| Author | Thread |
|
|
03/31/2005 09:58:22 PM |
Artyste,
Thanks for the detailed review. I agree with most of your criticism, especially on dodging. Nikolai
|
|
|
|
03/31/2005 11:59:11 AM |
| Beautful balance of light and colors awsome photo congrats on the blue.. |
|
 Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/31/2005 03:47:00 AM |
Hello, and greetings from the Critique Club.
Initial Thoughts
#1: Oh great.. I get to critique a blue ribbon winner.. eeek
#2: A good photo and a fun moment, but a little too distant and hard to make out at first glance.
Composition/Content
I'm about as far from an expert on landscape composition as they come, but I do notice a few things about this photo that stand it out. The line of the waves does a great job of leading you into the photo, and up to the para-glider. In fact, all the lines in this photo help to bring your focus onto the para-glider and offer a nice sweeping dynamic. My first reaction is that the paraglider itself seems to be an after-thought and almost a distraction, but He/She certainly adds an extra element when you sit and view it for awhile. The likeness of the sail with the clouds and waves is a nice touch.
Background
The horizon and sweeping clouds make for a good dynamic, and the infinite DOF really works.
Camera Work/Technical
Exposure is really nice for a sunny day, and I expect you under-exposed in order to do post work. Focus seems a *little* soft to me in many areas, but I suspect the dodging might be the culprit there. I'm personally not too keen on the vignetting I can notice around the border of the image, which in my eyes really causes your dodge work to stand out a touch more than it maybe should have.
Digital Processing
For me, the dodging was just a little bit too strong. It's caused more of a soft-focus on areas where I would have liked to see it a bit sharper. The cliffs especially seem to fade into each other because of this. I like the effect it had on the waves and the sail though. Your clone work was nice, I can't tell at all where any of the cloned-out objects were. One problem I noticed with dodging too, is that when it does soften an image, it's practically impossible.. (with my knowledge of post-processing), to get that sharpness back. While I have touched on the fact that softness is something that bugs me a bit here, I have to say that you did a good job in not having it *too* soft, and then in not over-sharpening it after the fact.
Fits the Challenge
I'd say it's a pretty strong candidate for Stock Photography. It's got a good mass appeal.. (scenery and sporting), and could belong in any of a thousand publications. Apparently, others agree with me. heh.
My Opinion on the Photograph
I'm not overly impressed with the post-produced "look" of this photo, but for the challenge and in general, it's a great photo that people are going to like. Good job, congratulations on your blue ribbon, and happy shooting.
Message edited by author 2005-03-31 12:19:09. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/29/2005 11:00:42 PM |
Originally posted by larushka:
My daughter goes to school opposite this place (UCSD) I have taken some great shots of the hanggliders but nothing like this! Seems like this a hangout for Rebel/300D users! I'm especially glad to note that you used the kit lens for this picture - there is so much controversy over this lens' capabilities - I keep thinking I need to spend more money on L lenses, but this winning picture has changed my mind... |
I also keep thinking about buying a better lens. The optics in the kit lens seems to be good enough for my level, but due to shaky mechanics the lens does not appear to me as a precise optical device. I do not think my picture will do a right thing if it prevents you from getting the lens of your dream.
Thanks again for the great comments to all of you, Nikolai
|
|
|
|
03/29/2005 09:06:57 PM |
Congrats on the Blue Ribbon Nikolai.
Shame Southern California has so much to offer huh? |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/29/2005 08:43:26 PM |
| I think its just fine.I have photographed their 2003.Their is a lot going on its worth going.The small image dosnt do the photo justice. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/29/2005 08:37:43 PM |
very nice photo
amaizing colors
fantastic sky |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/29/2005 08:03:24 PM |
z
Message edited by author 2005-07-11 21:11:59. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/29/2005 01:49:12 PM |
| Exciting and Beautiful!!!! |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/29/2005 09:04:18 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/29/2005 04:28:13 AM |
| My daughter goes to school opposite this place (UCSD) I have taken some great shots of the hanggliders but nothing like this! Seems like this a hangout for Rebel/300D users! I'm especially glad to note that you used the kit lens for this picture - there is so much controversy over this lens' capabilities - I keep thinking I need to spend more money on L lenses, but this winning picture has changed my mind... |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 09:02:25 PM |
| Congrats on the blue .Great shot |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 08:29:57 PM |
Thanks to all of you for your great comments and high scores. This is my first ribbon.
Nikolai |
|
|
|
03/28/2005 06:03:50 PM |
| Congratulations on your fantastic image. It's really awesome. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 05:28:25 PM |
| Congratulations on your Blue with this magnificent shot! |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 05:02:14 PM |
| amazing capture! I know this place =) |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 03:08:53 PM |
| What an amazing shot. Congratulations on your welldeserved ribbon! And the extremely high score to go with it too :) |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 02:32:50 PM |
Congratulations on your blue ribbon, Nikolai! You now have the highest-scoring shot ever for the Canon Digital Rebel, a title that I held for all of one week (gee, thanks). It's amusing to note that I stood in the very same spot at Torrey Pines just last month. ;-)
Message edited by author 2005-03-28 14:35:29. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 02:19:03 PM |
Beautiful image. Congratulations on your blue ribbon!
