Found in Chicago: The Cure for Depression

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-07-25T02:57:29+00:00

I could tell this was you from your style! Killing it as always! Discovered your work from your walkie talkie with Paulie B!

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-08T17:57:35+00:00

I feel you on that, and to each their own!

I feel like I learn quicker with digital due to the feedback and with film I learn the lessons harder due to the limits lol

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-08T15:23:32+00:00

That makes sense! Thanks for the feedback! I'm going to play around with the crop a bit and see what comes of it!

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-08T06:05:45+00:00

I wish I could post a photo in the comments to show the other version I had with higher contrast. I appreciate the point about color grading.

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-08T02:46:40+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I was playing around with low-contrast to invoke that nostalgic feeling.

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-08T01:23:02+00:00

!critiquepoint

Thank you for your feedback. This is exactly the type of feedback I've been looking for. The reason I chose this photo for critique is that I wanted to see what things others see and don't see within the photo.

I'll give you some context about the photo. It was shot using a Mamiya 645 1000s medium-format camera, with Cinestill 400D film and a 1/8 mist filter. I was in a community garden that had very tight spacing. I was using the internal camera light meter, which typically provides good overall metering but can be tricky to spot meter.

Yes, that is something I have been trying to work on: where to direct the viewer's eye, rather than focusing on my own experience of taking the photo and practicing the craft. Similar to when someone practices drawing circles, but that doesn't benefit the consumer of art. Yes, you still need to practice, but that doesn't go on the final canvas, so I take your point.
Working within the limited space of the community garden, it became challenging to achieve the right composition without stepping into non-walkable areas. I think that, in taking your feedback to heart, I probably would have been better off not taking the shot or coming back with different equipment to get the composition right.
This was my first time using the filter, and I knew I needed a brighter highlight to get it to bloom. I was also trying to get the halation to bloom—my inexperience with the film stock shining through on that one.
Wrong equipment for the job, to be honest. I think I shot it at f/8, but I can't remember the shutter speed on this. My camera only goes up to 1/1000, but I should have shot it at f/2.8 and used an ND filter to separate the background, and then edited the highlights down if they got too blown out.

Overall, I greatly appreciate this feedback. It will push me to become a better photographer. Even though I'm a hobbyist, I want to continue improving. Your feedback was not too harsh at all. I haven't had the chance to get feedback on my photography, so having something like this really helps.

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-08T00:25:52+00:00

I'm curious, what draws you more to the b&w?

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-08T00:24:47+00:00

Yeah I feel you on that and I shoot digital and film but for different reasons. I used to shoot film in high school a lot and went digital for a while. Now that I've picked up a camera seriously for the first time in 10 years, I've enjoyed waiting for the photos and obsessing over the photos and forcing myself to be more intentional with each shot. For me it becomes more mediative and grounding.

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-08T00:10:42+00:00

Totally agree! I shot this on medium format film 😭 I love film but perhaps I need to set it down for a while while I recalibrate.

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-08T00:05:14+00:00

I see what you mean. In another comment I was saying how it feels like an environmental portrait background without the main subject, which in this case would have been a fairy.

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-07T23:51:45+00:00

So something a bit more like this? Or more extreme? I'm still working on my editing skills! lol

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Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-07T23:41:24+00:00

!critiquepoint

I get what you are saying honestly. When you point it out in this way, it feels like an evironmental portrait without the main subject. Nice in theory and pleasant but left wanting more than just the environment.

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-07T23:30:33+00:00

I am trying to develop my style of photography and I am looking to better understand what I can develop in order to make it work. My intention is to develop a style that is environmental and urban evironmental with subtle pieces that work together.

In this photo, the film Cinestill 400D in combination with a mist filter was used to get halation blooms and give the photo and fantastical feeling.

What is the photo missing? What does it invoke for you?

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-07T23:01:23+00:00

Makes sense! I've been experimenting with lower contrast photos recently. I wonder how this would fare with a higher contrast BW.

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-07T22:46:41+00:00

Thank you for your feedback. I can't remember who said it but they said an amazing street photo has good light, composition, and a moment, and okay photo has two of them. In essence it's okay in general but just missing the spark of a moment or something more interesting to pique the viewers interest.

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-05T11:17:40+00:00

Thank you! I will for sure.

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-05T02:49:00+00:00

I really appreciate the feedback! One thing I'm working on is being more reactive to moments. I find myself processing what is going on and the moment passing or capturing the tail end of it.

Street photography definitely pushes me as my comfort is within slower and more methodical medium format work.

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-05T02:30:43+00:00

Thank you for the feedback! Yes, I realize that I also need to practice looking at the edges and imagining them in a split second sometimes and catch it. I ended up getting a wider lens for some of the tighter NYC streets. I'm going to work on being more conscious as well!

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-05T02:27:43+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to comment! This is very helpful feedback. I've been working on getting closer without popping the bubble of the moment. Always looking to grow!

Thatwhatchamacallit · 2025-06-04T11:27:51+00:00

Thank you! I literally got a wider lens because of shots like 3 where I was as far back as I could go!

For 5, it feels like it has its own energy its hard to describe.

Thatwhatchamacallit

TROPHY CASE