Comments on: Our Writers’ Monthly Critique

By: John Bryan

John Bryan — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:19:20 +0000

I find the image a little deprressing, and the technique a little clumsy. I don’t know anything about the Orton Effect, but if it means losing detail, darkening the corners and making a graduated filter effect then that’s a 3 minute job in Photoshop. I think that the subject matter is great, but the way it’s been dealt with hasn’t enhanced it’s original beauty, quite the contrary.

By: Richard Wager

Richard Wager — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:30:06 +0000

I love this picture. I’m not always looking for something natural and for me this a very ghostly picture with some supernatural qualities to it! Briliant.

By: J.A.Lambert

J.A.Lambert — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:27:45 +0000

i like the air of mystery, but the picture just cries out for a figure or a building as the centre of focus, perhaps in a contrasting colour.

By: George E. Norkus

George E. Norkus — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:27:44 +0000

Overall I like it although I do have issue with the Orton effect in general. It reminds my of something found in a “Starving Artist” collection.

By: Arthur Pennington

Arthur Pennington — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:29:07 +0000

Brilliant, mystical

By: shannon hartley

shannon hartley — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:07:13 +0000

i love it…everything about it. The fact that it is slightly off center is great. who wants a totally dead on symmetrical photo all the time? the colors are so moody..I love it. Wish I could do that kind of stuff.

By: Paul Jackson

Paul Jackson — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:34:49 +0000

I have to admit that I had never heard of the “Orton Effect” until I read the above article. I was so intrigued by the image and how it was achieved that I picked up my kit and went out and found somewhere to try it out. Whilst nowhere near as good as the magnificent example in the article I was really happy with my first effort and its always a pleasure to learn something new. Many thanks.

P.S. I posted my attempt in the critique section of the forums if anybody would like to have a look.

By: Anner

Anner — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:43:05 +0000

I love the photo, It’s very pleasant to look at it, it´s like a paniting!.
For me, that I’m trying to learn more about photography, is very interesting this kind of critique. I’ve never heard about Orton Effect, but I think I like it.

By: Lynne

Lynne — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:48:17 +0000

Thanks to everyone who commented on my photo”Wormsloe”. I would also like to thank Peter Carey for submitting the photo for critique. The photo is actually two shots in camera, one-6s @ f/22, ISO50, 80mm lens and the second one- 1/8s @ f/4.5, defocused or intentionally blurred. I combined them in Photoshop, but did little to the final image with the exception of filling in some bright holes with some of the green from the background. I am not very Photoshop savvy, mainly I use levels, curves and sometimes brightness and contrast. Your comments have given me incentive to go back and shoot this scene again.

Thanks again for the opportunity to have my photo critiqued.

By: D. Travis North

D. Travis North — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:44:21 +0000

Personally, I really like this shot. I’ve been following PW Carey’s photo-a-day guest photographer series and came across this shot the other day. Since then, I’ve been experimenting with the technique – but cannot come anywhere close to as refined as Lynne Daley’s fine photograph here. That, of course, just increases my admiration for the photograph. Great shot, thanks for sharing.