alexander-fotografia.html

Oily Hands

nobody@ipernity.com (Miffy) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 07:27:41 +0000

Miffy has started a topic:

Here is one for the pot!
Took this using a 70-210 zoom and converted using chanel mixer 25 35 40. Then flattened and made duo tone using Pantone608 to add that oily look.
Quite pleased with the result!

(Please, this is all guess work, go steady on the technical questions!)

Categories of Photographs

nobody@ipernity.com (Aref Nammari (goplayer)) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 01:27:56 +0000

Aref Nammari (goplayer) has started a topic:

People have always tried to classify photographs. The motivations for this are varied but are generally aimed at helping critics in evaluating photographs. Historian Beaumont Newhall had divided photographs into four categories: straight, formalistic, documentary and equivalent. Stieglitz, Adams are examples of those photographers employing the straight approach. Man Ray, Moholy-Nagy are considered of the formalistic style. Documentary is concerned with recording the object without intrusion. Its purpose is to inform. Photojournalism falls in this category. Equivalent photography is used to refer to photographic metaphors "charged with emotional significance and inner meaning".
This classification has evolved and new categories have made their appearance. Critics now have devised six categories: descriptive, explanatory, interpretive, ethically evaluative, aesthetically evaluative, and theoretical. Those categories are not meant to pigeonhole photographers but are a means to classify photographs. It is important to note that a photograph may fall in more than one category. However, there is generally one dominant category in which a photograph fits. The role of the critic is to find this/these categories.
Descriptive photographs aim at providing visual information which describe the object. Such photographs include medical photographs, surveillance photos, and the like. The photogrpaher attempts at accurately recording the subject matter.
Explanatory photographs are used to explain the subject matter: how things are. Sociologists, anthropologists, and other scientists often use photographs to record and explain certain situations. For example, Muybridge's photographs which captured the movement of the horse to decide whether or not its four legs can be in the air at the same time fall in this category of explanatory photographs.
Like explanatory photographs, interpretive photographs also aim at explaining how things are but do not emphasize scientific accuracy. They are personal and necessarily subjective interpretations. Emmet Gowin, Sally Mann, Sandy Skoglund are examples. Photo-transformations and highly manipulated photographs also fit in this category such as Jerry Uelsmann's and his wife Maggie Taylor.
Ethically evaluative photographs make ethical judgments. They comment, either praise or condemn aspects of society. They are politically engaged.
Aesthetically evaluative photographs also make judgments but their subject matter are not social issues. Their concern is judgment on the aesthetic value of the subject matter and a a judgment as to the worth of aesthetic observation and evaluation. Nudes, still life, landscape are examples of such photographs.
Theoretical photographs are photographs about photography. Photographs in this category comment on issues relating to art and art making, politics of art, modes of representation etc...Much of conceptual art and conceptual photography fits in this category--Cindy Sherman's work is an example of such photographs.

My comment:

Categorization, I suppose can be beneficial but can also be detrimental. It is beneficial in the sense that it sets a common language and common understanding among critics and those interested in photography. It could be detrimental if it is used to pigeonhole the photographer. It is important to realize that photographers can and generally do produce works that span different categories.
The above is a summary of a chapter from a book I am currently reading Criticizing Photographs by Terry Barrett. It is a very good book and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in critique and in looking at photographs in an evaluative way. I hope that you found this useful.

Critique group remains

nobody@ipernity.com (Aref Nammari (goplayer)) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:36:00 +0000

Aref Nammari (goplayer) has started a topic:

After some discussions and a little more thought and input from some members it has been decided that the group will remain open for the time being and hopefully more activity in the form of discussions, critiques, book or exhibit reviews etc...will be forthcoming.
One change though is that the pool is closed and all the photos in the pool have been removed. Henceforth, photos are only accepted in the discussion threads accompanied by a critique request. A little blurb explaining the photo or the intent and any relvant thoughts which might help are encouraged and required. Again, I want to emphasize that the group is not a dumping ground for your photos. There are plenty such groups around and so please find one and join. If you are not willing to participate in a critique group the primary focus of which is discussion about photography, technique and helping each other improve, then please leave the group and find one that is more suited to your needs than the Critique group.
Finally, a new admin, Miffy, has been added. Thanks for volunteering to help.

