Critiques

Merline (0) 2009-06-02 14:22

Hi, a perfect example on how having the best "equipment" does not make a good photograph, John. Usually I am dead bored at your pictures, so I do not comment them. But here, it is mostly to tell all those who blindly give their greenies and absurd compliments on a disaster. The sky is everything but natural, the view, well, ok, there's tastes and tastes, but that messed up PP on the upper right corner... People, do you look at the photographs befoce commenting ? Or is it just the fact of swapping points ? Not my compliments to anyone. M.

Merline (0) 2009-05-23 16:57

Hi Rikk, for me the b/w is a great choice and well handled too. This is a great daily life scene, encompassing so many emotions, social critique and, if you don't mind me saying so, terrible black humour...reality that sadly, we meet every day now. Very well seen and impeccable composition. My compliments ! Having read your reply on b/w to Renzo, I fully understand you :). But with patience you can obtain not too bad results with digital. But I don't think it will ever really be as beautiful as film. I am going to go back (partly) to using it too soon. Of course this good be good in color too, as the scene is so interesting and dominant. But, ah, the attraction of b/w :))), like being in love. Ciao, Michèle

Merline (0) 2009-05-20 16:48

? Happy Birthday !!! That was the echo... :). Wrong title Mr. Grabarczyik, in the frame, it should read : the faces. Or not ? Blast of colors, tenderness and fun. Great! Michèle

Merline (0) 2009-05-20 8:11

Hi Sayeed! She is lovely and this is very sensitive and poetic photograph...of early childood...makes us want to protect her...lots of tenderness emanating! I like a lot the silhouette of the high mountain behind her and the half-other-child...but I have two comments : clone that "something" round (head?) just behind her left shoulder. Then the noise added is IMHO too strong : at this point it starts to look more like "noise" typically digital. Alas, no skills in PP will ever look like the real grain from film prints (again, my opinion). So I would have gone lighter on that specific point, also some more finetuning in the midtones ? Have a great evening and take care Michèle

Merline (0) 2009-05-20 7:15

Hi Marc, A lovely smile and a nice piece of daily life, I particularly like the old straw hat that barely holds together, so big on his kids' face. I would agree with George's and Fanni's comments on the brightness, and suggestions of crop/cloning. I have also seen the next one you posted, and frankly, on both, without your note, apart from specialists, I don't think anybody would know that he is carrying a machete ! :))). I have never used flash outside, the result is very natural and soft. Wondering if a tiny tad more sharpness in the details...(straw hat, eyes, clothes), could have been achieved ? To nipick:). Bonne fin de journée. Michèle

Merline (0) 2009-05-20 6:39

Hey, you ! ...so you've learned to fly now ? :)This looks like taken from a bird's nest! Welcome back, dear Deniz, to the world of makakas, spiritual challenge and well..., the whole lot of TE ;-))). Great play of light with strong shadows, beautiful colors and I just love it that her hair is assorted in the tonalities; Very symbolic one too.... Hugs Michèle

Merline (0) 2009-05-19 19:24

Fascinant ! Sur la vignette on aurait dit une énorme gargouille de cathédrale...et au fond, on est vraiment dans une atmosphère particulière... on pourrait croire une statue :). Comme le dit Claire, ce regard...vers toi. Trop bon, aussi, le cadrage, qui lui donne l'air d'un diable qui jaillit tout d'un coup de n'importe où. Bravo! Amitiés Michèle

Merline (0) 2009-05-19 15:28

Sexy ! It's the first word that came to my mind ...hot, hot and that (I hope) fresh water to quench the thirst...the satisfied smile, my, I guess he has deep burning eyes...that crop, the texture of the the hair...radiant light, bursting with the simple joy of life. Viva Your Canada :)! Michèle

Merline (0) 2009-05-19 4:47

That gave me a lot of courage this morning, when I understood that my face resembles the structure of a snow flake ! It explains a lot :)))). And to add to my happiness, I never drink Pepsi, don't have TV anymore, no McDonalds, and don't speak Polish o). And I own a camera. Who needs more ? ;-). I don't remember either what I wrote first on this one...it's very tender, sensuous and optimistic and I like the distorsion on the hand, making thus the embrace looking even stronger. The light sucked, the skin tones are a bit harsh, but the human warmth is all over... Michèle

Merline (0) 2009-05-16 15:07

Lots of fun, looking at your old fotkas, from the times you were a photographer o). Love the mischevious smile on red red lips, the choice of focus on that beer thing (never heard of Labbat's blue, but then I don't like beer, poor me, living in such country;-); also seeing the other arm, in response to hers, with a bracelet too. An oversized smile for your Sunday M.