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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
3/9/2005 1:26:51 AM
Hello, Matej! I have not been around for months, but I have returned now. I needed to comment on this photo because I think it shows one of your strengths that most people don't seem to comment on. Perhaps it is just me, but I see outstanding feeling and depth in your photos of people. That is where your work calls most to me. I like this shot very much, for all the reasons that Christian pointed out, but I disagree with him on the toothbrush comment. I think the toothbrush is intruding on a world it doesn't belong to, and that creates a tension that drives the picture.
Wonderful, as usual Matej!
Regards,
Matt
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Photo By: Matej Maceas
(K:24381)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
10/24/2004 3:12:19 AM
Wow!
There is no doubt you are a professional!
The fusion of the different images, the balance of colors (black, blue and grey counterpointed by the red apple), and the use, and breaking, of the window frame.
You are where I wish I was, and where I hope I will be some day!
Regards
Matt
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| Photo By: Ben Goossens
(K:491)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
10/4/2004 2:55:45 AM
I think I'm being a little slow tonight. Do you mean the picture horizontal? Or do you mean shoot the wall face on, making IT more horizontal? I really like this wall, so I want to make this the best I can.
Thanks for your comments...
Regards,
Matt
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
10/1/2004 3:53:40 AM
Hello, Adriana!
This is clearly the better of the two shots. All the warm tones of brown and tan make me want to sit and enjoy a cup of tea at that little table!
There is some sort of distortion in the center of the picture along the bottom edge. I don't know what it is, but I would crop it off.
Otherwise, this is just a wonderful, warm inviting image! Bravo!
Regards,
Matt
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| Photo By: Adriana Rabbit
(K:3233)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
10/1/2004 3:41:56 AM
Thank you Deb! I have to warn you, I have touched up this photo with Photoshop, so the colors are slightly stronger than the original.
Anyway, thank you for your comments!
Regards,
Matt
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
10/1/2004 3:35:24 AM
Thank you! Was there anything I could do better?
Regards,
Matt
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
9/19/2004 4:34:46 PM
My daughter was chasing fireflies, and had stopped to look at one in her hand. If you look closely, you can actually see some of the fireflies in the picture!
Regards,
Matt
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
9/18/2004 3:38:06 PM
I like the potential of this shot, but I agree it is too dark. I hope you don't mind, but I edited it a little in photoshop. I just increased the contrast and brightness a little, and used a little unsharp mask on it. What do you think?
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| Photo By: j ruz
(K:1043)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
9/18/2004 3:30:47 PM
This is what I strive to photograph my self! Nice shot, as usual well composed, and excellent contrast. The only thing I might suggest is to crop off the extreme right hand side where the brick changes. It slightly throws off the balance of the image.
Regards,
Matt
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| Photo By: j ruz
(K:1043)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
9/18/2004 3:24:38 PM
I agree with Massimo, Jeremy. The composition is excellent, if only you didn't have that car in the shot. It does look a little overexposed, probably a result of direct strong sunlight (this was taken in winter, right? The sun is actually STRONGER in winter than in summer.) and a light wall. If you could quicken your shutter speed a bit, you would limit the overexposure.
Again, though, you have a great eye for composition, something most people have some trouble with.
Regards,
Matt
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| Photo By: j ruz
(K:1043)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
9/18/2004 3:19:04 PM
Wonderful image. Do you use photoshop? I ask because the picture almost looks TOO sharp, as if you had applied an unsharp mask. Just a comment.
The picutre is well composed, and although the window is a little overexposed, I think it works here.
This is my favorite subject matter. Keep up the good work!
Regards,
Matt
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| Photo By: j ruz
(K:1043)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
9/18/2004 3:15:03 PM
I know this picture has some problems. I was driving and stumbled upon these low clouds. I didn't have much time to get these shots (please also see "misty mountain"), so I took what I could get. If I wanted this shot, I had to take the power lines.
Thanks for your comments!
Regards,
Matt
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
9/11/2004 5:03:31 AM
I am amazed to find this image, as opposed to my "death of summer" and "death of summer III" is the one generating so many comments! I guess people like road shots.
On a technical note, I may have a broken auto-focuser on my D70. I have been focusing by hand, but it is more difficult than it looks.
I can have the autofocuser fixed, but I don't want to give up my camera for a few weeks. Separation anxiety!
Any tips on hand focusing? I never seem able to tell exactily when it is focused or, like this shot, when it is not.
Thanks again for your comments, Matej!
Regards,
Matt
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
9/7/2004 10:13:36 PM
It's banal.
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| Photo By: Marco Federici
(K:1686)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
9/7/2004 10:10:48 PM
I am not one to get offended easily, but you, sir, have come quite close.
I wish now to correct you.
The above photograph may not be to your liking, and it may even be boring, but it is something else above those things.
It is PRACTICE. You may not realize this but many of us come here to learn. The above photo is a panorama shot, taken from two separate photos and fused together using Photoshop. I had posted this to see if others thought I had done it correctly.
Please do your research (like reading my bio) before you use such a blunt and outright offensive comment.
When I see better work in your portfolio, I will give you greater leeway to insult me!
Matt Hoffman
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
9/6/2004 6:04:06 AM
You might have been on this road if you have been to rural Pa. I, however, have been on about 1000 roads like this!
Thank you for your comments! My son was off to the left yelling at me to get out of the road when I snapped this one.
