Photo Critique Forum

Please post no more than five images a day and respond to as many images as you post. Critics, please be constructive, specific, and nice! Moderated by gahspidy and mtbbrian.
Featured Photo
Photo by hminx

Photo by hminx
Featured Photo Archive >>
By posting on the Photo Critique forum you agree to post only your own photos, be respectful, and give back as much as you receive. This is a moderated forum and anything abusive or off-topic will be removed.
Results 1 to 15 of 15
  1. #1
    mooo...wooh hoooh! schrackman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Redding, CA
    Posts
    1,959

    Trip to Banning, Ca

    My wife and I headed out east on Saturday on highway 10 to Banning (near Palm Springs), where I preached for a church that is considering me as their pastor. While we had some free time we drove around the area and got a few nice pictures. Bet you didn't think we got snow down here in southern California, now did ya? Comments and critiques welcome. (p.s. the second shot was actually taken at McCarthur Park in Upland, Ca.)

    Canon Digital Rebel w/Sigma 28-80 AF.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Trip to Banning, Ca-banning_sunset.jpg   Trip to Banning, Ca-mccarthurpark_upland.jpg   Trip to Banning, Ca-banninghills.jpg  

    Ray O'Canon
    Digital Rebel XTi • Digital Rebel • Canonet GIII QL17 • Agfa Parat-1

    The liberal, socialist politician's nightmare: "What a comfort to the farmer to be allowed to supply his own wants before he should be liable to pay anything, and then only pay on his surplus." - Jefferson to Madison on Taxes,1784

    My Canonet GIII QL-17 photos on flickr.

  2. #2
    is back jar_e's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    Posts
    3,264

    Re: Trip to Banning, Ca

    Beautiful shots. Love the last one, what a deep red! A good sunset shot never ceases to impress me. One thing with the middle one, there's something flying in it...I'd ps that out. Seems odd and out of place. Other then that, great shot, very impressive, and good luck getting the call as a pastor!

  3. #3
    Seb
    Guest

    Re: Trip to Banning, Ca

    Quote Originally Posted by schrackman
    My wife and I headed out east on Saturday on highway 10 to Banning (near Palm Springs), where I preached for a church that is considering me as their pastor. While we had some free time we drove around the area and got a few nice pictures. Bet you didn't think we got snow down here in southern California, now did ya? Comments and critiques welcome. (p.s. the second shot was actually taken at McCarthur Park in Upland, Ca.)

    Canon Digital Rebel w/Sigma 28-80 AF.
    Hey Schrackman,

    Fine work as usual. I like them all but I must say that for me, the first one stand out of the bunch. You have a very efficient composition going on there and I love how the mountains comes out.

    Seb

  4. #4
    mooo...wooh hoooh! schrackman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Redding, CA
    Posts
    1,959

    Re: Trip to Banning, Ca

    Thanks Jared and Seb! Jared, that's a kite flying in the second one. Forgot all about it. As for the church, they've invited me to come preach again this Sunday. So it's looking good so far.

    Seb, the first picture is really interesting because you've got the rule of thirds working perfectly in this photo.Notice how the grass, foothills, and mountains are in thirds, then when taken together they form 2/3 of photo. I had actually cropped out a tree to the right, and now I'm thinking I should have left it in there to complete the "thirds" scheme. I tell you what...I'll post it with the third tree and you tell me what you think. This is, after all, critique!

    Ray O'Canon
    Digital Rebel XTi • Digital Rebel • Canonet GIII QL17 • Agfa Parat-1

    The liberal, socialist politician's nightmare: "What a comfort to the farmer to be allowed to supply his own wants before he should be liable to pay anything, and then only pay on his surplus." - Jefferson to Madison on Taxes,1784

    My Canonet GIII QL-17 photos on flickr.

  5. #5
    mooo...wooh hoooh! schrackman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Redding, CA
    Posts
    1,959

    Re: Trip to Banning, Ca

    Okay, here it is with the third tree. This version is a bit brighter than the previous one, but I think it helps the photo.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Trip to Banning, Ca-banning_foothills1.jpg  

    Ray O'Canon
    Digital Rebel XTi • Digital Rebel • Canonet GIII QL17 • Agfa Parat-1

    The liberal, socialist politician's nightmare: "What a comfort to the farmer to be allowed to supply his own wants before he should be liable to pay anything, and then only pay on his surplus." - Jefferson to Madison on Taxes,1784

    My Canonet GIII QL-17 photos on flickr.

  6. #6
    Seb
    Guest

    Re: Trip to Banning, Ca

    Quote Originally Posted by schrackman
    Okay, here it is with the third tree. This version is a bit brighter than the previous one, but I think it helps the photo.
    Indeed, you used the rule of third very well here.

    I think that I prefer your first (two trees) version but they both are effective in their own way. I'd say that the picture have a cleaner, more graphic effect with only two trees in it (the third tree in your second version is rather centered). Also, the fact that the first picture is darker makes the beautiful mountains stand out more.
    But then, the foreground is more defined in your second (brighter) version so I'd say its almost a draw betwen the two.

