Ailton #4

If this uploads right, then it illustrates more of what I hear Vuk saying. (The original was rotated so the head was verticle, then the left half was copied, flipped and pasted on the right) From here, I can see the point he's making.

 

 

I'm not saying this picture would be better if it were photoshopped as I have shown, and I don't think Vuk is saying that either, but that I hear Vuk saying it should be either perfectly symmetrical (as shown), or not symmetrical at all. As Nana posted it, it's neither, which seems to be driving Vuk's sense of aesthetics into the wall.

The point of a real symmetrical composition, as opposed to ersatz PS versions, is that you can read where the line of symmetry is and compare not just the similarities, but the differences. Fake symmetry shots, and even real ones that successfully eliminate virtually all variations, are sterile and boring, IMHO.

 

I think Nana's composition achieves the balance quite well.

this one is using the right, darker side, as the master.

I agree, Carl. The symmetricized versions remind me of the turtle POW a few months back.

Although, they do have an appeal. I mean, the first one I posted, created from the left, lighter side, is easier to misinterpret a la pregnant woman, football, basketball, etc.

"The point of a real symmetrical composition, as opposed to ersatz PS versions, is that you can read where the line of symmetry is and compare not just the similarities, but the differences. Fake symmetry shots, and even real ones that successfully eliminate virtually all variations, are sterile and boring, IMHO."

- If done correctly, it would be very easy to hide the 'line of symmetry' in Photoshop. Yes, duplicate one side; flip and paste. Afterwards, on top of the new false version, I would paste the original version and using layer opacities and the eraser tool I would bring back some of the original hair details, shadows, finger wrinkles etc to circumvent the 'cheap' flipped look.

i think this photo manages to achive a very original study of the human form...more i look at it, it looks like the man has taken off his head and is displaying it infront of his chest. very good pow choice i think. never seen anything like this.

An original image (to me at least) and very graphic. It is always interesting when you can

see that a photographer has thought of what he/she is doing, as opposed to grab shots or

records of what is in front of you (like so many shots seen here on photonet).

 

It is great that more will visit Nana's portfolio to enjoy it and get a push to try to emulate

her.

 

I would have tried a square crop as I think it might make the image a bit more abstract.

 

A simple looking shot but it isn't.

A line of symmetry is not a physical line. It is implied by the presence of flipped objects - visually, not literally through reflection. All symmetry compositions have a line of symmetry by definition. To illustrate the point, if the hands were to extend towards the head from the middle of each of the two sides of the frame (no thumbs) and if the fingers were reasonably straight, there would be two lines of symmetry.

I totally agree with Fred Weyman and Jim Dudley! There are plenty (fortunately) of photos in my portfolio that are much better than this one...

Well, I totally agree in everything, except one thing: I'm not "her". I'm "his"! ;-)

The composition, lighting and finished print are excellent. And, the image, like many of those by Mr. Dias, is BOLD and hasn't been done by any other "artists" around the globe who display and "critique" work on this site. Nana Dias is in a class by himself and much can be learned by the study of his work.

I like the dramatic tension found in this photograph between co-existing opposites. Right vs. left (which is not there if it is symmetrical), positive vs. negative (as in left-film/right-negative), tightly cropped vs. universal human anguish, and black vs. white (as in not a color photo).

I also see a Macro element here. The highlighted fingertips remind me of the kind of order found up close in nature; symmetrical but not perfect. Contrasted with the larger sense of the despair we've all felt, the photo easily reaches beyond it's tightly framed composition.

I agree with Michael Nigro this photograph displays excellent lighting and finish quality. Unfortunately it doesn't emit any emotion to me. It doesn't 'grab' and 'keep' my attention which I want it to do. As a viewer I haven't been given enough information. I'm left wondering what is going on - there is no tenseness in the fingers no hint of anything. Because of this, my thoughts then move over to the Doug Burgess comment re this photograph is a little Robert Mapplethorpish..it comes across soft to me.

Sorry for the sex change. I have visited your portfolio often enough not to have made such

a stupid mistake. Re POW - no such thing as bad publicity?!

Louis

I Love It!!! Throwing-out all of the 'over-thinking'.... no thoughts of symmetry, which, in my humble opinion would degrade the concept..... looking at this from an artistic standpoint... I think it is a great photo! Upon viewing it, my immediate thought was .... what is that?? which allowed me the luxury of taking the time to exam this photo very keenly, which led me to the conclusion....

"Frustration" ... if this were mine, that is what I would name it!

Very nice, very thought provoking!!!

Mark

I do not think anything in the image should be simmetrical! The best version is the original, love the tones and composition, superb creativity, very artistic.