Regards
Matt
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
8/15/2004 4:31:11 AM
This is good art! I don't think I can make any suggestions on how to improve this shot. I could write a whole short story off of this shot. The dynamic elements are numerous. Add in a little Freudian interpretation, and the imagination runs wild!
I am going to give my very first Usefilm "7" for this one. Grand work and a pleasure to view.
Regards
Matt
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| Photo By: Kim Taylor
(K:2816)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
8/4/2004 8:18:35 PM
Thanks, Jason, for your comments!
I just posted a third in this particular window series. I agree with you, I like this one the best. The color does look more natural in the first, and I know some people would not enhance the color, but I feel the dramatic power of the shot is, at least in part, the play between the colored wood and the bleaker stone. IMHO!
Regards,
Matt
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
8/4/2004 8:07:08 PM
Hello, Justine!
This is a lovely image. The perfection of nature is breathtaking. This shot is well balanced and focused, the color is vibrant and the light is just right!
I just wish there was a bee sitting in the flower!
Regards,
Matt
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| Photo By: Justine Worth
(K:831)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
8/4/2004 8:04:17 PM
Thanks, Ahmad!
This is an old barn I stumbled upon. The roof has fallen in, years ago it seems, and the inside is all overgrown with plants. Something just draws me to this window.
Thanks for your comments!
Regards
Matt
I just posted another picture of this window - a closeup.
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
8/4/2004 12:01:35 AM
This is a wonderful image! The subject matter is excellent. I am most drawn to the individual standing in the doorway.
While I was examining this image, I noticed that there is a large amount of color hidden in this picture. The umbrella overshadows the other colors, though, and they are not easily noticed. I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of trying to bring those colors out. The resulting image is somewhat different from your original.
Just thought you might like to see someone else's perspective!
Regards
Matt
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| Photo By: Giorgi Mamasakhlisi
(K:178)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
7/27/2004 3:15:17 AM
Wow! What a difference!
What do you think?
Thanks for the tips, fellows...This has certanly been a productive exercise for me.
Regards
Matt
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
7/22/2004 4:18:06 PM
This shot was taken near dusk just as a big rainstorm was ending. My favorite time (so far) to shoot. You might try the motorcycle shot under similar conditions, that is if you can find someone willing to ride in the rain!
Thanks everyone for the comments!
Regards,
Matt
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
7/22/2004 4:11:23 PM
Dear Dr. Springmann,
Thank you very much for your reply. I do have an interest in psychology, having a BS in psychology from Kutztown University. I also have a BFA in Related Arts, and that interest is what has brought me to photography. I do not work in the mental health field, but I have always been interested in Schizophrenia. I have a great aunt with that ailment, and as a young man was somewhat exposed to her alien thought processes.
Thank you for mentioning my photo "scream" in the same sentence as Gustav Klimt, for my wife and I are big fans of his work.
Your book is now on my list!
Kind Regards,
Matthew Hoffman
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
7/22/2004 4:55:48 AM
This is a well taken shot. For a daylight shot, I wish the sky was bluer behing the ship, but the ship is wonderful (as is the boat on the extreme right - I'd almost like to see a separate photo of that boat!). I do wish I could see this shot in early morning or late afternoon light as the reds in the sunlight tend to highlight the red rust on boats like this.
I just love this look of decay - nice find!
Regards
Matt
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| Photo By: Arturo Salcido
(K:1018)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
7/22/2004 4:17:34 AM
Vadim, If I may interject a few comments to help you understand what the deal is.
1) in most photography, less is more (fewer details mean you can focus on the subject). Here, you have managed to make minimalism (or nothing, if you get my meaning) the subject, which makes this very powerful in a subtle way.
2) You present us with white walls and two doors. From a Psychological standpoint, people will be drawn to this because they feel they need to add something to the picture. Many people will want to know why you called it "boiler room" when boilers seem to be lacking. I myself want to open the doors. It is almost like there is a mystery to be solved.
Does this help? Because I agree with the others that this is an astounding image!
Bravo!
Matt
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| Photo By: Vadim Melamedov
(K:1466)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
7/22/2004 4:02:12 AM
Well, I guess from that post you might doubt I have a background in writing...
Errors include:
My (not By) background lies in...
...the juxtaposition (not justaposition)...
Sorry!
Matt
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
7/22/2004 3:58:18 AM
Thanks, Tim.
I actually chose this picture for her movement and blur. By background lies in creative writing and psychology, not photography, so I guess I like the justaposition of the blured figure foreground with the static street/park scene sharply focused in the background. Whether that is good photography is what I'm here to learn. Please check out the original, below. I did some serious cropping on this one!
Thanks again for your comments. They are always appreciated!
Regards
Matt
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
7/21/2004 7:02:44 PM
Hey, Matej...
My 6 year old loves this shot, as do I. I love the water drops in the sink - makes it look used. If I might risk a comment on a BIP shot, I don't that white bottle behind the sink. I don't have a problem with the cutting board Christian mentioned, though. It provides a point of focus for the shot.
Regards
Matt
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| Photo By: Matej Maceas
(K:24381)
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Critique By:
matthew hoffman (K:658)
7/19/2004 3:37:42 PM
Thanks for your comments here, Greg.
It may just be my inexperience, but I like the slight difference in the window level and the frame level. It adds some tension for me, and reinforces the decaying quality.
The colour work was badly needed. See my above post for a re-worked picture, and my lamentation on my oh-to-rapid posting of images!
Thanks
Matt
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| Photo By: matthew hoffman
(K:658)
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