Barbara Mallon
November 2025 - Tangs and Surface Reflections
About the Image(s)
I went to Hawaii with my daughter and son-in-law. They are avid divers ad photographers. They took me snorkling with rough waves and made sure I didn’t drown. They also provided case for my iPhone. This is my favorite photo from the trip! Iphone 15 pro Max jpeg image. I looks dead here that on my Epson ultrpremium photo paper matte.
5 comments posted
Barbara, your artistic flair is showing. This is an excellent image with underwater clarity and strong color fidelity.The interplay of light and water, the repeating shapes of the fish, and the mirror-like reflections above is almost painterly. The surface reflections are beautifully rendered and add abstract visual interest. You did well with rock and school creating a strong diagonal that draws the eye from lower left to upper right - This is a beautiful shot, bravo - but I think the border distracts from the artistry of the image. Posted: 11/10/2025 04:01:04
Thanks, I really like it but it des not seem to do well in camera club competition. I was waiting to see your response. I will try to put it up again! (I thought that my positive emotion at such an experience was overwhelming my judgement.) Posted: 11/10/2025 21:22:32
Barbara,
This is my second go at this - for some reason the server I use isn't always compatible with PSA's DD or Study Group portals and my comments just disappeared. It happens frequently with both images and comments.
In any event, I think your first mistake was taking what a photo club judge said to heart. As the best photographer I know said to me, "Finding really good photo club judges is about as easy as finding hen's teeth." Most judges (especially weak ones) are very big on technical quality because it is the easiest way to point out flaws, and that seems to be their goal - find flaws. They can spot exposure and sharpness because in many cases they can't articulate what else is either right or wrong in an image.
To address this, my friend and I developed the following which was designed to shift emphasis away from technical flaw-finding and toward artistic merit. And a truly competent photo club judge will give at least equal weight to emotional connection, creativity and composition as they do to minor technical issues.
This is our definition of a high-quality image deserving of a photo club's highest score - A visually striking photograph with a strong, clearly defined subject that is well separated from its background. The lighting goes beyond correct exposure and is used creatively to enhance the image. The photo evokes an emotional response and demonstrates a thoughtful composition that supports the subject while showcasing competent technical execution.
I do a bit of judging and have PSA presentation also on Club Hub about how to improve scores in photo club competitions (send me your email and I'll send you some reviews) - in any event, remove the border and your image meets the above definition - yours is an excellent image.
Posted: 11/11/2025 15:51:52
This is my second go at this - for some reason the server I use isn't always compatible with PSA's DD or Study Group portals and my comments just disappeared. It happens frequently with both images and comments.
In any event, I think your first mistake was taking what a photo club judge said to heart. As the best photographer I know said to me, "Finding really good photo club judges is about as easy as finding hen's teeth." Most judges (especially weak ones) are very big on technical quality because it is the easiest way to point out flaws, and that seems to be their goal - find flaws. They can spot exposure and sharpness because in many cases they can't articulate what else is either right or wrong in an image.
To address this, my friend and I developed the following which was designed to shift emphasis away from technical flaw-finding and toward artistic merit. And a truly competent photo club judge will give at least equal weight to emotional connection, creativity and composition as they do to minor technical issues.
This is our definition of a high-quality image deserving of a photo club's highest score - A visually striking photograph with a strong, clearly defined subject that is well separated from its background. The lighting goes beyond correct exposure and is used creatively to enhance the image. The photo evokes an emotional response and demonstrates a thoughtful composition that supports the subject while showcasing competent technical execution.
I do a bit of judging and have PSA presentation also on Club Hub about how to improve scores in photo club competitions (send me your email and I'll send you some reviews) - in any event, remove the border and your image meets the above definition - yours is an excellent image.
Posted: 11/11/2025 15:51:52
Nice contrasting colours: the blue of the water, the yellow of the fish and the dark colour of the rocks. Lower part is sharp. The upper part, the reflection, can be considered as the 'abstract' part. Posted: 11/11/2025 10:08:27
That sounds like a great trip. The iPhone did great job of capturing the image. The yellows and blues complement each other very well. The distorted reflections really add to the image. I would crop just a small amount off the top to get rid of the dark area there. Having two dark areas seems to draw my eye back and forth and away from the fish. Posted: 11/18/2025 15:05:03