Congrats you guys!! Thanks Matt for the C&C. This was fun.

Man this is a nice image! The kiss, the posturing, the tippy toes, the firm supportive grip on his girls hand, the texture on the path, the processing, the bokeh... this is a great, great image. The lamp posts really make this one. it is as if an artist waived his brush and placed them there only to compliment your image. I normally don't care for square crops but I love it here. Wonderful image my friend, thanks so much for posting it.

The original framing was a landscape composition...but the classic feel of the image begged for the square. Square crops may not be for everyone, but for me....and my tastes....there is room for it. It was used in a 10x10 album and fit nicely edge to edge.

I like the lamp posts as well, and also the benches and garbage cans disappearing off into nothingness. I am always on the hunt for receding lines, and when I find repeating lines like this....I like to take advantage.

The pose is...well...unposed. I had set up my composition and directed them as they walked away from me into place and asked them to stop there. My daughter was along with me to drag gear and aim lights on the shoot and we were discussing something or other and when I looked back the couple had set this shot up for me themselves. Chemistry took over the shot. I knew at the click of the shutter the potential of this image.

The processing was pretty intense. Several curves layeres were combined with masks to increase contrast in important parts of the image, but to also retain detail at the ends of the histogram.

Swartzy provided the title!


- I had been a little let down by the choice of clothing. In particular, the super short sleeves and color of the girl's top(BRIGHT blue). The black and white treatment fixed half of that, and this particular shot wasnt negatively affected by the short ...or no sleeve top.

What a great set of photos! And Mmmatt you are so awesome to do all of that C & C!

I almost think we need to keep this thread open to more road tracks and trails photos.... .... ..... Such a great idea Mmmatt!

Originally Posted by smurfy Although my personal taste is definitely towards "reality" in a picture like this, rather than colors that have been obviously "popped" by upping the saturation in post, I do see the appeal of a more vibrant treatment that many prefer. This was , for better or worse, the real colors in a Brooklyn park on a spring day. *snip*

I totally get what you are saying Smurfy! As I said I was speaking of only my personal tastes. I do wage that inner battle myself sometimes too, so I know where you are coming from. Though I obviously lean more toward the other end.

Originally Posted by jeffreaux2 The pose is...well...unposed. I had set up my composition and directed them as they walked away from me into place and asked them to stop there. My daughter was along with me to drag gear and aim lights on the shoot and we were discussing something or other and when I looked back the couple had set this shot up for me themselves. Chemistry took over the shot. I knew at the click of the shutter the potential of this image.

Jeff I don't think there is any other way an image like this can come about. It's a pure moment, and it shows. The use of lines combined with the raw emotion is a powerful combination!

Originally Posted by heatherfeather What a great set of photos! And Mmmatt you are so awesome to do all of that C & C! I almost think we need to keep this thread open to more road tracks and trails photos.... .... ..... Such a great idea Mmmatt!

You can repost your other one! I like that one too... it was Heather's sassy side!! By all means if anyone wants to continue to post more images in this thread that would be great. These were amazing!

I'm glad I judged this one because it forced me to really look at them and appreciate the nuances. I wish I could get a 16x24 of all of these and oogle close up!!! We may be a small little chunk of the www, but there is some talent at dgrin for sure. This thread proves it.

Matt

Originally Posted by smurfy No "snip" intended, honestly!! So here's a few more that fit the category, since it was so hard to pick just one!

Gotta love the internet!!! I usually put a *snip* where I cut out part of the message I am quoting. I know you weren't being snippy!!! These are very nice too!

Matt

Hey, I honestly didn't know if my image would make the cut! Some impressive work from everybody else; thanks...

Gonna hafta re-read all the previous contest topics, to see what themes have already been done before I pick the next one. :-)

=Matt=

Thanks Matt! this was a great challenge. I had a hard time picking my fav from this shoot. (i just wish she was a little less formal with her dressing to match the future hubby).

Can't wait to shoot their wedding in November at the same winery. And you are right on...she is an amazing person.

I guess I should throw out a few too!












Probably more around somewhere but that is probably the bulk of the rt&t stuff I have done.

Matt

Matt,

How about rings or cakes. I have been dying to post a few for those!

Originally Posted by Qarik Matt, How about rings or cakes. I have been dying to post a few for those!

Well, you'll just have to win the current challenge and pick that as the next topic, won't you? :-P

=Matt=

Hey, mmmatt, it was really nice that you took the time to critique all the images!