PSNZ Digital Group 12  -  Peter McMahon

Cycle 4

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Title - Mountain Moods

Taken on a recent trip to Central Otago. A storm was passing thru giving the mountains that lovely recessional effect.

Peter's  Comments:

 

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Title - West Coast Sea Mist

Peter's  Comments:

 

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Comments from Digital Group 12                                                 
 
       Image 1 - Mountain Moods
Bob McCree    
Doug Moulin    
John Barnes    
Karen Talbot    
Bill Hodges    
Mark Brimblecombe    
Shona Kebble    
       Image 2 - West Cost Sea Mist
Bob McCree    
Doug Moulin    
John Barnes    
Karen Talbot    
Bill Hodges    
Mark Brimblecombe    
Shona Kebble    

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Cycle 3

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Title - Moon over Mt Ngarahoe

 

Peter's  Comments:

This is an IR image, taken not far from the Chateau, mid winter.

 

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Title - Northern Cowboy

Peter's  Comments:

Taken at this years New Years Day, Warkworth Rodeo. Just playing with concepts for comments.

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Comments from Digital Group 12     Please email your comments before the end of January 07.                                              
 
       Image 1 - Moon over Mt. Ngarahoe
Bob McCree    
Doug Moulin 22/3/07

An excellent IR shot and I can't see anything that would improve it.

John Barnes    
Karen Talbot 8/5/07 I am a huge fan of IR images- this one is superb I love the balance of the moon and the white snow. You would have needed your woolies on for this one.
Bill Hodges 24/4/07

This has impact, depth of interest. Moon in the right place A strong B&W image

Mark Brimblecombe 23/6/07 Great photo Peter! I take it that this is a night time infra red photo. What lens did you use to get the large moon? Excellent depth of field, so I wonder how you managed this without a long exposure time... No motion blur with a moving moon, and no sign of any stars... Ah ha... must be a daylight infra-red!
Shona Kebble  

What a lovely scene.  In this case the empty sky seem to add to the image.  Nice composition.  Well exposed.

       Image 2 - Northern Cowboy
Bob McCree    
Doug Moulin 22/3/07

A good high key shot but from my point of view I think the fancy border tends to crop it too tightly. It may look better just fading away to white.

John Barnes    
Karen Talbot 8/5/07

I really like what you have done to this cowboy image. It really concentrates your eyes  on to the cowboy's weatherbeaten face. Quite a stunning portrait. Cant fault either of these images.

Bill Hodges 24/4/07

This image to me is a bit washed out. It maybe high key but the hat and jacket are just to white and are lost in the image. Frame doesn’t help. Good tonal range on the face &  tie

Mark Brimblecombe   I love high key photos like this. But this one is a bit too light in the areas that I guess don't really matter, i.e. the jacket  and hat and hand. Good composition. Framing fits the subject.
Shona Kebble 20/6/07

The treatment of this image works well.  I like the way you have kept the detail in the face while putting less into the surrounding portion.  The frame holds it all together.

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Cycle 2

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Title - Beach Pool

Camera D100

ISO 100

24-120 lens @ 82mm

5.6   1/125

Peter's  Comments:

Taken at a West Coast beach near Auckland, early evening. Converted to b&w

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Title - Royal Spoonbill

Camera D2x

ISO 800

70-300 lens @ 112mm

5.6 1/2000
Peter's  Comments:

Taken at a lake South of Sydney, just on dusk.

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Comments from Digital Group 12     Please email your comments before the end of January 07.                                              
 
       Image 1 - Beach Pool
Bob McCree 20/2/07

Nice black and white image, Peter, with lovely lighting on the sand in the stream and hills. My preference would be to see the sand on the left toned down somewhat to levels at, or perhaps a little lower, than than the sand in the stream, as, currently, my eye is drawn to the left hand side of the image. Perhaps a little crop off the left, as well?

Doug Moulin 7/2/07

Beautiful lighting and a good tonal range make this a good B&W image. I particularly like all the curved lines. However I find the dark area at the bottom distracting. With this cropped off my eye stays on the centre of interest.

John Barnes    
Karen Talbot 4/1/07

I love your b&w treatment, brings out the beautiful textures. I am having trouble finding any fault, possible a little crop on the left to reduce the large amount of lightness. It really is nit picking.....

