Becoming Fertile

Critiques [Translate]

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• InasiaJones (15841)
• [2008-06-22 20:28]

Hi Peter,

The parallel with the car from Bodie is excellent. You can build yourself a fantastic series with these vehicles of the past, bold and rusted...

The mood is excellent and goes hand-in-hand with the weather conditions. The composition is flawless, tight and cool. Your B&W is gorgeous, with full of details and textures. Since I can't put your image in my portfolio, I'll put it in my favorites...

Cheers!

André

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• ronners (234)
• [2008-06-22 20:43]

I'd like to see the original of this one, because you appear to have lost something in post-processing. The truck looks like it's had some kind of noise reduction run on it and it has a lack of definition that doesn't quite fit with the foreground detail. The side of the radiator grill and right side mirror are completely blown out which just seems wrong under those lighting conditions. Of course we could be simply seeing the side-effect of JPEG compression. I do like the way the composition flows from right to left - both with the wind blown grass and exhaust pipes - this gives it all a cohesiveness.

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• capthaddock (28303)
• [2008-06-22 20:45]
• - [workshop] [compare]

It looks like a monstrous insect-robot hybrid from a 1950's sci-fi film. The BW adds tons of atmosphere, I will add a WS photo showing Peter and the truck.

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• mesutilgim (25025)
• [2008-06-22 21:26]

Hi dear Peter !
Wonderfull !
Unusual (but perfect) pov and amazing graphical effect.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

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• bibiweb (31333)
• [2008-06-22 21:43]

Hi Peter,
It's nice to finally start seeing pictures from your Californian TE meeting (it seems that in Europe we're a whole lot eager to post as soon as we get home).
Great mood here with a contrasted conversion to B&W. I like the feeling of isolation and that truck looks like it would have been a good subject for our "rust" theme in Lille.
I also like your note and the way you describe the excitement that precedes a TE meeting... I feel exactly the same way.
Have a nice day.
Bibi

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• robertosalguero (17306)
• [2008-06-22 21:50]

Hi Peter,

Old cars in the middle of nowhere, or near somewhere, always seem to attract my attention. I find them to be a feature in the countryside. Nice black and white image with the truck properly placed on the top of the image. Good depth and sharpness...You won't see old trucks in the Rockies but you may find a couple of ruined cabins.

Roberto

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• aadilj (10718)
• [2008-06-22 22:08]

The play of contrasts and textures is very eveident in your b/w as well. I like the dated value in this and the superb composition controls

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• besnard (21037)
• [2008-06-22 22:14]

Bonjour Peter
Le noir et blanc est un bon choix pour cette excellente composition. C'est tout simplement superbe. Bravo
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

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• tomescuc (1211)
• [2008-06-22 22:53]

Hi Peter,
The weather you encountered is quite normal for this time of year (unfortunately ?). But I think you captured this abbandoned truck lost in the grass quite well. And desaturing it was the right thing to do.
cheers,
Cristian

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• BennyV (1602)
• [2008-06-22 23:29]

Hi Peter,

What I like here is how everything seems to bend to the right: the high grass, but also the pipes on the truck...as if symbolizing the passing of time. Great work.

Benny

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• Docarmo (7005)
• [2008-06-22 23:46]

Olá Peter,
Esta imagem me fez lembrar da outra que você menciona no link, imediatamente ;-)
Incrível a sensação volumétrica aqui. Além disso, o B&W combinou muito com o veículo.
O WS de Capthaddock está impagável e dá uma prévia do que vem por aí... ;-)
Abraço,
MCV

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• anes_lc (14261)
• [2008-06-23 0:13]

once again the master of b&w compositions :)
great in every details dear peter ,how you do this conversions ?
the subject is one of my favorites ,even if i didn't have many chances to shot similar :)
great one,like always
thanks share
hugs,anes

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• delkoo (25026)
• [2008-06-23 0:26]

hi peter
I definitely like your POV in this shot ... it provides such good perspective, your b&w treatment is also very well done.

didier

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• danos (19542)
• [2008-06-23 0:55]

Hello Peter,
nice shot in B/W format,the razor sharp focus is excellent and i like your composition and choice of POV, as the ears of the foreground has been captured superbly, wonderful gold light and brilliant hue, a very well crafted shot.The old truck is well placed in the scene.Well done.

