Congratulations Dave Koch, April 2025 PFRE Photographer of the Month! The theme this month was "Primary Bedroom".Dave Koch - Entry 1056 Peter Wingfield - Entry 1051 Paul-Dan Dragoman - Entry 1053Here's what Dave has to say:Thank you so much — this real ...
Photographer of the Month - January 2021
Entry 309
Austin Baker
https://austinlaruephotography.com/
While it doesn't show the house, it a very nicely composed image. I love the way the photographer used the big tree to help frame the shot. The light is just about perfect. It's one of my favorites this month.
Gorgeous light and beautifully detailed without being too sharp. The composition is great although could possibly be improved - maybe cropping in & up a bit from the bottom left corner, or maybe moving the camera and zooming in a bit (or maybe not, because of the position of the tree relative to the horizon). The chair with it's back to us is annoying me slightly, but that's a bit of a nitpick as the overall impact of this image is great.
Beautiful light. And I love the composition. This image has such a nice, relaxing mood. I like the delicate sky, and the light touch with the editing overall. I do wish the chair straight ahead had been angled towards the right a bit. The hard geometry of the chair back is a little jarring to me, in a composition that otherwise has such a nice fluidity to it. So I’m thinking that angling the chair might help to soften its profile a bit and give it a more casual/inviting feel. Also guessing that if the chair were turned a bit, its white cushions would pick up even more of that lovely light coming in from the right. Small thing: Wish there were something a little more interesting happening in the lower left corner; it feels a little lifeless over there, especially when compared to the lush cactus filling in the opposite corner. Despite the nitpicks, I think this is a lovely shot. Makes me want to sit at that table, relax, and enjoy this gorgeous setting.
This is a beautiful shot. As everyone else has said the light is just perfect. I love how the tree frames the image. Not sure what I would change here.
I mean, this is absolutely stunning. Everything about it is well executed. HOWEVER, sunset is not twilight. I hate to be a stickler, but I mentioned this in last year's twilight contest as well. Twilight is probably 10-15 mins after this photo. It's a technicality, but it matters. Sunset photos ALWAYS look fantastic. It's some of the best light to shoot in, and it will win 9 times out of 10. But it should not win a twilight contest! I hope the other jurors read this comment 🙂
Seriously, well done. Congratulations on seeing this wonderful opportunity. It's a winner for sure, but I can't give any points, as much as I want to, because there is golden sunset light on everything and that is by definition not twilight. If you enter this in the daylight exterior contest, I'm likely going to be tempted to give you all my points.
My favorite light of the month! I agree wholeheartedly with Julie's treatise on the chair. I knew it needed a slight clockwise turn, but she elegantly explained (better than I could!) why I knew that. I think it would be just as impactful without the fountain area along the left edge. Maybe a little something of interest on the table? But honestly, I'm just picking nits now. This is really well done! Fantastic work.
Apologies to all - I've embarrassed myself here. As it turns out, this year this contest category has been changed to Twilight / Golden Hour, so I stand corrected and I would like to retract my comments from yesterday about sunset vs. twilight, as they are obviously irrelevant. Wish I was able to edit my comment. Again, great shot!
Very nicely done! This is a beautiful composition and perfect choice of light timing. Tree framing is great! If anything possibly just scooting right a tad more and panning left just a hair to bring a little more of that water feature into the frame and getting rid of a little of the trees bulk at its base might have helped. Love the light touch on the editing as well...
This may be the most sellable part of this property... who knows, so I think its great! Sometimes I have been asked to shoot sunset or twilights and even night shots of JUST the view in multi million dollar properties because its all about location for some listings... You know I didn't even notice the chair till now... arghh... julie is smack on with her analysis. Easy to just turn it... ever so slightly clockwise ... and then I would ditch the chair just behind it.. its actually not adding anything and I don't think anyone would notice its absence ... yeah, maybe something on the table as Michael L said... again, great work!