Whats up with this?

nobody@ipernity.com (Miffy) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 23:36:31 +0000

Miffy has started a topic:

One of my fav images, yet fails to excite! There is something missing, but cant put my finger on it!

Closing the group

nobody@ipernity.com (Aref Nammari (goplayer)) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 14:52:56 +0000

Aref Nammari (goplayer) has started a topic:

Deleting the group is not as easy as I thought it might be. It requires everyone to leave the group first. Please everyone quit the group so that I will be able to close it--unless someone else wants to take responsibility and administer the group.
Thanks.

I think I am going to close this group

nobody@ipernity.com (Aref Nammari (goplayer)) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:32:57 +0000

Aref Nammari (goplayer) has started a topic:

I am sorry to say that I have not seen too much interest in this group as evidenced by only two replies received to the inquiry about ideas to make the group a livlier one. I will consult with Annjin, the other group administrator and reach a decision soon and inform everyone. Unfortunately I don't have the energy nor the time to spend on a dumping-ground for photos. If you are really and seriously interested in critique and in participating in such a group let me know personally and I will consider starting another such group which be restricted to those who are serious about critique.
Sorry for being blunt but that the way it goes.

What is photography

nobody@ipernity.com (Aref Nammari (goplayer)) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:56:18 +0000

Aref Nammari (goplayer) has started a topic:

Some time ago I asked a similar question. So I am not necessarily asking the same one here. I was very interested in the discussion topic minarai posted about art in general and in particular photography.
Those of you who have seen my recent work would have noticed that I have embarked on a new experiment--not really new but a bit more elaborate and at a different level than previously. Some would say that this recent work of mine and similar work which entails extensive manipulation of photographs whether done in the darkroom or digitally is not truly photography albeit the raw elements maybe negatives or photographs but since the originals are altered beyond recognition they can no longer be called photographs. What are your thoughts? When does a photograph ceases to be one?

Discussion

nobody@ipernity.com (minarai) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:37:26 +0000

minarai has started a topic:

Hi,

I take the invite of Aref to open more discussions, and I want to post something I was reading in the last days. It's a text of Robert Demachy - and it goes about direct printing vs retouching.
I'll translate freely - excuse my mistakes:

"Many times I've heard that the choice of the subject is enough to transform a mechanically produced image into art. It's not true. What is true is that a carefully choosen subject (good looking, ugly or trivial, but well composed and properly illuminated) is necessary for an utter evolution towards art."

The text was written in 1907. I find it interesting that today we are debating a lot about photoshopping pictures or not photoshopping - and than you realize that 100 years ago there was exactly the same discussion going on about negatives - retouching or not.

Makes me wonder wether all the discussion about photography made any step further in the last 100 years...

Request for ideas

nobody@ipernity.com (Aref Nammari (goplayer)) — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 01:09:55 +0000

Aref Nammari (goplayer) has started a topic:

Hello and happy new year to all.
It seems that activity has somewhat tapered off in the last few weeks. It could be because everybody was wrapped up in the holidays or it could some other reason. Regardless I am looking for ideas of how to get things rolling a bit.
The purpose of the group is to offer more thought out critiques of works presented here to go beyond the short word or two usually found in the comments. I was thinking posting interviews of artists posting here so as to get a better idea of their work and motivations. Does this sound like something people would be interested in? Do you have other ideas you would like to see implemented in this group? Please let us know what you think would get things rolling again.

Scream

nobody@ipernity.com (Zara) — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 21:30:37 +0000

Zara has started a topic:

J'aime choquer....

nobody@ipernity.com (Zara) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:08:06 +0000

Zara has started a topic:

+++

Cinema

nobody@ipernity.com (Zara) — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 19:22:47 +0000

Zara has started a topic:

I dare too...

I dare for the first time here...:)

nobody@ipernity.com (Christine Lebrasseur) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 09:39:18 +0000

Christine Lebrasseur has started a topic:

Don't hesitate, Criticism makes grow and evolve.

Thornham Quay

nobody@ipernity.com (Miffy) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 11:34:54 +0000

Miffy has started a topic:

This is a bit of a departure from my usual 'style' of photography, but one I induldged in whilst trying to salvage something from a dull, wet and windy day. I saw these old jetty posts and saw the 'people' in them. Would love to know what you think. Have adopted the simple approach when printing to emphasise the posts and not the scene. They are also full frame.