Comments on: Monthly Critique [Our Writers Sound Off]

By: Vasco Casquilho

Vasco Casquilho — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:22:15 +0000

After 27 comments, I think I should say something, as a collective reply.
First of all, my sincere thank you all for taking the time to watch and critique. All critiques are very welcome. They only make me better. For instance, i never thought about a different kind of crop, but it seems some of you would have done it. Makes me think.
Also, it is easier to understand this photo for people that come from countries where bullfights are part of the culture.
The blur was kind of a necessity. There wasn´t enough light available, so I had to improvise. And started to play. I have 7 more from that day, here: http://www.desfocado.com/index.php?showimage=33
Would love to see you all visiting my website, and leave comments/critiques.
My big, big thank you for DPS for this website in general and showing my work in particular.
All my best
Vasco

By: Kar Weng

Kar Weng — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 07:53:20 +0000

I like the timing of this shot. It tells a great sense of motion and energy, from both the matador and the bull. The framing was very well done as it clearly shows the monstrous built of the bull relative to the matador. And, a good dynamic range. A picture like this can’t get any better, only different.

By: g

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:58:03 +0000

I don’t know what to think.. I had not seen the matador, the whole pic borders on abstract (almost like a painting), I would have loved a little more clarity but something would have been lost. As with many others I am yet to be enthralled by abstracts ( I am short sighted already so a blurry image only makes it worse for me) but overall, I give it my thumbs up (for creating a feeling)

By: shashi

shashi — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 11:11:53 +0000

nice photograph

By: alexis alvarez

alexis alvarez — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:50:46 +0000

Mark P

Nicely put!

By: Mark P

Mark P — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:44:45 +0000

So much of current photography concentrates on the technical – pin-sharp pics, often overblown colour etc. (Look at the current shelves of photo-mags – does anyone else hate them?)
It is a pleasure to see a composition that is both artistic and presented for one’s reaction. Abstraction is a great challenge – to plan and capture.
The comments from others confirm the feelings that this image conveys. Who cares whether it is immediately “interpretable” or showing fine detail – that is so often the realm of snappers – not artistic photographers (in my opinion!)
This is an image that conveys so much and leads into deeper interpretation as you look at it – motion, colour then subject matter combining beauty and abject cruelty, solidity and frailty, speed and agility etc etc!!
Nice one

By: MeiTeng

MeiTeng — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:06:41 +0000

I don’t like the image because I can’t figure out what the photograph’s trying to convey or the story behind the photo? To me, it’s just a mass of blurry colours and forms.

By: Abby

Abby — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:05:37 +0000

I could not figure out what the photograph was until reading comments. When looking at it at first I would’ve said I hated it. After looking for awhile and reading all the comments I have a little more respect. Like others I always delete everything with the slightest blur. It scares me to take photos that are blurry because I could be capturing a perfectly clear and crisp action shot at the same moment.

Thanks for posting! It is a neat shot.

By: Rajev

Rajev — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:30:48 +0000

I could not enjoy this pic.

By: ClickChick

ClickChick — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:25:43 +0000

The length of the bull’s body kept drawing my eye away from the matador. Since it’s too late to focus or discern the matador the only option left to make this pix work, is to crop the bull just before the hump. I would also crop a smidge off the bottom. This leaves a well defined abstract action shot that captures the energy within a tight frame.