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I'm really surprised by the limits of the discussion that has taken place here: much shallower than the photograph itself. While everybody has talked about smooth water and extraneous space, the first emotion to hit me when I saw this photograph was of imperious majesty: the lofty haughtiness of the rock standing stubbornly high and still above the tumult, like a king towers over his subjects, stoically oblivious to the bitty details of everyday lives which swarm around and beneath him and respect his esteemed grace.

Except that in the prescence of majesty a single subject is afforded brief insight into the unassailable reaches of the highest echelon of society. Although maintaining an over-respectful distance, and never daring even to approach the attitude of his ruler, the small rock is an image of a young pretender to the throne: maybe a prince, or maybe just a dreamy civilian invited to the palace to receive an award. The underling has the acquired style, and the upward ambition, but as yet does not dare to challenge.

And while this scene goes on, the lives of everyday people pass by like an irrelevent blur, not daring to encroach on the different standards by which his majesty lives his life; while their lives pass anonymously by, his is richly and ostensibly depicted and put on show for the rest to admire.

None of the attempts to improve this image have worked. Every one of them takes away the lofty emotion from the scene.

"Except that in the prescence of majesty a single subject is afforded brief insight into the unassailable reaches of the highest echelon of society."

Well, I like the picture, but it leaves me emotionally flat, although the rhetoric is getting pretty lofty around here. My first take on the picture was that it was of a turtle sinking tail first into the briny deep.

I agree that none of us has improved upon it (nor was I trying), although the idea of cropping at least part of the bottom has to be considered.

This is a good shot, but let's keep it in perspective.

--Lannie

Personally, I think this photo is a great starting point for something more powerful but is "flat" as presented. This is a photo I wish I would have taken, so I could then spend a lot of time working it in the darkroom.

First, I think it needs more brilliance overall, which could benefit from higher contrast and a little more warmth from Selenium toning (has that already been done and my monitor just doesn't show it?) There is a structural element I feel is potentially very important and which needs to br accentuated by local burning. I would like to see the sensual curve of light in the lower 1/3 brightened to continue the flow begun near the upper left. This done by burning through a mask while jiggling and tracking along the curve. As currently shown, this is essential if anything just to keep the lower 20--25% from adding a dark sense of heaviness to the overall composition--- in my opinion.

Second, I would like more space on the top, left, and right. The top is the main area that needs to be expanded since, as is, the ceiling seems too low above the rock. But perhaps this is impossible since it may not be on the original negative. With the ceiling expanded and the lower S-curve enhanced, it gives a vertical flow to the overall image. I don;t know if Carlos intended that originally, but the image feels like a vertical flow to me.

In summary, I like Carlos' original vision. But I would change the cropping (or have used a different framing on the neg), add overall luminosity, and burn in the sensual curving element that flows through the lower 1/3.

Nice work, Carlos!

/ Michael

In general, I agree with Cark about multiple main elements creating tension between them. But no rule, regardless of how basic, should be considered absolute. To me, this image is just supposed to have tension. There is a dissonance between the stark, massive, and sharply defined rocks, and the smooth, sensuous, vaguely present flow of water. To me it feel like strength and weakness, masculine versus feminine... who will win?

/ Michael