This is a wonderful capture...and let's hear it for the kit lens! Hooray! |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 11:12:45 AM |
| This is a fantastic shot! Congrats on the well deserved blue. I love everything about it. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 10:24:04 AM |
The lens is Canon EFS 18-55mm which comes with Canon EOS-300D Rebel kit. Focal length for this shot was 18mm.
Originally posted by focus:
Which lens were you using? It appears taken through a fisheye. |
|
|
|
|
03/28/2005 09:27:37 AM |
| Which lens were you using? It appears taken through a fisheye. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 08:24:31 AM |
| Beautiful!!! Congrats on your first ribbon as well. The white sail contrasts nice with the blue sky, much better than a colored sail would. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 08:22:44 AM |
| Just fantastic. Congratulations! |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 07:22:31 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 05:09:41 AM |
Originally posted by Philos31:
It looks so silky, did you use NI? |
Well my question is answerd :-)
It still looks nice and silky. Congratulations. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 02:17:13 AM |
| YEAH!!! I Gave it a TEN!!! AWESOME!! Best shot!:) |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 02:06:03 AM |
| Congratulations ! Great picture, well deserved ribbon ! |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 01:54:52 AM |
| im speechless..this is flawless....congrats |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 01:43:11 AM |
| Beautiful picture of the "paraglider" and surroundings! Please tell us what flight site this is taken at. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 01:31:16 AM |
| wow - this is one beautiful photograph - i am impressed. The picture without the skydiver alone is perfect, but the skydiver just adds more interest and makes it that much better! |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 01:17:12 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 12:59:07 AM |
| WOW. Congratulations. This was my favorite, well done. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 12:38:08 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 12:18:09 AM |
| Oh WOW! congrats on your ribbon |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 12:16:02 AM |
| Congrats on the blue Nikolai! well done! |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 12:09:01 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/28/2005 12:02:43 AM |
And the image continues to sing, "Buy me<" as i mentioned in my original comment.
Outstanding and congratulations to you on this highly deserved image which shines like a diamond. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
Comments Made During the Challenge  |
|
|
03/27/2005 06:13:19 PM |
| It looks so silky, did you use NI? |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/27/2005 02:57:54 PM |
| What an awesome sky. The surfline leading in from hte lower left is very nice compositionally. I want to see the paraplane a bit closer. Maybe a bit tighter crop? |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/27/2005 10:18:36 AM |
| My absolute favorite in the challenge! 10 |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/27/2005 02:26:18 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/27/2005 12:40:38 AM |
| This is gorgeous! Great exposure. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/26/2005 09:47:25 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/26/2005 01:21:23 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/25/2005 09:58:04 PM |
| A perfect flight and a perfect 10 in my book |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/25/2005 08:40:09 PM |
| Wow! Looks so unreal! Great job!!! 10 |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/25/2005 04:13:00 AM |
| Gets a ten from me, very slick, nice work, wonderful contrast, will sell well. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/25/2005 03:27:04 AM |
| I love the lines of the Clouds and the water breaking and the Paraglider .. Superb picture .. well done |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/24/2005 10:28:36 PM |
| Beautiful photo, gorgous rich colors...nicely done! |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/24/2005 09:37:42 PM |
| Whoa, just loved this photo! Brings out the adventurer in anyone looking at it and the scene is just magnificant |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/24/2005 07:41:46 PM |
| Good shot, maybe too much neatimage? |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/24/2005 10:35:01 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/23/2005 01:48:23 PM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/23/2005 01:06:14 PM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/23/2005 08:19:51 AM |
| Great photo, the sky is incredible. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/23/2005 01:01:03 AM |
| Nice colors. The sky and ocean to the left seem a bit too dark. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/23/2005 12:10:57 AM |
| Beautiful. I like the colors; like the composition,like the detail in the foreground. The clouds are cool, too. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/22/2005 11:54:37 PM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/22/2005 08:37:38 PM |
| Gorgeous shot... belongs on a postcard! One of those 'wish you were here' postcards. :-) |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/22/2005 11:56:07 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/22/2005 12:10:59 AM |
| Added to my favorites, I love anything that reminds me of California. This picture makes me want to get back on the plane and come back. Actually, yeah, I'm going, see ya! |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/21/2005 11:37:58 PM |
returning for comments:
This image sings buy me, buy me. Good work. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/21/2005 11:36:57 PM |
| Great composition, color, and theme. Super stock shot! |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/21/2005 05:29:13 PM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/21/2005 04:07:00 PM |
I could just sit at this very same spot at look at this for the whole day!
Unique take on the theme! Great job! |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/21/2005 01:18:58 PM |
| Wow! What else can you say. It's just gorgeous! 10 |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/21/2005 11:49:25 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/21/2005 09:41:26 AM |
| Superb! Great contrast, the composition is beautiful, and the sky has helped you a lot here. Maybe a little more depth, the foreground looks a tiny bit soft. But that hangglider really adds up as well. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/21/2005 09:24:15 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/21/2005 05:23:43 AM |
| 10. The range of colors and the excellent stop action of the para sail (paraglider?) makes this a winner. |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/21/2005 03:26:27 AM |
Stop the clock I want to be there.
10 |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/21/2005 12:47:02 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
|
|
03/21/2005 12:08:25 AM |
|
| Photographer found comment helpful. |
California Coast
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
