Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Something different:

Pick FIVE (5) pictures taken in 2009, that would go along in a series of some sort (even if you didn't take them with a theme or project in mind, try to find something in your archives) and post it here.

There are some rules:
(1) In order to post a series, you MUST participate in critique and discussion of other people's series.

(2) In order to post critique/discussion, you MUST post a series of your own.

(3) NO description or discussion of technical aspects of the photos, i.e. no camera, ISO, lighting talk, etc.

(4) Only a brief title and caption of the project is allowed. Titles and captions for individual photos in the series is allowed but not necessary.

(5) You can only post ONE series until at least 10 other series have been shown and discussed.

The objective of this thread is to help you to curate and edit down your own work, present only the best and in a coherent body. Sometimes we don't critique our own work enough, and this might get you to really think about what makes a powerful photo and what works together.

Let's see how it goes for now, and we'll be sure to heavily curate it to make sure people follow the rules. Should post something of decent size to view. I like to use decluttr.

Hawaii

Taken on a vacation to Waikiki, Honolulu in August 2009.

Click on image for decluttr'd version.

<a href="http://decluttr.com/3899461018" title="Untitled by Taylor Zhou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2544/3899461018_26da9862b1_b.jpg" width="1024" height="673" alt=""></a>

<a href="http://decluttr.com/3885664347" title="Untitled by Taylor Zhou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/3885664347_c15638fe3e_b.jpg" width="1024" height="673" alt=""></a>

<a href="http://decluttr.com/4249890030" title="Untitled by Taylor Zhou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4249890030_30f11563d5_b.jpg" width="1024" height="682" alt=""></a>

<a href="http://decluttr.com/3905948764" title="Untitled by Taylor Zhou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/3905948764_f5581270a0_b.jpg" width="1024" height="666" alt=""></a>

<a href="http://decluttr.com/4249159019" title="Untitled by Taylor Zhou, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4249159019_04146ec058_b.jpg" width="1024" height="682" alt=""></a>

This is a great idea Taylor!

Blacksmiths of Bamako, Mali
Working for the local syndicate, and for a few dollars a day, individuals (including many children) create new products out of old recycled metal.
The products are then marketed by the syndicate to wealthier locals or tourists.

Thanks Mike, but you need to also critique other people's series.

As for yours, why do you like the 3rd and 5th image? There are perhaps too many pictures of isolated individuals working. The second one works well because of the Obama belt, but the 3rd and 5th I feel are weaker.

Taylor, I like the beach captures but why the second photo? It's a good photo on it's own but don't see how it fits with the others.

My submission...

Bokeh Couples

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thericyip/3768673521/" title="With A Glance by thericyip, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3566/3768673521_1105bd0cc1.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="With A Glance"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thericyip/3803313620/" title="As Long As I'm With You by thericyip, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/3803313620_91b38a00e7.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="As Long As I'm With You"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thericyip/3957902168/" title="&quot;Shall we go on that next?&quot; by thericyip, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/3957902168_544bb8a5d8.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="&quot;Shall we go on that next?&quot;"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thericyip/4210720706/" title="Holding Hands by thericyip, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4210720706_a7c93e25cd.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Holding Hands"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thericyip/4214645663/" title="Keeping Warm by thericyip, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/4214645663_a996c3ee70.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Keeping Warm"></a>

2009 is so last year how about opening it up to 2010. Some good project work here well done.

Ryan - I chose 2009 because hopefully people will feel like they've taken enough shots to really have to cull it down to a select 5. Sometimes taking time away from the images before going back and re-looking at them helps you to be more critical and objective. I intentionally didn't want people to post their best photos of "all time" but within a reasonable timeframe.

Eric I love your street stuff you do .. looks so good.. I really like the working shots Mike posted 5 is my favourite .. Love the lighting ...

I don't have that many sets but Ill put up Hamilton I guess

1


2


3


4


5


a lot of mine have been seen already .. sorry

I wouldn't say it's my best or even really photographs but it does represent a study in complexity that I'm doing to oppose the currently in vogue minimalism. Its also part of my study in fractals.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrix_feet/3463622034/" title="Josephine by Metrix X, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3516/3463622034_46ff7db92f_o.jpg" width="640" height="800" alt="Josephine"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrix_feet/3334003345/" title="Work to Rule by Metrix X, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3396/3334003345_a49809bb19_o.jpg" width="788" height="800" alt="Work to Rule"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrix_feet/3345973795/" title="Cyclist Passing By by Metrix X, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/3345973795_9c4daed6ef_o.jpg" width="566" height="800" alt="Cyclist Passing By"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrix_feet/3349562648/" title="Free Wednesday Evening At The AGO by Metrix X, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3663/3349562648_131585bdd7_o.jpg" width="650" height="800" alt="Free Wednesday Evening At The AGO"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrix_feet/3181981987/" title="Metro Theatre On Bloor by Metrix X, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3181981987_326af01784_o.jpg" width="846" height="800" alt="Metro Theatre On Bloor"></a>

Taylor I think you have a good fun theme with strong images except for the second and fourth images which just look like holiday scenic shots. If you could replace them with 2 more closeups of people in or on the sand shots the series would be more cohesive IMHO more of a series.

Mr.Walczak all good shots but the last shot would be better off as another waterfall shot in keeping with the theme.

Eric for me the first shot is a masterpiece the bokeh the separation of the couple well at the same time they are connected with a gaze all combine and work together.

The rest of the series are good examples of the theme.

Figured I'd wait for a few more series to be posted before I made my comments...

Taylor
I love shots 2 and 4 but feel that they don't quite fit the series.
Its like there are two series (1,3,5 past out peoples & 2,4 sun shots).
1,3,5 to me are interesting and humorous images and a fun series.
2,4 are beautiful and warm images.

thericyip
I love your processing and composition.
I think the series goes great together.
The weakest pic for me is #3 just because the other shots are much more intimate (the couples are touching and/or gazing at each other).
In #3 they are more distracted and their attention is on the slide, not on each other...

Mr. Walczak,
Each shot on their own are great technically and visually.
#3 is awesome.
But I feel like the lack of water in #5 makes it not fit in with the rest.

Metrix,
Your pictures are cluttered and confusing and extremely rich in colour.
Spectacular.
I wouldn't change a thing and I think its a great and thought provoking series.