    Seb

  7. #7
    mooo...wooh hoooh! schrackman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Redding, CA
    Posts
    1,959

    Re: Trip to Banning, Ca

    Yep, I think you're right Seb. The first works more for me. The third tree is kinda insignificant looking anyways when compared to the other two.

    Here's my last one for the night...this was shot about 3 miles down the road from the first pic up top.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Trip to Banning, Ca-banninghills2.jpg  

    Ray O'Canon
    Digital Rebel XTi • Digital Rebel • Canonet GIII QL17 • Agfa Parat-1

    The liberal, socialist politician's nightmare: "What a comfort to the farmer to be allowed to supply his own wants before he should be liable to pay anything, and then only pay on his surplus." - Jefferson to Madison on Taxes,1784

    My Canonet GIII QL-17 photos on flickr.

  8. #8
    mod squad gahspidy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    N.Y. U.S.A.
    Posts
    8,368

    Re: Trip to Banning, Ca

    Great shots, Schrackman. I also prefer the two trees over the original three. Great clarity and color in all. btw, good luck .
    please do not edit and repost my photos


    gary


  9. #9
    Ilford Nut Dzerzhinski46's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    People's Republic of Berkeley, CA
    Posts
    623

    Re: Trip to Banning, Ca

    Dear Ray,

    As per usual, you have a wonderful set here. You made good use of thirds here. I really like the sunset, mostly for the cloud formations. There has been some fantastic clouds here in CO lately, but I haven't really gotten to photoing them (is that a word? ). The tree and mountain one is also very nice. The colors are rich, though the background is a little light. But then again, most pictures like that usually wind up that way. I guess it is because the camera exposes for the foreground, not the background. Oh well, lesson learned. Thanks for the beautiful pics. Reminds me why I want to get back as soon as possible.

    Drew
    "But what is strength without a double share of wisdom." John Milton

    Lost Planet Cameraman #8


  10. #10
    Seb
    Guest

    Re: Trip to Banning, Ca

    Quote Originally Posted by schrackman
    Yep, I think you're right Seb. The first works more for me. The third tree is kinda insignificant looking anyways when compared to the other two.

    Here's my last one for the night...this was shot about 3 miles down the road from the first pic up top.
    Surprising one Schrackman,

    I mean, I think I would normally consider such an image to be empty but somehow it still works. I wish there was an item in the foreground to act as a "subject". This would enhance my appreciation of the picture. Nevertheless, the colors, the subtles ray of lights, the gorgeous mountains and the space works together to create something more than the sum of its parts.

    This is not my favorite of your series but it still works for me.

    Seb

  11. #11
    Re Member LeeIs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Toronto, Canada
    Posts
    3,403

    Re: Trip to Banning, Ca

    Great shots man.
    Liban

    "There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have." Nelson Mandela

    Nikon Samurai #23 - The Alexei Ponikarovsky of PR

    Havana Cuba Photography

  12. #12
    mooo...wooh hoooh! schrackman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Redding, CA
    Posts
    1,959

    Re: Trip to Banning, Ca

    Thank you Gary, Drew, and Leels! I appreciate your input.

    Seb, yes it's amazing what subtle lighting and a nice background can do for an otherwise empty image.

    Ray O'Canon
    Digital Rebel XTi • Digital Rebel • Canonet GIII QL17 • Agfa Parat-1

    The liberal, socialist politician's nightmare: "What a comfort to the farmer to be allowed to supply his own wants before he should be liable to pay anything, and then only pay on his surplus." - Jefferson to Madison on Taxes,1784

    My Canonet GIII QL-17 photos on flickr.

  13. #13
    is back jar_e's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    Posts
    3,264

    Re: Trip to Banning, Ca

    Nothing but praises for your series in this thread. Wonderful, green, spring colors and beautiful work compositionally and technically.

    Great photos and always a pleasure to view!

  14. #14
    GB1
    GB1 is offline
    Moderator GB1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    San Diego CA
    Posts
    9,960

    Re: Trip to Banning, Ca

    All nice shots. I like the middle one the best, but the top photo is close. If the colors were a little more saturated in #2, it would be really great.

    Btw -- we get snow at Mount Laguna just west of San Diego, and that's only about 20-30 miles from Mexico. It doesn't last long though

  15. #15
    Not Really (Senior Member) ShotsbyScott's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    187

    Re: Trip to Banning, Ca

    Wow Schrackman! Looks like you were blessed with a beautiful day for the drive east, and a beautiful day for photography. Nice work! Hope to see more from your next trip over.

    Scott

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Carmel, CA
    By opus in forum Photo Critique
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 08-11-2004, 10:32 AM
  2. NYC pics.....last trip......duh
    By Liz in forum ViewFinder
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 08-10-2004, 01:16 PM
  3. Dawson's Cabin trip.
    By walterick in forum ViewFinder
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 04-18-2004, 10:46 AM
  4. Our trip to Utah - Days 1 & 2
    By Kokopeli in forum ViewFinder
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 04-13-2004, 01:18 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •