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johnfreeman (2274) 2009-06-10 14:04

Hi Nana, Having recently been to Namibia myself (I was there in May so I must have been in Sesriem two or three weeks after you), it's a real pleasure to see this and takes me right back there. These dunes look wonderful in the fog - we had clear blue skies and very harsh light during the day. I had a look at your personal site and really enjoyed the pictures there too. I think I prefer the colour versions but the B&W works well too, particularly the contrast between the deep blacks and that lighter patch on the left. It certainly makes for a stark, dramatic image. Regards, John

johnfreeman (2274) 2009-06-01 23:52

Ciao Andrea, Questa tua foto mi ricorda un viaggio che ho fatto in Turchia 25 anni fa e il brivido che provai quando vidi l'Ararat per la prima volta dall'autobus. Era talmente alto che di primo impatto sembrava una nuvola! E' bella la luce bassa sugli edifici, peccato come dici per la foschia in lontananza, ma pazienza. Rende comunque molto l'idea di questa città dominata dalla montagna. Sono belle e interessanti queste tue foto dell'Armenia, un posto forse non tanto conosciuto da noi. A proposito, hai visto il film Ararat di Atom Egoyan? Se no, te lo consiglio! Ciao John

johnfreeman (2274) 2009-06-01 23:13

Ciao Paolo, Molto particolare questo taglio. Bello anche quello dritto ma il formato quadrato diagonale è davvero insolito creando un quadro astratto con quegli strati di colore e texture diversi (il rosso risalta in particolare). Sembra quasi una foto macro di una foglia, solo in un secondo momento ci si accorge delle persone come formiche, creando la sensazione all'improvviso di volare o cadere dall'alto. Una composizione bella e originale che fa venire voglia di prendere la macchina e dirigersi subito verso Castelluccio... Ciao John

johnfreeman (2274) 2009-05-30 11:31

Judy, This is another very well composed picture with great atmosphere. I like the way you've included just a few essential elements - the boat on the still water next to that wooded islet, but most of all that stunning backdrop of snow-capped mountains. I've taken the liberty of doing a small workshop as to me the mountains in particular seem a bit soft and I thought a little more contrast might help to give the image slightly more impact. Hope you don't mind :) John

johnfreeman (2274) 2009-05-30 11:00

Hi Judy, Many thanks for your visit and kind comments. It's a real pleasure to discover your pictures - Alaska must be a paradise for nature and landscape photographers and is high up on my wish-list. This one is very striking due to the sensation of wide open space, the dramatic play of light and shadow and the sparsity of colour, almost monochrome apart from hint of golden light in those rays. I particularly like the play of light on the water (I wonder in fact whether you might have included a little more sea in the foreground) and of course that line of light separating the water from the land is so important. Regards, John

johnfreeman (2274) 2009-05-27 7:25

Hi Didier, Given the overcast conditions you did well to choose this wide-angle vertical compo and give as much space as possible to the sky. The clouds have the appearance of a rather floppy, diaphanous balloon impaled on the spire of San Giorgio Maggiore! John

johnfreeman (2274) 2009-05-27 5:49

Hi Jude, You have a lot of beautiful images in your gallery, but this is certainly one of my favourites due to its simplicity of construction and the early morning mood. The golden light on the pier is wonderful and contrasts perfectly with the cool blues of the water, mountains and clouds behind. Not sure about the inclusion of the green light on the left, but that's probably just my personal preference for minimalism. Very nicely done! John

johnfreeman (2274) 2009-04-30 16:49

Hello Way, I'm always fascinated by these rocks and I particularly like the way you've composed this one - the rock seems to have raced in from the side and screeched to a sudden halt in front of us, like a visitor from outer space. The light may not be spectacular but the clouds and overcast conditions give the picture a moody, atmospheric feel. Not sure about the horizon with those two lines tilting in opposite directions, I find my eye keeps wandering towards it. I wonder whether the nearer one might be better straight, though I expect it's actually receding to the right. Hope to see this myself one day. John

johnfreeman (2274) 2009-04-29 8:30

Hi Christian, I like your composition here, particularly the decision to use the plant as your main subject. It's always nice to see plants and flowers in an urban setting and the brightly coloured sunlit flowers stand out very well against the metallic grey sky. I find the flower head on the left in front of the cathedral slightly distracting (if you block it out with your thumb I think you'll see what I mean) but of course that's only a minor detail. Nicely done. Regards John

johnfreeman (2274) 2009-04-29 8:09

Hello Maggie, You have a very interesting gallery and obviously a good eye for detail, this photo being a good example. I particularly like the two-tone colour combination here, the yellows standing out strongly against the almost uniformly grey, green-tinged backdrop. But the play of textures works very well too with those almost papery backlit leaves contrasting with the rippling patterns below and the crisp frosty field behind. Well seen and taken. John