Bill Hodges 10/1/07

A beautifully taken B & W abstract image. Great tonal range through out the image. The only thing I would say is that I would crop in from the bottom just too where the water narrows.

Mark Brimblecombe 6/2/07 I see this as a great B&W landscape, not an abstract. Lots of wonderful shapes, textures, and the light is right.
Shona Kebble 16/1/07

I like the black and white treatment of this but it is a bit too bright on the left.  The light is lovely but somehow the image does not 'flow' very well for me.

       Image 2 - Royal Spoonbill
Bob McCree 20/2/07

Nicely captured image, Peter. I love the patterns and tones in the water. Whilst the bird is nicely positioned into the brighter areas of the water I have a slightly uncomfortable feeling that it is a little too close to the top of the image.

Doug Moulin 7/2/07

A great wildlife action shot. I like the unusual position of the wings.

John Barnes    
Karen Talbot 4/1/07

A great shot of a very timid bird- I spent a weekend at Karitane Estuary(Otago) "chasing" these beautiful birds,with a little success. I love the drops of water coming off its feet.Apart from a little crop, it is beautiful.

Bill Hodges 10/1/07

Good compostion with the bird in the right place I feel the the bird should have a bit of movement. It looks like its just been place there. Well exposed

Mark Brimblecombe 6/2/07 Fantastic photo. My only criticism is the dark edges on feathers (right wing) which looks like masking or sharpening... which I'm sure its not. Anyway... what do I know about Photoshop Peter!!
Shona Kebble 16/1/07

These birds are beautiful and you have caught this one just about right.  The wings make a nice pattern above the body of the bird.  There is lovely light on the water and I know it is nit-picking but some sunlight on the bird could have highlighted it more and given it that translucent look.

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Cycle 1

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Title
Date:
Camera/Lens:
Original File:
Exposure:
Focal Length:
Colour Temp:
Notes:

 
Peter's  Comments:

[a] River of Light.
taken on a recent South Island trip. The light reflections on a mountain stream

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Title
Date:
Camera/Lens:
Original File:
Exposure:
Focal Length:
Colour Temp:
Notes:

 
Peter's  Comments:

[b] taken on a lake, on the South Coast of Sydney. It was early evening and the back lighting was just beautiful.

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Comments from Digital Group 12     Please email your comments before the end of November 06.                                              
 
       Image 1 - River of Light
Bob McCree 30/10/06

Nice sense of flow, Peter, but not too sure about the light sky reflection which is leading my eye out of the image. A little more burning in of the foreground, too?

Doug Moulin    
John Barnes 11/10/06

This image is different and you need to look at it closely for some time to get the feel for it. I love the soft, smooth silky feel about it. Some nice patterns from the stream ripples.

Karen Talbot 15/09/06
I love the abstract appearance of water, especially the brown waters of our S.I. West Coast (a presumption!). The only comment I could add, maybe a little polarizing could have slightly reduced the brightness/whiteness, and enhanced the depth of colours.
Bill Hodges 29/10/06

Nice flowing image. Would have like to see more detail in the river bed. Maybe a  polarizing filter would have helped.

Mark Brimblecombe 10/10/06 I like the reflection, which is like a skin. Perhaps just a little more contrast.
Shona Kebble 28/10/06

I found this image to be a little confusing but by cropping some off the bottom it concentrate the eye to go more with the diagonal flow of the water.  Could do with a little more contrast but be careful not to blow out the highlights which is close to happening now.

       Image 2 - Lake
Bob McCree 30/10/06

Very placid and peaceful, Peter, with the composition helped by the appearance of the two swans.

Doug Moulin    
John Barnes 11/10/06

This is a beautiful image and it has surreal historical look about it. The swans in the foreground add to the overall composition.

Karen Talbot 10/10/06

I love the "Old Master" painting feel to this. The 2 swans conveniently fill a space and complete the image.The top left trees look like they have a little flare over them,(maybe its my work screen). I love it tho.

Bill Hodges 29/10/06

Lovely  image. Has got  the lets  enjoy the moment, the feeing l of peace and tranquility.

Mark Brimblecombe 10/10/06 Beautiful image Peter. I'm not suggesting you change anything.... but there are two pictures here, divided by the lake/bank edge.
Shona Kebble 28/10/06

A lovely image with a very serene feel to it.   Nice monotone effect and the swans add a good focal point.

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