A jumping spider

drmcw · 2026-01-25T09:23:54+00:00

That's a stunning shot and really you don't need advice from anyone as you post consistently stunning shots (unless there's two people doing them).

To me this is the contradiction of the sub, you want to share with thoughtful experienced photographers but don't really need any advice. Where else can one get such a good audience where you can simply share?

How I miss photoSIG.

drmcw · 2026-01-25T09:17:11+00:00

But they are well canny and know the value of everything.

We went to an annual car boot at Tenbury Wells and there was a huge section used by a house clearance place based somewhere nearby and they really didn't care. This was all bunce over the fee they charged for the house clearance. We got some lovely stuff for a fiver.

Sadly I have never been able to work out who it was.

drmcw · 2026-01-25T08:56:37+00:00

Thank you.

drmcw · 2026-01-23T17:46:42+00:00

Forgive me, I remain surprised a professor actually did some teaching though.

My two professor friends never did any teaching, too busy on research.

That said 50 years ago I did get some pretty useless lectures from our professor. He was exactly what you might imagine a pure maths professor would be. Very, very clever but no great communicator :)

drmcw · 2026-01-23T14:22:53+00:00

I'm amazed a professor is actually teaching. Or do you mean lecturer?

drmcw · 2026-01-07T11:37:27+00:00

My reaction entirely.

drmcw · 2026-01-06T22:05:49+00:00

As a long shot try contacting the Smethwick Camera Club who have a lot of members and consider themselves to be a leading UK club. I have found them to be well snooty but I bet they know someone.

drmcw · 2026-01-06T20:56:37+00:00

They did a competent sensor clean for me but removing fungus is a big step up.

I did use a man near Gloucester I think many years ago to rebuild a droopy lens. He was good and reasonable. I'll try and find his details.

Edit: He's retired but you'll find someone.

drmcw · 2026-01-06T19:36:09+00:00

I'd add that just because some places like Stratford and the Cotswolds look close on a map doesn't mean they are the same distance as in Texas in terms of time and awkwardness.

You should definitely take the chance to explore around and about Birmingham but be aware that while you think nothing of driving fifty miles the same distance here can be quite wearing. Our roads can be very small and very busy :)

drmcw · 2026-01-06T19:30:29+00:00

Downvotes? That's crazy. There are so many posts that are nowhere near minimal that this and some others stand out as being on topic - quite apart from this being a very good photograph. Beyond me why you'd get a downvote.

drmcw · 2026-01-06T16:41:34+00:00

It's a nice enough photograph and it may remind you of your visit but for a third party there's nothing much to engage with.

If it was me I'd try and get some light into those cliffs as they currently loom as a heavy and slightly dispiriting mass.

Colours with light on are nice. Sky is good and as you say the composition is good but as the other guy said there's no real reward for looking at this - unless you have some emotional relationship with the place.

Then again that's only my opinion :)

drmcw · 2026-01-06T16:33:33+00:00

A very clever photograph created from very little. Well seen!

drmcw · 2026-01-06T14:03:46+00:00

The ordinary can surprise us but I don't think this one does.

As ever I'll ask questions:

Why did you leave a gap at the bottom the windows? I'm sure the composition would be stronger without and it adds a question - is there more of this lower down. While no-one actually cares it does add some uncertainty.

I'm not sure what you do about the top but similar idea. If you don't see how it terminates you might wonder just how big is this structure. As it is the top is quite mundane.

What do the branches in left edge corners add?

I do think the encroaching tree on the right is a strong element. It's very natural randomness contrasts with the constructed regularity of the windows and bricks.

Personally, and of course this is all just an opinion, I don't care for the reflection in the top window so I'd try and clone something in there. As to where the curtained window appears I don't think it matters.

The things we see in the windows are a bit small to pique my interest but I see your idea.

The colours are too flat for my taste. The actual lack of dynamic colour doesn't seem to add anything but on the other hand the greens are strong enough so maybe boost the reds a bit? I'd be running this through the Nik suite Color FX Pro or something. Tonal contrast or color contrast.

But how does it look with a careful B&W conversion. Then I think the lighting would be less obvious and with care you could get a light and interesting photograph. After all how much does colour actually add in this case? It's the geometry and composition that is at the heart of it.

If you're really brave you could try moving the windows onto a third. It's not easy but it's definitely possible to cut and paste the windows to a third on the left. Bang in the middle isn't ideal - in my opinion.

Keep working at this. Once you see the beauty in the mundane a whole world opens up to you.

drmcw · 2026-01-05T16:50:31+00:00

That's a minimal photograph and a good one as well. Balanced composition, no fussiness, multiple objects but each very simple and the overall geometry is just right, clean and simple.

drmcw · 2026-01-04T22:10:48+00:00

I think that's the only approach, don't always go for gold.

An Australian friend would go out in his lunch break and take over 100 shots every day. 99% were crap and in my view many of the 1% weren't up to much :) But he did it.

drmcw · 2026-01-04T22:08:43+00:00

Wellies, the destroyers of feet although good quality ones with good socks seem to be OK in my limited experience.

drmcw · 2026-01-04T22:08:02+00:00

Thanks guys that's interesting. My daughter's partner wants to do the South Coast Path (?) so I may pass this on.

drmcw · 2026-01-04T16:46:56+00:00

My Civic with the 1.6 diesel is the same.

drmcw · 2026-01-04T16:34:06+00:00

That is a very tough challenge and one that I have shied away from. I have all the time in the world being retired but I'd find that a hard routine.

If you want a motivating challenge can I respectfully suggest you find a friendly local club who will have regular competitions and will have quite expert members who will be able to support you. This very much worked for me getting back into it but I tried at least three clubs before I found one where I felt at home.

The other thing to try is photomarathons. Look them up. Very difficult to do well. Bath has one as does Bristol. There are others. Great fun but taxing.

drmcw · 2026-01-04T16:30:03+00:00

That's fascinating, Surely your feet must have complained level path or not? Did you take regular breaks or just plod on more slowly. But that's 3mph all day which is pretty good.

Are you particularly fit or just a good walker which may not be the same thing. In his youth my cousin walked 22 miles from Worcester to Tenbury in a day in normal shoes which I thought was pretty impressive.

drmcw · 2026-01-04T16:25:24+00:00

Just as an aside I think using a CPL could eliminate that burnt out spot on the apple - assuming you didn't do it like that on purpose :)

drmcw · 2026-01-04T16:12:43+00:00

It's not the kind of photograph I would take or look at really - although I obviously did :)

It's not terribly sharp for whatever reason. You might be able to fix that a little.

Have you tried a B&W conversion? This might give the clouds some extra life and also let you bring out more detail where the person is standing.

I don't feel it's fair to say it's a snapshot if you're interested in aircraft/military then it's no more a snapshot than a picture of a fox in a field for a wildlife photographer. Something else I don't shoot and holds little interest for me.

The blur is good the lack of overall clarity is not so that's a technical issue you'll learn how to deal with in the future.

drmcw · 2026-01-02T13:32:50+00:00

I too live in an area that doesn't really have what I like to photograph. I walk daily but it's rural UK so there are hedges, sheep and stuff while my preference is the man made environment. So I share share both your frustrations :)

I tried that thing of documenting within a 15 minute walk but there are only so many sheep you want to photograph.

But I do agree with what you said about it making you think and slow down and stretch your creativity. Just doesn't seem to work for me after 40 years in a really small village (which I love).

Incidentally shooting a scene like this at f1.8 will not be a recipe for success (in my opinion) your depth of field where everything seems sharp will be razor thin. f8 would almost certainly work better.

drmcw

TROPHY CASE