Have a nice week,Danos

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• Floydian (25543)
• [2008-06-23 1:18]

Hi Peter,
Back home again with tons of good pictures i presume. Hope you had a nice meeting. I've already seen some images from there but you presnting a kind of Bodie style photo. This is something what can't be made here. It's impossible to leave a truck like that standing out in the fields.
But for you it brings good and nice compositions, and yours in b&w gives an extra dimension to it because the weather was not perfect when i look at the ws. Good choice in doing it like this although i am to fond of that glow around the cabin it surely brings out the truck in front, that's the most important thing.
Regards, Henk

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• totoamoto (1764)
• [2008-06-23 1:28]

Salut Peter..
Le camion est génial.. Le travail sur le n&b accentue le coté ancien de cette image.
Bravo
Cyril

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• ktanska (12473)
• [2008-06-23 2:44]

Hi Peter,
You have the eye for old vehicles too. There is certain Mad Max feeling on this one, I wonder what kind of character drives this. As this spreads liquid manure some of those rust looking spots might be something else...
As the truck is more interesting than crops to me, I'd go for landscape framing just to see details bigger.
Kari

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• feather (40653)
• [2008-06-23 3:11]
• [2]

The mono conversion works a treat here; I love the tone you used. The other work you did had really brought out the textures wonderfully. It's quite an unusual choice of framing that commands our attention immediately and gives impact. I wonder how many of us would have used landscape format placing the lorry lower in the frame and ending up with something ordinary. Well done
Kath

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• Gerrit (25716)
• [2008-06-23 4:17]

Hi Peter,
Excellent black en White photo of this remarkable truck, that realy looks old in the waving grain.
Regards, Gerrit

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• stego (15370)
• [2008-06-23 4:23]

Olá Peter,
It's a curious coincidence that we have done our last posts only minutes apart from each other. There is only one post between them.
This is another 'classic looking' photo, for its wise compo, the flawless sharpness, the B&W, but also for the appearance of the truck, that looks so old that one would believe that the image had been shot in the 1940's or 1950's. Real a great photo!
Actually, after seeing the title and before I read the note, I thought that you were making a joke with the truck becoming fertilizer as it went rustier.
Um abraço, José.

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• jwmunro (5964)
• [2008-06-23 4:29]

Hello Peter -

All of us blew off the old water wagon but you got the stunning image of the day. I think the B&W conversion was the right thing to do since the sky and other factors were not in the best of shape. I do like the PP to give the truck a better face than what was on it. The semi-infrared approach really works. {You are going to have to show me how you do that.} Well seen and presented.

Thank you for sharing.

John

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• belido (9669)
• [2008-06-23 4:42]

Olá Peter,

cadê o mau processamento? Prá mim tá 10. Está saboroso esse efeito de alto contraste nessa versão p&b. O caminhão abandonado é um tema e tanto, e sua versão de captura vertical já conhecida me parece perfeita. Uma bela apresentação!
Abraço,
Carlos

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• joscel1975 (330)
• [2008-06-23 6:24]

Hi Peter;

What a perfect sample of B&W shot! Very sharp and classical.

Joscel

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• crckt (6815)
• [2008-06-23 7:19]

Hi Peter,
I was just going to write that this reminds me of your haunting images from Bodie, when I saw that you mentioned that already in your note. Did you try out sepia in this shot too? I would think that might have worked nicely too.
Good job!
Regards,
Shaeri

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• dareco (11231)
• [2008-06-23 7:25]

This is really beautiful! I love the b&w and the wonderful contrast. A perfect pov!! TFS and have a great day!

