[SI] Symmetry - My Comments

As we progress, in the Northern Hemisphere (that one that counts) towards
spring, the number of phots in the SI is slowly emerging from the winter
doldrums...

With the symmetry mandate, a few interesting interpretations, so without further
ado... (and a couple days in the making...)

Al Denelsbeck http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/40250212

A play on a word and we have this rather dull colored image from our beloved and
somewhat absent admin. There is a certain unseen symmetry between the assumed
to be living above and the presumably dead below. This image emphasizes the
converging line composition leading to nowhere (which is certainly appropriate
to the subject as interpreted) to a point that is distracting. The multiple guy
wires in the back don't help at all.


Duncan Murray* http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/40250222

The most colorful and dynamic of the images in this collection of the SI. I
like many things about this image, beginning with the saturated blues and
yellow/gold/reds. The treatment of the environment certainly has many
symmetrical elements, and I bet a little more care would have led to near
perfection in this regard. The angels on the balustrade seeming to bless the
romantic couple, who are providing their own symmetry. Comments regarding the
placement of the camera noted and 'hooray' for the approach to the image. The
stones lit up this way provide a great foundation to the image and the action of
the couple. A slide film version of this could have been stunning.


Aaron Grier http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/40250223

Not sure that I agree on the notion that there is symmetry in this image. While
you could isolate individual bands for symmetry, here it is more about pattern
and repetition than symmetry. Looking top to bottom there is some notion of
depth presented on the left side, but ... what? You mention the 3 stop push
here, but I'm fuzzy on how or why that contributes in some way. Post scan, some
carefull use of USM could have made it look a little sharper. It is a striking
image in itself.

Graham Fountain http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/40250224

Definitely meets the mandate, but please post a warning, there may be young
butterflies watching this channel. The shot is a bit soft looking but I can'
tell if this is focus, scanning or subject movement related. Good compo, but I
believe if the 'eyes' on the wings of the b'fly at right should have been
brought out to further achieve the mandate. The placement of the wings is
really cool wrt symmetry, as is the diagonal placement of the insects. Pleasing
overall, but the exp. of the b'fly on the right is just too under.


Jim Kramer http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/40250225

A nice architectural detail shot that should (IMO) have been cropped tighter for
this mandate to emphasize the symmetry. Colors appear muted and overall the
image could have benefited from good use of USM. I like the 90° lighting as it
brings out the shape of the tower in a very pleasing way (and I was doing
something quite similar on Sat evening).


Bowser http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/40250226

I won't mention the glaring boo-boo here but go on as if it wasn't there (and
I've seen the same in National Geographic, in any case.) The symmetry here is
oddly disturbed by Bowser's choice of a wide angle shot tilted up with respect
to the bridge. That, coupled with the shaddow lines disguises the symmetry of
the subject somewhat, but this makes it a very interesting photo. The 'bowl'
horizon effect here is not too displeasing as the bridge soaks up most of our
attention. Tripod, more care to a perfectly centered and level (horizontal even
if tilted up) and the image would have been a little bit better. (It may be an
illusion but the image seems slightly tilted to the right). Enough already!
The colors/contrasts are nice, and the same in the fall as the leaves change
would be great, as would a post sunset shot. A wide angle shot like this might
not be a perfect candidate for a polarizer, but it's worth a try. One of the
best of this bunch, for sure.


Walt Hanks http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/40250227

Symmetry for sure, but otherwise not a very interesting shot (to me, anyway). I
did recognize the GT, but, yawn, eh. As a positive here, the elimination of
clutter is appreciated, it's hard to achieve at a car show. Even the reflected
spotlights work, esp. in this mandate. The reflection in the lifted rear window
(I assume that's what it is) is a negative.


Alan Browne* http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/40250228

I guess I'll just have to get a digital camera to reduce my resistance to the
mandates. I had no opportunity during the mandate to work on it. I could have
done all manner of table top examples and possibly have done something clever...
but I'm not that inspired to do that these days. Cry me a river. This shot is
from a vacation tour through Nova Scotia last summer with the requisite stop at
Peggy's Cove (where I've visited many times in the past and taken photos).
During this vacation we were intensely protected from the sun almost every day.
I ended up shooting about 6 rolls where 15-20 were planned.


Bob Hickey http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/40250229

Aside from the Bob Hickey tradition of poor quality scans, his shot is among the
top three for me in this mandate. The mandate is squarely met in the most
clever of folded fashion. Great Eye Bob. The tonal range also catches my eye
and I would bet a good scan would improve on that as well. Watch the cropping.


Brian Baird* http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/40274353

Great attempt. What hurts this is the near perfect verticality of the pole.
There are some streaks at the top that may indicate a sensor dirt problem (maybe
not). The exposure seems under (favoring the bright background). Placement
of the subject way off center is good. Near abstract.


Tom Hudson http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/40274354

Good start. Figure studies can be done near a wide open window as the light
source, without artificial lighting. More important here would be greater
subject/background separation and having the lighting source further away to
improve the lighting range in the scene. It is far too high here). A painters
tarp would be a better floor piece and really let it get disturbed.
(Here is one of my earlier attempts at a similar subject:
http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/25049065 I too had the model too close to the
background which was a white sheet that I was too lazy to iron first).


Paul Bielec* http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/40291949

While meeting the symmetry mandate head on and providing many guide lines for
the eye to follow, the lack of color punch takes down this shot (who am I to
talk?) One neat thing here is the converging lines onto a point almost dead
center of the image and level with the camera (in contrast to Bowser's tilted up
treatment. There is no subject at the convergence to hold out attention,
however. Little details like the bridge approaches and the water movement break
up the symmetry ever so slightly, but don't distract too much, so in the end
enhance the overall. I'd try this again when the sky is bright blue and
reflecting off the water (low wind). Où est ce pont, Paul?

Cheers,
Alan

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