I found this assignment produced a group of visually appealing photos;
there is not a submitted image that I cannot appreciate at some level.
But I do believe that, by and large, the theme of the Mandate was not
adequately imparted. All the photos depict local scenery, but less
than half - to my way of seeing - depict local culture. Here are my
thoughts:


Jim Kramer

Nice photograph of scenery and architechture. I like the composition
and the exposure. This is a very good photograph, but I do not get a
sense of place from this image.


Al Denelsbeck

Nice image. The scenery is depicted well, and the leisurely pursuit
of the people there is documented. I'd have liked to seen a tighter
composition on the fishermen. I find the scenery to be secondary to
the activity. You've imparted the theme of the Mandate effectively.
Nice work!


Bowser

This image reminds me of Winogrand's famous college football
photograph - the one where you can see all 22 players in the same
frame. I think this image imparts a sense of culture very well. I'd
like to have seen a bit more of a Local identifier, even if by way of
seeing an Anytown Rec League or Anytown Elementary School t-shirt or
banner. You could probably crop out most of the grassy area in the
foreground. Nice work!


Alan Browne

Another image that is a wonderful photograph of scenery, bu does
little to impart local culture. I also find it bothersome that you
PS'd out a street sign, but I realize that is a very subjective and
very individual ethical issue to be decided by each photographer
according to his own choice. I do wonder, though, if the street sign
might have imparted some identifier of locality.


Doug Payne

This appears to be an Amish one-room schoolhouse some where in or
around Lancaster County, Pennsylvania or perhaps in the Midwest (USA).
You've captured both the Local and the Culture in this image; you've
fulfilled the Mandate well. Great job!


Rich Pos

There is a very strong nautical theme going on in this image, but I
think it serves as a local but not cultural identifier. This is a
beach area scene. Yesterday, I drove through several beach towns
along the Maryland and Delaware coastline. Each town had its own
sense of place, some being party towns while others were family
retreats. This image needs some sort of cultural identifier. The
technical elements of this photograph are quite strong. Nice image!


Ken Nadvornick

I am really exited about this image. The fields and mountains, even
the vehicles on the two-lane road, impart a wonderful sense of place.
The chapel and the Pause, Rest, Worship sign provide a cultural
reference. Also, your camera provides better EXIF data than mine!
Fantastic interpretation of the Mandate, and a technically strong
image. Great work!


Joseph Kewfi

Another good interpretation of the Mandate. This is some type of
small-town, outdoor market. I think the photo would be a bit stronger
if we could tell what type of item was being bartered. I think a
polarizing filter to cut the glare on the glass case would have been
of great value when making this image. Still, its very good work that
fulfills the Mandate nicely!


Vic Mason

This image provides a strong visual representation of an industrial
locale. While I think there may be a story about how this type of
facility affects area residents, there is nothing here to identify the
Culture of this place. Technically, the image is strong and the
composition dramatic. Interesting image!


Mike Henley

This is a very nice photograph of a very old neighborhood.
Unfortunately, it is not able to be determined where in the world this
old neighborhood may be found. All I can tell from this image is that
it was taken in an alley. There is not Local identifier and not
Culture identifier. However, as a photograph it is technically quite
strong and composed nicely!


Michael J Hoffman

There is nothing more Maryland than steamed crabs and cold beer. This
image was made at the Port Deposit crab feast, but you will find
similar goings-on on any summer weekend here in the Free State.
Technically, I used a slight hint of fill flash manually set on my
Canon 420EZ to get a reflection off the steam rising from the crabs.


Colm Gallagher

This is a nice wildlife photo, but I'm not sure is see the connection
between the image and the mandate. Christianity is obviously observed
wherever this image was made, but that iconic reference is too broad
to give the image a sense of specific locale.


The Dave

I like this image, but it tells me nothing about the location other
than what it looks like. What are the people here like; what
activitiies to they enjoy? Definitely a frameworthy image!


Bret Douglas

Interesting aerial photo. The sense of location among the Georgia
pines is strong, but what are you saying about the culture? Is there
a reason some graves are on one side of the church and some on the
other. I don't think segregation worked quite that way (black and
white burial grounds would have been more completely seperated). I'm
not getting the cultural connection. The photo is technically very
strong, as we might well expect from Bret and the Fabulous EOS 1V!


Matt Clara

A busy downtown Chicago night. This photograph is strong on every
level and hits on both aspects of the Mandate. Excellent!


Parv

I'n not sure where this is, but in this case I'm not sure it matters.
Vintage car show, Main St, Anytown, USA. It seems to fit the Mandate
well. Good job!