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• plimrn (15965)
• [2008-06-23 8:09]

Hi Peter
Good eye to spot the picturesque old truck in the field. As always the FG detail is great while the B&W conversion emphasizes the fog. Tan's WS makes you look like you're dancing on the top of that truck!!
HLJ, Pat

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• wishlist (3931)
• [2008-06-23 8:14]

Hi Peter,
yes it reminds me the one you took in Bodie, but with a different post processing this b&w looks really nice and added a great mood. Flawless picture, great presentation as usual.
Thanks,

Igor

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• Wandering_Dan (3237)
• [2008-06-23 8:14]

Hi, Peter, it's about time you started posting the Pt Reyes shots! I've been waiting to see what I missed.

Fog can be fun - or at least useful, if one has no choice (most of our first week in Oregon and Washington was foggy and drizzly). Plus you can, as here, convert to B&W where the lack of sky color is less noticeable.

And it was a good choice for other reasons, as it emphasizes the antique and dilapidated nature of the truck, even though it still works. It also brings out very well the texture of the grass.

I didn't notice the blown-out mirror until I read Ron's mention of it, but yes, that is a minor flaw that could be fixed with a bit of brushwork.

Best,
Dan

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• zmey (5204)
• [2008-06-23 8:21]

hello Pete

a truck from the hell?? :)) for some weird reason, that's how the shot makes me feel. especially, when i read about that wonderous smell surrounding the place ;)) you did a good job depicting that with that foggy black and white sky background. but i do like the feel of dynamics you are bringing about.

warm regards,
kristaps

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• gary91 (14547)
• [2008-06-23 8:27]

Hello Peter,
What to say... except congratulations for such a wonderful image.
The b&w conversion is completly mastered and the work on the shadows and on the textures is outstanding.
A real masterpiece!
Nice note about the mood of TE meetings, I hope I can attend one of yours one of these days!
Have a nice day.
Best regards, Christian

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• paura (23332)
• [2008-06-23 8:28]

Peter,
Fico menos triste por não ter ido pelas lindas fotos, como essa, que virão. O camarada aí nem está tão velho, vai. Apenas um pouquinho caido. Linda composição e pp.

Abração

Paulo

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• luisafonso (13263)
• [2008-06-23 13:26]

I really thought this was Bodie when I first looked at it. I like this very much Peter. The b&w is very good. It's subtle. The blacks are not real blacks. Usually I look for it, but here I like the way you did it. The composition is perfect. Using all that wheat in the foreground was a great move. The light on the truck is also great. It's a great photo if you ask me. Thanks for sharing.

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• lucasgalodoido (9992)
• [2008-06-23 15:09]

Olá Peter,
esse caminhão é dos bons, acredito que se tivesse no Brasil ainda estaria rodando, hehe! Gostei do P&B, combina com a época de contrução do veículo.
Parabéns e Abraço

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• gneufeld (10367)
• [2008-06-23 17:49]

Hi Peter,
This is awesome, and I love the rendition in Black and White. Great on details, sharpness, and contrasts. Very well done and TFS. Gerald

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• zeca (18222)
• [2008-06-23 20:00]

Ô cara! Tava sumido! O que é que andou fotografando, hein? Mas, voltou com boa foto de Bodie, outra vez com um super contraste e texturas muito bonitas. O enquadramento é muito legal e super adequado. Beleza de foto, Peter!
Abraço!
Zeca

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• batalay (15130)
• [2008-06-23 22:02]

Hello Peter,

I like this 40s image in b&w, with the lush growth symbolic of the product the truck carries. Moreover, it is highly reminiscent of our ghost town shot, Bodie. These two images would make a very good diptych.

