St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

gwigley has volunteered their WPC 1427 - Pride entry to the Photo Critique Forum* to find out what could have done to make it better. Be nice, but be honest as this will help everyone with their craft. Thank you gwigley and thank you everyone!

From WPC 1427 - Pride RESULTS http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/photo_contest_ratings.jsp?pcnum=125

* If you are new to the Photo Critique Forum please read the Section Rules http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-159520-1.html

Pride & Sorrow

(Download)

BrettOssman Loc: near Tampa, Florida

I like the boldness created by HDR.

The highlight on the little girl also caught my attention, probably the luminosity contrast of it, like sunlight directly hitting her.

The wall is so polished didn’t even notice it at first glance. For example, I thought there were two little girls, twins. Pretty cool effect. I wonder about bringing out the names on the wall very gradually to see what happens.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

The concept is excellent but perhaps including the photographer doesn't quite work particularly with the garish backpack and odd patch on her shoulder. The real killer for me is the over-cooked HDR, it is causing haloing around the monument and an unevenly lit sky. There is a "flatness" to the area above the photographer, again caused by the HDR.
I have to ask, was the HDR a necessity?

Apologies for what might seem like a hatchet job on your picture but I do think that with different processing it could be a much better image.

Graham

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I struggle with finding the subject. My first impression was that the subject was the two little girls and the proud mother taking their photo. It was awhile before I realized it was in front of the Vietnam memorial wall. If the two little girls and the photographer are the subject then getting down lower and including all of them would have made this a better shot.
If the memorial is the subject exclude the girls. I love the reflection off of the wall. Tone down the HDR and it would be a fantastic image.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

You do not have to apologize. Your comments were no hatchet job but your vision of the shot. I do not like the picture either, especially how the names come through the reflection of her backpack. For me, HDR is like vignetting: if you can see it, it is too much. I also use "garish" to describe too much HDR.

PS For me, a hatchet job is an ad hominem attack.

gwigley

I am new with HDR but I enjoy experimenting. The subject takes a little thinking about. It is the little girl, perhaps a great-granddaughter of a Vietnam veteran and her mother a granddaughter. Moving further into the image the man standing perhaps a brother with a son or nephew kneeling honoring another veteran. Going further in the lines of the wall and chain link fence lead to the Washington monument symbolizing what these men died for.

As far as ad hominem goes. Photography is often personal considerations and not always a reflection of reality. I am also a hobbyist in the art of paint & drawing. A great art teacher once taught me that one has to more than look, but see. We all see differently.

I really appreciate all the constructive comments. Thank you so much