Lee Ann Stamm  


Bars - Stars and Stripes by Lee Ann Stamm

November 2023 - Bars - Stars and Stripes

About the Image(s)

While visiting Orange Beach, Alabama, last year I began to wander the beach with my camera. I found the contrast of sand and plants with the broken-down fence fascinating. When I saw this assignment, this was the first image that came to mind. Taken with my Canon EOS R5 at 105mm, 1/200, f9, ISO 200, aperture priority.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted




 
I've really enjoyed all our interpretations of bars. This is another clever one. Did you place the plants where you wanted them to be in the picture? I think it would have been fun to have the plants in the lighter parts of the image and let the bars speak for themselves. Also, I might suggest cleaning the image up a little and cropping out the miscellaneous bits. Good thinking.   Posted: 11/14/2023 14:37:27
 
Hi Joan: Congratulations with being selected for the monthly slideshow. I love "The Way Home". It felt like going home to comfort after being out in a frosty landscape. Good job.

I did not place any of the plants for this image. Therefore, you see some plants being covered and others in the open. I thought about getting rid of the debris but decided to leave it as an untouched image of a sandy beach. I especially like the crawdad claw at the bottom middle of the picture. Had I thought about it at the time, I would have moved them to the blank space under the first bar.

Joan, you may already know that this will be my last time participating with Group 12. I just have too much other stuff I need to do. You have given such wonderful critiques and images since joining this group. I'm really going to miss your honestly and friendly manner. I wish you much success with your photography future.   Posted: 11/17/2023 22:17:56



Carole Kropscot   Carole Kropscot
These shadows of bars are a unique display for "bars." So imaginative. The fact that it's a broken-down fence is extra special. I'm glad you said what the shadows were because I was thinking of a bunch of swings chained together or something I couldn't identify at all. I think this composition is good because I see the 2 larger leaves being the main area of interest, followed by all the miscellaneous stuff found on the ground out in rustic nature. I myself have taken numerous photos of sidewalk shadows I've been walking on just because the stuff there had an interesting graphic look like your image does. And entitling it Stars and Stripes was very clever.
  Posted: 11/15/2023 19:14:06
 
Carole: Thanks for your positive comments regarding this image. After I sent it, I thought I should have spent much more time on processing. The original had much lighter sand, and I think I made it look kind of muddy and gray.

It fulfilled the assignment, and as you know, this will be my last submission. Thank you so much for all your work to make this a successful group. I have been involved with another group, and I never received any kind of information from the facilitator. In fact, he has been remiss in getting some of my images posted. This group has been so much more rewarding due to your efforts of keeping the critiques coming. I will miss everyone in this group. I hate to say "Good-Bye."   Posted: 11/17/2023 22:27:52



Nancy Armstrong   Nancy Armstrong
Lee Ann, the shadow bars really jump out at the viewer and turn what might have been a stock beach photo into an interesting piece of art. You mentioned in your response to Carole that you might do some additional processing; it's fine as it is but I agree that some additional work on things like color and contrast could take it to another level.

There is a lot to look at here, and I kept finding new things as I studied your image. The shadow of the wire on the right, the claw, the details of the wire, something that looks like a feather but I'm not sure what it is…nice work! My only suggestion for improvement would be to clone out those two partial leaves along the top edge, I think they could lead the viewer out of the photo.   Posted: 11/19/2023 02:13:43
 
Thanks Nancy: I agree that those two stragglers at the top need to go. I have always appreciated your comments. Thank you.   Posted: 11/20/2023 17:06:12



Connie Reinhart   Connie Reinhart
Very nice. The 'bars' of the shadows lead the eye through the image allowing the viewer to see each group of leaves. The exposure is good; the dark part of the leaves is not blocked and the white sand is not burned out. All the debris in the sand adds to the story. I love the crawdad claw. Yes, it would be better placed toward the top; but that's not the way you found it. Good luck Lee Ann on your future photographic adventures. You will be missed here at Group 12.   Posted: 11/26/2023 20:19:01