# On Reading - Haddon Hill (+revised) **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** landscape, non-nature\ **Created:** [July 19, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/on-reading-haddon-hill-revised/51582 "2026-07-19T23:11:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Huw\_Thomas](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/huw_thomas/32/87850_2.png) [@Huw\_Thomas](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Huw_Thomas)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/on-reading-haddon-hill-revised/51582/1 "2026-07-19T23:11:11Z")
## Revised Version ### Revision 2 (latest) ![Revision 2 - just reading-02703-Edit-3.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/c/2/c2e33583fb538674bc570cd1f105ae807cbb48eb.jpeg) **What changed:** Sky gone , It is more intimate - probably does make you concentrate more on the interaction between the two individuals, not sure I would have done this change without the prompt - thx ### Revision 1 ![Revision 1 - just reading-02703-Edit.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/9/a/9a90c710031b08827c725473944e2092f5ff3b2a.jpeg) **What changed:** Stone changed- few minor tweaks. Ps do I need any sky - shall I crop from the top? _Added after receiving feedback from the community._ * * * ## Original Version ![Original - just reading-02703-Edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/4/2/4280719e24fd681cb65b5ee0d3ec04dd43026a8e.jpeg) **Critique Style:** Standard The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below. **Feedback Focus:** Artistic + Technical ### About This Image This is my tribute to great photographers who have done projects on “On Reading”. If any are unfamiliar to you they are well worth investigating with google search (other search engines are also available :-D) Andre Kertesz was the first who throughout his career took photos of people reading wherever he saw them. > **[André Kertesz: On Reading - Literal Magazine](https://literalmagazine.com/andre-kertesz-on-reading/)** > > On Reading: “The Mystery of the Representation” The Open Book is an Open Door Download PDF / Descargar It was my friend the poet Fred Marchant who a few years back sent me a small book of photographs by Andre Kertesz called simply On Reading. I... David Hurn - a wonderful Magnum street photographer from South Wales produced a book of the same name as a tribute to Kertesz > **[Couldn’t put it down: David Hurn’s photographs of people reading – in pictures](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/jan/11/couldnt-put-it-down-david-hurns-photographs-of-people-reading-in-pictures)** > > The Magnum photographer has collected images he took around the world while working as a photojournalist for a new book Finally the wonderful ex National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry produced his book tribute to Andre Kertesz last year, with as you expect wonderfully varied “on reading” photographs from all over the world: > **[Striking photos of readers around the world](https://www.bbc.co.uk/culture/article/20170116-striking-photos-of-readers-around-the-world)** > > A new book brings together Steve McCurry’s photos of readers, spanning 30 countries. From a steelworks in Serbia to a classroom in Kashmir, they reveal the power of the printed word. Anyway this was taken on Exmoor, Somerset UK - about 10 miles from my home. I love the photograph it for its glorious moorland views, its humanity, and evidence of interpersonal relationships, love, friendship, understanding and shared leisure times. I hope this comes through to the viewer who can see this in the image ### Feedback Requested Comments, technical or otherwise appreciated, as always. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/on-reading-haddon-hill-revised/51582/2 "2026-07-20T20:23:48Z")
As an avid reader, this really appeals tome, Huw. I’ll have to look at your references to the other projects. I think it’s just the angle you were at, but my mind keeps wanting to give that monument a touch of clockwise rotation, though doing so would skew the horizon line horribly. Other than that, I like the image as presented. Note: Since the main subject of this image is the monument and people, a non-nature tag would probably have been more appropriate than landscape, though it’s perfectly permissible to add as many as you feel are suitable. I’ll add that tag as soon as I post this critique. P.S. that bright stone at the bottom suddenly started drawing my eye and won’t let go. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/system/32/86481_2.png) [@system](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/on-reading-haddon-hill-revised/51582/4 "2026-07-20T20:48:29Z")
The original poster added a [revised version](#post_1) of their image. ---
**Author:** ![Huw\_Thomas](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/huw_thomas/32/87850_2.png) [@Huw\_Thomas](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Huw_Thomas)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/on-reading-haddon-hill-revised/51582/5 "2026-07-20T20:50:38Z")
Thanks @Dennis_Plank feel free to play with tags if inappropriate. Enjoy the links - they are fantastic - Kertesz is a master and the others are awesome The monument is a “Trig point” stones put at the highest point of the hill or peak - very widespread in the UK and instantly recognisable. The couple were at the top of their local world with views all around. ---
**Author:** ![Han\_Schutten](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/han_schutten/32/72686_2.png) [@Han\_Schutten](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Han_Schutten)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/on-reading-haddon-hill-revised/51582/6 "2026-07-20T21:18:59Z")
To react on your PS: I don’t think that the image needs the sky. To me, the scene becomes more intimate without it, so I prefer an image without a visible horizon. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/system/32/86481_2.png) [@system](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/on-reading-haddon-hill-revised/51582/7 "2026-07-20T22:13:11Z")
The original poster added a [revised version](#post_1) of their image. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Haynes](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@David\_Haynes](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Haynes)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 10:36pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/on-reading-haddon-hill-revised/51582/8 "2026-07-20T22:36:47Z")
> [@Huw\_Thomas](#): > > I love the photograph it for its glorious moorland views, its humanity, and evidence of interpersonal relationships, love, friendship, understanding and shared leisure times. > > I hope this comes through to the viewer who can see this in the image It sure does. In spades. It looks like a great place to go to simply contemplate. With no grass growing there it also seems like it gets used a lot by other hikers. I am an avid reader (I read about 1 book a week) so this image has me thinking what a great place this would be to clear the head and turn some pages. I wish I were there now. This also makes me wonder if you took the picture or if you are in the picture? I’m assuming you took the picture but it makes me wonder. Thanks for the links. I can’t wait to read them all. ---
**Author:** ![Huw\_Thomas](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/huw_thomas/32/87850_2.png) [@Huw\_Thomas](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Huw_Thomas)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/on-reading-haddon-hill-revised/51582/9 "2026-07-20T22:46:46Z")
Thanks @David_Haynes I did take the picture but without disturbing them - I am always on the look out for pictures that express human interactions and emotions. They were so at peace, reading and chilling in each others company Regards huw ---
**Author:** ![Huw\_Thomas](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/huw_thomas/32/87850_2.png) [@Huw\_Thomas](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Huw_Thomas)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 10:59pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/on-reading-haddon-hill-revised/51582/10 "2026-07-20T22:59:09Z")
Thanks @Han_Schutten - tweaked as suggested ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 1:01am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/on-reading-haddon-hill-revised/51582/11 "2026-07-21T01:01:07Z")
I like the second rework a lot, Huw. A very nice improvement on an image that was excellent to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![Glenys\_Passier](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/glenys_passier/32/33963_2.png) [@Glenys\_Passier](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Glenys_Passier)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 5:22am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/on-reading-haddon-hill-revised/51582/12 "2026-07-21T05:22:47Z")
Love the revised image Huw! Without the sky (which didn’t add much) it’s so much more intimate. The couple look so comfortable together. Was it windy or cold? ---
**Author:** ![Huw\_Thomas](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/huw_thomas/32/87850_2.png) [@Huw\_Thomas](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Huw_Thomas)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 3:23pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/on-reading-haddon-hill-revised/51582/13 "2026-07-21T15:23:11Z")
Thanks @Dennis_Plank and @Glenys_Passier Comments much appreciated, it was pleasantly warm. From David Hurns book ![IMG_6031](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/4/4/44ec5648da6a507a7dcdbc870a85fee8c8843989.jpeg)