Warm regards,

Bulent

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• rigoletto (22305)
• [2008-06-23 23:19]

No matter what the situation is, a good photographer can always make good photos. Thanks to the postprocessing techniques, of course, but the most important thing here is, how you used this rotten truck. The grass, which the truck certainly doesn't belong to, makes a contradictory irony about life and death. The soft halo surrounding the subhect, makes the scenery even more melancholic. Unexpected subject and a very nice result from you.
Cheers,
Deniz

ps: your analogy between the joy of TE meetings and the joy of Christmas Eve is awesome :)

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• jhm (68030)
• [2008-06-24 5:23]

Hello Peter,

You know that I no fan am of black & white, but this picture can excellent in B & W.
Old cars in the middle of nowhere, or near somewhere, this would can are the title for this picture.
In Belgium is this impossible a car middle in the field leave behind.
Nice captured and excellent presentation.

Best regards,
John.

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• Bluejeans (19500)
• [2008-06-24 6:00]

Oi amigo ,
Linda esta tua composição a preto e branco os detalhes ficaram magnificos , o camião ficou lindo , bom contraste entre tons , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo
Vai para as minhas favoritas :)

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• toto (14253)
• [2008-06-24 7:56]

Bonjours,
belle photo de ce camion citerne de toute beauté, le NB le fait bien ressortir dans ces herbes hautes.
Le WS en couleur est bien aussi, et que dire de cette vieille voiture si ce n' est que vous avez l' a de trouver et de prendre en photo ces vieux tacots bien jolis a visionner.

Amitiés Thomas

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• Cretense (35963)
• [2008-06-24 9:57]

Hi Peter!

Seing things in a stay of "decline", abandoned houses and cars, is something that always touches me, and when they are captured well, they make a very impressive and interesting photographic subject. The way you have taken this one, is not just "well", I simply can't imagine how this could have been better! Perfect framing, excellent b&w choice, unusual sky, great contrast and sharpness on the truck and beautiful windy feeling on the field! Congratulations!

Hercules

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• mark_mk (2222)
• [2008-06-24 10:00]

Hi Peter,
a great shot, somehow this truck doesn`t fit in the landscape at all, but this is what makes this picutre so fascinating and so good! Wow, you achieved a great result with the B&W, how do you achieve this result? It can`t only be the RAW. A wonderful composition Peter, simply great!

Take care
Mark

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• bostankorkulugu (25641)
• [2008-06-24 10:15]

this one reminds me of an older shot of yours that i like a lot... bit it was an old car then, in front of an old hut?... looks both simple and sophisticated with a perfect pp to make me admire you even more... cheers peter...

korkut


ps: oops... only now i ve realised the "bodie" link!...

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• avene (6216)
• [2008-06-24 10:16]

hi Peter,
I can only agree with the others about the smart use of B&W here, it does give the shot a timeless quality. if cowboys had trucks, they'd look like this one ;) but what I like best is the sense of the movement in the field, it feels as if the truck is sailing through the sea of grass. love the effect.

regards,
Kristine

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• Philippe (9551)
• [2008-06-24 14:30]

Hi, Peter. Is this truck still working. It looks more like a wreck. But from a photographic point of view it has its charm with its round shapes and its pipes popping out at different places. The changeable weather you talk about in your note is very well illustrated by the moving grass and the fog in the background. I like you composition with the truck in the top third of the picture. Your B&W PP is also very good.
Have a nice day,
Philippe

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• jimkilgallon (1513)
• [2008-06-24 23:42]

Peter
The abandoned look of old trucks and cars are always fascinating. The perspective you have caught the truck is great, you chose very well. Tonal wise, it looks very strong with the highlights and midtones working together well with each other. Well seen and captured
Regards
Jim

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• rozy975 (3041)
• [2008-06-25 15:31]

Beautiful light in the background.
B&W is a very good choice for this shot.
I love the composition.
Well done!

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• Kris_Luxenhofer (521)
• [2008-06-26 8:41]

Hello Peter,
wow, wenn ich dieses Bild sehe erinnere ich mich noch genau an unseren USA Urlaub. Als wir die Highways fuhren, sahen wir hunderte solcher heruntergekommener Trucks und Autos.
Diese besondere Schwarz/weiß Technik gefällt mir extrem gut, Mark hat mir abererzählt, dass es recht schwer sein muss. AUf jeden Fall super Komposition, wie auch der Wind durch das Gras weht.
Viele Grüße,
Kris

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• guillaumejm (7727)
• [2008-06-26 13:49]

Hello peter,
excellent point of view. It creates great impact. I think b&w suits well too such old truck. Cnotrast level also great great graphic effect.
Best regards
JMarc

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• azleader (793)
• [2008-06-26 17:03]

top quality in this B/W... your perspectives and composition always makes the main subject stand out.

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• gunbud (18215)
• [2008-06-26 21:32]

Hi Peter,
Love the clearness of the grass blowing in the wind around this old beast of burden.
Great details to this old soldier that had some of its part recycled.
Regards, Tom

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• MikiM (1866)
• [2008-06-27 1:30]

Hi Peter,

Very strong composition - both the BW and the choosen POV made it powerful.
And I think there is some addition PP work - which is good also!

Congrats,

Miklós

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• sacavem (5029)
• [2008-06-27 5:01]

Olá Peter,

Wonderful!The subject of the image is a good one for black and white. Great job for your b/w, it works very well here. I like your composition with the truck filling the frame.
Have a nice day,
Filipe

See you in 2 week time. I am leaving for vacations and probably I will not have much time to critique. From 28 June and 14 July

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• albertz (2095)
• [2008-06-27 5:53]

A truck in the middle of nowhere, that's an interesting subject. I have to say this is one of the best b&w transformation i've ever seen and i congratulate you for that. One of my fav. Great pp work, i like it a lot.

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• MarianneS (8035)
• [2008-06-28 9:06]

Hi Peter,
I missed this photo! Your post treatment is impressive.
You give such a dramatic dimension to the place and to this truck ! Congratulations.
I like your note about TE meeting : yes, expectation is the first feeling... I am looking forward to my next one :-)
Regards,
Marianne

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• jusninasirun (7085)
• [2008-06-28 21:17]

Hello Peter. I was thinking that you captured an abandoned truck until I read the note. I would like to meet friends from Trek sites like the one here in Point Ryes. The image is well converted in tall frame. The contrast and saturation is pleasant and the hazy horizon makes it more stunning against the sharpness and detail of the subject and the foreground. I like it and keep shooting and sharing. Best regards. Jusni

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• cayden (616)
• [2008-06-30 0:58]

Hello Peter,
This is a master work, great composition and contrast.
Thank you for sharing.
Cem

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• skippy007 (3071)
• [2008-07-02 1:19]

Hello Peter, interesting subject, I thought it was a wreck until I read your note. I think BW a good choice adding tons of atmosphere,enhanced by the glow, & a feeling of isolation.
A nice image & a good note.
Thanks
Santo

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• jaywalker (9555)
• [2008-07-03 11:16]

Hi Peter, You have used B/W brilliantly in this excellent photo, the truck being in the top half of frame works wonderfully well, very good light & detail & the variation of gray tones is captured beautifully, superbly composed with the wind sweeping the grass to the left, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

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• kensimage (7678)
• [2008-07-03 22:01]

Hi Peter, I'm back to TE after some weeks away, and I like this best of your recent shots. It's the tones and the angle that really bring out the aged character of this beast, still at work well past retirement age. It has a nostalgic old-movie look, helped by the distant fog. Sorry I missed this TE meeting! I look forward to the next one I can join. Regards, Ken.

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• Wanda1 (8397)
• [2008-07-05 22:46]

Hi Peter,
What a photogenic truck! and you look like you found a great angle to show it off in all its decay (even though it is still functional, it looks like it is decaying)) and beauty. I like the way you have placed it at the top of the frame in the composition leaving plenty of that wonderfully textured grass for the rest. Great detail and you have a nice range of black and white tones.
Regards
Wanda

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• Dragut (1052)
• [2008-07-08 8:08]

Hi Peter

Directly escaped from Mad MAx. Nice choice of b&w and frame.
Good